Quote:
Originally Posted by kovidgoyal
Yeah but all that's really needed is a delay, in order to acheive monopoly.
Look at it this way, Lexcycle was threatening to become a viable online distribution channel for publishers that didn't want to use Amazon. It isn't any longer.
|
I think I agree with Kovid about the motivations behind Amazon's purchase. Amazon is trying hard, but I don't think this will naturally lead to a monopoly. Dedicated reader hardware and software continues to improve, and so does the app development platform for smartphones. Even if Amazon builds a lead in the access space, it won't be too hard to break that lead by providing an alternative access platform that is comparable to, or even better than Amazon's. (think Google vs Altavista).
There is enough non-Amazon content out there, lots of non-Amazon retailers willing to invest heavily in ebooks, and a lot of smart and ambitious technology folks interested in the ebook space (I'd say most of them are here on mobileread!). But the alternative would have to be available and popular soon - within a year, maybe two.