Kindle Unlimited 2.0 - early assessments

[Cinisajoy]

Thanks fjtorres.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by ottdmk

My problem with Amazon (in the ebooks market) is two-fold:

1) I don't like lock-in. Given that ebooks are glorified text files there is no reason for them to be locked to a particular platform. The whole thing came about because publishers were idiots and played into Amazon's hands. I prefer an approach like Kobo's. Although I'd prefer no DRM or social DRM at least all my Kobo books are compatible with any device that buys into Adobe's tech.

I'm afraid I don't understand your logic.

Kobo ebooks are locked into a particular platform as well -- the Adobe platform.
The fact that the Adobe platform spans multiple manufacturer devices does not mean there is no lock-in.

You cannot read a Kobo book in iBooks, Kindle, or any of the numerous third-party apps that don't support DRM.

Adobe's tech would be meaningful if it was encoded in a standard, and everyone could use it merely by implementing it. Since it requires licensing proprietary tech from Adobe, the oft-spoken-of, mythical, delusional "openness" of Adobe DRM amounts to nothing more than cheap hypocritical sniping at Amazon. (But not at iBooks, simply because no one cares about them.)

[ProfCrash]

I am annoyed that Amazon enrolled me in Kindle Unlimited without asking me. I saw the email, read it, and am canceling my membership. The idea that Amazon thinks that it can enroll me in something and then charge me for it later on without my actively agreeing to it is bullshit.

[eschwartz]

I have not heard of anyone other than you being auto-enrolled in Kindle Unlimited...

[darryl]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I am annoyed that Amazon enrolled me in Kindle Unlimited without asking me. I saw the email, read it, and am canceling my membership. The idea that Amazon thinks that it can enroll me in something and then charge me for it later on without my actively agreeing to it is bullshit.

I am surprised to hear this. It is the first I have heard of it happening. What was their justification? Have you asked them for an explanation?

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I am annoyed that Amazon enrolled me in Kindle Unlimited without asking me. I saw the email, read it, and am canceling my membership. The idea that Amazon thinks that it can enroll me in something and then charge me for it later on without my actively agreeing to it is bullshit.

As an author or a reader?
If as a reader, I know how that happened. If you accidentally clicked the read for free instead of buy with one click, you are enrolled. Note that is easy to do especially if you use more than one device to buy with. The mobile site and the full site's buttons are exactly opposite.
I did the same thing. Luckily all you have to do is either go to my account or call. You do still get the 30 free days.

[ProfCrash]

I received an email saying I was enrolled and that at the end of the 30 day trial period I would be billed $9.99 a month. I know I didn't enroll myself. Now, my parents have a Kindle that is linked to my account but they do not have my log in info. They can buy books from their device (which I am fine with) so maybe they can opt in to Kindle Unlimited through their DX. I cancelled the membership already. I can use it through the 16th of September.

I am a reader, not an author

[theducks]

There are many chances given to opt-in to these kinds of programs (and not just at Amazon).
Constant vigilance is needed.


Paying attention to (simple) confirmation e-mails (IMHO the customer friendlier ones need a confirming response for added security)
AND
Always look at every line item on your charge/checking statement AS SOON AS AVAILABLE

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I received an email saying I was enrolled and that at the end of the 30 day trial period I would be billed $9.99 a month. I know I didn't enroll myself. Now, my parents have a Kindle that is linked to my account but they do not have my log in info. They can buy books from their device (which I am fine with) so maybe they can opt in to Kindle Unlimited through their DX. I cancelled the membership already. I can use it through the 16th of September.

I am a reader, not an author

If they can buy digital books then they can enroll in KU. No log in information needed.
So you were not auto-enrolled.
I didn't need to enter a password to enroll.

You might want to tell your parents to always click the buy button, even on freebies.
Glad we got it solved.

[darryl]

Originally Posted by ottdmk

My problem with Amazon (in the ebooks market) is two-fold:

1) I don't like lock-in. Given that ebooks are glorified text files there is no reason for them to be locked to a particular platform. The whole thing came about because publishers were idiots and played into Amazon's hands. I prefer an approach like Kobo's. Although I'd prefer no DRM or social DRM at least all my Kobo books are compatible with any device that buys into Adobe's tech.

