Amazon has made a huge splash with the Kindle and Kindle 2 and while there are worthy alternatives like the Sony’s Digital Reader and iRex iLiad, none have really gained much traction. That might change if Verizon Wireless potential plans to launch an E-Reader of some sort materialize, as Verizon’s Head of Non-Phone Devices Tony Wireless has hinted.

An Associated Press article has Lewis acknowledging the huge interest level in e-readers and saying that the company has spoken to at least 5 different companies about wireless connections for a potential e-reader. And while Amazon’s Kindle focuses on books, magazines and newspapers, Verizon Wireless may incorporate a HUGE market that the Kindle doesn’t currently encompass – college textbooks.

The market for College Textbooks is HUGE and websites helping students trade and resell their books more affordably have become increasingly popular. With textbooks available on E-Readers it would throw an interesting wrench into a business model in transition. I was always perplexed how new math textbooks came out year after year, forcing students to pay an arm and a leg when 2+2 was still 4. For others I have a little more tolerance – for example, Pluto isn’t a planet any longer so it might be a good idea to update those suckers.

The Kindle utilizes Sprint’s wireless network while Sony’s product lacks wireless access so you would think that Verizon Wireless and Sony would be an E-Reader match made in heaven – right?

“We’d love to have Sony on there,” Lewis said, refusing to confirm if the company had been in touch. He spoke at a cell phone trade show that started Wednesday in Las Vegas.

If you ask me, it sounds like Sony’s E-Reader will soon support wireless capabilities thanks to Verizon Wireless and extend the product to provide college textbooks. That would provide Amazon with quite the competition. AT&T is likely looking into an E-Reader as well so we should see this new product niche expand in the next year and options are always great for consumers like you and I.

[Via Associated Press]