Jeff Bezos Doesn’t See The Benefit Of App-style eBooks [Amazon CEO Defends Kindle As Purpose-Specific eReader, Wasn't Compelled To Build A Tablet]

Tweet

Folks have wanted to compare the iPad and Kindle since they first came out, despite them really being in different markets. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos agrees with my assumption, and he told the Wall Street Journal that that’s why he didn’t go with a touchscreen or color display for the new Kindle.

Bezos said to the WSJ:

There are going to be 100 companies making LCD [screen] tablets,” he said. “Why would we want to be 101? I like building a purpose-built reading device. I think that is where we can make a real contribution.

Mr. Bezos also confirmed the often-repeated rumor that there are two Kindle teams at Amazon – one working on the hardware and one working on the Kindle store. This is why you’ll find a Kindle app for every platform known to man (iOS, Android, PC, Mac, etc.). It’s a pretty good bet for Amazon – and helps establish Amazon as the eBook marketplace.

Bezos also touched briefly on the “app books” which were being sold on the iTunes App Store. You’ve seen these – they’re eBooks sold as standalone apps on iOS. Instead of just text, though, they feature interactive content, video, music – etc. Things you can’t find in a Kindle, Nook or traditional book. Some expect them to be the future of eBooks, but Mr. Bezos said:

“For the vast majority of books, adding video and animation is not going to be helpful. It is distracting rather than enhancing. You are not going to improve Hemingway by adding video snippets,” he said.

An interesting point for sure. Do you think that multimedia-laden books are the future, or are you happy with just plain text? Give us your take in the comments.