This is why Amazon is going to win

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Yet, many people that don't have a Kindle are looking for ways to buy from Amazon. Evidenced by everyone asking for someone to determine how to get the PID for Kindle 4 PC.

Really, if buying from Amazon is so bad, why do so many people want to find a way to do it when they have some other reader brand that is so awesome and gives them choice? I don't get it.

So, sure I can only buy ebooks from Amazon (that is of course not strictly true as we all know.) I haven't found a reason to need to shop elsewhere. The selection and price in the Kindle store is superior.

Me thinks he doth protest too much.

BOb

I agree. Currently Amazon often has better prices and better selection than other stores. That was the primary reason I went ahead and purchased a Kindle2.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

...

And I suggest you read your own comments. You stated several times that "Amazon will lose" due to everyone else adopting ePub, then say "no one will know for another 20 years." So which is it? Please make up your mind, kthx.

What is it with you? You are such an Amazon fan-boy it's ridiculous. The answer is yes. Amazon will lose unless they switch to the common standard, but it's not going to happen overnight. My mind is made up.

You are the one the seems confused to me.

[NormHart]

While I am not as vociferous as kennyc I do think that Amazon is unlikely to "win" the ebook marketing wars. Primarily I think they will lose due to their somewhat arrogant 'big brother' attitude towards Kindle content. I've had my Kindle 2 for about 8 months now and I have purchased very few ebooks from Amazon.

I recently decided that I'd like some of my early, unwise, purchases of sexually explicit books removed from my Kindle list. I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I could not do that. In fact I was told that customer service has no way of removing the books other than as a refund and that could only be done within 7 days of purchase. Since there are headlines about Amazon removing content I was pretty certain that this was bull but it is representative of Amazon's Kindle/ebook policies. It appears as though Amazon's position is that they own the content of all ebooks and ebook devices sold by them and that customers are merely leasing them. Things like not giving Kindle owners the ability to change screensavers is indicative of their drive to control the product.

While I will continue to use my Kindle 2 until something better comes along, or until Amazon decides to make it more proprietary than it already is, I will not purchase many, if any, ebooks from them. eBook devices that are more open, more responsive to customer desires, and more versatile are going to dominate the market. Amazon's Kindle division would need new management before they could compete let alone 'win'.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by NormHart

While I am not as vociferous as kennyc I do think that Amazon is unlikely to "win" the ebook marketing wars. Primarily I think they will lose due to their somewhat arrogant 'big brother' attitude towards Kindle content. I've had my Kindle 2 for about 8 months now and I have purchased very few ebooks from Amazon.

I recently decided that I'd like some of my early, unwise, purchases of sexually explicit books removed from my Kindle list. I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I could not do that. In fact I was told that customer service has no way of removing the books other than as a refund and that could only be done within 7 days of purchase. Since there are headlines about Amazon removing content I was pretty certain that this was bull but it is representative of Amazon's Kindle/ebook policies. It appears as though Amazon's position is that they own the content of all ebooks and ebook devices sold by them and that customers are merely leasing them. Things like not giving Kindle owners the ability to change screensavers is indicative of their drive to control the product.

While I will continue to use my Kindle 2 until something better comes along, or until Amazon decides to make it more proprietary than it already is, I will not purchase many, if any, ebooks from them. eBook devices that are more open, more responsive to customer desires, and more versatile are going to dominate the market. Amazon's Kindle division would need new management before they could compete let alone 'win'.

Maybe you could cancel your account and open a new account (and transfer the kindle to it?

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

It's likely that the Kindle will capture a bit more market share in the US (and abroad), as both Sony and B&N face product shortages.

A sidenote: Sony expects to have shortages of Daily Edition only. They haven't said anything about Touch and Pocket, which, unlike Kindle, will be available in numerous retail shops for people to touch and try.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by igorsk

A sidenote: Sony expects to have shortages of Daily Edition only. They haven't said anything about Touch and Pocket, which, unlike Kindle, will be available in numerous retail shops for people to touch and try.

They (300 & 600) were in the sale flyers from Best Buy and Office Depot this past weekend.

[Kali Yuga]

Originally Posted by kennyc

What is it with you? You are such an Amazon fan-boy it's ridiculous.

Incorrect.

Re-read my post(s). I'm not saying that Amazon sticking with AZW/Mobi is a good thing, that ePub is inferior, that Mobi is superior, that the Kindle is technically superior, or that Amazon will crush other readers or formats out of existence.

All I'm saying is they are highly unlikely to change their format, and that this won't substantially affect their market share.

Originally Posted by kennyc

Amazon will lose unless they switch to the common standard, but it's not going to happen overnight. My mind is made up.

So, I shouldn't bother you with the facts? Got it.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Incorrect.

Re-read my post(s). I'm not saying that Amazon sticking with AZW/Mobi is a good thing, that ePub is inferior, that Mobi is superior, that the Kindle is technically superior, or that Amazon will crush other readers or formats out of existence.

All I'm saying is they are highly unlikely to change their format, and that this won't substantially affect their market share.



So, I shouldn't bother you with the facts? Got it.

No, you should examine the facts. As well as history, consumer behavior and business.

As I said above. Please google beta vs vhs

[Kali Yuga]

Originally Posted by NormHart

I recently decided that I'd like some of my early, unwise, purchases of sexually explicit books removed from my Kindle list. I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I could not do that....

That is understandable and unfortunate, but I'm not sure you can avoid this fate with other vendors.

For example, B&N keeps an order history of all the books you've gotten from them, including free books. I haven't asked them to purge my history, but there certainly isn't a button for it, and I doubt any online store (ebook or otherwise) will be willing to delete items from your order history -- presumably due to accounting and legal requirements.

I'm sure you could download adult texts from Usenet, for example, but if that's your action there are plenty of ways to get text files onto all sorts of ebook readers.

I.e. buy anything with a credit card or a Pay Pal account, and ultimately that activity is trackable. I'm unclear on how a more open device resolves this particular issue.

In the meantime, you can certainly delete the "unwise" books from your device; and unless someone gets a subpoena, you don't have to let anyone log into your account and review your ebook order history.

[HansTWN]

Of course, Amazon uses some slightly unsavory methods. One of the reasons I don't have a Kindle! But most users are not very knowledgeable and they just like the on-stop convenience. You can't beat Amazon for that and that is why a lot of new users will like that approach. Apple is doing very well, they pull all the same stuff and are highly regarded by their users. Works for both.

[Ervserver]

Wal Mart will win

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Ervserver

Wal Mart will win

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Ervserver

Wal Mart will win

Not in Europe, Walmart has been beaten at the "cheap" game by Aldi and pulled out with a bloody nose after a few years

Funny thing is that this same company, Aldi, successfully runs a high-end, super expensive supermarket chain in the US.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Not in Europe, Walmart has been beaten at the "cheap" game by Aldi and pulled out with a bloody nose after a few years

Funny thing is that this same company, Aldi, successfully runs a high-end, super expensive supermarket chain in the US.

Nope. It's very inexpensive and the stores aren't big enough to be called supermarkets, nor do they carry the broad range of products you would expect to find in a supermarket.

I love Aldi.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Nope. It's very inexpensive and the stores aren't big enough to be called supermarkets, nor do they carry the broad range of products you would expect to find in a supermarket.

I love Aldi.

The chain in the US I am referring to is not called Aldi. It only operates in the North East and uses a different name. I would have to look it up.