Will Apple's tablet be a good e-book reader?

Sony released a 3G e-book reader today on Apple's home turf -- AT&T's US network. Amazon's Kindle, the reigning champion e-book reader runs on Sprint's 3G network. We know Apple is getting set to release a tablet at some point soon. Will it complete with these other e-readers for the eyes of e-book customers or will it just be a media pad?

Let's look at some evidence on both sides.

First and foremost, Steve Jobs said, a few years ago, that e-readers weren't important; that people don't read books anymore. While people still do read books and certainly ebooks if you look at Amazon's Kindle sales, they are reading online websites more and more, so Steve Jobs may have a point. On the other hand, Jobs is known to blow off a category and then come around later and introduce a category smashing product. (See the Video iPod)

Apple's iPhone platform is getting a lot of traction from ebook manufacturers. Scrollmotion's Iceberg reader, Amazon's Kindle app, Barnes and Noble and others are pushing e-books to iPod touch and iPhone users The number one complaint of current Apple ebook users is the size fo the screen. Even if Apple does release a "big iPod touch" tablet that runs on the iPod OS but is focussed on media, they will already have a stable of ebook applications and titles to choose from.

Finally, let's talk about education. Apple was built on education. They pride themselves as the leader in educational sales at every opportunity. It is in their DNA.

Amazon released the larger Kindle DX to focus squarely on Education textbooks. I highly doubt that Apple is going to let the Kindle take a big chunk of its educational market by selling textbooks directly on the Kindle DX. At least Apple won't let them do this without a fight.

I think Apple has no choice but to enter the ebook market to protect its current markets and continue market growth in other areas.

By the way, here is a funny, yet interesting video on the subject: