Publishing is a business. Yes, most editors get into editing because they love books, but they still have to make money. Somehow with ebooks, that's easier to see right now, because ebooks add a layer of technology not present in print books (go here for a librarian's primer on ebooks if you're not up on the technology).

The other day Barnes & Noble announced they were matching Amazon's $9.99 price limit for ebooks— although frankly, they may be keeping up with the Jones when the Jones have fallen behind. Amazon has slipped in a lot of $13.00 and $14.00 ebooks lately. I'm talking fiction here,not nonfiction, where anything goes.

Now Amazon has dropped the price of the Kindle 2 to $299 (still need to fork over an extra $30 for the cover, though). Why now? Well, eReaders are popping up all over. It's getting hard to keep track. In addition to the still unnamed eReader from Plastic Logic, and the upcoming British entry Cybook Opus, there's soon to be a new eReader called a Ditto Book that will retail for $249. No wireless, but that's a lot cheaper than the previous Kindle price of $359. Plus, the Cool-Er is in the same price range, and Amazon probably didn't want to look overpriced.

So, the question is, is the wireless connection worth the $50 difference?? The answer is hell yes! Unless you live outside of the U.S., the wireless is definitely worth it. In fact, I ordered a Kindle 2 this morning. I'm going to let my husband use my Kindle 1 while I try the new one out. We'll be a two-Kindle family.