MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Could lack of piracy be the e-book's demise?

stezza · 02-10-2009, 10:16 PM

It's not about piracy, it's about collections.

The iPod and iTunes made it very easy for a music lover to convert all their music on cds into iTunes and the iPod. If they took the time, they could have their beloved cd collection on the ipod for no extra cost. That's the key.

Let's face it, the core demographic of the Kindle is avid readers. Readers who most likely have thousends of books in their collections. Just like I do. The downfall of the Kindle is that they have NO WAY of transferring their already loved collection onto the machine.

You want me to pay $400 for the Kindle and then $10 for each book?? I already have the book on my shelves. Why would I *buy* it again?

That's not to say you can't buy the Kindle and start a new collection, or repurchase your favorite books at $10 all over again, but that would soon add up to mega bucks and no one will do that.

The key with the iPod was you lost nothing, and didn't have to pay for your collection again. Imagine if Apple released the iPod and then said, "Sorry, you have to pay for your whole cd collection again at $10 a cd." You think it would've taken off like it did? Of course not.

Kindle is handicapped by the fact there is NO WAY to transfer your collection from the shelf to the machine. That's not Amazon's fault, it's just the way it is. If Amazon offered something that allowed my whole collection to be transferred into the Kindle for no more than the $400 purchase price, I'd buy one immediately.

Until then, I'm sticking with the books I've already purchased and lovingly have on my shelves...I sure as hell won't be buying them again.

Steve

02-10-2009, 10:16 PM	#16
stezza Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 32 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle	What REALLY made the iPod the killer it is! It's not about piracy, it's about collections. The iPod and iTunes made it very easy for a music lover to convert all their music on cds into iTunes and the iPod. If they took the time, they could have their beloved cd collection on the ipod for no extra cost. That's the key. Let's face it, the core demographic of the Kindle is avid readers. Readers who most likely have thousends of books in their collections. Just like I do. The downfall of the Kindle is that they have NO WAY of transferring their already loved collection onto the machine. You want me to pay $400 for the Kindle and then $10 for each book?? I already have the book on my shelves. Why would I buy it again? That's not to say you can't buy the Kindle and start a new collection, or repurchase your favorite books at $10 all over again, but that would soon add up to mega bucks and no one will do that. The key with the iPod was you lost nothing, and didn't have to pay for your collection again. Imagine if Apple released the iPod and then said, "Sorry, you have to pay for your whole cd collection again at $10 a cd." You think it would've taken off like it did? Of course not. Kindle is handicapped by the fact there is NO WAY to transfer your collection from the shelf to the machine. That's not Amazon's fault, it's just the way it is. If Amazon offered something that allowed my whole collection to be transferred into the Kindle for no more than the $400 purchase price, I'd buy one immediately. Until then, I'm sticking with the books I've already purchased and lovingly have on my shelves...I sure as hell won't be buying them again. Steve