Target to offer ebooks

[AnemicOak]

Not sure if they still do, but last time I was in their electronics department a couple of months ago they still sold Nooks.

[curtw]

Originally Posted by kacir

To me Target stores seem to be somewhat more cultured compared to Walmart. Walmart is the most generic, cheap, huge store that everybody loves to hate. Target seems to have certain flair.

As an example, a couple of years back, Target actually carried Quisp cereal for about a year. They've stopped again, and Quisp is now stocked at Fresh Market, but I've always considered its availability as a sign of class.

(For those born after 1970 or so, Quisp is pretty much exactly the same as Cap'n Crunch--it's even made by the same company. But it comes in a very pleasing flying saucer-shape that doesn't scrape the roof of one's mouth the way that Cap'n Crunch does.)

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by curtw

(For those born after 1970 or so, Quisp is pretty much exactly the same as Cap'n Crunch--it's even made by the same company. But it comes in a very pleasing flying saucer-shape that doesn't scrape the roof of one's mouth the way that Cap'n Crunch does.)

I still consider The Shred very much worth it, but you do have a valid point.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm thinking it's entirely possible they might not (assuming that by "real", you meant a single-purpose eink device, of course).

Their past attempts never worked out.
Most if Amazon's new challengers are just going for a chunk of the tablet/cellphone market. Cheaper, lower risk.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Their past attempts never worked out.
Most if Amazon's new challengers are just going for a chunk of the tablet/cellphone market. Cheaper, lower risk.

Do Target not sell eInk readers? You find them in larger branches of all the big British supermarkets these days, along with a selection of tablets and phones.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do Target not sell eInk readers? You find them in larger branches of all the big British supermarkets these days, along with a selection of tablets and phones.

They used to sell Sony, iRiver, Nook & Kindle (IIRC they had the Aluratek Libre for a while too). They then did a deal with B&N and went exclusively Nook. Last time I looked a couple months ago they were still offering them.

[sirmaru]

Didn't Target have a problem with their customer list awhile ago?

Target could just sell eBooks to fit Amazon Kindles if they made a deal with Amazon.

[Soopy]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

They used to sell Sony, iRiver, Nook & Kindle (IIRC they had the Aluratek Libre for a while too). They then did a deal with B&N and went exclusively Nook. Last time I looked a couple months ago they were still offering them.

I can confirm as well that the Target stores near me currently sell Nook ereaders and have them on display.

[DiapDealer]

With the bookclub-type environment they're talking about building around their new ebook venture, I find it difficult to believe they're going to try and integrate it with other vendors' walled-garden eInk devices (where a firmware update would likely be required to provide the extra functionality). I'm guessing they'll just go with iOS/Android apps and snag what they can from all the smart-phone/tablet reader-type masses.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm guessing they'll just go with iOS/Android apps and snag what they can from all the smart-phone/tablet reader-type masses.

That's what it sounds like they'll be doing, probably a customized/branded version of Librify's app.

[drjenkins]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Epub, of course.

I very much doubt it. They are teaming with Librify (https://www.librify.com/) which looks very much like Scribd and Oyster in that you must use their proprietory app to read on an iOS or Android device.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by drjenkins

I very much doubt it. They are teaming with Librify (https://www.librify.com/) which looks very much like Scribd and Oyster in that you must use their proprietory app to read on an iOS or Android device.

Yes. You will very likely have to use their proprietary app to read their ePubs.

[tubemonkey]

Since I do Kindle, the only ePubs I'm interested in are ones like these

[supermighty]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

About time somebody gave the book club idea a try.
Price is a bit high but it's an interesting model.
As long as the 10% discount isn't off the list price; that would only be useful for Hachette titles.

Is the subscription service even worth it if you're only getting one book a month?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by supermighty

Is the subscription service even worth it if you're only getting one book a month?

I guess that would depend how much they were charging for it. But using the library would perhaps be more convenient for many?