In this Issue ...

What a month it has been for technology! It was no surprise to hear major technology announcements from Amazon and Apple in October. Both technology giants had scheduled press conferences several weeks ago. However, we didn't know what to expect because Apple and Amazon managed to keep lids on the details. Now that the news is public, we are all over it! Click a topic below to "jump" to the corresponding story:

• Amazon’s New Kindle Line-up
  Amazon is shaking things up with four new Kindle models. One of them will compete favorably with the Apple iPad. Check this story out to get the scoop, and to figure out which one(s) should be on your holiday lists.
  
  
• Apple Announces New iPhone
  The iPhone 4S is now available for pre-order directly from Apple, or from wireless carriers ATT, Verizon and – new to the iPhone party – Sprint. The 4S has some cool new features. However, the iPhone 5 is rumored to be in the works for a Summer, 2012 launch. Some iPhone 4 owners may find that the 4S doesn't offer enough to justify an upgrade now.
  
  
• iOS5 Upgrade for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
  The new iPhone 4S ships with iOS5, a brand new version of Apple's mobile operating system. However, iPhone 3S, iPhone 4, iPad, and late-model iPod Touch owners can retrofit their devices to iOS5 for free. Here' s a look at the latest enhancements.
  
  
• Frequently Asked Question: What's the difference between an "eReader" and a "tablet?"
  If you're trying to figure out whether you need an eReader or tablet, this question is for you!

Amazon has shaken up the eReader and tablet computer markets with its recent announcement of not one, but four new Kindle models. One of them, the Kindle Fire, has even caused king-of-the-hill Apple to take notice. It’s a safe bet that these new products will be the rage of the upcoming holiday season.

Many industry analysts are calling the new Kindles “ground breaking” – not only because they are cool, but also because they redefine price points in the eReader and tablet markets. These Kindles are amazingly affordable. Amazon will sell the new Kindles at a loss, and hope to make up the difference with revenue from online books, music and other content.

Following is a comprehensive overview of the new Kindle line-up.

The All-New Kindle ($79)

No. You read it correctly. The price really is just $79. The new, entry-level Kindle will make eReaders available to virtually anyone who wants one.

According to the Chicago Tribune: “The basic Kindle e-reader from Amazon now starts at … a price point that's very hard to resist. It seems that those of us late-adopters who have hung back will be nicely rewarded for our patience and circumspection."

The new Kindle is lighter than a paperback book and thinner than a magazine. According to specifications, it is 18% smaller and 30% lighter than previous models. The display size is unchanged at 6 inches (diagonal).

Speaking of the screen, it is an improved version of the previous black and white, E Ink Pearl display, optimized with Amazon’s proprietary “waveform and font technology" to ensure sharp and crisp text display.

The E Ink display attempts to mimic, as closely as possible, the printed page. Since the screen is not backlit, you can read it outdoors in bright sunlight. Avid readers and usability experts maintain that non-backlit screens maximize clarity, and minimize eye strain. Like to read at night? No problem. Amazon offers several accessories for night readers, including a nifty leather cover with a built-in LED light.

Another big difference between this new Kindle and previous models: gone is the QWERTY keypad, which many Kindle owners have found to be a bit cumbersome. Amazon replaces the physical keypad with directional navigation and select controls below the display. When it becomes necessary to enter text, these controls allow the user to locate and select characters from a virtual keyboard that appears on the screen.

Like older Kindle models, the new one provides buttons at the left and right edges that allow the user to page forward and backward. Also, like its predecessor, the new, entry-level Kindle includes integrated wifi (wireless) capability, which allows you to connect to Amazon’s Kindle Store to purchase books and other digital content. This model is in stock and available today.

For the record, the old Kindle has been renamed the "Kindle Keyboard." It's still available in a wifi-only and wifi + 3G configuration for $99 and $139 respectively.

Kindle Touch ($99) and Kindle Touch 3G ($149)

Kindle Touch models ditch the buttons found on the basic model, transferring all navigational and interactive control to a new “multi-touch” display. The touch screen allows you to turn pages, add notes, look up word definitions and highlight sections of text by tapping the screen. Like Apple’s iPad, a virtual, touch-screen keyboard pops-up on the screen when necessary.

The Touch is available in two "flavors" – wifi-only and wifi + 3G. The former allows you to purchase books and content only while you are in range of (and connected to) a wireless network. The latter adds a cellular-like data connection to accomplish the same functions from virtually anywhere. Unlike 3G service for the iPad, the service for the Kindle is free.

Both Kindle Touch models are available for pre-order now, with deliveries scheduled for mid- to late-November.

Recommendations

If you are in the market for an eReader, or have a special someone on your holiday shopping list who wants one, take some time to consider your budget and the user’s needs. Chances are, your circumstances will fit one of the following scenarios:

1. You are on a tight budget: There's no doubt that the entry-level Kindle will get the job done. At just $79, you may be able to afford to give a Kindle to yourself, as well as a few others on your holiday shopping list!
   
   
2. The end user already owns an iPad or other tablet computer: Since tablets allow Web browsing, email, and other productivity tasks, there's no need to get fancy here. Depending upon your budget, either the basic Kindle or Kindle Touch are great choices.
   
   
3. The end user likes to read while traveling: Have you ever left home for a vacation or business trip and forgot to take your book? With the Kindle, that's no longer a problem. Book titles can be downloaded in minutes from Amazon's online bookstore. The frequent traveler will especially appreciate the Kindle Touch 3G. Whether he's connected to a hotel wireless network, or she's sunbathing on the beach, a new book is a tap and touch away!
   
   
4. The end user is intimidated by technology: Choose one of the Touch models – most everyone agrees that tapping the screen is easier than fumbling around with buttons.
   
   
5. The end user can benefit from an eReader that is also a full-function tablet computer: At $199, there is simply no better value for a tablet computer than the Kindle Fire. This model combines productivity, entertainment, and eReading capabilities into a single, affordable and powerful package. The Android operating system is definitely not as intuitive as Apple’s iOS, but the entry-level iPad is more than twice the price of the Kindle Fire. Android is a proven operating system. It's well-supported by third-party companies, and the selection of apps increases every day. For a user who wants a tablet, but can’t afford the iPad, the Kindle Fire is a perfect choice!
   

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