Kindle content is coming to cellphones - confirmed - Page 3

TallMomof2 · 02-10-2009, 08:29 AM

IMO (and I'm not an Amazon defender) because of Amazon's huge presence in books they have to be careful of copyright. Rights for book distribution are geographically limited. And those rights don't seem to change whether the book is in physical or electronic form. That is probably the reason they are limiting distribution to the US. Yes, it's seems nuts to have geographical boundaries with electronic media but the publishers are just using the dead tree model without working out how electronic books change everything. It's easier to stay with what you know than to change. Smaller ebook sellers have the same restrictions I've found that it's easier to buy from them if you're not located in the right place to purchase the ebook. Amazon would be smacked hard if they started selling ebooks to the incorrect geographical location.

With the Kindle Amazon is selling the "experience". I expect with cellphones they'll be selling convenience and Kindle books will be available to some smartphones. I would expect they would start with one smartphone platform such as the Blackberry and move on to others like the Windows phones or maybe Palm phones. I would be shocked if Kindle books showed up first on the iPhone or the Android phone.

I'm sure someone will hack the Kindle cellphone app to make it work for a wider range of phones but I would think that only a small fraction of users would take advantage of this. As for myself, I don't have a smartphone and Kindle on the cellphone isn't enough to push me into upgrading my cell. Smartphones are $$, the plans more $$$ and I already have a $$ Kindle to read my ebooks.

legaleagll · 02-10-2009, 02:23 PM

I just want to buy books from Amazon for use on my Sony Reader. I have never quite understood the self limitation placed on your marketability. There are plenty of people who like the convenience and selection presented by buying from Amazon, but simply dislike the Kindle. Every time I buy a book from Bookwise or Sony Connect that is a lost sale that could have gone to Amazon if they would only sell to me.

TheMooch · 02-10-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

From what I was told, I think you don't need a Kindle if you have the cell phone app.

Now THAT'S what I wanted to hear. The only thing that could be better is being allowed "Trade-in credit" for books that I bought through the Sony Connect Store. I'd switch everything over to Kindle format if I could buy and read kindle formatted books on my iPhone as well as a Kindle!

tompe · 02-10-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

Amazon would be smacked hard if they started selling ebooks to the incorrect geographical location.

But US Amazon is selling paper books without any restrictions on country.

Zero9 · 02-10-2009, 04:03 PM

I've been waiting for this. I buy eBooks so I can read at work (on SLOW days) while looking busy. Pulling out a Kindle at my desk wouldn't be very subtle. Hopefully it won't be limited to cell-phones.

Thomas Ryan · 02-10-2009, 04:45 PM

Blocking international sales - I think you need an Amazon account attached to a valid credit card with a US-based billing address to buy books for your Kindle. Work around or through that and you're in.

So, in theory, as a U.S.-based customer, if there was an iPod version of the reader, and if you roamed outside the US, it should work.

eza · 02-10-2009, 04:58 PM

I have a Sony Reader 500. Used it a lot, mostly on my commute. Works great. Then I got an iPhone. I have that on me all the time. All the time. The Sony Reader isn't small enough to fit in my pocket all the time. So I started reading on my iPhone via eReader. If Whispersync allows me to keep track of where I am in a book, as I read on the iPhone during commutes, waiting in line, in the bathroom, and can switch to a Kindle when I want to kick back on the couch and read away, well, I'll switch again.

KindleKat · 02-10-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Ryan

Blocking international sales - I think you need an Amazon account attached to a valid credit card with a US-based billing address to buy books for your Kindle. Work around or through that and you're in.

So, in theory, as a U.S.-based customer, if there was an iPod version of the reader, and if you roamed outside the US, it should work.

I think the keyword there being "if" you could work around it

dabargainhunta · 02-10-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCDMan

Ultra casual might be OK on a cell but any serious amount needs something better than a cell. I shudder to think what serious reading will do to the battery levels on your cell!

I agree. This is Amazon's way of getting money out of the ultra casual market that would never even consider buying a Kindle. There are a lot of people out there who read the occasional popular author but aren't serious readers. Amazon will soon be able to get their money too.

bwaldron · 02-10-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabargainhunta

I agree. This is Amazon's way of getting money out of the ultra casual market that would never even consider buying a Kindle. There are a lot of people out there who read the occasional popular author but aren't serious readers. Amazon will soon be able to get their money too.

Problem is, Amazon is reportedly taking a loss on many/most of their new "bestseller" ebooks at $9.99.

It's one thing to take a loss when you're selling hardware devices and trying to grow that market, but quite another if you're selling the books for all devices.

So would we expect the same pricing if the books are available for other devices?

