Netbooks already have screen proportions that are small and similar to Sony/Kindle’s e-ink screen, but with the added bonus of a responsive operating system, keyboard, and great multifunction ability. So why didn’t Amazon design a netbook like device? Well, two years ago, the manufacturing costs were still really high and e-ink devices are far less complicated. Another reason is that netbooks require more sophistocated operating systems as underpinnings. As Apple and Microsoft know, the ability to run additional 3rd party applications makes the project much more complicated to contain and support. The Kindle is only meant to be a vector for encouraging book sales through Amazon. Finally, netbooks still have short battery life, and the necessary powering-up habits that go along with that, which discourages long reading. But if the iPhone and iPod have taught us anything, it’s that when a device can go a full work day without charging (so that the power cycle is when we sleep), it’s something we’re keener to adopt, and that’s why e-ink devices and iPhone’s still hold their own against tablets for reading.

Eventually, by the time Amazon and Sony have figured out better ways to protect their sales channels for ebooks, the future netbooks and tablets will get to the battery life they deserve and the Kindle may not be necessary anymore.