Checking Out Various e-Readers

A little while back Doc wrote an entry about e-book readers,  which focused on the Amazon Kindle. Several readers posted comments that, of course, the market is not exclusive to the Kindle. So, that got Doc wondering what the various device market share is.

Unfortunately, neither Amazon nor Barnes and Noble, maker of the Nook, report sales figures so it's a little hard to get accurate information.  But according to research group International Data Corporation (IDC), the Kindle has a market share of 51.7% and the Nook comes in at 21.2% (though Barnes and Noble has said its share is closer to 27%). So no matter how you slice it, the Kindle is by far the market leader.

And, of course, we have the wild card of the iPad, which isn't typically categorized as an e-reader, though it is certainly used that way by many people. The important thing to remember is that sales of e-books are headed up.

So what's the best e-reader? Doc points you to a great summary review over at cnet by John Falcone. It's a very extensive look at the various devices and a good primer on e-books as well.