The leading online retailer understands the opportunity and urgency of the moment.
Amazon.com
The last point is a somewhat hollow claim. Amazon has never revealed actual sales metrics, so it's as if CEO Jeff Bezos merely said he ate at the best sushi restaurant last night. Unless we know how many sushi joints he's checked out over the years, the praise lacks context.
Amazon's last-minute push, with its free expedited shipping offer, is noteworthy, though. The e-tailer realizes that it essentially has the market cornered this holiday season. Barnes & Noble's
Amazon knows that it has to push as many Kindle devices into gift boxes this month as possible, because 2010 promises to be far more competitive. Apple
Kindle broke new ground in 2007 and educated the marketplace in 2008, and 2009 appears to be the year of market-share grab. It will only get harder from here for the $259 device, especially if flashy tablets or a critic-pleasing Nook update force buyers into considering all of the potential e-book devices available.
Live it up, Amazon. This may be the Kindle's last big feast.
Will Amazon be more popular in 2010 than it is right now? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.