The public understands why Walmart wants the Kindle off of its shelves. What kind of retail store would sell a product that encourages customers to shop from home? That would be like a bar selling home brewing kits to customers.

The big box chain’s very public move to drop the reader, however, is mostly symbolic because Kindle sales do not constitute a significant amount of revenue for Walmart. Symbolic gestures, however, are designed to make a statement. So what, exactly, is Walmart trying to convey to the public?

Ostensibly, Walmart’s stance is an act of defiance against the Amazon juggernaut. And that’s fine; Americans like a little rebellion and feistiness. But by kicking Kindle to the curb, is Walmart communicating the strong message its handlers seem to it is? Probably not. Read more

Digital scrapbooking site Pinterest, which made headlines last week by dropping its invitation-only status, stepped up its mobile game today with the announcement of new tablet apps for the iPad and Android (available for free download here).Today’s rollout also includes an updated version of the Pinterest iPhone app, which is already a big winner.

The site is a natural fit for the world of tablets because larger screens allow for a more immersive visual experience—trust us, your homemade cupcakes will look even more delicious when they’re eight inches wide.

Note: the app should also be available to Kindle Fire users later this week.

So who’s rushing to download these new toys? Will they change the way you approach Pinterest?

In the latest episode of mediabistroTV’s “Elevator Pitch,” host Alan Meckler meets with Storyville co-founder Paul Vidich. Storyville is a mobile app for short stories that connects readers and authors.  A former music executive, Vidich helped Steve Jobs bring music singles to iTunes. He hopes Storyville will do for the short story what iTunes did for the single.

For more videos, check out our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter: @mediabistroTV

Also, find out who’s hiring on the Mediabistro job board.

Photo: Emile Wamsteker/Bloomberg

When Jeff Bezos announced Amazon’s new Kindle products today he presented them with this message, “What we are doing is offering premium products at non-premium prices… We don’t think of the Kindle Fire as a tablet. We think of it as a service.”

Of course, many of the news stories today have compared the Kindle Fire to the iPad, noting the big differences between the two. One is obviously a couple hundred bucks and the other costs much more. Nevertheless, Reuters focuses on Barnes & Noble, which may take a big hit on the e-reader front.

Bezos made sly references to the iPad, but largely focused on what the Kindle Fire can do — it has apps, games, email capabilities, and more.

What do you think of positioning the Kindle Fire as a service rather than a tablet? The comments section is open.

[image via Bloomberg]

Amazon‘s Kindle has jumped more than 200 spots on the Women at NBCU monthly brand index, which measures the brands most important to women. The October data puts the Kindle at number 170, a huge leap from its previous spot at number 386. The move coincides with the brand’s October campaign, “Buy Once, Read Everywhere,” which introduces new Kindle features. Click the video above for the campaign ad.

Also notable, was Verizon‘s move to number three, attributed to its campaign for the iPad, which became available at Verizon stores last month. AT&T also moved up a spot to number seven because of iPad availability. Taking the top two spots are Walmart and Target, respectively.

Finally, cause marketing made an impact with Hershey’s (which also experienced a Halloween jolt), Toys’ R’ Us, and Walgreens all moving up in a month where they had donations and other charitable programs.