Oyster: unlimited e-books for $9.95 a month, now live with invite (iOS)

holymadness · 09-05-2013, 11:43 AM

A few months ago I signed up for alerts about the launch of Oyster, a Netflix-like reading service. It gives you access to an unlimited number of books for a monthly fee. Today I got an email announcing that the service is live for those with an invitation (those without can join the queue to receive one). You can access it at https://www.oysterbooks.com and there is some information about the launch at http://blog.oysterbooks.com/. It's an iPhone-only reading app for now, which is a bit of a curious choice.

Here's an overview of the service from GigaOm, which includes some interesting details: http://gigaom.com/2013/09/05/oyster-netflix-for-ebooks/

The service launches with 100,000 in-copyright ebooks (i.e., not free public domain stuff)
Publishers participating — making at least a few titles available, not their whole catalogs by any means — include HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Workman, Algonquin, Melville House, Rodale, Open Road, RosettaBooks, F+W Media and self-publishing distributor Smashwords.
Oyster wouldn’t get into details about how it’s compensating publishers and authors, and wouldn’t state whether newer, more well-known titles are getting better royalties than older ones.
With Oyster, after you add a book to your reading list, you can access it offline. You only need an internet connection to download new titles.
An iPad app is coming this fall
Oyster currently has no “concrete plans” to launch on platforms beyond iOS.

I've taken some screenshots of the website for those without invitations. I haven't yet had time to look at the app.

EDIT: Seems like the app is only available in the US iTunes store for now. A tweet from the developers reads, "No announced plans for expansion outside the US yet but it's definitely something we want to do."

Jessica Lares · 09-05-2013, 11:48 AM

No iPad support is an automatic fail.

The iPhone app looks nice though.

Kumabjorn · 09-05-2013, 11:59 AM

In other words, you won't be able to read on e-ink?

ProfCrash · 09-05-2013, 12:09 PM

You should be able to use the IPhone App on the IPad. I have plenty of IPhone Apps I use on the IPad, there is a button you tap to enlarge it 2 times. Works like a charm

$9.95 a month seems to be a bit steep. I guess it depend on how many books you read in a month.

Jessica Lares · 09-05-2013, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

You should be able to use the IPhone App on the IPad. I have plenty of IPhone Apps I use on the IPad, there is a button you tap to enlarge it 2 times. Works like a charm

This will be easier on iOS 7, but on the iPad Mini, you can open iPhone apps, but they're blurry. This has changed on recent betas of iOS 7, but not on iOS 6.

holymadness · 09-05-2013, 12:20 PM

I think if you read at least two books a month, you've easily gotten your money's worth. Maybe even one a month if you're reading biographies or histories that normally sell for over $10 on Amazon.

As with Netflix, the real selling point is convenience. It's probably not a great deal compared to library access to a huge Overdrive collection, or using coupons to get cheap books from Kobo, but it's much simpler.

ProfCrash · 09-05-2013, 12:42 PM

True and if there are a ton of book options it is probably worth it.

K. Molen · 09-05-2013, 01:10 PM

Hmm. Maybe I've been too spoiled by the extensive Overdrive selection of my local library, but to me $9.99 a month is way too expensive.

It's rare that Overdrive doesn't have what I want, it certainly happens less often than once a month, so it makes a lot more sense for me to just buy what I can't get from Overdrive. I'll still likely come out ahead compared to an Oyster subscription, and even if I were to go a couple of dollars over each year, I now own the books as opposed to just borrowing them.

If it was $9.99 a year, I'd join. I wouldn't pay a whole lot more than that though.

DiapDealer · 09-05-2013, 01:15 PM

Interesting idea. My first instinct was to think that I'd feel guilty about reading anything that I didn't get through Oyster--like I would be wasting some of that $9.95 fee if I read something I already owned or got somewhere else. But then again ... I don't feel guilty when I watch something on TV other than Netflix. So there's that.

I guess the bottom line for me would be content. As long as I was finding stuff I truly wanted to read, and not just settling for something they had (because it was already "paid" for), I'd probably be OK with it. As long as I could bail out any time I wanted, that is.

pendragginp · 09-05-2013, 01:17 PM

Overdrive at my own library and also at FLP often won't have the particular cozies I like, and I'd be interested in checking this out if it wasn't limited to Apple. Since it is I guess for me it's a 'moo' point, as Joey on Friends would say.

charmian · 09-05-2013, 01:20 PM

Only iOS? I don't see why this is something that could only be on iOS. It's not like it's a game or anything.

EowynCarter · 09-05-2013, 01:47 PM

No android ?

What year are these people living in ?

WillysJeepMan · 09-05-2013, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmian

Only iOS? I don't see why this is something that could only be on iOS. It's not like it's a game or anything.

Probably because they have limited development resources and the iOS ecosystem/infrastructure has the largest number of paying customers. Android is larger in total numbers but Android users are less inclined to pay for things.

Give them time, I'm sure that they'll produce apps for Android... that is if Oyster is still around by then.

holymadness · 09-05-2013, 01:55 PM

Business reasons, not technical reasons. By only targeting one platform, you can have a smaller development team and keep costs down. When choosing which platform to target, iOS is the obvious favourite for maximizing return because iOS users earn and spend more money on average than Android/Windows Phone/Symbian users. They also pay the most for apps.

Marcy · 09-05-2013, 02:27 PM

But for books having an iPhone app and not an iPad app?? Really? It is impossibly for me to read anymore on my iPhone now that my eyes are middle-aged enough that I can't see text that small.

Not that I'm interested anyway, as I get more than enough to read between Overdrive and Baen, but still makes no sense to me.

