NYT: Electronic Device Stirs Unease at Book Fair

[Liviu_5]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Of course, ePub converters would accomplish the same thing, allowing you to have a format for every single device there is, as long as there's a converter app for it. So it's not like Amazon is the only way out.

Right now for most e-books, at least from major publishers, each format is considered a different e-book. Forcing publishers to agree that an e-book is an e-book so to speak and not many would be a major step ahead.

I cannot see it though for now, so this why Mobipocket is my choice for now. I do not see Epub going anywhere at the consumer end at least.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by HarryT

We already have a de facto "universal" format - MobiPocket. Mobi format books can be read on a vast range of different hardware platforms and devices. ePub may be "technically" superior to Mobi in some ways, but why re-invent the wheel?

If Mobipocket is so universal, why is it not on every single device and why is it tied to some backwards technology?

[HarryT]

Presumably some hardware manufacturers have chosen not to licence it. That's their decision, of course, and one that they are free to make.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If Mobipocket is so universal, why is it not on every single device and why is it tied to some backwards technology?

Because device makers like Sony like the "back end" revenue stream that a book store or music store tied to their devices will bring in. This is also the reason you need to pay a royalty to MS, Sony or Nintendo to sell a game that works on thier consoles, and also how these companies can sell these devices as a loss leaders because the revenue each machine generates in back end royalties is where the real money is.

(Although I'm not sure I would call it "backward" technology. What are you refering to here, Mobipockets format?)

A company like bookeen needs to make money on each device... because once it is sold, they are done making money from you. But, Sony expects that you will buy books from them after buying the reader. Hench the $400 vs $270 price difference. Now Amazon, they want both... I can't imaging that they are loosing money on the device. But, they have said (if you can belive it) that they are loosing money on some of the book sales.)

BOb