Rather, the software patent debate pits the patent bar and large software companies like Microsoft and IBM, which have tens of thousands of patents, against rank-and-file programmers and up-and-coming entrepreneurs for whom the threat of frivolous litigation is a growing disincentive to innovation.

FORBES: The Case for Tea Party Opposition to Software Patents

Mixing with a long motorised fader and real transport controls is certainly more fun than clicking at an icon with a mouse (or pushing the space bar, which starts and stops most software sequencers).

ENGADGET: Music Thing: Frontier Alphatrack

So the fact that Amazon raised the bar with updates to the Kindle's software feature set is just gravy on the cake.

CNN: Review: Kindle Paperwhite is king of the e-readers

The software isn't bad--in fact, you could argue it's the hot-selling Macintosh computer's secret weapon--but no one was gasping in awe as Schiller showed off the ability to add a stone texture to bar charts in Numbers, Apple's spreadsheet software.

FORBES: Macworld '09

Flurry's terms of service bar apps that are directed at children from using its software something that Ms. Shoaf said PlayTales hadn't known.

WSJ: Feathers Fly as New Rules Loom for Kids' Apps

Can you imagine installing a large software application on your computer without seeing a progress bar showing you its completion percentage?

FORBES: A New Way Forward: The Better Way to Accelerate Change

Given the aggressive pricing, the up-to-date hardware and design, and the software tweaks, the new Kindle Paperwhite sets a high bar for Apple, which will bring out an iPad mini later this month.

FORBES: Amazon Sets A Fast Pace For Apple