Five Reasons Kindle Could Spark Interest

Oprah's a powerhouse when it comes to recommending books; tomes that make it onto her Book List regularly become New York Times Best Sellers. So it's not at all a stretch for her to endorse reading paraphernalia. Enter the Kindle. But how often do you come across someone reading on a Kindle? In other words, Oprah's embracing the device could mean a lot more sales.

Here are a few reasons why the Kindle could catch on, now that it's on the radar.

1. It's a good size and weight. It can fit comfortably in a backpack, briefcase or handbag. Of course, that's really true of any of these types of devices, including Sony's eBook. The latest eBook retails, ironically, on Amazon.com for $275, compared with the Kindle at $359. Even with the OPRAHWINFREY promo code discount of $50 (through November 1), Kindle is pricier. However, the Kindle comes with enough memory to store 200 books, compared to eBook's 160. Both devices allow the owner to upgrade memory.

2. There is some untapped educational potential with this device. The CTO at one IT solutions provider that specializes in the education market said the technology would have sales potential for a VAR who is selling curriculum solutions or integration of curriculum solutions. Books could be loaded onto Kindles that are then loaned out to the students for a year or a semester. No more dealing with wear and tear on multiple copies of books. Paperbacks can look mighty dog-eared after a couple of semesters. That's a particularly practical solution for English classrooms. But think about what could be possible if schools' textboos were available. With room for 200 books, the Kindle could be loaded with textbooks from multiple disciplines, potentially lowering book costs for school districts significantly. True, the devices may need to be ruggedized. But a number of schools (New York City, for example) require students to do their Language Arts reading while in the classroom. If Kindles were kept at the school, then, their treatment by students could be more closely controlled and monitored.

3. Long battery life. If the wireless feature is turned off, users can read for a week or more before recharging. The device fully recharges in two hours. With wireless on continuously, it needs to be recharged approximately every other day. Now, about that wireless

4. The Kindle just simply goes online. Users do not need to plug into a computer, and they do not need to hunt for a WiFi hotspot. The unit works the same way a cell phone operates. So, if a user is in a remote area, he or she will not get service. It works on Sprint's national high-speed (EVDO) data network, and the cost is built into the price of the device, so purchasers never get an access bill: Consider it prepaid for life.

5. This is a pretty "green" solution. Think of all the newsprint saved by subscribing to a periodical or newspaper via Kindle. For SOHOs, it's a good way to combine business (yes, you can read PDFs on it, with some effort. Activate the picture viewer.) with pleasure (those 200 best sellers aforementioned). Companies selling into the education sector too could see some traction. As part of a deal with notebooks and projectors, for example, the Kindle could be an enticing offer. At the very least, it's sure to spark some attention.