Would you pay for new features?

[K-Thom]

Now that would be a totally new kind of business model, wouldn't it?

"The firmware update may be available in a few weeks. Maybe not. But for you, our dedicated customer, we offer the firmware for download right away, for a mere 50 bucks!

Call now, and receive a second firmware update at no extra charge!"

[Snuffi]

Originally Posted by K-Thom

Now that would be a totally new kind of business model, wouldn't it?

"The firmware update may be available in a few weeks. Maybe not. But for you, our dedicated customer, we offer the firmware for download right away, for a mere 50 bucks!

Call now, and receive a second firmware update at no extra charge!"

Firmware will be available Q1 2009 -> 1 $
Firmware will be available in a few weeks -> 5 $
Firmware will be available in a few days -> 15 $
Firmware will be available right now to download -> 50 $

Special offer: Firmware will be available on the second Monday next week -> Free of charge !

[LazyScot]

Out of curiosity, how many of those who would never pay for a firmware update (that simply provides bug fixes or already "promised" functionaity) would pay for a new book to read on the device?

[tompe]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

Out of curiosity, how many of those who would never pay for a firmware update (that simply provides bug fixes or already "promised" functionaity) would pay for a new book to read on the device?

In what way is this question interesting?

The reason not to pay for bug fixes is to signal to the company that they cannot get away with releasing unfinished products and then charge money to fix bugs. I cannot see what that have to do with buying books. I do not buy DRM infested books since they are broken and I do not want to support the selling of broken books.

[Snuffi]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

Out of curiosity, how many of those who would never pay for a firmware update (that simply provides bug fixes or already "promised" functionaity) would pay for a new book to read on the device?

I would definitely pay for new books (which is what I do all the time) except that I do not buy DRM-ed books.

about your comparison to paying for bug fixes: No, I would not pay for a book I already bought again (even at reduced price) if they released a "second edition" which contained a few corrections in spelling, more suitable margins and a different font promising better readability.

about the "promised" functionality, let me compare it to online games: If I play a multi-player online game I expect a certain level of bug fixing and game improving measures to be normal for an evolving virtual world. I would, however, certainly be willing to pay for any expansions which are adding all-new functionality and possibilities to the game beyond the "normal".
Of course, it's hard to exactly define what kind of improvements can be expected to be free and which are game-changing enough to merit paying for them but usually that's not a big problem for game makers to decide:
All MMOs are evolving and new ones arrive all the time. All the changes that are necessary to keep up with the competition enough for new customers to buy should be free (as they are the company's own interest to gain a larger customer base). Everything else is worth selling...

It may sound odd that I compare online games (which mostly charge a monthly fee) to an electronic device (which sells for a one time price) but I think the new generation of electronic devices appeals to many customers because they are a "work in progress" and people like the thought of an "evolving" device which improves and adapts to future needs.
That is what makes people buy "unfinished" products and accept short-comings in the initial stages and that's also what the company is using as a means to advertise: They insinuate that you are buying more than what is presently there, you also buy future possibilities ("upgradeable firmware", "can be extended", "future formats can be added", etc.) . They have then, however, the obligation to deliver some "future possibilities" or risk disgruntling their customers.

[K-Thom]

Well, in the German forum some members asked Sony when we may expect an update for full justification in epub files.

Short answer: Not any time soon.

Now that's support at its best. You don't even give the customers the slightest hope of any firmware update. This is the reason why I won't buy the Sony Reader. Not the missing justification in epub.
But the absence of any consideration that there might be some missing feature the customers ask for. And the missing willingness to give this matter some thought.

Bookeen might not have the best support (in terms of firmware), but it seems it is easily beaten by larger companies.

[gerraldo]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

Out of curiosity, how many of those who would never pay for a firmware update (that simply provides bug fixes or already "promised" functionaity) would pay for a new book to read on the device?

Yep, they're willing to pay hundreds of bucks on new books, but spending say $ 5-10,-- for better firmware of the reader seems impossible...

BTW: At the moment we're at 40% are willing to pay the price of ONE book for enhanced reading of ALL future ones!

[tompe]

Originally Posted by gerraldo

Yep, they're willing to pay hundreds of bucks on new books, but spending say $ 5-10,-- for better firmware of the reader seems impossible...

I think you are missing that it is not the amount of money that is important. There is a principle involved here. I would rather buy a new reader for $300 than giving Bookeen more money for something they should deliver as part of the original deal.

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by tompe

In what way is this question interesting?

Interesting to my warped curiosity. It indicates the value people place on the firmware and new features.

Originally Posted by tompe

The reason not to pay for bug fixes is to signal to the company that they cannot get away with releasing unfinished products and then charge money to fix bugs. I cannot see what that have to do with buying books. I do not buy DRM infested books since they are broken and I do not want to support the selling of broken books.

I deliberately excluded bug fixes as there is a case for saying it is fair to expect them. Feature enhancements are another question.

The somewhat wierd analogy in my head is that a new e-book gives the liseuse something new; firmware (other than bug fixes) does as well. The relative merit of those sort of justifies the effort involved in each enterprise.

