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Originally Posted by 6charlong
Yes, of course you are right, however as long as the Big 5 insist on having Adept on their ePub books, they can lock Amazon out. On the other hand, Kindle Unlimited is a new service, it can be used to bring new customers to the Amazon bookstore. Amazon's ecosystem is its greatest advantage but people have to have a reason to go there or they will never see it.
The big barrier to Amazon selling ePub has always been Adapt DRM--they like the closed garden, no outside services, but since KU is an Amazon imprint the big 5 have no say and restricting ePub offerings to books without DRM keeps KU inside the Amazon ecosystem.
Publishing in both major formats should reassure authors who are reluctant to sign an exclusive contract. They will see advertising for KU on forums that appeal to ePub owners as well where links to KU speak to both formats in venues like Goodreads, Audible and elsewhere. The idea is to move Kindle Unlimited from being a niche for Kindle owners to a service offering ebooks and audiobooks, period.
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That would be your idea and probably a good one in theory. But the backlash would be horrific I think. especially if it was seen as an attempt to gain exclusivity.
Personally I don't think Amazon would cavil at the 22 cent DRM fee or that they harbour animosity towards Adobe. Adobe is a service, not a competitor.
A recent report stated that more than 90% of published books had DRM on Amazon and 50% of Indies. This is a matter of choice by the authors on the Indies at least and by the majority of publishers. Even many the smaller publishers are pro DRM presently.
Sure it would be nice for us epub fans, but I doubt that is the intent behind the service. Amazon wants to have everyone buy Amazon books, and by promoting a value added service exclusively to kindle owners they may very well add more kindle owners.
Not me as I am happy enough where I am but I am sure that is there intent.
It is possible that they are shooting themselves in the foot, by offering a subscription service where people can get books cheaper, but I cannot think that they have not at least thought through all of the angles including those you mention.
Helen.