The tech world has been abuzz about the larger Kindle rumored to be announced tomorrow, and more details are emerging in the fashion they usually do. The WSJ is reporting that this new, larger Kindle will be aimed at providing not only periodical content to subscribers but also will become a focus for electronic textbooks.
The new Kindle is reported to provide a test for six universities to use it, which engadget is calling the Kindle DX, for use with textbooks that Amazon will provide. The Kindle Project will enable the distribution of textbooks via Amazon for students of the schools in the test.
Amazon has worked out a deal with several textbook publishers to make their materials available for the device, Mr. Gonick added. The new device will also feature a more fully functional Web browser, he said. The Kindle’s current model, which debuted in February, includes a Web browser that is classified as “experimental.”
Five other universities are involved in the Kindle project, according to people briefed on the matter. They are Pace, Princeton, Reed, Darden School at the University of Virginia, and Arizona State.
The folks at engadget have uncovered that the Kindle DX will have a 9.7-inch screen, making it better for displaying both periodicals and textbooks. What is not clear is how the textbook publishing industry will jump on this electronic distribution model. There’s a reason that textbooks can often cost as much as $100; they have a captive market that can’t get the material any other way. I can’t see how they would participate in a sales method that lowers these costs. It’s not like the market can get their material anywhere else.

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