Why the Print Industry Should Subsidize the Kindle

Gerry · 03-17-2009, 12:50 PM

An interesting article from todays Ad Age stating "Amazon Device Could Be White Knight for Newspapers and Magazines"

http://adage.com/article?article_id=135284

DaleDe · 03-17-2009, 01:24 PM

Subscriptions to magazines and newspapers using hardware readers are being used in Europe. I am not sure Amazon would relinquish control to allow this use in the US. They seem to be pushing their own subscription capability but to allow someone else to distribute their product seems to be a problem for them. They seem to be control freaks. I do think this could work but I am not sure Amazon is the correct vehicle. Note that 16 level gray scale is, I believe an requirement for magazines and even good newspaper coverage. Pictures are a must IHMO.

Dale

PhishStyx · 03-17-2009, 01:40 PM

So more like the iRex DR and their Press Reader service.

wallcraft · 03-17-2009, 01:45 PM

All the newspaper and magazine efforts seem to be focusing on devices with screens larger than 6". Newspapers and magazines typically have a larger page size than a book, so this makes sense except for the cost of a larger screen. An iLiad-like device (8", 16 grey scales) is the bottom end, but 9.7" 16 grey scales may be the sweet spot. Magazines would like color too, but you can't have everything.

The focus on larger screens may be a mistake. The smaller screens might work ok if the publishers could get the layout (navigation etcetera) right. The Kindle 2 is pioneering this approach (improving on the K1). This would also allow devices like the iPhone to come into play.

KindleDude · 03-17-2009, 04:53 PM

" I am not sure Amazon is the correct vehicle. Note that 16 level gray scale is, I believe an requirement for magazines and even good newspaper coverage. Pictures are a must IHMO."

Kindle 2 does have 16 levels of grayscale, and newspapers and magazines do publish pictures on it. Actually, they did so on Kindle 1 (4 levels), but the pictures didn't look as good.

03-17-2009, 12:50 PM	#1
Gerry Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boston, MA Device: Cybook Gen 3	Why the Print Industry Should Subsidize the Kindle An interesting article from todays Ad Age stating "Amazon Device Could Be White Knight for Newspapers and Magazines" http://adage.com/article?article_id=135284

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03-17-2009, 01:24 PM	#2
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,470 Karma: 13095790 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7	Subscriptions to magazines and newspapers using hardware readers are being used in Europe. I am not sure Amazon would relinquish control to allow this use in the US. They seem to be pushing their own subscription capability but to allow someone else to distribute their product seems to be a problem for them. They seem to be control freaks. I do think this could work but I am not sure Amazon is the correct vehicle. Note that 16 level gray scale is, I believe an requirement for magazines and even good newspaper coverage. Pictures are a must IHMO. Dale

03-17-2009, 01:40 PM	#3
PhishStyx The me that I am Posts: 413 Karma: 1078 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: In my house! Duh! Device: Kindle 1 & DR 1000s	So more like the iRex DR and their Press Reader service.

03-17-2009, 01:45 PM	#4
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	All the newspaper and magazine efforts seem to be focusing on devices with screens larger than 6". Newspapers and magazines typically have a larger page size than a book, so this makes sense except for the cost of a larger screen. An iLiad-like device (8", 16 grey scales) is the bottom end, but 9.7" 16 grey scales may be the sweet spot. Magazines would like color too, but you can't have everything. The focus on larger screens may be a mistake. The smaller screens might work ok if the publishers could get the layout (navigation etcetera) right. The Kindle 2 is pioneering this approach (improving on the K1). This would also allow devices like the iPhone to come into play.

03-17-2009, 04:53 PM	#5
KindleDude Connoisseur Posts: 80 Karma: 172 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Kindle	" I am not sure Amazon is the correct vehicle. Note that 16 level gray scale is, I believe an requirement for magazines and even good newspaper coverage. Pictures are a must IHMO." Kindle 2 does have 16 levels of grayscale, and newspapers and magazines do publish pictures on it. Actually, they did so on Kindle 1 (4 levels), but the pictures didn't look as good.

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