Apple... Potential Kindle Killer?

[Jellby]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Has Mr. Jobs not publically stated "people don't read"? Clearly, therefore, that would appear to rule out an eBook device from Apple.

Not really... they can say "people didn't read before, now with the new (put the device's name here) they will read non-stop!"

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by Jellby

Not really... they can say "people didn't read before, now with the new (put the device's name here) they will read non-stop!"

I'm with Harry on this one. Jobs has said "people don't read." It doesn't really matter if he's right. What does matter is that he's saying "Apple's market target is not people who read."

All the posts on this topic seem to be centered around whether Apple's new device will compete with the Kindle. But another way to look at the question is whether Apple's target consumer is the same person as the Kindle target consumer.

If you think about it, I believe you will realize that they are not the same person. It's hard to see here on Mobileread, because we are the exceptions to the rule. We are both kinds of consumers.

It's not that an Apple tablet, or even an Apple netbook, won't have some impact on the eReader environment. A larger platform for the Kindle App will sell more Kindlebooks, and enlarge the niche for ebooks in general. The pricepoint of the Apple device might exert some downward pressure on the pricepoint of the Kindles.

But the people who will gravitate to the Apple device will not go there for the reading experience. They will go there for the interactive experience - movies, games, mobile communications. The people who will gravitate to the Kindle will go there to read, and do their interactive stuff on laptops.

There is, however, one big factor that might make the Apple tablet the eReader of choice for some. That is that the Apple tablet has the potential to be the only truly open eReader, because it will be able to run Apps to read any filetype from any eBook provider, DRMed or not. But how many people will be interested in paying Apple prices for the marginal ability to get ebooks from other providers?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Harmon

There is, however, one big factor that might make the Apple tablet the eReader of choice for some. That is that the Apple tablet has the potential to be the only truly open eReader, because it will be able to run Apps to read any filetype from any eBook provider, DRMed or not. But how many people will be interested in paying Apple prices for the marginal ability to get ebooks from other providers?

I'm not so certain about that - a Windows tablet is probably a better option for "openness". MobiPocket show no signs of producing a Mac version of Mobi Reader, unfortunately.

[dmaul1114]

Again, it's highly unlikely that Apple would bother with a reader--avid readers who buy such devices are to small a niche for them to focus on.

But it is very likely that a tablet device from them would have reader programs on it--probably the Kindle one like the iPhone. And such multi-function devices are what can help get people other than techie bookworms buying ebooks. Which is good for all of us as it gives publishers more incentive to put out ebooks.

The success of ebooks on the mainstream isn't among the users on sites like this, it's getting the casuals who buy a few books a year to start buying ebooks. And a good way to do that is making it easy for them to get books on devices they bought to do other stuff like surf the net, watch movies etc.

[Jaime_Astorga]

Again, it's highly unlikely that Apple would bother with a reader--avid readers who buy such devices are to small a niche for them to focus on.

I agree. Apple deliberately cultivates an image of itself as "cool" with its macbooks and iPods, and I am afraid reading is not seen as very "cool" these days.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm not so certain about that - a Windows tablet is probably a better option for "openness". MobiPocket show no signs of producing a Mac version of Mobi Reader, unfortunately.

But what you are overlooking is that Amazon shows no sign of producing a Windows version of the Kindle App.

So the choice will be:

(1) iTablet with no MobiPocket or
(2) Windows tablet with no Kindle App.

All other things being equal, (1) wins, I think. But all things are not equal - you can depend on the iTablet being superior to Windows tablets in design, ease of use, and all the other things that Apple does better.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

But it is very likely that a tablet device from them would have reader programs on it--probably the Kindle one like the iPhone.

I can't imagine that an iTablet wouldn't plug in to the iTunes Store, and run all the Apps.

[taosaur]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

But it is very likely that a tablet device from them would have reader programs on it--probably the Kindle one like the iPhone. And such multi-function devices are what can help get people other than techie bookworms buying ebooks. Which is good for all of us as it gives publishers more incentive to put out ebooks.

