Rare editions: eBook readers in short supply this holiday season

Did you want an eBook reader for Christmas and are not getting one? You are not alone.

There is a terrible shortage of this sought-after gadget. But there's a silver lining for you after all: you might get a lower-priced version with richer-features in the months to come. Almost better you wait until after the holidays.

No one anticipated the increased popularity of the eBook reader---a small device that lets you read books, articles and other printed matter electronically on a screen. The biggest attraction is its small size, the large number of books it can store in its circuitry and the longevity of its battery because of a special screen. It's a perfect device to carry around.

According to Forrester Research, a technology consulting firm, sales of eBook Readers have tripled from 1 million in 2008 to an estimated 3 million in 2009. And the three main producers seemed to have not anticipated the demand.

Amazon's Kindle was the hottest item on sale across all categories in November. Barnes and Noble could just manage to meet the pre-ordered demand with its Nook. Sony,too, is rushing to meet the pre-ordered demand for its Daily Edition.