Shipments of e-readers hit a peak of 23.2 million units in 2011 according to IHS iSuppli, and the decline of 36% in 2012 shipments is just the beginning of the end. By 2016, e-readers are expected to ship a mere 7.1 million units, down two-thirds from their 2011 volume. By contrast, tablet shipments are expected to rise to 340 million units by 2016.
Consumers are willing to pay the substantial price differential between tablets and e-readers for the versatility of the tablets. E-readers are also often sold at razor-thin margins, or even at a loss if the vendor — say Amazon — also sells e-books and other content. The readers can really only compete on cost and that’s a battle that it does not look like the devices can win.
Paul Ausick
Travel Cards Are Getting Too Good To Ignore
Credit card companies are pulling out all the stops, with the issuers are offering insane travel rewards and perks.
We’re talking huge sign-up bonuses, points on every purchase, and benefits like lounge access, travel credits, and free hotel nights. For travelers, these rewards can add up to thousands of dollars in flights, upgrades, and luxury experiences every year.
It’s like getting paid to travel — and it’s available to qualified borrowers who know where to look.
We’ve rounded up some of the best travel credit cards on the market. Click here to see the list. Don’t miss these offers — they won’t be this good forever.
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