Copia has another line of ereaders named “Ocean” with a 6″ display touch/3G and a 9″ display touch/3G. This line of device was suposed to be launched in Spring 2010 but was pushed back and there’s still no word about expected launch date.

Even with those prices, Copia will have hard time competing with the new Kindle WiFi which is only $139. We also believe that eReader prices will continue to drop throughout the year.

Copia sells books in the standard Epub format. The number of digital books available for purchase through Copia’s e-commerce site is said to be around 400,000, not including public domain titles.

[Source: Engadget, Copia]

Kindle WiFi vs Nook WiFi: Where Kindle WiFi Wins

1. Price: the Nook WiFi is worth $149; the Kindle WiFi costs $10 less.
2. Page turn and navigation speeds: The Kindle WiFi is very fast. The Nook WiFi, on the other hand, still suffers from slow page turns and sluggish menu navigation.
3. Battery life: The Kindle WiFi can last up to a month on a single charge with the wireless off; the Nook WiFi has only 10 days of battery life.
4. Memory space: The new Kindle has onboard memory that’s twice as large as the Nook’s. Its 4GB internal memory can store up to 3500 pages; the Nook can carry up to 1500 ebooks at a time only. 
5. Better PDF support: On the Kindle WiFi, you can annotate and highlight PDF files and access the built-in dictionary. The device can also open password-protected PDF files.

 
6. Changeable line spacing: You can adjust the line spacing to match your comfort level. There are three choices available: small, medium, and large.
7. Multiple language support: The Kindle WiFi supports multiple languages. It can display texts in Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Latin, Greek, and more. 
8. Word document support: The device can display Microsoft Word documents.
9. Accessibility: The Kindle WiFi does not only read out loud ebooks. It’s text-to-speech function is now extended to all menus and text descriptions.
10. Lighter: The new Kindle WiFi weighs 8.5 ounces; the Nook WiFi weighs 11.6 ounces.
11. Thinner: With its super slim girth of 0.34 inches, the device is easier to hold than any other eReader. The Nook WiFi is significantly thicker at 0.50 inches. 

Kindle WiFi vs Nook WiFi: Where Nook WiFi wins

1. ePub support: Open ecosystem enables the device to display both Adobe DRM-protected and non-DRM protected ebooks. Open format also means you’re not tied to a single store for buying ebooks.
2. Expansion slot: The Nook WiFi has a microSD card slot; the Kindle has none.
3. Library ebooks: With the Nook WiFi, you can borrow library ebooks via Overdrive.com.

4. LendMe Feature: The Nook eReader lets you share books with your friends. Through this feature, you can lend publisher-approved books to other people for up to 14 days.  
5. Web access: The Nook’s  web browser works over WiFi network. The Kindle’s built-in WiFi can be used only for accessing the store and downloading books. [Update: Turns out the Kindle browser enables almost full web browsing. We still think the B&N Nook has a better browsing experience, Based on the Kindle’s older model.  
6. Customizable screen saver: You can easily personalize the Nook WiFi by replacing the default screen saver with your own photo.

7. User-accessible battery: The Kindle’s battery is still not user-replaceable.
8. Aesthetic appeal: The Nook WiFi comes with a 3.5” supplementary color touchscreen. It works with the main eInk screen very well in providing breezy navigation. The color panel also displays library and bookstore books by cover. 

9. Retail presence: You can try the Nook WiFi at a BestBuy or a Barnes & Noble store before deciding to buy.
10. Chess and Sudoku: The two games are excellent for passing time – when you’re not in the mood for reading.

Kindle WiFi vs Nook WiFi: Where They Tie

1. Free WiFi access in all AT&T hotspots in the US: Both offers easy and free access to AT&T WiFi network for wireless browsing and shopping of books.   
2. Readability:  Both device offer 6 level grayscales. Contrast is excellent; texts stand out better against white background, thanks to their black border.
3. Compact size: Both offer 6-inch eInk screen and roughly the same chassis. The Nook WiFi measures 7.7 x 4.9 inches, while the Kindle WiFi measures 7.5 x 4.8 inches.
4. Text resizing: The Nook WiFi offers 5 font size options; the Kindle WiFi, 6 font sizes.
5. Changeable font type: Both support 3 font types. The Kindle WiFi has Caecelia, Condensed, and Sans-serif fonts. The Nook WiFi supports Amasis, Light Classic, and Helvetica Neue.
6. Quick page turn by hard key: Page turn buttons quickly responds to presses. 
7. Automatic syncing: The devices automatically synchronize last page reads across multiple devices. 

 
8. Cross-platform transferability: Both the Kindle and the Nook have their own respective eReader apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Mac, and PC.
9. One-handed use. Page turn buttons on both sides of the screen allows one-handed reading.
10. Simple to use: The devices work out of the box – no installation required. 

