Google eReader Takes on Kindle
Google has teamed up with device manufacturer iriver to release a Google branded eReader. The iriver Story HD will be the first eReader integrated with the Google eBooks platform. The Wi-Fi enabled device has a 6″ eInk screen and a QWERTY keyboard. It goes on sale this coming Sunday at Target for $139.99, the same price as the Kindle.
Am I missing something here?
I’m no businessman (goodness me, I’m no business man), but isn’t the way to compete with another product to offer something different, a compelling reason to choose an alternative? What I see here, essentially, is a white Kindle 3.
Marco Arment, creator of Tumblr and Instapaper, says pretty much the same thing:
But appearance aside, I’m not sure why a significant number of buyers would choose this over the Kindle 3, which is effectively identical or better in nearly every way.
