Oprah's Kindle Discount - $50 Off

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Come off it. Next you'll be saying that there's no Santa Claus!

yesthereis yesthereis yesthereis!!!! Look into my 5 year old granddaughters eyes and tell me there isn't!

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by rhadin

And yes, the economy is in bad shape everywhere, but if you don't think parents will spend $350 on a holiday gift for their child, well . . . as you said, you don't have children.

Yep... a $300 per child christmas would be cutting back for most of the people in my area. We have bought our kids laptops, video game consoles, and other expensive toys. However, most of our Christmas spending is paid for by the annual gift from my Grandmother. So, we aren't going into debt to do this which unfortunately I can't say is true about alot of other people.

BOb

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Come off it. Next you'll be saying that there's no Santa Claus!

I would never say that. If I did, he would put coal in my stocking this year.

BOb

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Yep... a $300 per child christmas would be cutting back for most of the people in my area. We have bought our kids laptops, video game consoles, and other expensive toys. However, most of our Christmas spending is paid for by the annual gift from my Grandmother. So, we aren't going into debt to do this which unfortunately I can't say is true about alot of other people.

BOb

which is why we save thru-out the year to buy for Christmas. I just love the season, knowing I won't be in hock come January! I also love to walk the malls the week before Christmas, watching the last minute people frantically digging thru whats left for the "Perfect" gift, then getting mad at clerks because it doesn't exist. Working in retail for years taught me all about that!

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by rhadin

Don't assume by "children" I meant only children who are very young and living in the household. I'm in my 60s and my 85-year-old parents still consider me a child and often buy me holiday gifts that they think I will like and really have no use for.

So your parents don't know you very well?? Maybe you should implement a Christmas list program with them, so they have some idea of what you like and what you need.

Originally Posted by rhadin

And yes, the economy is in bad shape everywhere, but if you don't think parents will spend $350 on a holiday gift for their child, well . . . as you said, you don't have children.

Oh, I think that parents will probably spend $350 on a holiday gift. Do I think that they will blow the whole wad on a single gift for a child who doesn't read ... and that gift will be a Kindle?? Ummm .... no. Not when the child is demanding the latest game, iPod, HD TV or other gadget that they really do want.

And, I don't particularly think that parents who are 85 and have 60 year old children are going to be trying to stimulate them to read. If you aren't a reader by the time you are 60, then you are a lost cause.

Originally Posted by rhadin

And you would be surprised how many parents whose children aren't interested in reading will buy a reading device in hopes of stimulating that interest. There is a big niche market for that kind of product (ie, products that stimulate reading and education).

Yes there are, and in a more vibrant economy, people pour lots of money into crap like that ... which mostly doesn't work. In a bad economy, parents (who have any brains) tend to give serious thought to whether or not a gift will be of any use or provide some actual enjoyment to their children.

Originally Posted by rhadin

And, finally, don't forget the status factor. Many parents won't want to be viewed as not provided their children with the "best" -- isn't that what accounts for the $200 sneakers, the iPhones, and similar product sales to those younger than 16 years of age?

And many parents are now deep (deep) in debt because they have fallen prey to the "status factor." As I said before, and I'll stay again ... anyone who buys something they do not need, do not like, and will not use simply because someone else (ooooo, Oprah!!) thinks it's cool .... is a complete and utter moron. I think there are some complete and utter morons who will buy Kindles and then let them gather dust ... and I hope to purchase one or two of those when they end up on eBay at a deep discount. I just don't think it will be the massive groundswell of moronic behavior that you think will occur.

I suppose we'll see.

[Monteagle]

Beware, Oprah. The corporate PR machine of Amazon is not giving you the full scoop. Are you in the role of journalist, talk show host, or spokesmodel for Amazon on this one?

Ebooks are a good thing, but building a complete reliance on Amazon can be a dangerous thing. Sony's new reader (700) has features that make it superior to the Kindle - including quality and reliability. It's great that awareness is up for eBooks through Oprah's interest. It's ugly that Amazon is the only means since Amazon has not hesitated to give the industry a black eye in the past when it shut down hundreds of thousands of customers' ebookshelves for reasons of profitability, hardly a customer friendly move. If Oprah were truly concerned about the regular people that watch her show, she could have done a little homework on this one and told viewers about other devices, far less expensive options, and other more customer-oriented ebookstores. Oprah has the power to drive this kind of education and awareness to protect consumers.

