Aussie Publishers Reject Amazon Kindle

sforce · 08-19-2009, 10:03 AM

It seems as more e-readers become available, publishers are becoming increasing emboldened verses Amazon/Kindle.

Aussie Publishers Reject Amazon Kindle

"The race by newspaper publishers to explore platforms to deliver their content digitally is hotting up with news that Amazon Kindle is, in effect, out of the running in Australia.

Fairfax Media, publisher of the Herald, has rebuffed Amazon's portable e-reader as the way to deliver digitised versions of newspapers to readers on the run.

News Corporation has said that it too is looking beyond Amazon at other devices."

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/tec...0817-emr4.html

Abecedary · 08-19-2009, 10:09 AM

Is "hotting up" an Aussieism?

And from the article, it sounds like Fairfax has rejected Amazon before even being approached by Amazon. Interesting. And I think the author just got something wrong with this: "Sony wants consumers to be able to read any software reading program on its devices, but they do not read books, for example, that are now on sale in Australia in digital format." When did Sony say they want "consumers to be able to read any software reading program on its devices"? And what is the most common ebook format available in Australia?

Kali Yuga · 08-19-2009, 10:31 AM

Well, I don't know the corporate structure of Australian news outlets very well, but it sounds like someone is jumping the gun a tad.

The Kindle isn't in Australia yet (with no ETA), the Apple tablet rumor is literally 8 years old (and any similar device will have a web browser on it anyway, for free news access), and Sony doesn't offer news / magazine subscriptions yet. Not sure if Sony even has an ETA for that yet.

That said, it does sound like Amazon kinda gives newspapers and magazines the shaft -- iirc they take 60% of the revenues. So it makes sense for the chains to take a preemptive swipe at the terms.

igorsk · 08-19-2009, 11:09 AM

AFAIK "hotting up" is a British expression.

Hellmark · 08-19-2009, 11:15 AM

Well, yeah, News Corp is looking at other things. Murdoch is pissed, and wants the sales info from Amazon on the WSJ kindle sales.

sforce · 08-19-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Well, yeah, News Corp is looking at other things. Murdoch is pissed, and wants the sales info from Amazon on the WSJ kindle sales.

As I read the below from Amazon's Kindle forum, Amazon lost the stare-down with Murdoch. The Kindlers are none too happy about it either, especially following the Orwellian indecent:

Amazon Caves to Magazines and Newspapers: Now Gives Them Your Name, Address and Billing Information

Abecedary · 08-19-2009, 11:59 AM

I find the Kindlers argument there to be pretty silly. Magazine and newspaper publishers in the past have always had access to the info for their subscribers. And for the people arguing that when they "subscribe" by buying it from the newsstand that the WSJ doesn't get your information, well guess what--that's not a subscription!

Hellmark · 08-19-2009, 12:32 PM

I really don't see the big deal about it, but hey, that's just me.

sforce · 08-19-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abecedary

I find the Kindlers argument there to be pretty silly. Magazine and newspaper publishers in the past have always had access to the info for their subscribers. And for the people arguing that when they "subscribe" by buying it from the newsstand that the WSJ doesn't get your information, well guess what--that's not a subscription!

I agree. I think allowing the publishers limited info, important for them to deliver a product more tailored for their customers.

That said, I do find Amazon's changing its Kindle terms of service--on the sly--very disturbing, and something that would keep me from being a Kindle Kustomer...

millydog · 08-19-2009, 11:28 PM

I have a Sony PRS-505 & an iRex iLiad v2, but I would like to see the Kindle come here (to Australia), among others. The Sony devices aren't (officially) here either.
It's also not easy to purchase e-books at good prices here, so I'd also like to see on-line stores open up sales so as we can buy from them without having to resort to vouchers.

My workplace is a software company, but you would be surprised by how many people here did not know what an e-reader was until I showed them, now a number of them want one. All it will take is for a company with advertising $$$ behind them and e-readers will start taking off here.

I'm actually disappointed that the Kindle has been rejected, even if I prefer to use ePub books on my Sony.

Andybaby · 08-20-2009, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sforce

I agree. I think allowing the publishers limited info, important for them to deliver a product more tailored for their customers.

That said, I do find Amazon's changing its Kindle terms of service--on the sly--very disturbing, and something that would keep me from being a Kindle Kustomer...

all companies change their tos all the time and you never notice it. your bank and creditcard and car insuarance companies change their terms on you every week.

in the grand scheme of things, amazon has done nothing wrong.

HarryT · 08-20-2009, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

AFAIK "hotting up" is a British expression.

It is indeed.

Argel · 08-20-2009, 05:27 AM

This, to me, is a very significant development. The original assumption was that the press would flock to the Kindle – but few of us were aware of the kind of licensing conditions Amazon were imposing.

All newspaper publishers are aware that the only path to survival lies in monetizing their output in different ways. That is a long term process involving identifying their audience and experimenting with differential pricing for access to various material. An example of the way things are going is the Financial Times, which took the web subscription route and is experimenting with monetizing its archives and other information. Murdoch wants to go in the same direction because he realizes that it’s a question of survival.

What that adds up to is that the probability of major newspaper groups allowing Amazon to monopolize – or even have much access to – their subscriber base is zero. Absolutely zero.

So when I come to buy my next liseuse, I may well have a choice between an Amazon device which will not download the daily paper and a range of others which will. That’s not a decision that will take much time.

