rc3.org Rafe Colburn on software development (and other topics)

John Gruber’s iPad review

If you (like me) don’t own and haven’t used an iPad, you may enjoy John Gruber’s lengthy review.

I think this bit is exactly right:

Kindle has a better chance of long-term success as a software platform than a hardware one.

From day one I have wondered whether Amazon.com intended to make money on the Kindle or whether it was a proof-of-concept designed to spur the market for e-books. They’ve been aggressive about porting the Kindle reader to other platforms, and Amazon.com seems to be doing quite well selling digital music even though they don’t sell a music player. I imagine their margins are very good on e-books, regardless of whether or not the buyer purchased a Kindle.


2 Comments

It has always seemed to me that the Kindle device was likely a loss-leader to drive uptake of the service. (Similar to the way Xboxes and PlayStations are sold at a loss, and the difference made up in software sales.)

Posted by jjg on 8 April 2010 @ 12pm

That’s what I’ve always thought, but sometimes Amazon.com doesn’t behave as though that’s the case.

Posted by Rafe on 8 April 2010 @ 12pm

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