Verizon To Support Kindle Rivals
Posted on: Wednesday, 7 January 2009, 13:33 CST
Verizon's head of device certification said he expects new rivals to Amazon’s Kindle electronic reading device in 2009.
Tony Lewis told reporters during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas that he plans to certify rivals to the Kindle, which allows users to download reading material, such as books and newspapers wirelessly.
"Competitors to the Kindle are out there and ready," Lewis told Reuters. "In 2009 I'd expect them to come to the market."
Lewis runs a program based on Verizon’s Open Development program, launched last year in response to complaints from Google Inc that U.S. carriers were limiting consumer choice.
Now Verizon Wireless has certified 29 wireless devices that can run on its network but are sold by independent vendors.
Lewis said he didn’t see the sluggish economy as a major concern for development of rival electronic readers.
"I just don't see us using the economy as an excuse to say there's not growth here," Lewis said. "Even in a down environment I believe there are consumer electronics providers that are ready to do business to get their products to market in 2009."
Lewis cited the long waiting time needed to certify new devices due to the fact that they include many features, but said the company expects to start supporting independent handsets as well as e-readers in 2009.
He also noted Kindle’s lack of keeping up with public demand as evidence that more alternatives are needed. Kindle buyers are told they have to wait seven to nine weeks for their device to ship.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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