Amazon to launch Library Lending

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Sorry, I thought it already the touch screen in the pre-x50 series models. I was focussing on the changes in the past two years which I thought was primarily the Pearl screen and tweaks to the user interface. My mistake.

The changed to the motion sensing edge sensors (or whatever) replacing the capacitive layer on the eink. Quite unique and pretty awesome approach. Granted they didn't create the tech, the licensed it.

BOb

[Hoyt Clagwell]

It would not surprise me that if Sony ever got out of the eReader game another company like Amazon would snap up Sony's licensed Touch Screen Technology.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I agree... Sony's touch screen is very nice. Although, ever demo unit I have seen in stores has not worked.

BOb

I've seen other demo readers not work as well. I would not judge a reader based on a non-working demo.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sony has done more then just switch to a Pearl screen. They added the best touch and a very nice interface to take advantage of the touch.

Yes, but I asked about library lending and the customer experience.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Sorry, I thought it already the touch screen in the pre-x50 series models.

Those touch screens kinda sucked. The current ones are a significant improvement; and spendy. Would love to see a Kindle with such a screen.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Sorry, I thought it already the touch screen in the pre-x50 series models. I was focussing on the changes in the past two years which I thought was primarily the Pearl screen and tweaks to the user interface. My mistake.

Sony did have a touch screen with the 700, 600, & 900. But the problem was that they used a touch layer over the eink screen. The x50 line uses IR under the Pearl screen. You can use your fingers, a stylus, or even a Q-tip. There is nothing on top of the screen to get in the way of the clarity. And because it's a matt finish, the fingerprints aren't much of an issue. Sure you'll eventually see them. But a wipe with a microfibre cloth will handle that.

So let's get Sony and Amazon together to come out with the one reader to read them all. The one reader to lead them all. If they did that, forget all the others.

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So let's get Sony and Amazon together to come out with the one reader to read them all. The one reader to lead them all. If they did that, forget all the others.

Nah, that's what's nice about competition. Kobo offers a basic wifi reader; Nook has colour; Sony has a touch screen; Kindle has its connectedness and outstanding bookstore. There is no needs for "one size fits all". People who want a touch screen have a great choice already. The rest of us are making other choices. And now, for library books, we can enjoy our choices equally.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Ron.

Silly question I'm sure but my local library does not have ebooks, nor does any library in my immediate area. Is there a way to find the closest library that has ebooks and if possible to sign up online ?

see if you have a statewide lending agreement (this goes for anyone that is worried about their local libraries)

Originally Posted by Kitabi

Could someone please throw light on the technical details of how Amazon is implementing this.

If the libraries are not supposed to buy new copies of the books and Amazon is providing library books in AZW format and DRM, are they lending out copies from their own servers or are they providing Overdrive with some "on the fly" format/DRM conversion tools?

On the other hand, if libraries start making purchases of new books from Amazon, would they be converted to EPUB/ADEPT for those not on the Kindle bandwagon?

sorry, crystal ball is busted

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Yes, Kindle users may be able to get the library eBook sent directly, but they will still need a computer to browse the library.

why don't you take a back seat in the Kindle conversations and let kindle owners explain how Kindles work. since we can go online and access webpages, there is nothing that we need a computer for.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

why don't you take a back seat in the Kindle conversations and let kindle owners explain how Kindles work. since we can go online and access webpages, there is nothing that we need a computer for.

But an extremely painful process. I hate the experience. Given a choice between accessing the web on my Kindle or my iPod, I'll take the iPod any day.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Yes, Kindle users may be able to get the library eBook sent directly, but they will still need a computer to browse the library.

First, are you sure?

And second, sure just like Sony, Kobo and Nook users need to do!

BOb

[beespeckled]

I haven't read all the responses yet but here is a link to the news from Library Journal

http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/hom...nding.html.csp

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

But an extremely painful process. I hate the experience. Given a choice between accessing the web on my Kindle or my iPod, I'll take the iPod any day.

it certainly isn't the best experience in the world, but it fits what I think of as the; "Ma and Pa Kettle go RVing" scenario. ie; non computer reliant can go anywhere in this country with their Kindles and have their reading needs met. it pretty much goes without saying that 99.9 percent of the people on this particular forum would probably have at a minimum some sort of tablet if not a laptop in such a situation, but it meets the needs of the basic reading public, and THAT (plus textbooks) are what the Kindle experience set out to satisfy

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

First, are you sure?

And second, sure just like Sony, Kobo and Nook users need to do!

BOb

Yes, Sony, Kobo and nook (not color) users need to access a computer to access the library. But even if the 650 had wifi and a browser, I'd rather use a computer when dealing with the library's Overdrive sites.

[TheJohnNewton]

Originally Posted by elemenoP

Right now, does Adobe get paid for every epub/ADE license that is sold to a library?

eP

They get paid for every download.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Will millions of free reads lead to millions of additional sales?

And the cost of books is still a factor until the paperback editions are published. Many people balk at paying $12.99 for an ebook. Their (wait) time may be worth it especially when you can put many ebooks on hold at the same time.

How many ebooks you can put on hold at the same time is different for different libraries. My library allows 6 holds. It's none too many when practically EVERY popular fiction author's books are on hold, including those that are decades old, like old Dick Francis and Agatha Christie titles and such like.

My library has a good selection of ebooks, but I'll tell you, when the Kindle owners are added to the mix, the wait times are going to go through the roof!

For example: The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.

My library has 5 copies. The wait list, as of this AM, was at 232. That's roughly 46 holds per copy. If everyone keeps it for the maximum of three weeks, then you are talking a wait of 139 days. Fortunately, some folks do return early and some use shorter checkout options. But that wait list number still keeps climbing! It's higher now than when I finally got the book earlier this spring.

It's not gonna be pretty, at least not at my library! Kindle owners will need some patience for those library lends!