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conan50 · 10-12-2015, 12:06 PM

Google. Only Google at this point could truly knockdown Amazon, and it would be a tough fight. Android is everywhere that Amazon isn't. Android = Google Books. You can pick up cheap Android phones and tablets anywhere now, and they all come with Google Books. Can you imagine if Google quit treating Books like the red-headed stepchild? If they beefed up their bookstore to match Amazon's catalog, if they pushed book sales, and especially if they made it attractive to authors rather than an obstacle course to get books listed? I'm not convinced they will ever get serious about this, so yes, it is almost game over with Amazon becoming the defacto ebook store. It would take a herculean effort and I don't see anyone who is willing to do it.
One other thing comes to mind--if Google and Kobo joined forces, or if Google bought Kobo outright, that would be an awesome combination. Google has the reach, Kobo has the ability to sell and promote ebooks as well as a lineup of e-ink devices. That would give Amazon pause.

10-12-2015, 12:06 PM	#52
conan50 Fanatic Posts: 597 Karma: 14054112 Join Date: Jun 2014 Device: kindle	Google. Only Google at this point could truly knockdown Amazon, and it would be a tough fight. Android is everywhere that Amazon isn't. Android = Google Books. You can pick up cheap Android phones and tablets anywhere now, and they all come with Google Books. Can you imagine if Google quit treating Books like the red-headed stepchild? If they beefed up their bookstore to match Amazon's catalog, if they pushed book sales, and especially if they made it attractive to authors rather than an obstacle course to get books listed? I'm not convinced they will ever get serious about this, so yes, it is almost game over with Amazon becoming the defacto ebook store. It would take a herculean effort and I don't see anyone who is willing to do it. One other thing comes to mind--if Google and Kobo joined forces, or if Google bought Kobo outright, that would be an awesome combination. Google has the reach, Kobo has the ability to sell and promote ebooks as well as a lineup of e-ink devices. That would give Amazon pause. Last edited by conan50; 10-12-2015 at 12:37 PM.