Amazon is testing “Kindle Unlimited,” an ebook subscription service for $9.99/month - Page 2

AnemicOak · 07-16-2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane R

I don't really read new books - I only rarely feel the urge to scratch that itch right away. So on those rare occasions, what's to stop me from signing up for a month at $9.99, reading a book or two that costs more than that and then canceling before the next month is up?

Nothing I would think (as long as they're part of the 600,000+ titles advertised). That can be done with the current services out there.

booklover6 · 07-16-2014, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimW

The first screenshot indicates books would be readable on ANY device. That's a little different, KOLL books can be only be borrowed/read on a Kindle device. It sounds intriguing.

I bet that means any device that has a Kindle app, not any ereading device. Still, if they have major publishers and they can be read on an eink kindle, this service will probably be worth it.

GreenMonkey · 07-16-2014, 03:54 PM

I'd be all over a Netflix-for-books style model if they had all of the major publishers. So far no one has pulled that off.

fjtorres · 07-16-2014, 05:37 PM

Best guess:
- It will include all KDP Select titles (>500K)
- It will include most Amazon publishing titles
- It will include a good enough selection of TradPub titles (most of the same ones on Scribd and oyster)
- It will include very few current bestsellers but it will (probably) include a few, possibly on limited availability special deals.
- It will have a section for titles only available for a limited time. (The equivalent of Deals of the week and Deals of the month.)

Oh, and Prime subscribers will get it for $8.99. Or some other slight discount.

Fbone · 07-16-2014, 06:57 PM

I am intrigued how it will be available "on any device." Or is a device incapable of a Kindle app obsolete in Amazon's opinion.

eschwartz · 07-16-2014, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

I am intrigued how it will be available "on any device." Or is a device incapable of a Kindle app obsolete in Amazon's opinion.

Any device incapable of the Kindle app is also incapable of apps in general. I can only imagine that they don't consider e-ink (T68 aside?) to be "real devices" -- a fairly standard opinion...

I don't think anyone would possibly kid themselves, however, that there was any chance Amazon would officially offer this for the Kobo; likewise, whoever designed the picture was likewise not thinking the other e-ink ereaders as being applicable to the concept behind the offer.

fjtorres · 07-16-2014, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

I am intrigued how it will be available "on any device." Or is a device incapable of a Kindle app obsolete in Amazon's opinion.

There *is* the Kindle cloud reader...

So odds are that a device that can't run the cloud reader is a pretty... limited... device. Not something you generally use for reading ebooks.

Fbone · 07-16-2014, 08:01 PM

Thanks for the replies. Evidently, my Sony 650 doesn't count as a device according to Amazon.

pidgeon92 · 07-16-2014, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

Thanks for the replies. Evidently, my Sony 650 doesn't count as a device according to Amazon.

To be fair, is Sony even still supporting this line?

Purple Lady · 07-16-2014, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

There *is* the Kindle cloud reader...

So odds are that a device that can't run the cloud reader is a pretty... limited... device. Not something you generally use for reading ebooks.

There's also Kindle for PC and Mac. If you can get it on Kindle for PC, you can get it on your eink device.

LovesMacs · 07-16-2014, 08:40 PM

The first I heard of the Kindle Unlimited service was when I was shopping on my Kindle Touch, so I presume that at the very least, newer Kindles would be supported.

darryl · 07-16-2014, 08:54 PM

It appears at the moment that a subscription model is one of the more likely winners when the major new business models emerge. However, such a system may create a problem for authors as to whether they will be able to extract a reasonable remuneration from such a system. Presumably it will be designed with little real influence by authors, and I can see them being paid a pittance.

Fbone · 07-16-2014, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

There *is* the Kindle cloud reader...

So odds are that a device that can't run the cloud reader is a pretty... limited... device. Not something you generally use for reading ebooks.

Amazon must have something set up because if a book downloads to a PC, it can have its DRM bypassed. I doubt they would allow us to retain all 600,000 titles for $9.99.

6charlong · 07-16-2014, 09:09 PM

According to the article "any device" includes audiobooks. I think I'd cancel my Audible subscription for this, and with Whispersync support, I'd probably buy the Kindle edition of my current audiobook as well.

Win-win for both me and Amazon.

eschwartz · 07-16-2014, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

Amazon must have something set up because if a book downloads to a PC, it can have its DRM bypassed. I doubt they would allow us to retain all 600,000 titles for $9.99.

They won't allow us to. That is why there is DRM.

And the book gets deleted automatically.

Currently you *can* DeDRM a KOLL ebook too.

The hordes have not done so.

07-16-2014, 05:37 PM	#19
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Best guess: - It will include all KDP Select titles (>500K) - It will include most Amazon publishing titles - It will include a good enough selection of TradPub titles (most of the same ones on Scribd and oyster) - It will include very few current bestsellers but it will (probably) include a few, possibly on limited availability special deals. - It will have a section for titles only available for a limited time. (The equivalent of Deals of the week and Deals of the month.) Oh, and Prime subscribers will get it for $8.99. Or some other slight discount. Last edited by fjtorres; 07-16-2014 at 05:42 PM.

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07-16-2014, 03:54 PM	#18
GreenMonkey DRM hater Posts: 945 Karma: 2066176 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Michigan Device: Nook ST glow, Kindle Voyage	I'd be all over a Netflix-for-books style model if they had all of the major publishers. So far no one has pulled that off.

07-16-2014, 06:57 PM	#20
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,320 Karma: 103930826 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	I am intrigued how it will be available "on any device." Or is a device incapable of a Kindle app obsolete in Amazon's opinion.

07-16-2014, 08:01 PM	#23
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,320 Karma: 103930826 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Thanks for the replies. Evidently, my Sony 650 doesn't count as a device according to Amazon.

07-16-2014, 08:40 PM	#26
LovesMacs Fanatic Posts: 513 Karma: 2644386 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: iPhone, Kindle Touch	The first I heard of the Kindle Unlimited service was when I was shopping on my Kindle Touch, so I presume that at the very least, newer Kindles would be supported.

07-16-2014, 08:54 PM	#27
darryl Wizard Posts: 3,108 Karma: 60231510 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Oasis, Huwei Ascend Mate 7	It appears at the moment that a subscription model is one of the more likely winners when the major new business models emerge. However, such a system may create a problem for authors as to whether they will be able to extract a reasonable remuneration from such a system. Presumably it will be designed with little real influence by authors, and I can see them being paid a pittance.

07-16-2014, 09:09 PM	#29
6charlong friendly lurker Posts: 896 Karma: 2436026 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: US Device: Kindle, nook, Apple and Kobo	According to the article "any device" includes audiobooks. I think I'd cancel my Audible subscription for this, and with Whispersync support, I'd probably buy the Kindle edition of my current audiobook as well. Win-win for both me and Amazon.

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