Originally Posted by Snuffi

about your comparison to paying for bug fixes: No, I would not pay for a book I already bought again (even at reduced price) if they released a "second edition" which contained a few corrections in spelling, more suitable margins and a different font promising better readability.

Which is an interesting comparison with the academic book market which does that to make sure new books are always sold, rather than re-using 2nd hand ones.

(It's perhaps interesting to note that Steve Jordan has, at least on occasion, given e-book bug fixes for free. However, just because you've bought one e-book doesn't give you access to his next e-book....)

Originally Posted by Snuffi

about the "promised" functionality, let me compare it to online games: If I play a multi-player online game I expect a certain level of bug fixing and game improving measures to be normal for an evolving virtual world. I would, however, certainly be willing to pay for any expansions which are adding all-new functionality and possibilities to the game beyond the "normal".
Of course, it's hard to exactly define what kind of improvements can be expected to be free and which are game-changing enough to merit paying for them but usually that's not a big problem for game makers to decide:
All MMOs are evolving and new ones arrive all the time. All the changes that are necessary to keep up with the competition enough for new customers to buy should be free (as they are the company's own interest to gain a larger customer base). Everything else is worth selling...

It may sound odd that I compare online games (which mostly charge a monthly fee) to an electronic device (which sells for a one time price) but I think the new generation of electronic devices appeals to many customers because they are a "work in progress" and people like the thought of an "evolving" device which improves and adapts to future needs.
That is what makes people buy "unfinished" products and accept short-comings in the initial stages and that's also what the company is using as a means to advertise: They insinuate that you are buying more than what is presently there, you also buy future possibilities ("upgradeable firmware", "can be extended", "future formats can be added", etc.) . They have then, however, the obligation to deliver some "future possibilities" or risk disgruntling their customers.

I think I agree with you. I.e. that where you have been "sold" something, it should be delivered to you (even if it takes a year or two). But if it is something really new, then you can expect to pay for it. And woe betide the supplier who doesn't deliver what was expected, or tries to get you to pay twice.

I guess an area of difference is what constitutes something new and what constitutes something you were "sold" when you bought the device. Some devices make this clear (e.g. 1 year's free updates/new maps/support) whereas others are deliberately obtuse trying to fool purchasers.

Originally Posted by gerraldo

Yep, they're willing to pay hundreds of bucks on new books, but spending say $ 5-10,-- for better firmware of the reader seems impossible...

BTW: At the moment we're at 40% are willing to pay the price of ONE book for enhanced reading of ALL future ones!

Which is another reason I was interested in the split on the ~60%. If all of them also say, no, I'll never pay for a book, then they have a consistent attitude to the value of digital stuff that brings new things to them. I may not agree with them, but I accept and respect that they have a specific view and are sticking to it.

[fafaf]

I would definitely pay for updates..

[gerraldo]

Originally Posted by tompe

I think you are missing that it is not the amount of money that is important. There is a principle involved here. I would rather buy a new reader for $300 than giving Bookeen more money for something they should deliver as part of the original deal.

Firmware update ... $ 9,90

A new reader ... $ 299,--

Your principles ... PRICELESS

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

Out of curiosity, how many of those who would never pay for a firmware update (that simply provides bug fixes or already "promised" functionaity) would pay for a new book to read on the device?

I've already done it, I think one of these days Fictionwise is going to declare me VIP customer. So, if you're suggesting that I don't pay extra-money for fixing bugs (bad programmer work) or functionalities I don't need because I want all free, think again.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by gerraldo

Firmware update ... $ 9,90

A new reader ... $ 299,--

Your principles ... PRICELESS

What do you mean? A new better reader with more functionality. And I really think you can pay for living good signals so the world becomes a better place. Or you refuse to pay for firmware upgrade and go back to paper books which also send a signal.

[gerraldo]

Originally Posted by tompe

What do you mean? A new better reader with more functionality. And I really think you can pay for living good signals so the world becomes a better place. Or you refuse to pay for firmware upgrade and go back to paper books which also send a signal.

Ok, I confess: I find it somewhat "funny", when one would rather spend 299,-- bucks instead of 9,99 just so his principles stay intact. Good for you if you have that much money "to pay for good signals".

I work hard for a living and if I need to bite my lips, grit my teeth and need to spend another 10 bucks on my trusted reader to have the functionalities I want/need, so what!?

It's sad, but you'll soon enough realize, that nobody learns any lessons from your small sacrifices...

[Krystian Galaj]

Originally Posted by gerraldo

Ok, I confess: I find it somewhat "funny", when one would rather spend 299,-- bucks instead of 9,99 just so his principles stay intact. Good for you if you have that much money "to pay for good signals".

Why "funny" and not just funny?
You sound as if you had no principles at all and would do just anything for money. I hope that's not the case, because whatever you do, you'd ultimately waste your life.

Originally Posted by gerraldo

It's sad, but you'll soon enough realize, that nobody learns any lessons from your small sacrifices...

I hope you'll realize someday that doesn't matter at all.