The Amazon Kindle 2 has begun shipping. Today's New York Times called the many changes to the e-reader "fairly minor," but said, "fortunately, they're exactly what was needed to turn a very good reader into an even better one."
Will this and other e-readers replace the traditional book? The Times wrote: "The point everyone is missing is that in Technoland, nothing ever replaces anything. E-book readers won't replace books. The iPhone won't replace e-book readers. Everything just splinters. They will all thrive, serving their respective audiences.
"With those caveats, the new Kindle edges even closer to the ideal of an e-book reader. The reading experience is immersive, natural and pleasant; the book catalog, while not yet complete, is growing and delivered instantaneously; and apart from the clicky keyboard (an unnecessary appendage 99.9 percent of the time), the design feels right."
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Another major bookseller is getting into the e-act. On Thursday, Indigo, the Canadian chain, is unveiling Shortcovers, "an e-book reading and buying program that works on devices such as the iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones, and in the coming months on other smartphone systems including Symbian and Windows, as well as on other gadgets such as the Palm Pre," the Wall Street Journal reported.
Among other things, the service will offer first chapters of books for free, and individual chapters will available for purchase.
Michael Serbinis, executive v-p of Shortcovers, told the paper, "We think the ability to use your existing device is definitely going to be a convenient aspect to the service, especially for a consumer that isn't an avid reader."
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Speaking of Amazon and the Kindle, Gawker has spliced together many moments featuring the inimitable Jeff Bezos laugh from his appearance last night on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Chuckle here.