Nintendo DSi XL: an eBook Reader Too?
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Credit: PC World
It’s no secret that when something becomes “cool,” companies jump on its bandwagon to capitalize. e-book readers are cool these days. Kindle and other early e-readers have helped make them more mainstream that they were ever before. Nowadays, every new device aims to compete with those devices. You can now consider Nintendo among companies that are targeting the e-book market. Nintendo DSi XL which will makes its debut in the U.S. in March is not only a gaming device, but it’s capable of handling e-books as well.
The device, which is expected to sell for $189, gives its owners the ability to read classic books on their gaming device. It does have a larger screen in comparison to its predecessor, so it does have the potential to be a mini e-reader. No matter how exciting the device sounds, even Nintendo officials know that they can’t be serious about taking on Kindle and iPad.
It’s not really about trying to take on the e-book market
As a fan of e-books, I don’t mind seeing other devices implement e-reader functionality. People don’t read books as much as they should these days, so if that’s what it takes to reverse the trend, so be it. Putting games and e-books together (something that the iPad will offer as well) is not ideal. In fact, it can be distracting. Besides, nobody is going to buy a DSi XL to read e-books. So let’s not call it a Kindle killer already.
There will be better e-book readers on the market in a matter of few months or years. Just don’t expect them to be Nintendo e-readers.
