Prices of e-book readers not likely to drop soon

grimo1re · 11-23-2009, 07:41 PM

Prices of e-book readers are not likely to drop to below USD 100 next year, chairman of Prime View International (PVI), Scott Liu, said. Liu argues that the market has only just begun to take off and there is little need for vendors to reduce prices to compete, The Digitimes reports. However, he does say that some vendors may lower prices of e-book readers to attract users aiming to gain profits from selling content.

Kali Yuga · 11-23-2009, 08:31 PM

OK, but was anyone reasonably expecting ebook readers to fall below $100 USD next year?

Lemurion · 11-23-2009, 08:48 PM

I wasn't even expecting them to fall to U$100 for at least a couple of years yet. $150 is the best I would expect over the next year, and that's for something like the PRS 300 on sale.

GA Russell · 11-23-2009, 09:33 PM

Yes, but he's an eInk guy.

We've got the jetBook Lite going for $149 and the JC Penney SimplicitE pegged to go at $129.

I can definitely see someone offering a sub-$100 device fairly soon. I don't expect it to be eInk, but I don't see the world of manufacturers waiting on the sidelines and doing nothing just because PVI wants to keep its price up. There are too many potential customers waiting for the price to fall below $100 to buy their first eBook reader for manufacturers to ignore.

carlobee · 11-23-2009, 11:05 PM

I guess that is just but reasonable.

Hellmark · 11-24-2009, 12:31 AM

I expect more sub $200 ones, but not under $100 for a while, regardless of display

LDBoblo · 11-24-2009, 01:15 AM

If not below $100, then it'll probably be close. I don't really care about that so much...I just want someone to make a good device. I'll happily pay $150-200+ for a good device if ever one is made.

HarryT · 11-24-2009, 04:42 AM

£60 ($100) seems ridiculously cheap to me. The cheapest device on sale in the UK that I know of is the Sony PRS-300, at £179.

Grauheim · 11-24-2009, 04:54 AM

I believe that there will be a price "tipping point" somewhere around $50. This is where people will find it reasonable to buy a reader for each family member. Eventually we'll get there, but in the meantime bookstores like B&N should be considering plans similar to mobile phones - e.g., $20/month for the device, including one free book per month, on a three year contract.

HarryT · 11-24-2009, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grauheim

I believe that there will be a price "tipping point" somewhere around $50. This is where people will find it reasonable to buy a reader for each family member. Eventually we'll get there, but in the meantime bookstores like B&N should be considering plans similar to mobile phones - e.g., $20/month for the device, including one free book per month, on a three year contract.

I really can't agree with you. At least here in the UK, eBook readers are in the same price bracket as iPods, and iPods sell extremely well. The £150-£250 price range which most readers occupy is well within the "impulse buy" range for many people.

kindlekitten · 11-24-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grauheim

I believe that there will be a price "tipping point" somewhere around $50. This is where people will find it reasonable to buy a reader for each family member. Eventually we'll get there, but in the meantime bookstores like B&N should be considering plans similar to mobile phones - e.g., $20/month for the device, including one free book per month, on a three year contract.

if I had had to deal with a monthly contract, I probably still would be without a device. for me that is a huge negative

Canuck_in_Japan · 11-24-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grauheim

I believe that there will be a price "tipping point" somewhere around $50. This is where people will find it reasonable to buy a reader for each family member. Eventually we'll get there, but in the meantime bookstores like B&N should be considering plans similar to mobile phones - e.g., $20/month for the device, including one free book per month, on a three year contract.

Not to be rude but what are you smoking? If someone doesn't want to pay $200 for a reader, why would they pay $720 over three years for a measly one book a month? Perhaps if it was an unlimited subscription model a la Napster where you can listen to as much music as you want then perhaps I could see that working. Otherwise you could just buy a reader for $200 and still have $520 left to spend on books (52 paperbacks) and not worry about being locked into yet another plan.

kennyc · 11-24-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

if I had had to deal with a monthly contract, I probably still would be without a device. for me that is a huge negative

Yep!

.

Grauheim · 11-24-2009, 09:31 AM

My posts do seem to generate a reaction these days! Honestly, it's not on purpose.

First, we all have to be aware that our personal preferences do not necessarily reflect those of the broader public. The very fact that you post on this forum means that you are a technophile and an early adopter. So Harry, to you £150-£250 for a gadget may be an "impulse buy", while for the general public, this would be a major purchase.

Second, the analogy to iPods is not obvious. Listening to music is far more popular than reading books. And the average age (I assert without proof) of people buying books is older than that of people buying music; young people are not only more oriented to gadgets, but also have more disposable income. Mobile phones are a better analogy. People have the choice of paying full price for a phone versus taking on a contract. The vast, vast majority of people go with the contract option.

