Will $99 Kobo Auras mean cheaper Paperwhites?

rcentros · 08-21-2018, 11:56 AM

Now that we see Walmart is selling Kobo Auras for $99, do you think Amazon will counter with $99 Paperwhites?

And, I just thought of something, is it possible that the $99 Kobo Auras at Walmart will have Walmart ads? (That's a scary thought.)

tubemonkey · 08-21-2018, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

And, I just thought of something, is it possible that the $99 Kobo Auras at Walmart will have Walmart ads? (That's a scary thought.)

Even worse, you won't be allowed to read your book until you show them your receipt

soondai · 08-21-2018, 01:50 PM

I'll bet this will drive the paperwhite down to 99. It was the introduction of the first Kobo at 139 or 149 that finally brought down the prices of Nooks and Kindles from the 200+ range way back when if I remember correctly

GlenBarrington · 08-21-2018, 02:14 PM

I'm torn between wanting a cheaper PW or a "fancier" PW. Fancy/Cheap would be nice, but I'm not that optimistic.

ZodWallop · 08-21-2018, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

I'm torn between wanting a cheaper PW or a "fancier" PW. Fancy/Cheap would be nice, but I'm not that optimistic.

I thought the fancier Paperwhite was known as the Voyage...

rcentros · 08-21-2018, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I thought the fancier Paperwhite was known as the Voyage...

"Was" being the operative word ... dang it.

rcentros · 08-21-2018, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soondai

I'll bet this will drive the paperwhite down to 99. It was the introduction of the first Kobo at 139 or 149 that finally brought down the prices of Nooks and Kindles from the 200+ range way back when if I remember correctly

When this actually gets off the ground (I guess there was no official announcement for the 21st, so Walmart is probably not feeling a lot of pressure?), this will be the first time Amazon might have to worry about competing for a while. I wonder if the current Paperwhite will compete with the Aura and whether Amazon will come out with a "deluxe" Paperwhite in the old price slot (to compete with the Clara).

HarryT · 08-21-2018, 03:19 PM

I doubt Amazon are bothered. Mr Bezos has said in the past that the PW is sold at cost price. Amazon make money from content sales.

ZodWallop · 08-21-2018, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I doubt Amazon are bothered.

I agree. Besides, the Aura 2 is closer to the basic Kindle than the Paperwhite. If anything, maybe they could add a light to the basic. But I would bet that whatever decisions are being made have little to do with competing with the Walmart/Kobo 'juggernaut'.

rcentros · 08-21-2018, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I doubt Amazon are bothered. Mr Bezos has said in the past that the PW is sold at cost price. Amazon make money from content sales.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I agree. Besides, the Aura 2 is closer to the basic Kindle than the Paperwhite. If anything, maybe they could add a light to the basic. But I would bet that whatever decisions are being made have little to do with competing with the Walmart/Kobo 'juggernaut'.

Yeah, but Walmart is not Barnes & Noble. I would think the Paperwhite is about to be upgraded anyhow and Amazon kept the Touch around for a couple years after the Paperwhite came out — even though they had the lower end Basic.

And ... not sure why you (Zod) say the Aura is closer to the Basic than the Paperwhite (212 Carta resolution instead of 300? — the Basic is 167 Pearl).

I'm guessing Amazon will respond.

Shad Plante · 08-21-2018, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I doubt Amazon are bothered. Mr Bezos has said in the past that the PW is sold at cost price. Amazon make money from content sales.

That may have been true at one time, but I doubt it is the case anymore. Barnes and Noble and Kobo both Have comparable ereaders for similar costs. Amazon may sell the PW at cost during the sales they have often. If Amazon sells the Paperwhite at cost normally with as many as they sell, how much do Kobo and Barnes and Noble lose when they sell one?

DuckieTigger · 08-21-2018, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

Now that we see Walmart is selling Kobo Auras for $99, do you think Amazon will counter with $99 Paperwhites?

Where exactly do you see? In the display at your Walmart? On walmart.com only the Clara HD is sold by Walmart directly at $129.99. That is the one that competes with the PW. The product page does NOT work in browser, but it does in the Walmart app (including a bunch of fake reviews).

rcentros · 08-21-2018, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Where exactly do you see? In the display at your Walmart? On walmart.com only the Clara HD is sold by Walmart directly at $129.99. That is the one that competes with the PW. The product page does NOT work in browser, but it does in the Walmart app (including a bunch of fake reviews).

At the Walmart display in the one (maybe the only one in the country?) Walmart store that I've found (or heard of) that actually has a Kobo display. Now I'm beginning to wonder how tired I was when I took the pictures and whether my phone/camera was as wonked out as I was. $99 even for the Aura. You can see the price in one of the pictures I posted in a thread here ... somewhere.

DNSB · 08-21-2018, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Where exactly do you see? In the display at your Walmart? On walmart.com only the Clara HD is sold by Walmart directly at $129.99. That is the one that competes with the PW. The product page does NOT work in browser, but it does in the Walmart app (including a bunch of fake reviews).

I just took a quick look at walmart.com and, for me, it showed the Clara HD, Aura H2O edition 2 and the Aura One though actually clicking on the devices went to the Books page. Not quite ready for prime time.

DuckieTigger · 08-21-2018, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

I just took a quick look at walmart.com and, for me, it showed the Clara HD, Aura H2O edition 2 and the Aura One though actually clicking on the devices went to the Books page. Not quite ready for prime time.

Yep, they updated since I posted, I see them now too. What I don't see is the $99 Aura.

08-21-2018, 11:56 AM	#1
rcentros eReader Wrangler Posts: 7,888 Karma: 52039845 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Boise, ID Device: PB HD3, GL3, Tolino Vision 4, Voyage, Clara HD	Will $99 Kobo Auras mean cheaper Paperwhites? Now that we see Walmart is selling Kobo Auras for $99, do you think Amazon will counter with $99 Paperwhites? And, I just thought of something, is it possible that the $99 Kobo Auras at Walmart will have Walmart ads? (That's a scary thought.)

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08-21-2018, 01:50 PM	#3
soondai Guru Posts: 672 Karma: 1109784 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Paperwhite	I'll bet this will drive the paperwhite down to 99. It was the introduction of the first Kobo at 139 or 149 that finally brought down the prices of Nooks and Kindles from the 200+ range way back when if I remember correctly

08-21-2018, 02:14 PM	#4
GlenBarrington Cheese Whiz Posts: 1,986 Karma: 11677147 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Springfield, Illinois Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Tab A 10.1(2019), Pixel 6a.	I'm torn between wanting a cheaper PW or a "fancier" PW. Fancy/Cheap would be nice, but I'm not that optimistic.

08-21-2018, 03:19 PM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I doubt Amazon are bothered. Mr Bezos has said in the past that the PW is sold at cost price. Amazon make money from content sales.