Harry Potter was no match for the Kindle this Christmas. The third-generation
of Amazon’s Kindle e-reader knocked the top-selling Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) from the top spot,
making it the bestselling product in Amazon’s history, the online retailer
announced Dec. 27.
Over the 2010 holiday season, Amazon’s top-selling items were the
WiFi-enabled Kindle and the Kindle 3G. In the electronics category, the same
two devices reigned, followed by the Apple iPod touch 8GB.
“We’re grateful to the millions of customers who have made the all-new
Kindle the bestselling product in the history of Amazon,” Jeff Bezos,
Amazon.com founder and CEO, said in a statement.
Bezos added — seeming to imply that there is plenty of space in consumers’
hearts, and wallets, for both the Kindle and the Apple iPad — that a number of
customers who bought Kindles also have tablets, and that they use the two for
different activities. Basically: Do anything you want on an iPad, but please
leave the e-books to Amazon.
“Customers report using their LCD tablets for games, movies, and Web
browsing and their Kindles for reading sessions. They report preferring Kindle
for reading because it weighs less, eliminates battery anxiety with its
month-long battery life, and has the advanced paper-like Pearl e-ink display that
reduces eye-strain, doesn’t interfere with sleep patterns at bedtime, and works
outside in direct sunlight.” said Bezos. “Kindle’s $139 price
point is a key factor — it’s low enough that people don’t have to choose.”
For more, read the eWeek article: Amazon Kindle Knocks Out Harry Potter to Become Best-Selling Product Ever.