Both Amazon and Barnes and Noble have recently revamped and updated their Kindle and Nook ranges of e-readers and tablets. Amazon has released the new Paperwhite e-reader, as well as new versions of the Kindle Fire. B&N really beat Amazon to it by launching its Nook Glowlight a few weeks ago, and the Nook tablet has also been revamped.
It’s a timely update for both companies. Both e-readers and tablets always sell well at Christmas, and the new versions will help drive sales even higher during the festive season.
The Kindle has been the best-selling item on Amazon’s website for about 4 years now and always sees a huge increase in sales around Christmas. This is often followed by a sharp increase in the number of Kindle book downloads in January of each year, as new e-reader owners log in and download a few e-books to use with their new reader.
Last year, even though B&N had the Nook Simple Touch on the market long before the Kindle Touch came along, Amazon seemed to have a better holiday season than Barnes and Noble. Everything seems to indicate that, at least when it comes to e-readers, Amazon will continue to dominate the e-reader market in 2012.
When it comes to tablets, there seems to be more competition than ever this year. Last year was the first time Apple’s iPad had any real competition, mainly from the Kindle Fire. It was uneven competition: the iPad is a much higher-spec device, but the price difference was enough for many to opt for Amazon’s smaller tablet option.
This year, in addition to the Fire, the iPad will have to contend with the Nook and also the new kid on the block, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, which offers a very different user experience than the iPad. Ironically, just as Amazon has released a larger form factor Kindle Fire, Apple has decided to release the iPad Mini.
One thing seems certain, consumers will have many different options when it comes to device-related gifts this year. There seems to be something available for every budget and every technical requirement.
These contraptions will be found under many trees on Christmas morning this year, and there will be plenty of happy contraption lovers tapping and sliding their new toys before the turkey hits the table.
