Heather Finley

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-07-22-ereader-network_N.htm?csp=34

          So I happen to work at T-Mobile currently.  In the past I have worked for Verizon, AT&T/Cingular, and Sprint.  I tend to know what’s what in the cellular world so this news caught my attention today.  Today AT&T announced that they will carry an electonical reading device next year.  Hmm, sounds like Kindle, which uses Sprint signal, might have some competition.

          First off, this device is aimed for people wanting to be able to read documents in a better format than the current ones you see on data phones like the iPhone and Blackberry.  I can see how this would be a product that could be popular.  The store I work at caters to many professionals from some of the biggest US companies.  The way documents are viewed is a question I get asked about every day.   This new product will be the first of it’s kind to be available at cellular stores. 

          I am assuming that like the Kindle, clients will be able to subscribe to magazines and newspapers.  This would be something else that would appeal to professional clients.  Many times major companies have people from all different countries working for them.  Want to have the paper from back home sent to you?  Why not?  Unlike the Kindle, this will also work oversees when AT&T has coverage.

          It will be interesting to see how book sales do on this device.  It is not the primary purpose so I am curious about if the advertising will include the fact that e-books can be purchased.  I would imagine it will be something the sales people will be aware of and told to bring up during the sale but it might not be something that they concentrate on.   Since the books will be available through purchase from Barnes and Noble, it will almost seem like most of the advertising will come from their side.

          With Sprint and AT&T getting into the e-book business, it will be interesting to see if T-Mobile and Verizon get into the game as well.