Closing Thought

The Kindle WiFi ties up with the Nook WiFi on a lot of features, but also exceeds the Nook WiFi in a lot of things. And by undercutting the price of the Nook WiFi by $10, there’s no argument that the Kindle WiFi gives more value for your money. And, that said, we haven’t even mentioned yet the competitive prices and wide range of choices you’ll find at the Kindle Store.

Kindle WiFi works automatically with AT&T WiFi Hotspots. If a coffee shop or a mall has an AT&T WiFi HotSpot your Kindle WiFi will automatically recognize it and work -

Enjoy free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S. for shopping and downloading Kindle content – no AT&T registration, sign-in, or password required.

For those who want a sub-$150 eReader or who have no need for 3G accessibility, the WiFi version is just as formidable as its 3G brother. With its thinner form factor, more ergonomic design, improved readability and even bigger storage, the Kindle WiFi is positioned to out-perform every other eReader out there. And with its incredibly low price of $139, the Kindle WiFi is more enticing than ever.

Features – Hardware and Software

Amazon has given the Kindle WiFi a complete redesign. The first thing people will notice is its smaller form factor. Amazon has trimmed the Kindle in all corners, cutting out as much 21% unnecessary spaces. The result is a more streamlined, tighter look. The Kindle 2 measures 8 x 5.3 x 0.36 inches. In contrast, the Kindle WiFi measures 7.5 x 4.8 x 0.34 inches only. That doesn’t sound like much, but when you hold the device, you’ll feel the difference more dramatically: it feels lighter, thinner, and much easier to hold with one hand.

To allow for the smaller form factor, Amazon also removed the row of numbers button and resized the page turn buttons to just 1/3 of an inch wide. The navigation buttons have been re-organized to allow for a more ergonomic arrangement. The Menu, 5-way buttons, Back, and Home buttons are now located under the screen directly next to the QWERTY keyboard.

The keyboard buttons are more rounded and arranged closer next to each other, making typing a lot faster. The slimmer page turn buttons now come in a rocker style, which responds to presses easily without making any annoying noise. Instead of Word labels, the page turn buttons are now labeled with > and < arrows only.

What’s more notable is the way Amazon has made the Kindle WiFi’s readability much better than ever. The screen has 50% better contrast that its predecessor. It is also zippier, offering a 20% faster page turn rate. 4GB onboard storage is double the size of the Kindle 2, and it can hold up to 3500 reading materials. Battery life is also doubled; it can now last up to a month with the wireless turned off.

Amazon has added a lot of new features, too, including the ability to modify line spacing (options include small, medium, and large) and typeface (options include regular, condensed, and sans serif). The device also supports several languages (Japanese, Korean, Cyrillic, Chinese).

The Kindle WiFi has free access to AT&T networks. It is available in Graphite only.

The Bottom Line

The Kindle WiFi is already available for pre-order. It’s a very solid eReader that will be hard to resist. Amazon has really done a great job.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… I: wait… Top: wait… C: wait…

Mr. Bezos also expressed his thoughts on the future of the Kindle. In a response to a question about the “device (hardware) business” Bezos replied:

This is our third generation of Kindle. I hope we’ll be sitting here talking about the 10th and the 20th generation of Kindle. We will also make our apps available on a wide variety of devices so people can read on LCD-based devices, tablet computers, smartphones, laptops. We have taken as a mission to have the best purpose-built reading device. We want to have the best Kindle bookstore.

In another interesting interview on Pocketlint, Steve Kessel — Amazon’s senior vice president of Worldwide Digital Media revealed some Amazon’s future plans regarding a color eReader. Mr Kessel acknowledged the fact that Mirasol QI along with other displays are being tested in Amazon’s labs and might be featured on a future Kindle. However it will probably won’t happen in the near future.

[Source: Engadget]

1. Amazon did not expect such a big demand after the Kindle price drop, and wasn’t able to restock in time.

2. Amazon was preaparing for a new device release.

Turns out the 2nd option won. Exactly like we predicted few weeks ago.

The new Kindle line includes 2 new devices (not considering the Kindle DX):

1. Kindle 3G Wi-Fi:

The new Kindle come with hardware and feature upgrades compared the now out-of-stock Kindle 2. Most notably, they come with the new Pearl screens from E Ink that have 50% improved contrast, the same screen that the new Graphite Kindle DX has. The new Kindle uses a new web browser based on the industry-leading open source Web browser engine, WebKit. The updated browser is faster, easier to navigate, and provides a new “article mode” feature that simplifies web pages to just the main text- based content for easier reading. Web browsing with Kindle over 3G or Wi-Fi is free. There are other improved features like Improved PDF reader, New voice guide, A lighter leather cover, quieter page turn buttons and more. The device comes in 2 colors: White and Graphite.

The price for the Kindle 3G + WiFi is still the same: $189. You can pre order it now. Shipping start on August 27th.

2. Kindle Wi-Fi:

The New Kindle Wi-Fi provide exactly the same features as the 3G + WiFi version, only without….Well, without 3G. The big difference is the price. $50 less than the 3G version which turns out to be $139. A bargain. The Kindle Wi-Fi is aimed at users who read 3 books a month or less and don’t have such a great use for the 3G feature. The WiFi model is only available in Graphite color.

you can pre order the Kindle WiFi starting today. Shipping starts on August 27th.

