The Big Problem with Amazon Kindle

I have to admit that I have been intrigued with eBook readers for quite some time now. They seem to have the right idea - provide a portable electronic mechanism to read books that isn’t microscopic and doesn’t hurt your eyes. Kindle uses the same E-Ink technology that competitive readers like the Sony Reader use and offers the bonus feature of wireless access via the Sprint network for eBook downloads and access to content that isn’t so old the copyright has expired (see Sony’s list of 100 free books bundled with the Reader).

So kindle is basically second generation eBook technology with a huge content library and everybody’s favorite wireless access so why is it going to bomb? Two reasons: first, there aren’t any. Amazon sold out of Kindle devices already and won’t be able to restock until after Christmas. Second, no advertising. When was the last time any product was successful that wasn’t either built on advertising or funded by advertising. I have been digging around and have yet to come across any details on how Amazon could place ads on the Kindle screen. I know nobody really wants ads, but they are a necessary evil.

Note to Bezos:
Add advertising to Kindle or remove the DRM and open the platform. Actually scratch that second part, just ad advertising to kindle. Even personal Acrobat filess are serving up paid advertising these days.

Maybe I am way off base here and Amazon is really planning on taking a pounding on Kindle with future plans for a software upgrade that will turn Kindle into the most advanced interface to the Amazon shopping experience known to man that will revolutionize the way people use the internet just like palm revolutionized the handheld market earlier this year.