From Businessweek, Amazon Beefs Up Kindle Franchise

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2008/tc20080826_932949.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories

The article reports that Amazon has purchased the startup website “Shelfari,” a site that lets users start online book groups, create virtual shelves, and share recommendations. Amazon makes and sells a product called the Kindle, an e-Book reader. It seems that they intend to use Shelfari as a tool to help sales for its Kindle book store. The article quotes both industry experts and Amazon’s competition about their opinions on the move. They seem to feel that the Kindle company is overvalued, but Amazon’s moves may help to justify Kindle’s overblown stock.

The article caught my eye as an English major. I'm an avid reader, but I’ve never even seen an e-Book, and I’ve always thought it was a dumb idea. Although I recognize the space efficiency and paper-saving of e-Books, I don’t expect them to catch on. With the possible exception of academia, I think people like having books, and don’t need another gizmo with a charger, and that isn’t approved for use during takeoff on airplanes. The article is also important for investors, who may be looking to buy or sell their Amazon or Kindle stock are looking to make sense of the headlines.

From the New York Times, Laws and Consumer Demand Lead to Better Headsets

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/business/26headset.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin

The article points out that Bluetooth headset devices are gaining in popularity due to increasing state laws against driving with a handheld cell phone. The rising demand has led to competition and improvements in the products, with increasing features and style on the high end, and decreasing prices for the low end. Top products have become smaller and lighter, and are now designed to be a fashion statement as  much as they are a useful  tool. 

The article is important because it points out a positive trend in state policy of banning cell phones while driving, which is sure to make the roads safer, and shows how it might affect consumers and a whole industry. It is interesting to me because I spent most of the spring and summer traveling, and aforementioned legislation in California and Connecticut prompted me to purchase a Bluetooth device myself, despite my previous disdain for people who walk around and talk to themselves. Similar to my problem in the previous article with my broken iPod, I am also interested because I recently dropped my earpiece into my drink, and might soon be on the market for a replacement. Apparently I should be more careful with technology.

Article 1, from Yahoo! news: Reports Say Apple's iPod Line to Get New Look, Features

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20080825/tc_nf/61524;_ylt=ArlxtBwgBh6IN.eVjcTdPy8jtBAF

This article reports on rumors that the new line of iPods will be undergoing some changes by the end of September. According to Kevin Rose, of the social website "Digg," changes include the iPod Nano's shape, which will become longer and skinnier with a wide screen, and small cosmetic changes for the iPod Touch.
Rose also mentions software updates for the iPod Touch and iPhone, but neglects to mention any specifics. Similarly, he shares vague predictions of big improvements for iTunes 8.0 and Mac OSX 10.5.6.

The article caught my eye because my personal 3rd generation iPod seems to be on its last legs. I'm not sure if it was general aging, lack of care, or going through the wash a couple times, but there is an ever-growing black spot on the screen of my beloved 40 gig companion. Seeing this article, I have realized that I only have to keep it alive for another couple of months before I pull the trigger on a replacement.
Aside from advising consumers such as myself, the article shows the continued war over the small electronics market. The field is still dominated by Apple, whose main concern seems to be differentiating their own products (iPod and iPhone) in price and feature to prevent self-competition.