InternetRetailing has a post outlining the eBook Revolution’s impact in Britain. Looks like things are progressing in the same explosive way they are happening in North America. Mainstream adoption is underway!
Feb 14
Google Books is Strangely Quiet…
So, we mentioned Google purchasing eBook Technologies back in January, not long after the search engine giant opened their online eBook store, Google Books. eBook Technologies specialized in eBook software and held a handful of eBook-related patents.
Since then, the GoogleBooksphere has been kind of quiet. I mean, no discussion of eBook sales, or mention of quarrels with publishers, just relative quiet. This post at GoodeReader suggests that Google is using its new acquisition to build and design a Google eBook Reader.
Feb 13
Borders prepares for the worst.
GoodeReader reports on developments over at US bricks and mortar book giant Borders. Rumor has it that they’re preparing to file for bankruptcy.
Anyone who watched the general economic meltdown over the last couple of years knows that ‘bankrupt’ rarely means ‘the end’ for large corporations.
It will be interesting to see whether a new eBook-friendly Borders can rise out of the ashes.
Feb 12
Saturday eBook Revolution Reading
PRWeb has an update from BooksForNooks.com announcing the successful launch of their BooksForMyKindle site. (All to take advantage of the devices’ eBook lending features.)
BusinessInsider asks 10 HUGE Questions about the Apple iPad 2.
PCWorld provides some insight into the pitfalls of buying eBooks in the early days of the eBook Revolution. (The Growing Pains might hurt later.)
And here’s a bookish post from StateNews.com about some of the obstacles that stand in the way of eText adopting students, and their need to cite texts for scholarly works… It ain’t like the old days.
Feb 11
Valentine’s Day and the eBook Revolution
TechShout says Barnes and Noble announced that the Nook is in stock and ready to ship for Valentine’s Day.
Suite101 posted on retailers putting a romantic spin on eBook Readers.
And the Daily Mail is saying authors are giving themselves a Valentine’s gift by publishing independently to bypass agents and publishers.
Feb 10
eBook Revolution Goes Mainstream Across the Pond
InternetRetailing reports on the arrival of the £52 View Quest Mediabox 5in Media Tablet at the Asda Direct website. That £52(US $84) price tag is intended to entice the British ‘mid-market’ consumer to join the eBook Revolution. At half the price of the least expensive Kindle, it’s likely to prove a winner.
Our friend Jorgen dropped by with a link to a Daily Record story that suggests a price war is on the horizon.
eBookanoid reviews the ViewQuest Mediabox here.
Feb 08
Apple App story continued…
We mentioned a change to Apple Apps that apparently signaled either the end to Kindle for iPad, or a much diminished profit for Amazon.
AppleInsider has Apple’s response to these charges. Apparently, they have made changes to their App policy that got Sony’s Reader App rejected (to start the whole story), but are insisting on an either/or scenario for third-party apps.
Indeed, shoppers on iPad can use Amazon’s Kindle App for iPad to purchase at Amazon, but Apple now requires that there be an option given for the same shopper to purchase through iTunes. (They want the opportunity to make the sale so an “in App” option is required but not exclusive.)
Not nearly as terrifying as the story first sounded. (That’s probably why the news outlets that first picked it up spun it the way they did.) Of course, Apple doesn’t help when these changes are made without giving the marketplace due notice and/or an explanation.
Feb 07
New Apple iPad Apps Eat Third Party Profits
PCWorld reports on Apple’s recent changes to its Apps policy that saw the rejection of the Sony Reader App, and now might imperil Amazon’s Kindle presence on the iPad. The changes will only allow eReader Apps that support in-App purchases that amount to 30% of the cover price going to Apple. Since the agency model recently adopted by eBook retailers only allows 30% of the book price for the seller, then it appears that Apple wants all of the profits on the sale.
This is an unsustainable business model, so the eBook industry waits and watches as the story develops.
Feb 05
More eBook Revolution News
BBC offers a news story and video that give five arguments for and against libraries in a digital age.
ABC.net.au talks relevance and adaptation for comic books in an interview with David Steinberger – CEO of digital comic site, comiXology.
CultofMac posts on iPad’s impact in Japan where space is a premium so tablets and digital books fit right in.
Feb 04
eBook Revolution Headlines
BetaNews reports Apple’s recent changes to the way they allow third-party eBook Apps to operate on the iPad is creating an unfair business environment for publishers that will stifle the burgeoning eBook market.
BusinessWeek says Indie authors might be held liable if eBook distributors go bankrupt and delete their customers’ accounts. (Tempest in a teapot worth checking out.)
Read more about the Nook eReader at ReviewsofElectronics.com. They’ve declared it a winner.
And MyDigitalFC.com (Financial Chronicle) posts on the alarming levels of eBook Piracy in India with some suggesting the India market is dominated by illegal copies.
Good Reads
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