HarryT · 08-20-2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argel

This, to me, is a very significant development. The original assumption was that the press would flock to the Kindle – but few of us were aware of the kind of licensing conditions Amazon were imposing.

What licensing conditions are you referring to?

AprilHare · 08-20-2009, 05:59 AM

I'm there with them. The Kindle is awful - with its mobile phone based functionality and its tied down nature. Fairfax/News Corp might as well hand over their business to the whims of Amazon if they signed on the dotted line with them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sforce

It seems as more e-readers become available, publishers are becoming increasing emboldened verses Amazon/Kindle.

Aussie Publishers Reject Amazon Kindle

"The race by newspaper publishers to explore platforms to deliver their content digitally is hotting up with news that Amazon Kindle is, in effect, out of the running in Australia.

Fairfax Media, publisher of the Herald, has rebuffed Amazon's portable e-reader as the way to deliver digitised versions of newspapers to readers on the run.

News Corporation has said that it too is looking beyond Amazon at other devices."

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/tec...0817-emr4.html

08-19-2009, 10:03 AM	#1
sforce Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 184 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Plastic Logic (?)	Aussie Publishers Reject Amazon Kindle It seems as more e-readers become available, publishers are becoming increasing emboldened verses Amazon/Kindle. Aussie Publishers Reject Amazon Kindle "The race by newspaper publishers to explore platforms to deliver their content digitally is hotting up with news that Amazon Kindle is, in effect, out of the running in Australia. Fairfax Media, publisher of the Herald, has rebuffed Amazon's portable e-reader as the way to deliver digitised versions of newspapers to readers on the run. News Corporation has said that it too is looking beyond Amazon at other devices." http://www.smh.com.au/technology/tec...0817-emr4.html

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08-19-2009, 10:09 AM	#2
Abecedary Exwyzeeologist Posts: 535 Karma: 3261 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: :PRS-505::iPod touch:	Is "hotting up" an Aussieism? And from the article, it sounds like Fairfax has rejected Amazon before even being approached by Amazon. Interesting. And I think the author just got something wrong with this: "Sony wants consumers to be able to read any software reading program on its devices, but they do not read books, for example, that are now on sale in Australia in digital format." When did Sony say they want "consumers to be able to read any software reading program on its devices"? And what is the most common ebook format available in Australia?

08-19-2009, 10:31 AM	#3
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	Well, I don't know the corporate structure of Australian news outlets very well, but it sounds like someone is jumping the gun a tad. The Kindle isn't in Australia yet (with no ETA), the Apple tablet rumor is literally 8 years old (and any similar device will have a web browser on it anyway, for free news access), and Sony doesn't offer news / magazine subscriptions yet. Not sure if Sony even has an ETA for that yet. That said, it does sound like Amazon kinda gives newspapers and magazines the shaft -- iirc they take 60% of the revenues. So it makes sense for the chains to take a preemptive swipe at the terms.

08-19-2009, 11:09 AM	#4
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	AFAIK "hotting up" is a British expression.

08-19-2009, 11:15 AM	#5
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	Well, yeah, News Corp is looking at other things. Murdoch is pissed, and wants the sales info from Amazon on the WSJ kindle sales.

08-19-2009, 11:59 AM	#7
Abecedary Exwyzeeologist Posts: 535 Karma: 3261 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: :PRS-505::iPod touch:	I find the Kindlers argument there to be pretty silly. Magazine and newspaper publishers in the past have always had access to the info for their subscribers. And for the people arguing that when they "subscribe" by buying it from the newsstand that the WSJ doesn't get your information, well guess what--that's not a subscription!

08-19-2009, 12:32 PM	#8
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	I really don't see the big deal about it, but hey, that's just me.

08-19-2009, 11:28 PM	#10
millydog Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 144 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lara, Australia Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPhone X, iPad Pro	I have a Sony PRS-505 & an iRex iLiad v2, but I would like to see the Kindle come here (to Australia), among others. The Sony devices aren't (officially) here either. It's also not easy to purchase e-books at good prices here, so I'd also like to see on-line stores open up sales so as we can buy from them without having to resort to vouchers. My workplace is a software company, but you would be surprised by how many people here did not know what an e-reader was until I showed them, now a number of them want one. All it will take is for a company with advertising $$$ behind them and e-readers will start taking off here. I'm actually disappointed that the Kindle has been rejected, even if I prefer to use ePub books on my Sony.

08-20-2009, 05:27 AM	#13
Argel Opinionated [but right] Posts: 276 Karma: 1412 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Device: Cybook Gen3, PRS 505, Kindle International, HTC Desire	This, to me, is a very significant development. The original assumption was that the press would flock to the Kindle – but few of us were aware of the kind of licensing conditions Amazon were imposing. All newspaper publishers are aware that the only path to survival lies in monetizing their output in different ways. That is a long term process involving identifying their audience and experimenting with differential pricing for access to various material. An example of the way things are going is the Financial Times, which took the web subscription route and is experimenting with monetizing its archives and other information. Murdoch wants to go in the same direction because he realizes that it’s a question of survival. What that adds up to is that the probability of major newspaper groups allowing Amazon to monopolize – or even have much access to – their subscriber base is zero. Absolutely zero. So when I come to buy my next liseuse, I may well have a choice between an Amazon device which will not download the daily paper and a range of others which will. That’s not a decision that will take much time.

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