Reader Story In NY Times

dhill · 07-21-2008, 04:31 PM

There is a story in today's NY Times business section re French newspapers experimenting with using readers for distribution. Unlike the Kindle, they are looking at a model to add ads to the electronic file in order to subsidize the costs. Here is one quote re iRex:

"And then there is the cost of the devices. In the Read & Go test, Orange is using a reader made by iRex Technologies, a spinoff of Royal Philips Electronics that is based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The participants have been given the devices free. But a Dutch newspaper, NRC Handelsblad, has been selling iRex readers to existing subscribers of the paper at a cost of about 500 euros ($800).

Mr. Fournier said that in September, at the end of the test, the people who tested the system will be asked how much they would be willing to pay for it. France Télécom, he said, might be willing to subsidize the cost of the devices, in the same way that it offers cut-price mobile phones to customers who sign long-term contracts. He said Orange was also speaking with other manufacturers, and hoped to be able to offer two or three different models if the service is introduced commercially."

You need to create a logon to read the article. Here is the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/bu...er&oref=slogin

Donnageddon · 07-21-2008, 05:44 PM

You know, I really hadn't thought of it this way, but this may be the format that breaks eInk ereaders into the mainstream: A subscription formula similar to cell phones.

Either a newspaper, magazine or "book of the month club" offers a free (or greatly reduced) ereader with a paid subscription. If the customer is allowed to use the device for more than just the subscribed service, this could really break the log jam.

... and of course the mandatory ads.

RickV · 07-21-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

You know, I really hadn't thought of it this way, but this may be the format that breaks eInk ereaders into the mainstream: A subscription formula similar to cell phones.

Either a newspaper, magazine or "book of the month club" offers a free (or greatly reduced) ereader with a paid subscription. If the customer is allowed to use the device for more than just the subscribed service, this could really break the log jam.

... and of course the mandatory ads.

Well, I think it would be awesome. Say a book club offers a discount for Kindle (or whatever) users. That would still offer them a substantial gain in their bottom line (no shipping/handling or inventory). If they were to offer a reader at a substantial discount as well as other price incentives, it would be a win/win for both sides.

We can only dream for corporations to have that kind of foresight, however.

timezone · 07-27-2008, 01:56 PM

It has always been my contention that the first application for eReaders would be for magazines and newspapers. While I may enjoy reading a book on an eReader I prefer not piling up tons of magazines and newspapers. Obviously a photo mag won't sign on until there is color.

One would think that ads should not get too out of hand with the cost of paper, ink and transport removed from the equation.

07-21-2008, 04:31 PM	#1
dhill Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 11554 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: iPad 2, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD	Reader Story In NY Times There is a story in today's NY Times business section re French newspapers experimenting with using readers for distribution. Unlike the Kindle, they are looking at a model to add ads to the electronic file in order to subsidize the costs. Here is one quote re iRex: "And then there is the cost of the devices. In the Read & Go test, Orange is using a reader made by iRex Technologies, a spinoff of Royal Philips Electronics that is based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The participants have been given the devices free. But a Dutch newspaper, NRC Handelsblad, has been selling iRex readers to existing subscribers of the paper at a cost of about 500 euros ($800). Mr. Fournier said that in September, at the end of the test, the people who tested the system will be asked how much they would be willing to pay for it. France Télécom, he said, might be willing to subsidize the cost of the devices, in the same way that it offers cut-price mobile phones to customers who sign long-term contracts. He said Orange was also speaking with other manufacturers, and hoped to be able to offer two or three different models if the service is introduced commercially." You need to create a logon to read the article. Here is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/bu...er&oref=slogin Attached Thumbnails

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07-21-2008, 05:44 PM	#2
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	You know, I really hadn't thought of it this way, but this may be the format that breaks eInk ereaders into the mainstream: A subscription formula similar to cell phones. Either a newspaper, magazine or "book of the month club" offers a free (or greatly reduced) ereader with a paid subscription. If the customer is allowed to use the device for more than just the subscribed service, this could really break the log jam. ... and of course the mandatory ads.

07-27-2008, 01:56 PM	#4
timezone Addict Posts: 244 Karma: 1232 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA Device: Windows Phone7, Kindle Fire	It has always been my contention that the first application for eReaders would be for magazines and newspapers. While I may enjoy reading a book on an eReader I prefer not piling up tons of magazines and newspapers. Obviously a photo mag won't sign on until there is color. One would think that ads should not get too out of hand with the cost of paper, ink and transport removed from the equation.

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