iPad What will iPad do for e-books?

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Seems to me the whole point of this device is to be connected a fair amount of the time.

Not sure about that myself... after all, it's coming out with a wireless AND a 3G version (for $130 more). Wireless suggests connectivity when convenient, and still functional at other times. Not every task requires always-on connectivity.

[dmaul1114]

Yeah, there's no reason to leave the wifi on all the time if you're just reading, using apps that don't need it, watching videos stored on the device rather than streaming online etc.

Connectivity is a draw, but there's no reason you can't turn off the WiFi and/or 3G when you don't need it to save battery life.

[BWhite]

Originally Posted by JBNY

The iPad will make it impossible to read ebooks in full sunlight.

I live in Florida where it is already impossible to read physical books in full sunlight and quite foolish to do so for an hour or more.

[John Bailey]

Originally Posted by jswinden

It's no netbook.

• Netbooks run full a OS. The iPad runs a stripped down version of the Mac OS that only allows for Safari-based apps to run.
  snipped for brevity

My apologies. I should have said cut down sub-netbook.

[Kolenka]

Originally Posted by jswinden

It's no netbook.

• Netbooks run full a OS. The iPad runs a stripped down version of the Mac OS that only allows for Safari-based apps to run.

Not arguing with your list, as most of the complaints are fairly valid... but this one is an error, yes? The OS is stripped down, but last time I checked, there were plenty of apps that weren't Safari-based available for the iPhone.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Kolenka

Not arguing with your list, as most of the complaints are fairly valid... but this one is an error, yes? The OS is stripped down, but last time I checked, there were plenty of apps that weren't Safari-based available for the iPhone.

That was a limitation back before the SDK 2 years ago...native applications have been around for a while, now.

[Kolenka]

Originally Posted by kjk

That was a limitation back before the SDK 2 years ago...native applications have been around for a while, now.

Yes, I know.

[eGeezer]

Originally Posted by Gravitas

I'd prefer an iPad nano - same functionality but the size of my Sony PRS 500

it'll come.

I think they call it the iPod.

Yeah, I know. Not really. But I couldn't resist.

[Pardoz]

Originally Posted by fugazied

- Put pressure on ebook prices, with a new HUGE competitor in the market place.

If Jobs has his way, put pressure up on e-book prices (to the tune of around 50% more).

[DawnFalcon]

Never mind

[Pardoz]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

Evidence for that?

Apple wanting to drive e-book prices up? Hardly a secret, they want to move the price point up to 14.99 from Amazon's 9.99, they've said so repeatedly. Here's the Wall Street Journal on it: Apple's business model for books, which the company has kept under tight wraps, shifts the focus away from the bargain-basement prices Amazon has made popular, according to publishers that have met directly with the company. Apple is asking publishers to set two e-book price points for hardcover best sellers: $12.99 and $14.99.

The same article notes "The Apple model would bring in less revenue per title for publishers and authors...But there is nevertheless a strong draw: In adopting the Apple model, the balance of power would shift at least partly back to publishers, which regain control of pricing. In setting higher prices, they could provide a level playing field for all e-book retailers." (emphasis mine).

[DawnFalcon]

Never mind

[BooksForABuck]

A year ago, Jobs went on about how eBooks didn't make sense. Now he's come out with a device he says will do the Kindle one better. I've never understood why tablet computers didn't sell well and am excited about the iPad. I don't think it'll kill the Kindle. But I do think it'll expand the market, get more publishers and readers on-board the eReading trend, and offer another option for reading.

I think the Kindle/Nook's wireless access is a big deal and don't see paying $20 a month or so for wireless on an iPad. Then again, I hate the subscription model (pay even if you're not using it).

Anyway, welcome Apple, to the world we've been playing in for a decade or more.

Rob Preece
Publisher, www.BooksForABuck.com

[DoctorOhh]

Originally Posted by BWhite

Because we happen to believe that e-ink is good technology but will not be around come 2015.

You may be right, but e-ink won't be replaced by a backlit LCD screen for reading.

When the next generation Ipad comes out and it is finally using a 3rd generation (not yet available) epaper screen I might try it.

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by BooksForABuck

A year ago, Jobs went on about how eBooks didn't make sense. Now he's come out with a device he says will do the Kindle one better. I've never understood why tablet computers didn't sell well and am excited about the iPad. I don't think it'll kill the Kindle. But I do think it'll expand the market, get more publishers and readers on-board the eReading trend, and offer another option for reading.

I think the Kindle/Nook's wireless access is a big deal and don't see paying $20 a month or so for wireless on an iPad. Then again, I hate the subscription model (pay even if you're not using it).

Anyway, welcome Apple, to the world we've been playing in for a decade or more.

Rob Preece
Publisher, www.BooksForABuck.com

I thought he said no one reads so apple wont be looking at launching a product for the ebook market?

I dont think the iPad is an Ereader. it can be used to do ereading but so can the touch and iPhone.

$12.99 and $14.99 seem like a fair price to me for a new book, in the keynote they showed a couple of paperbacks at $4.99(twilight and lovely bones I believe) so $14.99 dropping to $4.99 seems reasonable to me.