Time Inc - Time for a New E-Reader

sforce · 09-10-2009, 06:33 PM

Time Inc - Time for a New E-Reader
Magazine giant considering own gadget, e-reader startup

"An internal document from Time Inc. obtained by NBC Bay Area shows the magazine giant, publisher of Time, Sports Illustrated, People and other titles, wants to start competing with Amazon's Kindle and other electronic readers before the end of the year.

It's a big shift in strategy by Time, which earlier this year said it would not introduce its own e-reader. But things have changed, and Time's plans for the e-reader market are on a fast track. According to the in-house presentation, Time Inc. is seeking to unveil its plans within the next three months."

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/tech/...-58563707.html

rcuadro · 09-10-2009, 06:38 PM

The more the better I say. Eventually I hope we get the "MP3" of ebook formats and they will work damn near all readers. We will all win!

grimo1re · 09-10-2009, 06:44 PM

Hmmm, does this mean they'll use their own format too? I'm also not sure about their assumption "Whoever defines the interface wins". What do others think?

GA Russell · 09-10-2009, 06:49 PM

Thanks for that, sforce. The article mentions other publishers as well (like News Corp., aka the Wall Street Journal). Interesting concept - that the publishers would sell the content directly to the consumer, skipping the stores like Amazon.

carlobee · 09-10-2009, 09:49 PM

i guess they would really need this move...or else they will be left behind.

Crowl · 09-10-2009, 10:17 PM

Good to see more interest in the ebook market, but you do have to wonder what makes content producers suddenly think they can so easily shift over into producing the hardware as well.

Here's hoping they don't also try to control the format, things seem to be stabilising in that respect for a change.

Phogg · 09-11-2009, 01:29 AM

Shouldn't a company be profitable before sinking money into an expensive to enter new market?

Time's P&L has been less than stellar (okay, less than adequate) for a while now.

Prestige doesn't pay any bills.

On the other hand, if they are going broke anyway, leaving one last nice collectible behind (An orphaned ereader) wouldn't be a bad thing I guess.

HansTWN · 09-11-2009, 05:27 AM

yes, they haven't been doing well. That is a good time to rethink their strategy and try something different. And I am sure they will just buy and rebrand a read. No big investment needed.

Kali Yuga · 09-11-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phogg

Shouldn't a company be profitable before sinking money into an expensive to enter new market?

Since they believe they are missing out on revenues and critical customer data with the current Amazon options, believe that delivery to an ebook is one of the few ways left to get people to pay for content, and there are few indications that their traditional business model will improve their financial condition any time soon, probably not....

That said, I concur that they will not find this an easy market to enter. Hardware isn't easy to make and support; they will need wireless to deliver their content in a timely fashion, and users will want or expect a good catalog of ebook titles -- which either means setting up their own store (not easy) or relying on an existing retailer (also may be iffy).

09-10-2009, 06:33 PM	#1
sforce Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 184 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Plastic Logic (?)	Time Inc - Time for a New E-Reader Time Inc - Time for a New E-Reader Magazine giant considering own gadget, e-reader startup "An internal document from Time Inc. obtained by NBC Bay Area shows the magazine giant, publisher of Time, Sports Illustrated, People and other titles, wants to start competing with Amazon's Kindle and other electronic readers before the end of the year. It's a big shift in strategy by Time, which earlier this year said it would not introduce its own e-reader. But things have changed, and Time's plans for the e-reader market are on a fast track. According to the in-house presentation, Time Inc. is seeking to unveil its plans within the next three months." http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/tech/...-58563707.html

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09-10-2009, 06:38 PM	#2
rcuadro Wizard Posts: 1,686 Karma: 874275 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Device: Kindle DX	The more the better I say. Eventually I hope we get the "MP3" of ebook formats and they will work damn near all readers. We will all win!

09-10-2009, 06:44 PM	#3
grimo1re Geekette Posts: 435 Karma: 3335 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NSW, Australia Device: Sony Reader PRS500, PocketBook 360	Hmmm, does this mean they'll use their own format too? I'm also not sure about their assumption "Whoever defines the interface wins". What do others think?

09-10-2009, 06:49 PM	#4
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Thanks for that, sforce. The article mentions other publishers as well (like News Corp., aka the Wall Street Journal). Interesting concept - that the publishers would sell the content directly to the consumer, skipping the stores like Amazon.

09-10-2009, 09:49 PM	#5
carlobee Fanatic Posts: 535 Karma: 972 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: The new iPad	i guess they would really need this move...or else they will be left behind.

09-10-2009, 10:17 PM	#6
Crowl Wizard Posts: 1,340 Karma: 1160346 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southport, GB Device: Kindle Voyage, PW Signature edition	Good to see more interest in the ebook market, but you do have to wonder what makes content producers suddenly think they can so easily shift over into producing the hardware as well. Here's hoping they don't also try to control the format, things seem to be stabilising in that respect for a change.

09-11-2009, 01:29 AM	#7
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	Shouldn't a company be profitable before sinking money into an expensive to enter new market? Time's P&L has been less than stellar (okay, less than adequate) for a while now. Prestige doesn't pay any bills. On the other hand, if they are going broke anyway, leaving one last nice collectible behind (An orphaned ereader) wouldn't be a bad thing I guess.

09-11-2009, 05:27 AM	#8
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	yes, they haven't been doing well. That is a good time to rethink their strategy and try something different. And I am sure they will just buy and rebrand a read. No big investment needed.

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