MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - What reasons would you give for not buying a Kindle?

JSWolf · 02-28-2009, 08:24 PM

The main reason is that the Kindle eBooks are closed to everyone who does not own a Kindle. Everyone else has a program available that runs (even if only on Windows) on a computer and your eBooks are not locked to one device. We get articles on the net saying that Amazon is trying to make eBooks mainstream. Mainstream to Amazon and Kindle owners. But everyone else, forget it.

I have a feeling that what is happening is that because of Amazon's "lower prices", the publisher keep the prices somewhat higher outside of Amazon to make up for the losses imposed by Amazon. This is just my opinion.

And now because of the TTS in the K2, we have a new can of worms with regard to legal DRM removal in the USA.

Basically, Amazon has muddied the waters big time. They have a lot of eBook on Amazon that we cannot get anyplace else. And because of that those of us without a Kindle cannot get them anyplace.

For example, take the eBook Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind. It was made into an Amazon exclusive. It was supposed to be so for just six months. So where is it outside of Amazon now that six months ended February 20th? My guess is its not yet available due to sales. And why is that? Because it was only available at Amazon relying on Kindle owners to make these sales. It would have sold a lot better had it been available for all formats.

And we have the eBook UR from Stephen King. King fans cannot get this unless they shell out for a K2 or a used K1.

To put it in simple terms, I don't like the way Jeff Bezos does business and how it affects the rest of the eBook market. He's trying to corner the eBook market to force us to have to purchase a Kindle.

02-28-2009, 08:24 PM	#33
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,061 Karma: 147983159 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The main reason is that the Kindle eBooks are closed to everyone who does not own a Kindle. Everyone else has a program available that runs (even if only on Windows) on a computer and your eBooks are not locked to one device. We get articles on the net saying that Amazon is trying to make eBooks mainstream. Mainstream to Amazon and Kindle owners. But everyone else, forget it. I have a feeling that what is happening is that because of Amazon's "lower prices", the publisher keep the prices somewhat higher outside of Amazon to make up for the losses imposed by Amazon. This is just my opinion. And now because of the TTS in the K2, we have a new can of worms with regard to legal DRM removal in the USA. Basically, Amazon has muddied the waters big time. They have a lot of eBook on Amazon that we cannot get anyplace else. And because of that those of us without a Kindle cannot get them anyplace. For example, take the eBook Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind. It was made into an Amazon exclusive. It was supposed to be so for just six months. So where is it outside of Amazon now that six months ended February 20th? My guess is its not yet available due to sales. And why is that? Because it was only available at Amazon relying on Kindle owners to make these sales. It would have sold a lot better had it been available for all formats. And we have the eBook UR from Stephen King. King fans cannot get this unless they shell out for a K2 or a used K1. To put it in simple terms, I don't like the way Jeff Bezos does business and how it affects the rest of the eBook market. He's trying to corner the eBook market to force us to have to purchase a Kindle.