“We’ve analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger. Should I have your ship standing by?” Commander #1, Star Wars (1977).
Consumers love the Kindle. And what’s not to love? It reads like paper and lets consumers download books using 3G wireless networks with no monthly fees, no annual contracts, and no hunting for free Wi-Fi hotspots. The consumer doesn’t have a billing relationship with the wireless carriers at all; the 3G network costs are instead borne by Amazon, who presumably builds this cost into the price of its e-books. From the consumer perspective, use of the 3G wireless networks is “free.” Consumers love free, which likely explains in part why the Kindle was the “most wished for” and “most popular” holiday gift at Amazon this season. Read the rest of this entry »