Conspiracy Theory: What is Amazon hiding about the Kindle? - Page 4

Steven Lyle Jordan · 03-17-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

I was talking about the DRM aspect, not Amazon gaining retailer dominance. I really don't care much about retailer dominance, but I do think that the nature of ebooks (their being so easy to publish and distribute) tends to make the role of middlemen like Amazon much less important and therefore the likelihood of their gaining stranglehold on the market much less likely.

That's why I was a bit confused: I wasn't addressing the DRM aspect at all. If you're saying Amazon won't reach that point because of DRM, I won't argue the point. I expect DRM will be a highly-invisible system at some point, nothing like what we have (and hate) today, or simply removed from use.

I agree with your points above. I'm just pointing out that the Kindle system is unique, well-advertised, and effective in easily delivering content. With that going for it, and some tweaks (better-looking reader, lower price, color screen, etc), the Kindle system could conceivably become so successful that it becomes synonymous with e-book reading to the vast majority of the public, and thereby crowds out the competition.

There may be a lot of formats, distribution methods, etc... but if 97% of the public goes straight to Amazon, the market is theirs. It could happen.

TallMomof2 · 03-17-2008, 11:28 AM

Whispernet is very seductive. It's so easy to purchase and download books. I find myself buying a lot more, especially since it's easy to strip the DRM so the books aren't locked into the Kindle. That way if Amazon stops supporting the Kindle and/or the .azw format I'll still have my books.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 03-17-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

Whispernet is very seductive. It's so easy to purchase and download books. I find myself buying a lot more, especially since it's easy to strip the DRM so the books aren't locked into the Kindle. That way if Amazon stops supporting the Kindle and/or the .azw format I'll still have my books.

Wait... I missed that bulletin! It's easy to strip the Amazon DRM out? What do you end up with... a Mobi file that can be read on other devices?

Nate the great · 03-17-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Wait... I missed that bulletin! It's easy to strip the Amazon DRM out? What do you end up with... a Mobi file that can be read on other devices?

Not always, but yes. If the ebook has an AZW suffix, it is Mobipocket format. If it has TPZ, then good luck.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 03-17-2008, 12:36 PM

What tool do you use to remove the DRM (just a name will be fine)?

astra · 03-17-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

What tool do you use to remove the DRM (just a name will be fine)?

I don't know for sure but I think that the tool has been discussed here on the forum a couple of weeks ago. AZW- mobipocket - mobipocket drm removing script.

Dave Berk · 03-17-2008, 01:05 PM

@steve:

This thread is your friend. A puzzle, a mobi drm removal tool. What more could you want in a thread

?

Steven Lyle Jordan · 03-17-2008, 01:49 PM

Oohhh... that thread is giving me a mild headache. Have to look at it when I get home.

Anyway, I agree with its intent: Un-DRM'ing Amazon files to run on any Mobi device is a good deal.

Alisa · 03-17-2008, 02:14 PM

I agree. I'm actually more inclined to buy books from Amazon since I can keep them on my terms. I have no intention of giving them away to people who have not paid for them, either. I hadn't heard about this .tpz file type, though. Is this some move to thwart the new DRM stripper?

Nate the great · 03-17-2008, 03:07 PM

No. It's been around since the beginning.

HarryT · 03-17-2008, 03:23 PM

"Topaz" files support embedded fonts, etc. A lot more flexible than Mobi.

TallMomof2 · 03-17-2008, 08:54 PM

None of the books I've purchased from Amazon are tpz format. Not that I've purchased a lot, maybe ten.

brecklundin · 03-17-2008, 10:59 PM

While Amazon does manipulate prices any given customer might see when browsing the site and has admitted it a few years back, I don't think they are faking it about the availibility of Kindle's.

Unless there is a cartel setup between the various component mfg's designed to artifically inflate the component prices. I find this doubtful also.

Still we have no idea what is up, especially as one mfg is supplying displays to several device lines. And this is the case people go off in fun tangents...

But it's simple, want a Kindle, order one and in about 10-14 days it will arrive.

No matter, I feel all ebook devices are about 50% over priced. No matter what is happening behind the scenes.

