Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew H.
It's also important to keep in mind that, at least for Amazon and B&N and, I think, Kobo, the goal behind selling the e-readers is really to sell books. The e-readers itself is more or less a break-even proposition.
|
Right. The primary design guideline for all the entry level ebook readers is how to get more people onboard. As the pool of dedicated readers that still haven't jumped in dries up, the trick becomes to draw in readers from the pool of app readers or new readers who might be tempted by a lower-priced device.
Bigger feature lists will appeal to some upgraders but there really is more money in drawing in more customers from the pool of uncommiteds. Upgraders are already buying ebooks, after all. Selling them a new reader brings in a chunk of change, once. Getting a fence-sitter to commit to your ecosystem brings in an entire new revenue stream. (Or trickle, if it is a casual reader.
)