Third, the $200 option for a reader (which really is cheap! - I just paid 250 Euros for my Opus!) is perhaps fine for one person, but represents $800 for a family of four.

Canuck in Japan - hmm, my $20 figure was off the top of my head. Maybe it's possible to do a simple reader + 1 book/month for $15. That's the price of a World of Warcraft subscription. Or do a family plan where you can all share your books. And I agree with you, the Napster model is ideal. I would pay for that.

Format C: · 11-24-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I really can't agree with you. At least here in the UK, eBook readers are in the same price bracket as iPods, and iPods sell extremely well. The £150-£250 price range which most readers occupy is well within the "impulse buy" range for many people.

The iPod is cool.
It's a must have among the youngest (and the middle aged who play young).
Every other player is perceived as a wannabe...
And coolness is priceless.

Is the ebook reader cool enough?
I doubt it

OK, I know some ebook readers are actually Cool-er....

11-23-2009, 07:41 PM	#1
grimo1re Geekette Posts: 435 Karma: 3335 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NSW, Australia Device: Sony Reader PRS500, PocketBook 360	Prices of e-book readers not likely to drop soon Prices of e-book readers are not likely to drop to below USD 100 next year, chairman of Prime View International (PVI), Scott Liu, said. Liu argues that the market has only just begun to take off and there is little need for vendors to reduce prices to compete, The Digitimes reports. However, he does say that some vendors may lower prices of e-book readers to attract users aiming to gain profits from selling content.

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11-23-2009, 08:31 PM	#2
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	OK, but was anyone reasonably expecting ebook readers to fall below $100 USD next year?

11-23-2009, 08:48 PM	#3
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	I wasn't even expecting them to fall to U$100 for at least a couple of years yet. $150 is the best I would expect over the next year, and that's for something like the PRS 300 on sale.

11-23-2009, 09:33 PM	#4
GA Russell Ticats/Als, Riders/Lions Posts: 7,717 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Yes, but he's an eInk guy. We've got the jetBook Lite going for $149 and the JC Penney SimplicitE pegged to go at $129. I can definitely see someone offering a sub-$100 device fairly soon. I don't expect it to be eInk, but I don't see the world of manufacturers waiting on the sidelines and doing nothing just because PVI wants to keep its price up. There are too many potential customers waiting for the price to fall below $100 to buy their first eBook reader for manufacturers to ignore.

11-23-2009, 11:05 PM	#5
carlobee Fanatic Posts: 535 Karma: 972 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: The new iPad	I guess that is just but reasonable.

11-24-2009, 12:31 AM	#6
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	I expect more sub $200 ones, but not under $100 for a while, regardless of display

11-24-2009, 01:15 AM	#7
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	If not below $100, then it'll probably be close. I don't really care about that so much...I just want someone to make a good device. I'll happily pay $150-200+ for a good device if ever one is made.

11-24-2009, 04:42 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	£60 ($100) seems ridiculously cheap to me. The cheapest device on sale in the UK that I know of is the Sony PRS-300, at £179.

11-24-2009, 04:54 AM	#9
Grauheim Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 200 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Cybook Opus; HTC TyTN II	I believe that there will be a price "tipping point" somewhere around $50. This is where people will find it reasonable to buy a reader for each family member. Eventually we'll get there, but in the meantime bookstores like B&N should be considering plans similar to mobile phones - e.g., $20/month for the device, including one free book per month, on a three year contract.

11-24-2009, 09:31 AM	#14
Grauheim Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 200 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Cybook Opus; HTC TyTN II	My posts do seem to generate a reaction these days! Honestly, it's not on purpose. First, we all have to be aware that our personal preferences do not necessarily reflect those of the broader public. The very fact that you post on this forum means that you are a technophile and an early adopter. So Harry, to you £150-£250 for a gadget may be an "impulse buy", while for the general public, this would be a major purchase. Second, the analogy to iPods is not obvious. Listening to music is far more popular than reading books. And the average age (I assert without proof) of people buying books is older than that of people buying music; young people are not only more oriented to gadgets, but also have more disposable income. Mobile phones are a better analogy. People have the choice of paying full price for a phone versus taking on a contract. The vast, vast majority of people go with the contract option. Third, the $200 option for a reader (which really is cheap! - I just paid 250 Euros for my Opus!) is perhaps fine for one person, but represents $800 for a family of four. Canuck in Japan - hmm, my $20 figure was off the top of my head. Maybe it's possible to do a simple reader + 1 book/month for $15. That's the price of a World of Warcraft subscription. Or do a family plan where you can all share your books. And I agree with you, the Napster model is ideal. I would pay for that.