2) Amazon doesn't care about the Canadian market. We still don't have the Voyage, for example. They won't bother work with Overdrive to get library loans working here. Etc.

So Howey's tale irritates me. I understand his reasoning. But it means that should I want to read his work in my preferred format (e-ink) I need to do business with a company that created an ecosystem I don't like and which doesn't care about me as a consumer. And then I need to covert the files myself, when at the supplier side that's a task that can be done once for everyone and exist for eternity.

I hate to break the news, but Hugh Howey is undoubtedly correct in his assessment. So far as customer experience is concerned it is Amazon first and daylight second. And the new KU is great for both authors and readers. I think many Indie authors will follow Hugh's lead and go exclusive.

As eschwartz posted, "The fact that the Adobe platform spans multiple manufacturer devices does not mean there is no lock-in." Conversion is a trivial matter once properly set-up, as is liberation of the ebook from its Digital Restrictions Management. Given the history of online stores selling ebooks the very first thing you should be doing on purchasing an ebook is to make a backup and if not illegal in your jurisdiction removing the drm. I have found the best way to do one or both is via Calibre and Apprentice Alf. Though I would like to buy from Kobo, I find I am buying or borrowing just about all of my books from Amazon these days. I read the KU titles on my Paperwhite 2. Other titles I generally convert to EPub and read on my Kobo H2O. However, I find that I am reading an increasing number of KU titles. Given my expectations for KU I may well consider replacing my Peperwhite 2 with a Voyage when the next model comes out, subject to the integration of the new .kfx format with Calibre and Apprentice Alf.

I have edited this post to draw your attention to something you may have missed. If you buy Hugh's books on Amazon they are DRM free. So you don't even need Apprentice Alf!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I received an email saying I was enrolled and that at the end of the 30 day trial period I would be billed $9.99 a month. I know I didn't enroll myself. Now, my parents have a Kindle that is linked to my account but they do not have my log in info. They can buy books from their device (which I am fine with) so maybe they can opt in to Kindle Unlimited through their DX. I cancelled the membership already. I can use it through the 16th of September.

I am a reader, not an author

Amazon do not auto-enroll people in KU. If you're enrolled it's because you clicked on a link to join it (which is easily done).

[ProfCrash]

I'll have to have a chat with my parents. Probably an easy mistake that they made. I had no clue it was that easy to opt in.

Thanks all

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by darryl

As eschwartz posted, "The fact that the Adobe platform spans multiple manufacturer devices does not mean there is no lock-in." Conversion is a trivial matter once properly set-up, as is liberation of the ebook from its Digital Restrictions Management. Given the history of online stores selling ebooks the very first thing you should be doing on purchasing an ebook is to make a backup and if not illegal in your jurisdiction removing the drm. I have found the best way to do one or both is via Calibre and Apprentice Alf.

And considering the ongoing demise of Barnes & Noble, I refuse to assume any retailer will continue to be around.
Not Amazon, not Kobo, not Google Play Books (Google will back out of a business if they don't feel they are being successful ) -- and not Adobe.

Any book that has DRM has lock-in. Fortunately, none of my books have lock-in... anymore.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

As an author or a reader?
If as a reader, I know how that happened. If you accidentally clicked the read for free instead of buy with one click, you are enrolled. Note that is easy to do especially if you use more than one device to buy with. The mobile site and the full site's buttons are exactly opposite.
I did the same thing. Luckily all you have to do is either go to my account or call. You do still get the 30 free days.

I did that today but luckily I realised immediately and when on the confirmation page I was able to go back a page, so I wasn't enrolled. It takes two pages to be enrolled.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

And Amazon has been tweaking the KENPC estimator to account for those tricks.
Cat-n-mouse.

That's why authors are quickly reformatting now for August. Amazon is currently very generous with the KENPC calculation. A 280 page hardcover can have a KENPC of 700.