Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Jordan
I disagree that dedicated readers are too expensive for casual readers, and that multi-use devices aren't ideal as readers. As a user of a multi-use device (a smartphone), I can attest to the fact that they are easy to use and very readable. Anyone who doesn't want to pay $200 for a dedicated reader (and some will soon cost less than that) can easily use a multi-function device instead.
I can see bookstores not disappearing, but morphing into a different kind of store that allows visitors to peruse digital or special paper versions of the books, then conveniently download them to their reader of choice or print them in-house. Since they won't carry as many physical books, they will likely shrink in size, to fit into any medium-sized storefront. This will likely happen over less than a decade's time.
Hopefully these stores will be impartial to source, as opposed to selling only Big Pub labels... that will depend on licensing agreements and leverage, and influenced by successful indie novels (so, hopefully, there will be a lot of those!).
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I agree that they'll have to change their model eventually, but not for another generation or two.
I read for years on my T/X. It was o.k. but I still read as many paper books as I did ebooks. Now that I have my nook, I will read far fewer dtb.
The casual reader will look at a $100 ereader as 10 paperbacks and most of them don't care about carrying their library around with them. Multi function devices are terrible in the sun, poolside, beach or bench at lunchtime.
That's not even taking in the people who like to sniff their books...
The big publishers are going to fight tooth and nail to keep things the same, and once they do start to change, it will be baby steps.