I really want a Kindle. Do I need one? No. But, I just think it would be fun to have. I like the idea of quickly downloading the next book I want to read. Or having a newspaper subscription on my Kindle and being able to read it at my leisure. And, I especially like the idea of using less paper.
I just read a Forbes article about Kindle’s Future. Here’s the main point of the article:
“At a time when most digital devices tout how many different things they can do, Amazon has taken an interesting approach with Kindle. It is not a computer, nor a phone, nor a browser–and it is definitely not a music player. What the Kindle is: a very well-designed e-reader. All of its features and functions are focused directly on the reading experience and nothing more.“
I love that Kindle isn’t trying to be all things to all people. It only wants to do one job really well. That’s why it personally appeals to me. I have an iPod for playing my music. I have a mobile phone for making calls. I have a computer to surf the Internet and write blogs, among other things.
As marketers, aren’t we always telling our clients to choose the one unique or special thing about a product or service and promote it heavily? We encourage creating a theme or primary message to set a product or service apart from the competition.
Kindle could evolve to be an online browser, a phone, and a music player. But could it really compete? Can Kindle take the place of a SmartPhone or a laptop? Should it even try?
I think Amazon should continue to make Kindle the best e-reader available. I’m not even sure people realize how handy it could be to have one. I feel that Amazon has the opportunity right now to shape the future of this product. Other companies are starting to create their own e-readers. Amazon’s first marketing step is to position Kindle as a unique device – different than a phone, MP3 player, or computer – that consumers will find incredibly handy and useful.
I believe Kindle is on the verge of something big. It could reshape the way we read books and documents.
What do you think? Should Amazon continue to produce and market the Kindle as only an e-reader? Or, do you think they should expand to provide other services?

