Why Ereader Companies Shouldn't be Worried

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Crowl

If you look at their actual sales the numbers still aren't that great, the growth is so huge because so few had them before.

Sorry, didn't see the actual sales numbers reported in the Apple's last earnings call, nor in Softbank's earnings report earlier today.

I know Cook mentioned specific numbers for China (200K with Unicom). Would love to see the actual sales numbers, can you link or post them?

[dragonbone]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Exactly, Japanese consumers are not bargain seekers. On the contrary, a low price can backfire, since people presume the item to be of low quality. So one can expect to pay dearly for that iPad if one buys locally in Japan.

I don't agree..... Yes, that used to be the case, like 10-15 years ago.... Japanese are much more savvier consumers now. They don't just go into a shop and buy the biggest and best. They hunt for bargains, shop online etc. etc. Just like everyone else. Japan's glory golden days are over. The economic bubble burst looong ago. Of course there will always be the type of person who doesn't/needn't care about price - just like anywhere else in the world.
I also don't believe that the iPad will be very different in price to the USA counterpart. My iPods and iPhones worked out to be almost the same - give or take a few pennies.
Just my 2 cents...

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

As someone else said, this is relative.

I understand it was relative-Apple reported it was a 400% growth in sales Y/Y, and Softbank claimed a 41% increase in net profit, due to iPhone sales.

Do you have actual sales numbers ? They report them in the Japanese trades?

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by dragonbone

If the DXi drops to $200 (including international S&H AND import tax) I will definitely get it. That won't stop me from getting my iPad too though...

Thinking about the impact of the iPad on the DX, I'm beginning to see that the DX has an advantage with Whispernet, in that it is free, whereas with the iPad, if you don't have a wireless network at home, you are going to have to pay 15-30 bucks a month for easy access to books.

So while my first reaction was that the DX was going to have to lower it's price or die, I'm having second thoughts about that.

Thing is, once you have a DX, you have all you need to get books. With an iPad and no wireless at home, you either have a hassle similar to that of non-connected edevices, or a monthly expense.

[wdreamsmaycome]

Originally Posted by Harmon

Thinking about the impact of the iPad on the DX, I'm beginning to see that the DX has an advantage with Whispernet, in that it is free

it is not free in Canada, having to pay $2/book whether or not you want to use whispernet is not that great.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by wdreamsmaycome

it is not free in Canada, having to pay $2/book whether or not you want to use whispernet is not that great.

Say what?

[dmaul1114]

On the international Kindle there is a surcharge for downloading books that varies by country I believe.

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by Harmon

Thinking about the impact of the iPad on the DX, I'm beginning to see that the DX has an advantage with Whispernet, in that it is free, whereas with the iPad, if you don't have a wireless network at home, you are going to have to pay 15-30 bucks a month for easy access to books.

While true, how many people in this day and age (especially tech savvy people who'd be interested in the iPad) don't have WiFi at home?

And even if you don't, I'd still say downloading on PC and hooking up the iPad to the PC with the docking cable is easy access since most people are used to dragging and dropping files on MP3 players, flash drives, external hard drives etc. that way.

I mean I really like the wireless on my Kindle 1, but it's not huge factor for me as it's not a big deal to drag and drop a couple times a month (at most) when I buy new books.

[Demas]

I agree particularly for people who can afford a luxury net appliance like the iPad, wifi will at least be at home if not everywhere in their communities. Even McDonalds has rolled out free wifi and if you can't find one of those (not to mention Starbucks, Panera, Krispy Kreme, Baja Fresh, Dairy Queen, Subway, Borders, B&N, Staples, etc) then you've got bigger problems than finding entertainment on your ereader of choice! ;-)

[dmaul1114]

Exactly. And I just can't see many people buying a tablet (or a laptop/netbook for that matter) if they don't have WiFi at home. Unless they travel all the time or something I guess.

Might as well stick with a desktop if you don't have WiFi. Personally, I ditched my desktop when I moved and will probably never have another one at home. Prefer laptops were I can work, surf etc. on the couch, desk or anywhere else.

[DawnFalcon]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

On the international Kindle there is a surcharge for downloading books that varies by country I believe.

Yes. Regardless of platform, you'll be paying an additional fee even for nominally free books, and regardless of usage of wifi or otherwise. Also, Amazon are actively closing accounts registered with a US address which are downloading books outside the US, even for Kindle4PC (and hence not wirelessly at all).

Just something to bear in mind for potential non-US Kindle users.

[dragonbone]

Originally Posted by Demas

I agree particularly for people who can afford a luxury net appliance like the iPad, wifi will at least be at home if not everywhere in their communities. Even McDonalds has rolled out free wifi and if you can't find one of those (not to mention Starbucks, Panera, Krispy Kreme, Baja Fresh, Dairy Queen, Subway, Borders, B&N, Staples, etc) then you've got bigger problems than finding entertainment on your ereader of choice! ;-)

Exactly! Good point!

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

While true, how many people in this day and age (especially tech savvy people who'd be interested in the iPad) don't have WiFi at home?

A survey in my 6 unit building reveals no units without computers, but only 2 units with wireless connections (the 2 Mac households) and no iPods other than the ones in my household. Oddly, the 2 Mac households are the old folks. The PC people are the middle aged kids.

Incidentally, there are 12 adults in the building, & I'm the only one with an ereader.

[QUOTE]And even if you don't, I'd still say downloading on PC and hooking up the iPad to the PC with the docking cable is easy access since most people are used to dragging and dropping files on MP3 players, flash drives, external hard drives etc. that way.[/QUOTE

That's a process I call "curating." It takes thought & effort. Therefore, it won't be done by most people...

[DawnFalcon]

Well - Are you sure they don't have wireless (i.e. asked), or have they just turned SSID broadcast off? (genuine question)

And I disagree, the vast majority of mp3 players, digital cameras and so on get connected via USB, so... it's not the most convenient way to do things, but a large percentage of the computer-owning population does it.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by Demas

I agree particularly for people who can afford a luxury net appliance like the iPad, wifi will at least be at home if not everywhere in their communities. Even McDonalds has rolled out free wifi and if you can't find one of those (not to mention Starbucks, Panera, Krispy Kreme, Baja Fresh, Dairy Queen, Subway, Borders, B&N, Staples, etc) then you've got bigger problems than finding entertainment on your ereader of choice! ;-)

I can pick up 30 networks with my MacBook, but I live on a street full of apartments. Most of them are very weak - I doubt that I could connect even if they were unlocked, which none are. The number of networks have more than doubled in the last year, and it used to be that about half of them were unlocked. My neighborhood seems to be about 75% under 30s who seem to work in downtown Chicago - i.e., aspiring yuppies.