Amazon's vertical integration/monopoly

[knc1]

Originally Posted by knc1

My own first impression of notimp's first post:
- - - - -

No name calling there, just reporting the impression of the writing style chosen by the poster.

PS:
I did use the 'report post' button - -
That is where the supposed first 'missing' post went to.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by johnnyb

Nothing against you!
But by that logic one would have to be an Amazon lover to be a Kindle user...
I have to admit, that sounds a bit strange to me as I always thought one wouldn't have to love the companies manufacturing the products one uses... Guess that all changed with Apple and Amazon...

For my part, I like how Amazon has created a environment where authors are able to sell books. That's good. I suppose it has to be closed somewhat. But the absurd lack of options or innovation on the part of Amazon is stifling the e-ink market. That frustrates me. They are in a position to innovate, to give us a bigger screen that could also be used to read pdf or even used as a monitor. But no. Not interested. Sure, if it doesn't make Amazon (enough) money, why should they? But their domination of the market has made it impossible for anyone else to fill that gap.

I suppose the problem is, Amazon has stopped caring about e-ink. I don't think they even care about books. It's just $$$, and at a certain point (I think we've reached it), that single-minded drive for profits, and lack of interest or passion in the technology and commodity they are selling begins to show, and begins to stifle development.

[johnnyb]

Originally Posted by HarryT

But again, Johnny, it's the uploader's choice whether or not a book has DRM. Amazon don't "impose" DRM on a book as notimp wrongly claims. The uploader decides.

Point was: apparently, Amazon will make the choice for the uploader in some cases. Or should we assume that some German publishers choose DRM on Amazon in order to make other vendors more attractive (a real possibility, I have to admit)?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by johnnyb

Point was: apparently, Amazon will make the choice for the uploader in some cases. Or should we assume that some German publishers choose DRM on Amazon in order to make other vendors more attractive (a real possibility, I have to admit)?

The thing is, there is no "default" setting for DRM. The uploader gets asked "do you want DRM" and they answer "yes" or "no". So someone checked the "yes" box, and it wasn't Amazon .

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by knc1

I did use the 'report post' button - -

Not as far as I can see. When?

But whether you reported it or not, you must now stop calling the OP a troll, no matter how indirectly.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Not as far as I can see. When?

But whether you reported it or not, you must now stop calling the OP a troll, no matter how indirectly.

I should have a copy, I was subscribed to the jail break thread.
But it hardly matters now, 260 posts too late.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's an exceedingly odd claim given the fact that Amazon own LiquaVista, who are perhaps THE leading company in the world when it comes to innovative screen research. What reading device company other than Amazon is doing similar research? It's perverse in the extreme to claim that the only company who actually is doing research in this field, isn't doing so

You can't produce these things on demand; research takes time.

In actual fact, Amazon have gone backwards. They dumped the big DX because it didn't make *enough* money for them, though the devices are still in demand and still sell. They dumped buttons then brought them back, for a ridiculous surcharge. They could create a device with a larger screen. But they're not interested. I count that as bad for innovation and bad for progress.

Originally Posted by HarryT

Whatever the heck "hominy" is then, as you say, if you don't like it, just don't buy it. It achieves nothing other than to irritate people to go to a "hominy lovers'" forum and proclaim how evil it is.

It is unfortunate that you view this forum as an "hominy lovers'" forum rather than a mobile reading discussion forum, which is what it actually is.

Originally Posted by johnnyb

I sincerely hope that Amazon will change their policies and restrictions but right now I think, discussion of these more recent changes is absolutely legitimate.

Well said.

[Cinisajoy]

Ok a couple of recent posts confused me.
First to Rizla, how is Amazon stopping anyone from working on a new e-ink device?
That made positively no sense. I am pretty sure if I had the time, money and knowledge I could make a new one. I don't see Amazon saying no Cindy you cannot do that.
Please note I am only running short of 2 out of those 3 things.

At Johnnyb, HarryT is right. When one goes to upload a book and it doesn't matter if it is an author, publisher or even one of those I will upload your book for a fee person, they ALL get asked if they want DRM. Amazon never makes that decision.

And before HarryT says something, yes I actually saw a person advertise for $1000 we proofread, edit and publishes your book to Amazon and our website.

Ok I just went and looked. I am in the Amazon Kindle sub forum. That means there is about a 95% chance that I do shop at Amazon. There is a 97% chance I own a Kindle or use a kindle app.

[HarryT]

I would count it as commercial common sense. Their research has shown them that people who want large screens generally want large colour screens, so they sell 9" Fire tablets.

My large-screen device is my iPad, which I use for reading PDFs on.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Ok a couple of recent posts confused me.
First to Rizla, how is Amazon stopping anyone from working on a new e-ink device?
That made positively no sense. I am pretty sure if I had the time, money and knowledge I could make a new one. I don't see Amazon saying no Cindy you cannot do that.
Please note I am only running short of 2 out of those 3 things.

At yet no one is making a viable alternative in the US market

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rizla

At yet no one is making a viable alternative in the US market

Which perhaps shows that it's not considered a commercially viable market. The large-screen device market has been overtaken by tablets, like it or not.

There is at least one device on the US market, BTW; the rather expensive Sony 13.3" one.

[dickloraine]

Why even bring this "no e-ink innovation" to this thread? It is totally off topic and seems to be a pet thesis of Rizla. He even made a thread for his "thesis" over a year ago...

[elborak]

Originally Posted by knc1

Nulla at hendrerit augue, at sollicitudin massa.

Hmm... I was with you to this point but I'm not sure I agree here.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by elborak

Hmm... I was with you to this point but I'm not sure I agree here.

[knc1]

Amazon may be the target of this thread, but the story's plot is not exactly new in the computer industry:
http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/giftfire/ibm.html

And more recently:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United...Microsoft_Corp.
I.E: (no pun intended) the bundling of Internet Explorer with every copy of Windows.

So much for the "browser wars" (Spoiler: Microsoft won the war, lost the anti-trust suit).

Does anyone see the similarity(ies) of an eBook reader that bundles an eBook reading application from the same hardware and OS manufacturer?
Plus -
The difficulties facing the end-user if they want to install an eBook reader application of their own choice? (For instance: KOReader, available here.)

Shall we look up the correct and proper e-mail address to start filing complaints with the US Justice Department's anti-trust division?
That might have more effect than just posting words in this thread.