Target Douses The Kindle

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Yes, Target is phasing out the Kindle in it’s stores.  Amusingly, the Nook isn’t getting the same treatment.  They site “conflict of interest.”

There is plenty of conflict of interest – Amazon is competing with big stores like Target, Wal-Mart, etc.  This is also a gutsy move as this stuff is popular, so I figure Target has very good reasons.

My takes?

  • I think Target is going to side more with Nook for now.  B&N isn’t a competitor and can be an ally.
  • Remember B&N is also allied with Microsoft.  Keep in mind what this can mean.
  • Note nothing from Wal-Mart.  I still think they might make a low-price play/deal for some media or tablet device – but something like this could mean they seek an ally (and a way to take on Amazon)?
  • This is key as it’s someone striking right back at Amazon.  Others may feel emboldened to follow.
  • I would strongly consider the chance there’s other initiatives we don’t know about.

– Steven Savage

 

A $99 Xbox? More Than Meets The Eye . . .

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OK so Microsoft’s launching a $99 X-Box with Kinect. Sure you then need to pay a subscription fee (which comes with access to XBox Live Gold), but you also get a warranty.

So that throws things back into Sony’s part in the price wars on their aging platforms. I think it’s got a few interesting repercussions beyond that:

  • It’s pretty smart pricing – totally you’d pay $29 for the subscription model, but you also get a lot of benefits. Microsoft may be trying some new plans that won’t just be for this system – but for the next.
  • As it’s a two year plan, my guess is we won’t be seeing a new XBox for 1 1/2 to 3 years.  If you’re developing for XBox, breathe a sigh of relief – but not if you just started a new project.
  • This is an experiment. How it pans out will be watched by others – and responded too.  Pay attention.
  • It reverses common methods of pricing game systems – and merges them with online services all-but-totally.  If you work in gaming, pay attention (and notice how Microsoft is even more of a gatekeeper).

– Steven Savage

Promoting Professional Geekery #36 – Have A Book List

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(For more Promoting Professional Geekery, see this Roundup of past columns.)

OK you’ve got those must-read books, right?  And they’re really important to people’s careers.  You being the progeek that you are know what to read, and often tell people about it.

Of course I’m pretty sure you’re usually forgetting it.  Or adding to it – and forgetting it.  Or you’re not sure.  Or you forgot everything.

So here’s one of the simplest tips to help out progeeks – keep a list of the best books you’d recommend to your fellow geeky pros and share them with people.  A lot.  Yes, write it the heck down.

Yeah that’s . . . pretty much it.

Of course half the benefit of this is actually, truly, asking what is indispensable for people to read – and that alone is going to provide you a lot of benefit right there.  You’re not tossing off an exhaustive list, or a single book – you’re having to ask yourself “what is a reasonable list of books people should read.”

That question is going to help you help others.  It’ll also make you think seriously about the lessons you learned.

If possible, keep a copy of each book you’d recommend to lend out to people.  Just be sure to get them back.

What’s my progeek booklist?  I actually have three must-reads.

  • Me 2.0 by Dan Schwabel.  It may be a few years out of date but the basic concepts and ideas are strong.
  • Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi.  The book everyone says you must read?  Is actually a must read guide to good networking.
  • The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search by Orville Pearson.  A rational, intelligent guide to a good job search.

So what’s in your list?

– Steven Savage