Amazon integrates Video and Audio with Ebooks

[luqmaninbmore]

This just in from engadget: http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/28/a...-to-iphone-ip/

It's only for the iPhone ecosystem (although one would imagine that the Android apps would get it to when they are released), but could this be a sign of things to come in ebookdom?

[Rich_D]

I hope not. I read to get away from video. I enjoy audiobooks on my commute, but consider that a different entity than reading.

I guess the extras will justify an ebook priced at the same level as a HC book.

[rixte]

I'm another who hopes this doesn't become the standard. I read to read - not to watch video or listen to music. Even if it's optional but has a prominent 'play here' button, it would jolt me and disturb my reading experience.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by Rich_D

I hope not. I read to get away from video. I enjoy audiobooks on my commute, but consider that a different entity than reading.

I guess the extras will justify an ebook priced at the same level as a HC book.

Interestingly enough - all books in the initial launch are priced at the dreaded 9.99!

http://www.amazon.com/s/?node=224826...6G1RCG298ETEHX

The "Bird Songs" book looks interesting!

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Interestingly enough - all books in the initial launch are priced at the dreaded 9.99!

http://www.amazon.com/s/?node=224826...6G1RCG298ETEHX

The "Bird Songs" book looks interesting!

I have to admit that audio and video would make a nice experience for some of the books that were listed.

[Maggie Leung]

Some books would benefit greatly from audio and / or audio. I'll make such buying decisions based on each book. I'd be interested in history books with audio and / or video, for instance. The multimedia would have to be well integrated; as with any features, quality matters.

[BenLee]

Originally Posted by Rich_D

I have to admit that audio and video would make a nice experience for some of the books that were listed.

I'm gonna have to agree with you on this.

If they don't just autoplay everything and give the option to play or not to the reader, this could be a really great way to spice up the experience of taking in information. You can read about travel all you want, but a video will let you experience a place better than any words.

[AnemicOak]

I can see it possibly being nice for things like history books, hobby how-to books, stuff like that. Just keep it out of fiction.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I can see it possibly being nice for things like history books, hobby how-to books, stuff like that. Just keep it out of fiction.

I can see it being a nice feature in fiction, too, depending on use. Would be cool to hear some authors talk about their work at the end of a book, for instance. Sorta like on DVDs, when directors talk about how they approached their work. Of course, not all readers or authors would want such, but would be an option for those who do. Readers who dislike such a feature could skip it.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I can see it being a nice feature in fiction, too, depending on use. Would be cool to hear some authors talk about their work at the end of a book, for instance. Sorta like on DVDs, when directors talk about how they approached their work. Of course, not all readers or authors would want such, but would be an option for those who do. Readers who dislike such a feature could skip it.

Well I'll give you that. A interview/commentary of sorts could possibly be neat, plus as you say easily ignored if not wanted. I just don't think I'd like it if the publishers started using it to actually tell part of the story.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Well I'll give you that. A interview/commentary of sorts could possibly be neat, plus as you say easily ignored if not wanted. I just don't think I'd like it if the publishers started using it to actually tell part of the story.

It seems ideally suited for the books they've actually released, which include, for example, chord sounds in a guitar chord book, and birdsong in a book about American birds.

[gastan]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

Readers who dislike such a feature could skip it.

Except, of course, we would be paying for it even though we wouldn't use it. I, like Rich_D, feel that publishers would use its inclusion as an excuse to justify unreasonable prices.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by gastan

Except, of course, we would be paying for it even though we wouldn't use it. I, like Rich_D, feel that publishers would use its inclusion as an excuse to justify unreasonable prices.

True of all features on products -- you pay even if you don't use. All users will vote with their money. If multimedia is implemented well and the market majority responds, then you're out of luck unless the manufacturer makes a stripped-down version.

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I can see it being a nice feature in fiction, too, depending on use. Would be cool to hear some authors talk about their work at the end of a book, for instance. Sorta like on DVDs, when directors talk about how they approached their work. Of course, not all readers or authors would want such, but would be an option for those who do. Readers who dislike such a feature could skip it.

Personally speaking, that wouldn't interest me at all. I know many people would like it but I'd hope they would release a version without it and then a slightly more expensive SE version with it.

Even though I wouldn't like it I think the concept would go a long way in bringing ebooks to the masses. Especially with they types mentioned above; instructional, historical. etc...

[rebarnmom]

I agree that it would make a nice feature for certain types of books, as mentioned above... how-to's, cookbooks, nature, history and travel! It sort of makes me want to win that iPad all the more!