New big-screen Kindle could threaten textbook publishers

Our sister blog Engadget.com is reporting that Amazon (AMZN) will unveil a new, larger Kindle electronic reader tomorrow. Students at several universities are to participate in a trial of the reader's usefulness to academia, using e-versions of their textbooks. The new reader should also be of interest to newspaper and magazine readers too. Having used the Kindle 2, I can testify to the shortcomings of the smaller format for newspaper browsing.

The new Kindle will feature a 9.7 inch screen vs. the Kindle 2's six-incher. Engadget reports that selected students at Case Western Reserve University and several other schools will receive new Kindles preloaded with texts for classes such as Chemistry and Computer Science.