E-reader boom kindles a variety of new options

By Rachel Metz / Associated Press (CLICK to read more)

"When most people think of electronic book readers, Amazon's thin, white Kindle probably springs to mind. But that could be about to change.

A cascade of e-readers will hit the market this year, taking the devices far beyond gray-scale screens with features like touch navigation and video chatting — and probably lowering prices, too.

It's happening as other gadgets, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, give people even more choices for diving into their favorite books. Perhaps the only downside is worrying you might buy an e-reader from a company that won't stick around.

This week, nearly two dozen companies that make the devices or deliver reading material to them are showing products at the International Consumer Electronics Show, the first time it has devoted a section to e-books.

In a good sign for the mainstream status e-book companies hope to achieve, they are clustered at a prime location in the Las Vegas Convention Center often taken over by the likes of Microsoft Corp. And Amazon isn't even at the exhibition.

E-books make up a tiny portion of book sales, but their popularity is growing rapidly. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, which organizes the trade show, 2.2 million e-readers were shipped to stores in 2009, nearly four times as many as the year before. This year, the group expects 5 million will be shipped.

'It's an incredible growth category,' said Jason Oxman, senior vice president of industry affairs at the electronics association."

Google Phone vs. iPhone: Head to Head

By Diana Ransom / SmartMoney.com (CLICK to read more)

"Will the company that revolutionized Internet search send the Apple (AAPL) iPhone looking for answers?

At a press gathering on Tuesday, Google (GOOG) unveiled the Nexus One, a Google-branded smartphone that will run on the search giant's Android operating system. Some analysts say Google's new device, which is being built by HTC of Taiwan based on Google's specifications, will deal a stiff blow to Apple's hegemony in the smartphone arena.

Where could Google succeed where other competitors have failed? The Nexus One boasts speed improvements and enhanced camera capabilities, and the device will be sold unlocked. So rather than being forced to sign a contract with AT&T (T), a service provider that has been criticized for network mishaps and poor customer service ratings in the last year, buyers may purchase service plans separately from the device.

The Nexus One is also nice to look at, says Michael Gartenberg, the vice president of strategy and analysis for Interpret, a market researcher in Los Angeles. 'Google's Nexus One is a beautifully designed device,' he says. 'It looks like Google looked at the iPhone and said we can do better.'

For now, the iPhone is the dominant device in the sector. And critics of Google's device say the company's design improvements offer only slight advantages over existing devices and won't necessarily shake iPhone from its perch yet.

SmartMoney took a closer look at how Apple's iPhone and Google's new Nexus One match up."

Apple's influence reigns over CES 2010

By Suzanne Choney / msnbc.com (CLICK to read more)

"While Apple isn't participating — and never has — in the annual Consumer Electronics Show, the company's presence has long loomed over it. That's no different this year, with non-stop buzz about an Apple tablet possibly being announced later this month. What is different is that Apple-related products are being given their own showcase at CES, a first for the world's largest trade show for consumer technology.

Considering Apple's influence in the world of personal technology, it may seem like a 'no duh' and years overdue. But historically, Apple took part in the annual Macworld conference, generally held around the same time as CES, often stealing its thunder with new product announcements, from the iPhone to iPods.

This year, Apple is not participating in Macworld, but the Consumer Electronics Association, sponsor of CES, is providing an 'iLounge Pavilion,' where more than 100 exhibitors will be showing iPhone, iPod and Mac-related wares.

Also, one of the events at the Las Vegas show is a 'Mobile Apps Showdown,' a competition that whether intentionally or not, acknowledges Apple's role in the cell phone 'app,' or application, market. The company's online 'App Store' for the iPhone, started 18 months ago, now has more than 100,000 programs available to consumers."