Check out this mobileread thread , which describes a problem happening right now, sourced at Amazon's servers. (Amazon owns Mobipocket.com, which provides the software used for Kindle.) The repercussions are this: those who want to download their Mobipocket PX eBooks (the Amazon-sourced version) this weekend are unable to do so. (The "OD"-sourced Mobipocket ebooks sourced by Overdrive are still working fine - as always.) Amazon's server is down again - without notice. This has happened before on a short-term basis, and for nearly a month last September. And when this happens, because of the insidious way Mobipocket/Amazon's code works with ebook retailers, they cripple the websites of Kindle's competitors. Fictionwise is having huge problems this weekend as are others. BooksOnBoard.com, which apparently shut off the Amazon links as soon as the problem was discovered, may be the only major ebook shop offering Mobipocket that's still running without problems at this writing.

eBooks are good and the Kindle can be good - except that the Kindle, unlike the Cybook eBook reader and the Sony Reader which use open and customer-friendly standards, is Amazon proprietary leaving the customer entirely at the mercy of Amazon for ebooks from the major publishers.

New eBook customers should consider the Sony Reader and the Cybook - both with slightly different features than the Kindle, both with open standards to give customers improved flexibility and sourcing options. Customers might also consider reading on their PDAs, including the Palm Treo, iPhone and the new Blackberry Storm. Mobipocket is a good format, but the OD-sourced version of it (which can work on Kindles, too) does not rely on Amazon's up again-down again servers. (Microsoft Reader - with significant updates two months ago - is a great alternative for Windows Mobile devices.)

If customers don't rely solely on Amazon, they can also shop customer-oriented independent bookshops like BooksOnBoard with both ebooks and audio books and Fictionwise with an extensive multi-format selection. BooksOnBoard, currently, is the only one carrying the OD sourced Mobipocket titles - they remain available when Amazon goes down as it has this weekend. OD is Overdrive, the same outfit that provides most of the ebooks and audio books for libraries in the US.

[KurtJohnson]

We appreciate the concern of ebook users in these matters, and we are, of course, disappointed that Mobipocket/Amazon is down this weekend. (We're sure Mobipocket's disappointed as well.) These things happen in technology and we hope the team at Mobi is able to correct their problems quickly.

We are very fortunate to partner with Overdrive (OD) whose efforts to bring free digital reading to everyone across all financial strata through America's public libraries, caused them to build very robust and redundant systems to keep their servers up round the clock. That partnership provides our customers an alternative Mobipocket (OD) source this weekend - and always.

We recognize, too, that our competitors and ourselves will all have problems with technology from time to time. It's the nature of the beast. But rather than fight each other, we and our customers would benefit much more by working together to improve the eBook reading experience, and keep our focus on customer satisfaction.

We at BooksOnBoard are genuinely grateful for Oprah's plug for eBooks and for the persistence by our partners and competitors in continuously improving the eBook experience. The industry has a long way to go, but the progress is encouraging.

Kurt Johnson
BooksOnBoard

[desertgrandma]

I'm really impressed that BoB is keeping everone updated on progress. Thats the real test of a good company.

Everyone can understand 'glitches in the system', but keeping customers updated, even if there is no immediate solution in sight, goes a long way towards NOT losing customers.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by Monteagle

Beware, Oprah. The corporate PR machine of Amazon is not giving you the full scoop. Are you in the role of journalist, talk show host, or spokesmodel for Amazon on this one?

Ebooks are a good thing, but building a complete reliance on Amazon can be a dangerous thing. Sony's new reader (700) has features that make it superior to the Kindle - including quality and reliability. It's great that awareness is up for eBooks through Oprah's interest. It's ugly that Amazon is the only means since Amazon has not hesitated to give the industry a black eye in the past when it shut down hundreds of thousands of customers' ebookshelves for reasons of profitability, hardly a customer friendly move. If Oprah were truly concerned about the regular people that watch her show, she could have done a little homework on this one and told viewers about other devices, far less expensive options, and other more customer-oriented ebookstores. Oprah has the power to drive this kind of education and awareness to protect consumers.