Alisa · 03-17-2008, 11:38 PM

I don't know what kind of profit PVI is making on the screens but I know they're a huge proportion of the end cost of the device to us. Maybe PVI is overcharging. Maybe they're trying to make up for a lot of R&D cost. Maybe the screens are just still really expensive to manufacture. I'd love to know if anyone here has information on that. At any rate, I definitely agree that $300-$400 is just way more than most people are going to pay for a 6" reader regardless of how the manufacturers justify it. When these things get down under $200, then I think the game will truly be on.

brecklundin · 03-17-2008, 11:46 PM

Alisa,

I think you are right about the passing on of R&D costs at an accelerated rate compared to what once might have been the norm.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The Shadow Conspiracy	stevenharper	Writers' Corner	5	12-23-2009 04:39 PM
Amazon Kindle - driving lots of traffic to Amazon	Alexander Turcic	Amazon Kindle	18	02-01-2009 05:16 PM
Buy Broken Amazon Kindle (for registering to my amazon account)	cynoclast	Flea Market	7	12-30-2008 06:53 PM
Conspiracy Theory on Kindle being Sold Out	markbot	Amazon Kindle	44	12-01-2007 05:22 PM
Amazon joins the E Ink club with Amazon Kindle	Alexander Turcic	Amazon Kindle	8	09-13-2006 11:33 AM

03-17-2008, 11:28 AM	#47
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	Whispernet is very seductive. It's so easy to purchase and download books. I find myself buying a lot more, especially since it's easy to strip the DRM so the books aren't locked into the Kindle. That way if Amazon stops supporting the Kindle and/or the .azw format I'll still have my books.

03-17-2008, 12:36 PM	#50
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	What tool do you use to remove the DRM (just a name will be fine)?

03-17-2008, 01:05 PM	#52
Dave Berk Fanatic Posts: 574 Karma: 138556 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PRS505	@steve: This thread is your friend. A puzzle, a mobi drm removal tool. What more could you want in a thread ?

03-17-2008, 01:49 PM	#53
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Oohhh... that thread is giving me a mild headache. Have to look at it when I get home. Anyway, I agree with its intent: Un-DRM'ing Amazon files to run on any Mobi device is a good deal.

03-17-2008, 02:14 PM	#54
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	I agree. I'm actually more inclined to buy books from Amazon since I can keep them on my terms. I have no intention of giving them away to people who have not paid for them, either. I hadn't heard about this .tpz file type, though. Is this some move to thwart the new DRM stripper?

03-17-2008, 03:07 PM	#55
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	No. It's been around since the beginning.

03-17-2008, 03:23 PM	#56
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,555 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	"Topaz" files support embedded fonts, etc. A lot more flexible than Mobi.

03-17-2008, 08:54 PM	#57
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	None of the books I've purchased from Amazon are tpz format. Not that I've purchased a lot, maybe ten.

03-17-2008, 10:59 PM	#58
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	While Amazon does manipulate prices any given customer might see when browsing the site and has admitted it a few years back, I don't think they are faking it about the availibility of Kindle's. Unless there is a cartel setup between the various component mfg's designed to artifically inflate the component prices. I find this doubtful also. Still we have no idea what is up, especially as one mfg is supplying displays to several device lines. And this is the case people go off in fun tangents... But it's simple, want a Kindle, order one and in about 10-14 days it will arrive. No matter, I feel all ebook devices are about 50% over priced. No matter what is happening behind the scenes.

03-17-2008, 11:38 PM	#59
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	I don't know what kind of profit PVI is making on the screens but I know they're a huge proportion of the end cost of the device to us. Maybe PVI is overcharging. Maybe they're trying to make up for a lot of R&D cost. Maybe the screens are just still really expensive to manufacture. I'd love to know if anyone here has information on that. At any rate, I definitely agree that $300-$400 is just way more than most people are going to pay for a 6" reader regardless of how the manufacturers justify it. When these things get down under $200, then I think the game will truly be on.

Advert

Advert

03-17-2008, 11:46 PM	#60
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	Alisa, I think you are right about the passing on of R&D costs at an accelerated rate compared to what once might have been the norm.