(And Amazon is already getting money from Mobipocket sales for other devices.)

lisreed · 02-10-2009, 05:54 PM

This will be neat. Then I could continue reading on my iphone if I was out without the reader. My husband is looking forward to it as well. He doesn't have a kindle but he does like to occasionally read on his iphone.

phenomshel · 02-10-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

From what I was told, I think you don't need a Kindle if you have the cell phone app.

This would be cool if it's for Blackberry..considering I've just been informed I'm getting one... addicted husband.

desertgrandma · 02-10-2009, 06:39 PM

someone is going to have to tell me exactly how this works.

And so help me, if I have to get a BlackBerry Storm because of this, I'm SUING Amazon for making me do it!

pshrynk · 02-11-2009, 09:51 AM

I would imagine, that since they have Sprint as their primary 3G network, that the Treos will also be supported. But that's just a guess.

TheMooch · 02-11-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshrynk

I would imagine, that since they have Sprint as their primary 3G network, that the Treos will also be supported. But that's just a guess.

LOL Wouldn't that be irony. I just dropped Sprint for AT&T.

02-10-2009, 04:45 PM	#36
Thomas Ryan Connoisseur Posts: 62 Karma: 250 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle	Blocking international sales - I think you need an Amazon account attached to a valid credit card with a US-based billing address to buy books for your Kindle. Work around or through that and you're in. So, in theory, as a U.S.-based customer, if there was an iPod version of the reader, and if you roamed outside the US, it should work. Last edited by Thomas Ryan; 02-10-2009 at 04:50 PM.

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02-10-2009, 08:29 AM	#31
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	IMO (and I'm not an Amazon defender) because of Amazon's huge presence in books they have to be careful of copyright. Rights for book distribution are geographically limited. And those rights don't seem to change whether the book is in physical or electronic form. That is probably the reason they are limiting distribution to the US. Yes, it's seems nuts to have geographical boundaries with electronic media but the publishers are just using the dead tree model without working out how electronic books change everything. It's easier to stay with what you know than to change. Smaller ebook sellers have the same restrictions I've found that it's easier to buy from them if you're not located in the right place to purchase the ebook. Amazon would be smacked hard if they started selling ebooks to the incorrect geographical location. With the Kindle Amazon is selling the "experience". I expect with cellphones they'll be selling convenience and Kindle books will be available to some smartphones. I would expect they would start with one smartphone platform such as the Blackberry and move on to others like the Windows phones or maybe Palm phones. I would be shocked if Kindle books showed up first on the iPhone or the Android phone. I'm sure someone will hack the Kindle cellphone app to make it work for a wider range of phones but I would think that only a small fraction of users would take advantage of this. As for myself, I don't have a smartphone and Kindle on the cellphone isn't enough to push me into upgrading my cell. Smartphones are $$, the plans more $$$ and I already have a $$ Kindle to read my ebooks.

02-10-2009, 02:23 PM	#32
legaleagll Member Posts: 17 Karma: 414 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: PRS 505	I just want to buy books from Amazon for use on my Sony Reader. I have never quite understood the self limitation placed on your marketability. There are plenty of people who like the convenience and selection presented by buying from Amazon, but simply dislike the Kindle. Every time I buy a book from Bookwise or Sony Connect that is a lost sale that could have gone to Amazon if they would only sell to me.

02-10-2009, 04:03 PM	#35
Zero9 Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 550 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Kindle Touch	I've been waiting for this. I buy eBooks so I can read at work (on SLOW days) while looking busy. Pulling out a Kindle at my desk wouldn't be very subtle. Hopefully it won't be limited to cell-phones.

02-10-2009, 04:58 PM	#37
eza Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: PRS-500, iPhone	I have a Sony Reader 500. Used it a lot, mostly on my commute. Works great. Then I got an iPhone. I have that on me all the time. All the time. The Sony Reader isn't small enough to fit in my pocket all the time. So I started reading on my iPhone via eReader. If Whispersync allows me to keep track of where I am in a book, as I read on the iPhone during commutes, waiting in line, in the bathroom, and can switch to a Kindle when I want to kick back on the couch and read away, well, I'll switch again.

02-10-2009, 05:54 PM	#41
lisreed Addict Posts: 281 Karma: 1301 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Upstate NY Device: Nook GlowLight 3	This will be neat. Then I could continue reading on my iphone if I was out without the reader. My husband is looking forward to it as well. He doesn't have a kindle but he does like to occasionally read on his iphone.

02-10-2009, 06:39 PM	#43
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	someone is going to have to tell me exactly how this works. And so help me, if I have to get a BlackBerry Storm because of this, I'm SUING Amazon for making me do it!

02-11-2009, 09:51 AM	#44
pshrynk Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah! Posts: 11,726 Karma: 8255450 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin, aka America's IceBox Device: iThingie, KmkII, I miss Zelda!	I would imagine, that since they have Sprint as their primary 3G network, that the Treos will also be supported. But that's just a guess.