Buying Kindle books without a Kindle

[joelphilippage]

Hey I'm having a bit of an issue. There is a book in a series I really like. I wanted to buy an eBook edition but the only version I can find is kindle and I am using a pocket pc. I found out how to convert the formats but I can't buy it from Amazon unless my account is registered with a Kindle. Is there a way to buy it? Thanks.

[lilac_jive]

No, Kindle books can only be purchased (as of right now) with a Kindle.

[ebookguru]

Amazon would increase there sales if they did open up their eBook store to everyone. Kindle books are just non-DRMed mobi ebooks, and almost every device out their could read them.

[owl123]

And would decrease their Kindle-device sales. I believe they're profiting mainly from the devices, not the ebooks.

[curtw]

Originally Posted by owl123

And would decrease their Kindle-device sales. I believe they're profiting mainly from the devices, not the ebooks.

Actually, I highly disagree. Delivery of ebooks to the desktop and mobile phones would be a FANTASTIC gateway to people saying "This reading experience is OK, but doesn't match up with paper. Hey, I hear that Kindle device is supposed to be good."

The paradigm is the converse of King Gilette's "Razor and blades" business model, and it's exactly the way Apple uses the iTunes Music Store (minimal profit margins) to sell iPods (huge profit margins).

[ebookguru]

Originally Posted by curtw

Actually, I highly disagree. Delivery of ebooks to the desktop and mobile phones would be a FANTASTIC gateway to people saying "This reading experience is OK, but doesn't match up with paper. Hey, I hear that Kindle device is supposed to be good."

I agree wholeheartedly with that statement. Users who began enjoying Kindle books would be more likely to buy a Kindle, not less likely.

Suddenly you have people who own $500 mobile phones discovering the convenience of taking their books with them. Those same people who forked out the money for that BlackBerry or iPhone are the type of buyers that Amazon wants to attract. They obviously have no problem spending money on technology, and the Kindle adds to the experience of reading on the go.

If you want an example - Check out how things are going for Cory Doctorow. He's an author who makes his books freely available under a Creative Commons license and he is selling more books because of it, not less. This doesn't have anything to do with Kindle readers, but it is a clear example of how opening something up pushes for growth.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ebookguru

If you want an example - Check out how things are going for Cory Doctorow. He's an author who makes his books freely available under a Creative Commons license and he is selling more books because of it, not less. This doesn't have anything to do with Kindle readers, but it is a clear example of how opening something up pushes for growth.

With respect, that argument is a complete "red herring". Mr. Doctorow uses eBooks to advertise his paper books. If eBooks were to "take over" and people stopped buying pBooks, Mr. Doctorow's marketting model would no longer work.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ebookguru

Amazon would increase there sales if they did open up their eBook store to everyone. Kindle books are just non-DRMed mobi ebooks, and almost every device out their could read them.

Two points:

1. The overwhelming majority of Kindle books do use Mobi DRM, with Amazon's own DRM server (rather than the "public" MobiPocket server that other Mobi bookstores use). Kindle books cannot, therefore, be read on any device other than a Kindle without removing the DRM, something which is illegal to do in the majority of countries.

2. Amazon subsidise the "best sellers" in the Kindle store as a "loss leader" for the Kindle itself. If they were to start offering books for other devices, clearly this would no longer be practical to do, and the inevitable result would be increased prices for everybody.

[owl123]

Originally Posted by curtw

Actually, I highly disagree. Delivery of ebooks to the desktop and mobile phones would be a FANTASTIC gateway to people saying "This reading experience is OK, but doesn't match up with paper. Hey, I hear that Kindle device is supposed to be good."

"But hey, Sony PRS--- is so much better-looking and cheaper. I'll buy from Kindle Store but read on Sony."

While I'd very much like Kindle to make their store open to just everyone I don't see it happening. Such a move would certainly be beneficial to the ebook world but I'm not sure about Amazon's benefits.

[europas_ice]

Originally Posted by curtw

Actually, I highly disagree. Delivery of ebooks to the desktop and mobile phones would be a FANTASTIC gateway to people saying "This reading experience is OK, but doesn't match up with paper. Hey, I hear that Kindle device is supposed to be good."

I dunno about this. The whole point of the ebook readers, really, is that people don't like to read on their computers. And if you say, here, read this on your computer, and people don't like that, it might actually turn them off from paying for a device, since they may think they don't like ebooks and not realize they might enjoy them on a device.

[WifeOfBath]

I own an iPhone and am capable of comfortably reading journals on the screen, but would love the ability to take texts I need to read out and about with me. If Amazon provided book downloads again, for those that recall their PDF style books from years ago, it would greatly enhance my professional life.

The Kindle is fine, but why purchase a device I have almost no use for when my current PDA has the ability to accomplish the same?

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by HarryT

2. Amazon subsidise the "best sellers" in the Kindle store as a "loss leader" for the Kindle itself.

I also hear that they are saying, we are doing this for early adopters and to show that there is a viable market for these ebook things. Also, I think 9.99 for a new novel is a good price. Then again, I was never one to buy a hard cover at first release price, I would usually wait for the paper back then buy the hard cover off the bargin bin for $2-$3 less than the new paperback edition.

BOb

(The exception being the Harry Potter books. But they weren't $25 at release either.)

[europas_ice]

Originally Posted by WifeOfBath

The Kindle is fine, but why purchase a device I have almost no use for when my current PDA has the ability to accomplish the same?

Hey, if you have something that works, you don't need anything else. I don't think an iPhone would work for me. I don't think I would enjoy reading off the small screen. But hey, if someone wants to get me an iPhone I'd be willing to try it!

[apswartz]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I also hear that they are saying, we are doing this for early adopters and to show that there is a viable market for these ebook things. Also, I think 9.99 for a new novel is a good price. Then again, I was never one to buy a hard cover at first release price, I would usually wait for the paper back then buy the hard cover off the bargin bin for $2-$3 less than the new paperback edition.

+1 And then I would either give the hardback away or donate it to the library.

[europas_ice]

In response to the original question here, I think there are now two ways (but only two) to buy an ebook from Amazon. (1) On the kindle. (2) On an iPhone with the new amazon ebook app installed. Unfortunately this doesn't improve joelphilippage's situation at all.