Forget the Nook, the Kindle’s competition is the iPad

By Molly McHugh November 30, 2010

A survey from research company ChangeWave was released today, determinig that the Kindle holds a “rapidly diminishing lead” on the iPad in the e-reader market.

While most media outlets have been quick to decide this signals the end of the non-iPad e-reader all together, that might not be the case. Beta News argues that the survey does little more than prove Kindles and iPads are simply used to consume different types of content – i.e., e-books are read on Kindles and magazines and newspaper on iPads. And they’ve got a point: One section of the survey clearly draws this conclusion.

But at the same time, the iPad’s popularity is steadily dominating the market, and it looks like more and more people will be using it as an e-reader. As digital developers come out their own tablets left and right, the Kindle is likely to suffer more competition from a cluttered market, one that Apple’s iPad seems to consistently rise above. The survey also found that iPad owners experience a higher level of satisfaction with their devices than Kindle owners do. If consumers want an e-reader as well as a tablet, it’s easy to assume they could defer to the iPad. Why buy two devices when you can roll them into one, even if the Kindle might offer better readability? Most wouldn’t.

Beta News also can’t argue with the fact that ChangeWave found that 42 percent of those surveyed said they plan to purchase an iPad in the next three months, and only 33 percent will choose the Kindle. Let’s not forget that tablets are one of the hottest gifts this holiday season, with the iPad specifically finding its way to the top of many lists. Amazon’s Kindle will be waiting with bated breath to see if consumers find Apple’s device to fill their e-reading needs as well.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…

Mobile

How to set up a VPN on an iPhone or iPad

iPhone 15 Pro Max showing the YouTube Music app.

Introducing a virtual private network (VPN) to your everyday web browsing is a smart move for a few reasons. For starters, it’s a great way to safeguard your user data when you’re surfing the internet. Because VPNs switch you to a different network and IP address, they’re terrific for accessing region-specific content. Have you been wanting to watch a series or two that’s only available for streaming in certain countries? A VPN will let you watch these movies and shows! And one of the best parts of the VPN experience is it’s not just limited to your PC.

In fact, you’ll even be able to use one on your iPhone. Back when iOS 15 rolled out, Apple also introduced a feature called Private Relay, which can be used alongside a VPN for an even bigger boost in web security.

Mobile

Hurry! This iPad just crashed back to its Black Friday price

The iPad on a tablet displaying web content.

If you've always wanted to buy an iPad but the latest releases are beyond your budget, you may want to consider going for a previous-generation model like the 2021 Apple iPad. The tablet's Wi-Fi, 64GB model, which is already relatively affordable at $330, is currently even cheaper from Best Buy, as an $80 discount pulls its price down to $250. That's what the device was going for during the iPad deals of Black Friday 2023, so if you missed the chance to take advantage of that bargain, proceed with your purchase immediately to make sure this opportunity doesn't slip away.

Why you should buy the 2021 Apple iPad
The ninth-generation Apple iPad, which was released in 2021, will be three years old in several months. However, it's still listed in our roundup of the best iPads as the best iPad on a budget, as it still offers great performance by today's standards with Apple's A13 Bionic chip that also powered the iPhone 11 series. The tablet also features a 10.2-inch Retina display with 2160 x 1620 resolution, for sharp details and vivid colors when you're browsing the internet, watching streaming shows, and playing mobile games.

Mobile

Apple’s new iPad Pro and iPad Air just got delayed

Someone holding an iPad Air against a wooden floor.

It seems like the countdown to the next iPad reveal has been stretched out a bit more, though not by an earth-shattering amount of time. So far, we’ve heard rumors of a late March or early April reveal, but that likely won’t happen, according to a new report from Apple insider Mark Gurman.

In his latest Bloomberg report, Gurman says the next Apple tablets should arrive in early May, and he cited the speeding up of production at Apple’s suppliers. Interestingly, production-related challenges apparently pushed back the launch of the new slates across the Pro and Air lineups.