Along with the big changes, there have been minor tweaks as well — the keyboard and five-way controls have been streamlined and altered slightly. The rocker is now more compact and flush with the device, and the side buttons have been modified in length to emphasize the forward paddles, while the back buttons have been downsized. Software wise, there are some interesting new features, the most notable being the inclusion of an “experimental” Webkit-based browser. If you’re expecting future iterations to go even bolder with their multimedia capabilities, we kindly direct you to some choice quotes by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, care of WSJ: “For the vast majority of books, adding video and animation is not going to be helpful. It is distracting rather than enhancing. You are not going to improve Hemingway by adding video snippets”.

The Kindle WiFi can be pre ordered on Amzon.com

Here’s a new video of the Kindle WiFi

Since ‘08, Sharp has increased memory capacity from 16Mbits to 32Mbits while boosting the image processing speed, and the company now intends to hawk the chip to outfits who manufactuer smartphones, e-readers, digital photo frames and even netbooks. 

Dual Screen eReaders include the Entourage Edge and the Kno which is yet to be released

[Source: Engadget]

Two other factors also prevented shipments from reaching the target. Telecom carrier China Mobile Communications’ subsidized sales of e-book readers were weaker-than-expected in the China market, and volume shipments of SiPix’s e-paper solutions were delayed.

Barnes & Noble took the leading position in the second quarter with 33% market share, followed by Amazon’s 27%. However, Amazon is expected to regain the leading position in the third quarter when the company launches a new product, Digitimes Research noted.

For the second half of 2010, demand is expected to pick up as vendors lower their prices. Volume shipments of SiPix’s e-paper products will add fuel to the competition in the market, and the availability of more mature SoC (system on chip) solutions will facilitate product development and cost-down.

Digitimes Research forecasts that the global e-book reader market to reach seven million units in the second half of 2010 and attain the target of 10 million units for the whole year

Let’s take a look at the efforts Borders is making.

Borders Store vs Kindle Store: Borders Strategies 

Borders aims to leverage their market share of eBooks by:

1. Making Borders Store device-neutral.

Device neutrality allows books on the Kobo Store to work with a variety of devices. Consumers have greater freedom in reading content on the device of their choosing. 
Kobo Books can be read on: Astak, B&N Nook, BeBook, BeBook, Booken, COOL-ER, Elonex, Hanlin, IREX, Neolux, and Sony eReaders. Also, Kobo has apps for Blackberry, iPad, iPhone, iPod, PC, and Mac.

2. Launching Area-e or eBook sections in Border stores.

Borders Group has more than 508 brick-and-mortar stores in the US and 3 in Puerto Rico, and also has dozens of airport stores. In their bid to raise the market presence of Kobo eReaders, the company is setting up an ebook section called “Area-e” in its superstores. In these e-book sections, consumers can sit and try out Border’s selection of eReaders (which include Kobo, Sony, and Aluratek Libre models). They can also preview eBooks before buying them. (This isn’t much of an advantage since Kindle also allows free pre-purchase sampling of eBooks).   

The greater advantage of Borders over Kindle, though, is its strong international presence. Borders has retail presence in Canada and various European and Asian countries. The Kobo device is also said to support over 180 languages. 

Borders Store vs Kindle Store: What Borders Really Need to Do to Beat the Kindle 

1. Match the Kindle Store’s eBook Range. 

The newly launced Borders Store boasts of 1.5 million titles. This figure already takes into account the thousands of free public domain titles from the Internet Archive. Some reports say that the Kobo Store has about 200,000 paid titles only.

The Kindle Store, on the other hand, has more than 2.4 million titles. You take out the 1.8 million out-of-copyright titles that can be downloaded for free, and that still leaves you more than 620,000 paid titles.

2. Improve looks of the Kobo Store. 

Compared to the Kindle, the Kobo eBookstore rather looks plain.

3. Make prices of eBooks more competitive.

eBook prices on the Borders Store range from $0.79 cents to $18 or more. The Kobo Store is on par with Amazon Store with regards to prices of agency model books. When it comes to non-agency model books, however, Amazon holds the better prices. For instance, Stephen King’s Under the Dome costs $9.99 only in the Kindle Store, but costs $16.99 in the Borders Store.

4. Set up a direct link between the Kobo eReader and the Kobo Store. 

The convenience of book shopping and buying that the Kindle eReader offers is greatly amiss in the Kobo ecosystem.

Closing Thought

Borders is the last major bookseller in the US to launch an eBook house. Can it still beat Amazon, which has a head start of about 2 years? The answer is a tentative yes, for its success depends on the strategies it will be making in the next months. This means the company needs to do more than simply launching an eBook section in its physical stores. What’s more important is that Borders should strive to provide the broadest range of ebooks at the most competitive prices.