Check out this mobileread thread , which describes a problem happening right now, sourced at Amazon's servers. (Amazon owns Mobipocket.com, which provides the software used for Kindle.) The repercussions are this: those who want to download their Mobipocket PX eBooks (the Amazon-sourced version) this weekend are unable to do so. (The "OD"-sourced Mobipocket ebooks sourced by Overdrive are still working fine - as always.) Amazon's server is down again - without notice. This has happened before on a short-term basis, and for nearly a month last September. And when this happens, because of the insidious way Mobipocket/Amazon's code works with ebook retailers, they cripple the websites of Kindle's competitors. Fictionwise is having huge problems this weekend as are others. BooksOnBoard.com, which apparently shut off the Amazon links as soon as the problem was discovered, may be the only major ebook shop offering Mobipocket that's still running without problems at this writing.

eBooks are good and the Kindle can be good - except that the Kindle, unlike the Cybook eBook reader and the Sony Reader which use open and customer-friendly standards, is Amazon proprietary leaving the customer entirely at the mercy of Amazon for ebooks from the major publishers.

New eBook customers should consider the Sony Reader and the Cybook - both with slightly different features than the Kindle, both with open standards to give customers improved flexibility and sourcing options. Customers might also consider reading on their PDAs, including the Palm Treo, iPhone and the new Blackberry Storm. Mobipocket is a good format, but the OD-sourced version of it (which can work on Kindles, too) does not rely on Amazon's up again-down again servers. (Microsoft Reader - with significant updates two months ago - is a great alternative for Windows Mobile devices.)

If customers don't rely solely on Amazon, they can also shop customer-oriented independent bookshops like BooksOnBoard with both ebooks and audio books and Fictionwise with an extensive multi-format selection. BooksOnBoard, currently, is the only one carrying the OD sourced Mobipocket titles - they remain available when Amazon goes down as it has this weekend. OD is Overdrive, the same outfit that provides most of the ebooks and audio books for libraries in the US.

Interesting view, however, whole portions of it are wrong. Customers wishing books for their Kindles do not have to rely on Amazon. And, really, the conspiracy theory you propose is a little far fetched.

Oprah has Mr. Bezos as a guest on her show, and they are supposed to talk about all the alternatives to the Kindle?? I see .... so when she has Susan Sarandon on the show because SS has a new movie out, they are supposed to talk about all the OTHER movies that the audience should go see??

Not a position even worth arguing.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I'm really impressed that BoB is keeping everone updated on progress. Thats the real test of a good company.

Everyone can understand 'glitches in the system', but keeping customers updated, even if there is no immediate solution in sight, goes a long way towards NOT losing customers.

I agree 100%.

[awesomevegan]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

There may be others like me who weren't thinking about ebook readers because they didn't know. Now there is a much higher chance that will become aware.

I personally didn't even know about the devices until I seen the Kindle on Oprah. I haven't gotten a device yet and am still trying to decide. I think anything that encourages the American public to read is a good thing. I would love to see high school and college students start using these for their textbooks. Although I am not sure if all of them would be paying attention.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by awesomevegan

I personally didn't even know about the devices until I seen the Kindle on Oprah. I haven't gotten a device yet and am still trying to decide. I think anything that encourages the American public to read is a good thing. I would love to see high school and college students start using these for their textbooks. Although I am not sure if all of them would be paying attention.

I, for one, am glad her show led to you to find your way here. Welcome to MobileRead.

[awesomevegan]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I, for one, am glad her show led to you to find your way here. Welcome to MobileRead.

aaawww thank you! thats so sweet! Now only to get a device so I can further join in the ebook craze and read a whole lot more!

[Over]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Oprah has Mr. Bezos as a guest on her show, and they are supposed to talk about all the alternatives to the Kindle?? I see .... so when she has Susan Sarandon on the show because SS has a new movie out, they are supposed to talk about all the OTHER movies that the audience should go see??

Come on, why invite Mr. Bezos in the first place? Do you believe he was invited? That was a 5 minute advertisement. If he was invited, then maybe instead of inviting one person that would surely present only one alternative in the ereader and ebook business, she could have arranged something better, to keep her viewers really informed.

Anyway, this was advertisement. Just like an actor will be conviniently invited just in time for his new movie release. If we consider this, you're right: if she's being paid to show the Kindle, why talk about anything else?

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Over

Anyway, this was advertisement. Just like an actor will be conviniently invited just in time for his new movie release. If we consider this, you're right: if she's being paid to show the Kindle, why talk about anything else?

It's not a tech show. I don't recall ever seeing any comparison type shows. Whenever she talks about anything she's into at the time, that's what she talks about.