Smashwords and Kindle Store are both great for indie authors. It’s not until recently that Smashwords got indie authors into B&N and Sony. Will have to see how much of an impact that will make.

To be attractive to the majority of readers, I think that the eReader experience needs to include easy access to a book store. Wireless access is even better.

I’m not currently impressed with any existing book stores other than Sony’s, B&N’s, and Amazon’s. As such, even as the other eReaders look good on paper, they have a very large hurdle to meet.

Maybe the upcoming Google book store will meet their needs? Will the upcoming devices work with Google’s new book store?

I’m also impressed with the Amazon book store’s embracing of independent authors. But if a book is developed and sold through Smashwords, independents can also get into the B&N & Sony book stores. So all three of them are relatively open.