Amazon is testing “Kindle Unlimited,” an ebook subscription service for $9.99/month

Top100EbooksRank · 07-16-2014, 10:34 AM

http://gigaom.com/2014/07/16/amazon-...for-9-99month/

Quote:

Amazon is testing an ebook and audiobook subscription service called “Kindle Unlimited” that would cost $9.99 a month. According to pages that were pulled down, it will offer access to over 600,000 titles.

Test pages were pulled down Wednesday after some users on the Kindle Boards noticed them, but they are still available through Google Cache.

Image of the Google cache
https://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/...0-17-30-am.png

http://gigaom2.files.wordpress.com/2...ng?w=708&h=282

HarryT · 07-16-2014, 10:37 AM

I would hazard a guess that it would only allow access to books which can be borrowed through the current Kindle lending library, which excludes most BPH books. ie it'll be the same as the Kindle lending library, but remove the one book a month limit.

TimW · 07-16-2014, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I would hazard a guess that it would only allow access to books which can be borrowed through the current Kindle lending library, which excludes most BPH books. ie it'll be the same as the Kindle lending library, but remove the one book a month limit.

The first screenshot indicates books would be readable on ANY device. That's a little different, KOLL books can be only be borrowed/read on a Kindle device. It sounds intriguing.

AnemicOak · 07-16-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I would hazard a guess that it would only allow access to books which can be borrowed through the current Kindle lending library, which excludes most BPH books. ie it'll be the same as the Kindle lending library, but remove the one book a month limit.

I don't know. At $9.99 a month they'd be going up against Scribd & Oyster so they'd likely need to have contracts with at least a couple of the big 5 and then they'd have the added exclusives of Amazon Publishing's titles.

Top100EbooksRank · 07-16-2014, 10:49 AM

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/image...349164952_.jpg

A few popular titles on cache page:

Hunger Games
Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter
Water for Elephants
Life of Pi

Bookworm_Girl · 07-16-2014, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I don't know. At $9.99 a month they'd be going up against Scribd & Oyster so they'd likely need to have contracts with at least a couple of the big 5 and then they'd have the added exclusives of Amazon Publishing's titles.

Exactly. They'd need a few BPH to be competitive for me at that price. I currently can't find enough in the KOLL that entices me away from other books on my TBR to take full advantage of it. If you can read in both the Kindle mobile app and on the Kindle Paperwhite then that would be a further benefit. Audiobook tie-in would be a big temptation. I'll be really interested to see what they roll out.

fjtorres · 07-16-2014, 11:57 AM

It won't be limited to Select titles.
They are talking to four of the five BPHs, most prominently, S&S.

tubemonkey · 07-16-2014, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Audiobook tie-in would be a big temptation. I'll be really interested to see what they roll out.

From the article:

Quote:

Another difference between this service, Oyster and Scribd appears to be the availability of audiobooks. The test page lists 7,351 “Whispersync for Voice” titles.

pwalker8 · 07-16-2014, 12:26 PM

Interesting experiment. I'm sure how successful it is will depend on the content.

Shane R · 07-16-2014, 12:46 PM

They'll have stiff competition from my local library.

Jessica Lares · 07-16-2014, 12:58 PM

They're going to make so much money off people forgetting they're even subscribed to the service.

I would love it if they would include magazines. Even if just the e-ink versions.

Speaking of that, I wonder if they're going to include serials?

Bookworm_Girl · 07-16-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane R

They'll have stiff competition from my local library.

On the other hand, no long hold periods and no short checkout times. That might be worth the cost to me. Depends on the content & method of delivery to me.

Purple Lady · 07-16-2014, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

On the other hand, no long hold periods and no short checkout times. That might be worth the cost to me. Depends on the content & method of delivery to me.

Method of delivery is definitely a concern for me. Their Android app leaves a lot to be desired. I just got a sample book on my Nexus 7 and one font size gives me 30 lines per page which is a little too small, but the next font size up gives me 20 lines per page which is huge.

Bookworm_Girl · 07-16-2014, 02:12 PM

I don't have any big complaints with the Kindle app on iOS. Although I'd much prefer to have access via my Paperwhite. On the other hand, the Scribd and Oyster apps are severely limited in formatting options compared to the Kindle apps. Also it would be great if you can have your highlights/notes stored on your Kindle account with this service.

Shane R · 07-16-2014, 02:13 PM

I don't really read new books - I only rarely feel the urge to scratch that itch right away. So on those rare occasions, what's to stop me from signing up for a month at $9.99, reading a book or two that costs more than that and then canceling before the next month is up?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Ebook subscription service	TGS	News	8	06-02-2013 03:31 AM
Kindle Freetime Unlimited Subscription Service	fjtorres	News	30	12-06-2012 10:13 PM
Amazon's new $3 subscription offers unlimited kid-friendly content	Jessica Lares	Kindle Fire	1	12-05-2012 08:15 AM
Kindle Owners' Lending Library as a Subscription Service?	tubemonkey	General Discussions	18	01-26-2012 07:43 AM
Afictionado - first ebook subscription service?	potpneherb	News	28	10-25-2011 11:56 AM

07-16-2014, 10:37 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I would hazard a guess that it would only allow access to books which can be borrowed through the current Kindle lending library, which excludes most BPH books. ie it'll be the same as the Kindle lending library, but remove the one book a month limit.

07-16-2014, 10:49 AM	#5
Top100EbooksRank Banned Posts: 304 Karma: 6102528 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: Kindle	http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/image...349164952_.jpg A few popular titles on cache page: Hunger Games Lord of the Rings Harry Potter Water for Elephants Life of Pi

07-16-2014, 11:57 AM	#7
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	It won't be limited to Select titles. They are talking to four of the five BPHs, most prominently, S&S.

07-16-2014, 12:26 PM	#9
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,195 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	Interesting experiment. I'm sure how successful it is will depend on the content.

07-16-2014, 12:46 PM	#10
Shane R Fanatic Posts: 518 Karma: 4274548 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: None	They'll have stiff competition from my local library.

07-16-2014, 12:58 PM	#11
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	They're going to make so much money off people forgetting they're even subscribed to the service. I would love it if they would include magazines. Even if just the e-ink versions. Speaking of that, I wonder if they're going to include serials?

07-16-2014, 02:12 PM	#14
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,871 Karma: 36507503 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	I don't have any big complaints with the Kindle app on iOS. Although I'd much prefer to have access via my Paperwhite. On the other hand, the Scribd and Oyster apps are severely limited in formatting options compared to the Kindle apps. Also it would be great if you can have your highlights/notes stored on your Kindle account with this service.

07-16-2014, 02:13 PM	#15
Shane R Fanatic Posts: 518 Karma: 4274548 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: None	I don't really read new books - I only rarely feel the urge to scratch that itch right away. So on those rare occasions, what's to stop me from signing up for a month at $9.99, reading a book or two that costs more than that and then canceling before the next month is up?