Will the Amazon Kindle cost US$50?

[nekokami]

Amazon has the marketing leverage to be able to lean on a lot of publishers to offer their content. You're right, it wouldn't be the whole Amazon inventory, but I think if Amazon wanted to be able to offer this service, and had a DRM plan that would convince the publishers that the content was going to be suitably protected, they could get a pretty large percentage of their content into the plan.

I'm not saying I think this is good, just that it's plausible.

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by nekokami

Amazon has the marketing leverage to be able to lean on a lot of publishers to offer their content.

They do indeed, and have successfully used it to get the publishers to budge in the past. However, this time the collective weight of B&N, Borders, et al., will be shoving just as hard in the opposite direction. I have no doubt that there are bookseller FUDsquads on the march already.

Originally Posted by nekokami

You're right, it wouldn't be the whole Amazon inventory, but I think if Amazon wanted to be able to offer this service, and had a DRM plan that would convince the publishers that the content was going to be suitably protected, they could get a pretty large percentage of their content into the plan.

You're probably right. The big question is what will the market look like? Any DRM plan, no matter how flexible, is likely to strip off the absolutist portion of the market.

[nekokami]

But Amazon has a huge big market of its own. All they have to say is "like iTunes, but all the books you can read" and they'll be able to sit back and count the cash.

B&N, having its own online store, may not want Amazon to get there first, but they have also used their heavyweight status in the industry to force publishers into agreements more in their (B&N's) favor. Borders is still selling through Amazon, so I don't know as they'd fight this.

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by nekokami

But Amazon has a huge big market of its own. All they have to say is "like iTunes, but all the books you can read" and they'll be able to sit back and count the cash.

There's no guarantee of that, which may be why Amazon's been fairly quiet about the whole thing. I don't know how much more receptive the publishers would be to Amazon than they've been to Sony. After all, Sony is, at least in part, "one of them."

While it's not book-specific, Sony has a huge big market, too. And they did say "like iTunes, but all the books you can read." I don't know how much cash they're counting yet.

[nekokami]

Originally Posted by jasonkchapman

There's no guarantee of that, which may be why Amazon's been fairly quiet about the whole thing. I don't know how much more receptive the publishers would be to Amazon than they've been to Sony. After all, Sony is, at least in part, "one of them."

While it's not book-specific, Sony has a huge big market, too. And they did say "like iTunes, but all the books you can read." I don't know how much cash they're counting yet.

People aren't used to buying books from Sony. They're used to buying books from Amazon -- lots and lots of books. I think Amazon would have a much better chance of making this viable.

As far as Sony being "one of them," Sony isn't a book publisher, so I don't know as other book publishers would recognize any kinship whatsoever (these are the people who are stealing away our reading public to waste their time on other media!) and even if they did consider Sony to be a "publisher," they'd be a competitor.

But I have no idea if Amazon even wants to be in this business, let alone what hidden obstacles there might be. From where I sit on the back of the second balcony, I can't figure out why the show hasn't started yet. I can't see what's happening in the orchestra pit.

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by nekokami

As far as Sony being "one of them," Sony isn't a book publisher, so I don't know as other book publishers would recognize any kinship whatsoever (these are the people who are stealing away our reading public to waste their time on other media!) and even if they did consider Sony to be a "publisher," they'd be a competitor.

Sony is partners with Bertelsmann. They don't publish books, so they're not a competitor, but they most assuredly are an insider. That status made it much easier for them to get the agreements they have so far. The "big publishing" attendance at the Reader's launch party looked more like a joint venture than a simple show of support.

[silvania]

the latest press story (new york times) on kindle says $500, not $50. Looks like the rumor mill lost a zero in there somewhere

so much for believing rumors.

[Nightwing]

If Amazon drop a book instead of HB edition prices but cheep paper back then that 500 in effects starts dropping in price.

But the same article stating the $500 price. From reports its not that good in some areas...

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by Nightwing

If Amazon drop a book instead of HB edition prices but cheep paper back then that 500 in effects starts dropping in price.

Yes, it would. Except the price isn't up to Amazon, it's up to the publishers. I doubt the publishers are going to give Amazon a significantly better deal than they have everyone else. I could be wrong. I hope I'm wrong. But we'll see.

[RWood]

Does Amazon want to be in the ebook market? They want to be there because it is the future and they do not want to go out of business.

Can they get the publishers on board? Yes, a few will easily go along with them. As the marketing might of Amazon starts to increase the sales of these publishers the others will fall in line and offer their books through Amazon.

Will it help other ebook formats? Yes, beyond the rising tide raises all boats theory, the greatest benefit will be the increased awareness and utilization of ebooks.

Will Sony Connect Store go away? Even the #2 position behind Amazon will be far more profitable than the #1 position today.

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by silvania

the latest press story (new york times) on kindle says $500, not $50. Looks like the rumor mill lost a zero in there somewhere

so much for believing rumors.

Nothing official yet. I'm still waiting for any kind of official press release from Amazon (should be available pretty soon if they're right about the october release date).

[Nightwing]

Originally Posted by jasonkchapman

Yes, it would. Except the price isn't up to Amazon, it's up to the publishers. I doubt the publishers are going to give Amazon a significantly better deal than they have everyone else. I could be wrong. I hope I'm wrong. But we'll see.

The catch is this... They got there start selling book. Just books... The are big enough to force the issue. Like Walmart can dictate major conessions from the supplier. Toyota does the same thing.

ebooks wont go anywhere untill the price is at least the cost of a paperback.

[jasonkchapman]

From your fingers to the market's ears, RWood.

[gingercat]

Originally Posted by Nightwing

The catch is this... They got there start selling book. Just books... The are big enough to force the issue. Like Walmart can dictate major conessions from the supplier. Toyota does the same thing.

ebooks wont go anywhere untill the price is at least the cost of a paperback.

Do ui mean the rpice of the ebooks or the price of the reader?

For non US residents the ebboks are at least half the price of a paperback now even taking the exchange rate into consideration. It seems to me in the US paperback prices are alredy cheap.

[NatCh]

I think Nightwing means the price of e-books -- they're generally priced near or higher than p-book prices, when the cost of creation and delivery has to be at least somewhat lower.