Walmart and Rakuten Announce New Strategic Alliance

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I wonder how many books will be purchased as gifts for people with Kindle's. Because you know, every electronic reader is a Kindle.

I was thinking the same. In the US, e-book = Kindle. Especially if there is text similar to that shown in the image:

• Download to all popular readers
• No account sign up needed

Still and all, I hope the Walmart/Kobo alliance is wildly successful (at least for Kobo). I avoid Walmart like the plague that it is, but I will go in to check out the Kobos.

[barryem]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I don't think Walmart can claim they forgot Kindles exist or that they are not popular, so just what are the details of downloading these books to Kindles?

Also how is this going to work for unregistered Kobos? (No account sign up needed)

I seriously doubt this will let you download books to Kindles but I really hope I'm wrong. If this is the beginning of the tearing down of the walled gardens then it's maybe the biggest thing since the invention of ebooks by Michael Hart.

But my guess is they just mean all the popular ereaders they sell.

Barry

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by barryem

I seriously doubt this will let you download books to Kindles but I really hope I'm wrong. If this is the beginning of the tearing down of the walled gardens then it's maybe the biggest thing since the invention of ebooks by Michael Hart.

But my guess is they just mean all the popular ereaders they sell.

Barry

I did not believe either of the first 2 list items, but I do think it would be great if someone was working on making either or both a reality.

The first was far too explicit to be excused by such a stretch, I still wonder just what they mean by the second. Maybe no Walmart account needed, but that is far different from no account needed. (Yes, I know they inserted "signup", but still...)

[GlenBarrington]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I wonder how many books will be purchased as gifts for people with Kindle's. Because you know, every electronic reader is a Kindle.

I thought about that too! Well, I guess, most people with Kindles, probably have access to a smartphone or a tablet, so they COULD read an ePub that way!

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

...I do think it would be great if someone was working on making either or both a reality.

Well, Kovid and Alf are doing their part

[HLS]

I read today that the KOBO is going to have the walmart logo on it. I do not know if that's true but I do not want my ereader with Walmart logo on the Bezel. I cant remember the specific article online to reference. Now it its KOBO with no special branding on it i;ll buy one

[John F]

Originally Posted by kcladyz

I read today that the KOBO is going to have the walmart logo on it. I do not know if that's true but I do not want my ereader with Walmart logo on the Bezel. I cant remember the specific article online to reference. Now it its KOBO with no special branding on it i;ll buy one

I'm guessing you read the speculation on mobileread.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I don't think Walmart can claim they forgot Kindles exist or that they are not popular, so just what are the details of downloading these books to Kindles?

Also how is this going to work for unregistered Kobos? (No account sign up needed)

All popular readers -- just not the most popular reader? I don't see it happening without some help from Alf.

As for no account required, my guess is that is referring to the purchaser of the card, not for the person downloading the ebook.

Of course, it looks like this is for something already available (in Canada?) so the arrangements for this new partnership may work a bit differently.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by kcladyz

I read today that the KOBO is going to have the walmart logo on it. I do not know if that's true but I do not want my ereader with Walmart logo on the Bezel. I cant remember the specific article online to reference. Now it its KOBO with no special branding on it i;ll buy one

The press release said the Kobo apps will be co-branded with Walmart, but I haven't seen anything about the ereaders. I certainly hope not -- I wouldn't buy one that said Walmart on it either.

[GlenBarrington]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

The press release said the Kobo apps will be co-branded with Walmart, but I haven't seen anything about the ereaders. I certainly hope not -- I wouldn't buy one that said Walmart on it either.

Oh, I would, if the price and features were 'right'. I wouldn't mind having a good cheap ePub reader. It would be more convenient than converting to a kindle format. And I hate buying stuff this important to me sight unseen.

For me, something like that would have to offer more than the Paperwhite for PW money, or a PW like device for a Kindle basic type reader price.

Competition is GOOD! Eventually, everyone wins.

[GreyWolfsGhost]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

All popular readers -- just not the most popular reader? I don't see it happening without some help from Alf.

As for no account required, my guess is that is referring to the purchaser of the card, not for the person downloading the ebook.

Of course, it looks like this is for something already available (in Canada?) so the arrangements for this new partnership may work a bit differently.

I was just to the Wal-Mart near my house and they no longer have the ebook specific cards. I don't know when they stopped as I don't often go to that section.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by barryem

I certainly agree in principal. All devices should have replaceable batteries. These things are far too expensive to be considered disposable. I'm just not sure that's something government should decide.

If they do create such a regulation and other states follow them I admit I'll be relieved in some ways but worried in others.

Barry

Given that these tech companies are not going to make devices with a user replaceable battery, the only way to get such is for the government to step in. If it's done correctly, it could be a good thing. However, one thing that could happen is these tech companies just stop selling in Washington state. But if other states pick this up, then these devices will have to be redesigned.

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Given that these tech companies are not going to make devices with a user replaceable battery, the only way to get such is for the government to step in. If it's done correctly, it could be a good thing. However, one thing that could happen is these tech companies just stop selling in Washington state. But if other states pick this up, then these devices will have to be redesigned.

The tech companies probably make the devices with non-replaceable batteries on purpose as a way to get consumers to buy new devices. Sure, there are some electronic devices that you would want to replace anyway by the time the battery gives out, but it's a waste of materials and money to toss out a perfectly good device like a basic e-ink reader if you don't need any newer features and the only thing wrong with it is a dead battery. I hope this law catches on and spreads to other states.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by kcladyz

I read today that the KOBO is going to have the walmart logo on it. I do not know if that's true but I do not want my ereader with Walmart logo on the Bezel. I cant remember the specific article online to reference. Now it its KOBO with no special branding on it i;ll buy one

Depends on what 'have the Walmart logo on it' means. When I bought my Kobo, the screensaver showed 'fnac' instead of the book cover. I was able to get rid of that by changing the affiliate. If that's how the Walmart logo shows, no biggie.

Really, even if it is stamped on the back, you can cover it with a case.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

The tech companies probably make the devices with non-replaceable batteries on purpose as a way to get consumers to buy new devices. Sure, there are some electronic devices that you would want to replace anyway by the time the battery gives out, but it's a waste of materials and money to toss out a perfectly good device like a basic e-ink reader if you don't need any newer features and the only thing wrong with it is a dead battery. I hope this law catches on and spreads to other states.

And with some devices such as a music player, the ability to change the battery means you can have a spare battery for when the one in use is running low. This is especially good when you are traveling and don't have easy access to charge it.