Kindle " becoming iPod of the book world"

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 12 Aug 2008 at 09:37

An analyst has claimed that sales of Amazon's eBook reader, the Kindle, may double initial estimates.

In research note to investors, Citigroup analyst Mark Mahaney says sales of the Kindle may reach 380,000 units in 2008, double that of his initial estimates, and equalling sales of the iPod in its first year.

Mahaney reasons that a lack of new gadgets this Christmas could make Kindle the hot ticket over the holidays, especially with the device already topping Amazon's own best selling electronics list.

In total the analyst says he expects the eBook reader to contribute $1 billion to Amazon's sales by 2010, 4% of the company's total revenue.

That potential may be hampered somewhat by its lack of availability outside of the US, and the raft of confusing proprietary formats and expensive texts which still leave many customers confused.

For more analysis on the eBook's recent troubles click here.

And here to find out why Stuart Turton will never trade in his paperbacks for eBooks.