
Rumours continue to suggest Apple may be working on a Kindle Killer. One of the most popular software downloads from the App Store has been the Stanza ebook reader demonstrating to Apple a demand for ebooks (even on the iPhone's 3.5" display). I'm sure Apple have not missed the importance of this. Then we saw the announcement of the new Kindle DX only two months after Kindle 2. Why are Amazon in such a hurry to get out a new 9.7" ebook reader? Is it because as suggested here Apple are busy building an e-book library for iTunes and are planning a 10" full colour ebook reader based on iPhone style touchscreen technology? If so it could just kill off the monochrome Kindle before it really gets going (given Apple's design history and their ability to make technology lightweight).
How then does one confirm or debunk these myths? One way is to search the Trade Mark Registry to see what TMs Apple owns. To me the most interesting thing was that in 2006 Apple rebranded their laptop range changing their name from iBooks to Macbooks. Nothing in this you say? Makes sense as it labels all Apple Computer Hardware as Macs. But it also leaves the iBook trade mark available for use on another device. Apple retain the iBook TM (currently to 2015) so will we soon see an iBook to go alongside our iPhone and iPod? I'm saying yes. Maybe to be announced late summer 2009 to coincide with the release of the Kindle DX.
Postscript: Just found this in PC World Magazine. Seems to suggest that the iBook may be on the way.


