Cover story Writer's Digest: Future of Ebooks, Amazon, etc.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by ficbot

And don't forget, the Kindle right now is US-only, which already inhibits it from being really a major player...

Don't think I agree with that. The Kindle is a major player (look at all the "Is Bla Bla Bla a Kindle Killer" articles). The Kindle is from Amazon a very major player. When the Kindle is released outside of the U.S. it will be a much bigger player but it's not smalltime now.

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Don't think I agree with that. The Kindle is a major player (look at all the "Is Bla Bla Bla a Kindle Killer" articles). The Kindle is from Amazon a very major player. When the Kindle is released outside of the U.S. it will be a much bigger player but it's not smalltime now.

I agree that the Kindle is a major player... right now. I think the biggest problem that the Kindle, the Sony PRS's and the other e-Ink devices have is that the display limits their usefulness outside of their primary function. Therefore, people who love them, will love them. But everyone else will kind of wonder what the big deal is about.

I know a lot of people have trouble reading for long periods on back lit screens (fortunately I am not one of them), so I think the solution might involve the screen technology originally developed for OLPC and now Pixel Qi; essentially LCDs that can be viewed in direct light, or by back light (depending on the circumstances). Such a device though will likely also serve as a media player, an internet connection, etc.

--
Bill

[Carole5012]

Hi

Just thought you might like to know that a Price Watch article in todays Irish Times states that the Kindle will be released into the UK market in time for Christmas.

[Dave Berk]

Originally Posted by Carole5012

Hi

Just thought you might like to know that a Price Watch article in todays Irish Times states that the Kindle will be released into the UK market in time for Christmas.

That's very interesting. Since I'm not familiar with the Irish Times, is it a reliable source?

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Don't they already dominate the pbook market? I thought there market share for pbooks was pretty high. Anyone know what it is? I've never heard anyone complain about that. They publishers have just been cashing Amazons checks.

Amazon dominates the Internet market for pbooks in the U.S. but only has 20% of that market. B&N dominates the bricks & mortar market plus has 12% of the Internet market.

Amazon can't command the pbook market because there are so many alternatives still available for publishers but Amazon is trying, as we have seen with its requirement to use its print on demand service if you want to see a Buy Now button. Also, track what Amazon UK is trying to do to UK book publishers. Right now several are refusing to go along with Amazon UK's demands.

But if Amazon dominates the ebook market, it will mean that the Kindle format is the de facto format and it is a proprietary format. pbooks are still an open format ().

[Argel]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I thought there market share for pbooks was pretty high. Anyone know what it is? I've never heard anyone complain about that.

You must be wearing ear-plugs not to hear the howls of outrage from publishers at the discounts Amazon demand!

[Carole5012]

The Irish Times is the Republic of Irelands leading broadsheet newspaper.

[Carole5012]

I am sorry that currently, we do not have any information about Kindle’s launch and availability in Amazon.co.uk website. We are not able to provide more specific details at this point, but we will release more information nearer to the times of these launches.

This is the reply I got to an email enquiry of Amazon UK re Kindle launch following the Irish Times story

[gwynevans]

Originally Posted by Carole5012

The Irish Times is the Republic of Irelands leading broadsheet newspaper.

That's a "no" then, is it! :-) Seriously, this appears to be the article & while I've not emailed the author, I rather suspect this was a throwaway comment that won't get substantiated.