09-05-2013, 11:43 AM	#1
holymadness Guru Posts: 722 Karma: 2084955 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: iPhone	Oyster: unlimited e-books for $9.95 a month, now live with invite (iOS) A few months ago I signed up for alerts about the launch of Oyster, a Netflix-like reading service. It gives you access to an unlimited number of books for a monthly fee. Today I got an email announcing that the service is live for those with an invitation (those without can join the queue to receive one). You can access it at https://www.oysterbooks.com and there is some information about the launch at http://blog.oysterbooks.com/. It's an iPhone-only reading app for now, which is a bit of a curious choice. Here's an overview of the service from GigaOm, which includes some interesting details: http://gigaom.com/2013/09/05/oyster-netflix-for-ebooks/ The service launches with 100,000 in-copyright ebooks (i.e., not free public domain stuff) Publishers participating — making at least a few titles available, not their whole catalogs by any means — include HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Workman, Algonquin, Melville House, Rodale, Open Road, RosettaBooks, F+W Media and self-publishing distributor Smashwords. Oyster wouldn’t get into details about how it’s compensating publishers and authors, and wouldn’t state whether newer, more well-known titles are getting better royalties than older ones. With Oyster, after you add a book to your reading list, you can access it offline. You only need an internet connection to download new titles. An iPad app is coming this fall Oyster currently has no “concrete plans” to launch on platforms beyond iOS. I've taken some screenshots of the website for those without invitations. I haven't yet had time to look at the app. EDIT: Seems like the app is only available in the US iTunes store for now. A tweet from the developers reads, "No announced plans for expansion outside the US yet but it's definitely something we want to do." Attached Thumbnails Last edited by holymadness; 09-05-2013 at 03:01 PM. Reason: moved to frontpage

09-05-2013, 12:09 PM	#4
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	You should be able to use the IPhone App on the IPad. I have plenty of IPhone Apps I use on the IPad, there is a button you tap to enlarge it 2 times. Works like a charm $9.95 a month seems to be a bit steep. I guess it depend on how many books you read in a month. Last edited by ProfCrash; 09-05-2013 at 12:12 PM.

09-05-2013, 12:20 PM	#6
holymadness Guru Posts: 722 Karma: 2084955 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: iPhone	I think if you read at least two books a month, you've easily gotten your money's worth. Maybe even one a month if you're reading biographies or histories that normally sell for over $10 on Amazon. As with Netflix, the real selling point is convenience. It's probably not a great deal compared to library access to a huge Overdrive collection, or using coupons to get cheap books from Kobo, but it's much simpler. Last edited by holymadness; 09-05-2013 at 12:27 PM.

09-05-2013, 01:17 PM	#10
pendragginp Guru Posts: 985 Karma: 4567263 Join Date: May 2009 Location: The End Of The Earth Device: Several	Overdrive at my own library and also at FLP often won't have the particular cozies I like, and I'd be interested in checking this out if it wasn't limited to Apple. Since it is I guess for me it's a 'moo' point, as Joey on Friends would say. Last edited by pendragginp; 09-05-2013 at 01:36 PM.

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09-05-2013, 11:48 AM	#2
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	No iPad support is an automatic fail. The iPhone app looks nice though.

09-05-2013, 11:59 AM	#3
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	In other words, you won't be able to read on e-ink?

09-05-2013, 12:42 PM	#7
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	True and if there are a ton of book options it is probably worth it.

09-05-2013, 01:10 PM	#8
K. Molen Addict Posts: 284 Karma: 4478866 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, ON Device: Kindle 3, iPad 3, Nexus 10, Nexus 5	Hmm. Maybe I've been too spoiled by the extensive Overdrive selection of my local library, but to me $9.99 a month is way too expensive. It's rare that Overdrive doesn't have what I want, it certainly happens less often than once a month, so it makes a lot more sense for me to just buy what I can't get from Overdrive. I'll still likely come out ahead compared to an Oyster subscription, and even if I were to go a couple of dollars over each year, I now own the books as opposed to just borrowing them. If it was $9.99 a year, I'd join. I wouldn't pay a whole lot more than that though.

09-05-2013, 01:15 PM	#9
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,615 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Interesting idea. My first instinct was to think that I'd feel guilty about reading anything that I didn't get through Oyster--like I would be wasting some of that $9.95 fee if I read something I already owned or got somewhere else. But then again ... I don't feel guilty when I watch something on TV other than Netflix. So there's that. I guess the bottom line for me would be content. As long as I was finding stuff I truly wanted to read, and not just settling for something they had (because it was already "paid" for), I'd probably be OK with it. As long as I could bail out any time I wanted, that is.

09-05-2013, 01:20 PM	#11
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	Only iOS? I don't see why this is something that could only be on iOS. It's not like it's a game or anything.

09-05-2013, 01:47 PM	#12
EowynCarter Wizard Posts: 4,334 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paris Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1	No android ? What year are these people living in ?

09-05-2013, 01:55 PM	#14
holymadness Guru Posts: 722 Karma: 2084955 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: iPhone	Business reasons, not technical reasons. By only targeting one platform, you can have a smaller development team and keep costs down. When choosing which platform to target, iOS is the obvious favourite for maximizing return because iOS users earn and spend more money on average than Android/Windows Phone/Symbian users. They also pay the most for apps.

09-05-2013, 02:27 PM	#15
Marcy Guru Posts: 893 Karma: 950683 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kobo Libra2	But for books having an iPhone app and not an iPad app?? Really? It is impossibly for me to read anymore on my iPhone now that my eyes are middle-aged enough that I can't see text that small. Not that I'm interested anyway, as I get more than enough to read between Overdrive and Baen, but still makes no sense to me.

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