Not only will we see more ebooks and attention paid to ebooks, but more diversity in both software and hardware as the market becomes more attractive.

Originally Posted by Harmon

But what you are overlooking is that Amazon shows no sign of producing a Windows version of the Kindle App.

...Stanza is available for Windows now. I can't vouch for the quality and know it doesn't allow landscape/portrait switching, and of course development is likely frozen with Amazon's acquisition, but it's out there.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by taosaur

..Stanza is available for Windows now. I can't vouch for the quality and know it doesn't allow landscape/portrait switching, and of course development is likely frozen with Amazon's acquisition, but it's out there.

But it doesn't play with Kindle books, which are DRMed.

But you are right in implying that if Stanza were tweaked to read DRMed books, it would give Kindle books a presence on both Mac and Windows laptops.

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by Harmon

I can't imagine that an iTablet wouldn't plug in to the iTunes Store, and run all the Apps.

Of course. As does the iPhone which also access the Kindle store.

It's not an either or situation.

That's why an iTablet could be such an appealing device. It could do all the iPhone does, but on a larger screen more suited to longer use. So you can surf the net at a better size, still get all the stuff in the app store, kindle books, stanza books etc. etc.

Plus whatever else they add to it.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Of course. As does the iPhone which also access the Kindle store.

It's not an either or situation.

That said, there is one little doubtling at the edge of my mind - why don't Apps run on Macs? What if the iTablet is MacOS oriented rather than iPhone/Touch OS oriented?

That's why an iTablet could be such an appealing device. It could do all the iPhone does, but on a larger screen more suited to longer use. So you can surf the net at a better size, still get all the stuff in the app store, kindle books, stanza books etc. etc.

Plus whatever else they add to it.

They will add (1) expense and (2) eyestrain. I don't know whether to or

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by Harmon

That said, there is one little doubtling at the edge of my mind - why don't Apps run on Macs? What if the iTablet is MacOS oriented rather than iPhone/Touch OS oriented?

True. But I have a feeling their tablet would be based around the iPhone OS personally.

That's the way to make a tablet. It needs a touch based OS to work intuitively. Not be a MacBook without a keyboard or touchpad mouse. That's why a lot of tablet notebook PCs don't work that great--they're really just windows laptops with a touch screen. Though apparently some newer Vista based ones work better.

Originally Posted by Harmon

They will add (1) expense and (2) eyestrain. I don't know whether to or

Again, you're thinking of it as an avid reader and e-reader fan. This tablet wouldn't be an ereader and wouldn't be something most people here would want to do any reading on.

It will likely be a multimedia pad that people buy for net surfing, watching movies, use as a planner, accessing the various apps in the app store, etc. etc. It would just happen to also be able to read e-books, and be fine for that purpose for casual readers who hardly ever read for more than 30-60 minutes at a time.

People have to think from the mass market stand point, not just what they (or others in the avid reader/e-book enthusiast) niche want to buy. Any multi-media tablet will cost more and not be as good for avid readers as a dedicated e-ink device. That's not what they're meant to be.

[kamm]

Originally Posted by Tuna

The point is, Apple are very unlikely to produce a premium, $700+ product and then promote it as an ebook. That would make it look very expensive, even for an Apple. They'd be much more likely to sell is as a media tablet, and focus on an iTunes-like store where you can buy films, tv and music. No one else does that yet, and it sounds impressive.

Ehhh wha...? Dunno which remote part of the world you live but the market is full of such little devices worldwide... and they don't even need this utter PoC bugfest called iTunes/iMTS...

PS: such stores also exist, at least for 5-6 years now. Again, you need to visit internet sites beyond MR...

[Harmon]

And not a Kindle Killer. That's the thread topic, & the more I think on it, the more I see the Kindle and this hypothetical iTablet co-existing, not really competing.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by Harmon

And not a Kindle Killer. That's the thread topic, & the more I think on it, the more I see the Kindle and this hypothetical iTablet co-existing, not really competing.

On this, I have to agree.