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This week I’ve finally purchased my first real e-book. The Filter Bubble by Eli Pariser.

After my high school graduation last month I was fortunate to receive an Apple iPad. Am I much of a laggard? Maybe. I tend to hold off on the first iteration of any new product release. During the past few weeks I’ve been navigating my way around my iPad 2 wifi version. Just a couple days ago I downloaded Kindle app with the hope of finding real productivity on my tablet device.

I’ve been happy with the Kindle app for my reading. A few observations of things that have been most useful:

• Mobile ads are big business, they are installed on almost every free app.
• My book comes with me wherever I travel.
• Ability to highlight lines and search for definition of obscure words.
• Kindle app syncs my progress across all devices, android, iPad, and desktop.
• Instant access to more books!
• Reliable battery life. (This is crucial.)

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I didn’t expect to be using my iPad as my primary e-reader. Although, I think the iPad is so appealing because it’s low maintenance and it only requires one or two unique user experiences (e-reading) to make it worthwhile.  There are a few other important apps which are nagging at my attention, such as the recently released ShowMe App which is enabling teachers to flip the classroom. It will be interesting to see if any other excellent content creation mechanisms evolve on the iOS platform.

I’m looking forward to posting more about my thoughts on The Filter Bubble, and why we need to be cautious about a world that revolves around our likes and interests.

Last week marked an important milestone for Amazon customers and anyone else looking to establish a digital library. Amazon released details on its newest Kindle generation as they plan to ship the revolutionary reading device towards the end of August. Special arrangements made for the announcement of the new and improved Kindle include showing a personal letter written from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to visitors on the Amazon.com home page. In addition, Bezos made an appearance on PBS to do an interview with Charlie Rose last week, where he answered many pressing questions regarding the Kindle as well as the tablet PC market.

Take a look at the interview, the insight on the newest Kindle as well as other potential customers is worth tuning in.

Some highlights from the interview include:

• Bezos believes the Kindle has the ability to transcend the readers mind into visualizing solely the page, just like a book.
• Amazon has a leg up on the competition because their mission is to be “the earth’s most customer centric company”.
• The Kindle price point is affordable, unlike the iPad among other e-readers.
• Over 600,000 books are available on the Kindle in 60 seconds or less. (Most for $9.99 or less)
• Clothing is the fastest growing segment on Amazon. Their philosophy is buy 3, return the 2 that don’t fit.
• Bezos projects that in the future, people in society will fulfill their needs through an array of devices.
  • Kindle for reading, smart-phone, laptop, tablet PC.
• The new Kindle’s one month battery lifespan relieves battery power anxiety.
• The Apple iPad is not a competitor to the Kindle because it offers one of the best web-browsers. Therefore, more customers are shopping on Amazon.com.