Bezos: No comment on the Nook, but do you know how lame lending is?

Ocean · 12-06-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

What do you think of the Nook, for instance, from Barnes & Noble?
We have a long tradition of not talking about other companies, which I’ll stick to.

Barnes & Noble claims on its Web site that the Nook has several advantages over the Kindle — for one thing, a Nook book can be lent to friends. You can forward the text to another user.
The current thing being talked about is extremely limited. You can lend to one friend. One time. You can’t pick two friends, not even serially, so once you’ve loaned one book to one friend, that’s it.

You have to pick just one person? What are you saying? It’s like “Sophie’s Choice”?
It is “Sophie’s Choice.” Very nicely done.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/ma...er=rss&emc=rss

Nitrousoxide · 12-06-2009, 11:13 PM

And yet, the Kindle has no lending.

I'll take lame lending over no lending any day.

Ervserver · 12-06-2009, 11:31 PM

Bezos dislikes any good idea he didn't think of first

Ocean · 12-06-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ervserver

Bezos dislikes any good idea he didn't think of first

Link?

m-reader · 12-07-2009, 12:45 AM

I didn't really expect him to praise the competition either. Thorny question for Mr Bezos, lame answer ...

MaggieScratch · 12-07-2009, 01:02 AM

My understanding is that B&N would like readers to be able to lend books more than once, but the publishers won't allow it--some won't allow any lending at all. However, since the capability is on the device, perhaps they are hoping that customers will demand more liberal lending policies, and the size of the B&N-reader cohort will make the publishers more amenable to the idea. But I could just be a crazy dreamer.

Ocean · 12-07-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieScratch

the publishers won't allow it--some won't allow any lending at all.

And BN knew this could happen when they started trumpeting it as a big difference maker between the Nook and the Kindle.

Why didn't they fight for the customers...instead of hoping the customers would fight for themselves?

basschick · 12-07-2009, 01:42 AM

what makes you think they didn't fight for the customers? we wouldn't know. mainstream publishers are the worst part of the entire reading - and ereading - experience. they're ignorant, greedy and outdated, but at least they maintain a high level of stubbornness

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ocean

And BN knew this could happen when they started trumpeting it as a big difference maker between the Nook and the Kindle.

Why didn't they fight for the customers...instead of hoping the customers would fight for themselves?

Andanzas · 12-07-2009, 05:49 AM

Bezos:

Quote:

We have a long tradition of not talking about other companies, which I’ll stick to, except if you ask me again

Hogan · 12-07-2009, 06:56 AM

Hmm, Mr Bezos was a little defensive in that interview!! Rude even. Was there a reason for this? Has he a history with the interviewer?

Wetdogeared · 12-07-2009, 08:34 AM

I'm no fan of Bezos or Amazon but you have attributed the quote "No comment on the Nook, but do you know how lame lending is?" to him in your thread title, and it is not in the news article referenced.

abookreader · 12-07-2009, 09:09 AM

rude and sarcastic is pretty much par for the course in regards to Bezos but Sophie's choice is a kinda funny shot. Hey, it isn't his job to be fair and partial. He is the Amazon guy.

Industry rumor has it that Barnes and Noble originally wanted a much more robust LendMe program - as in the user may lend this book out over and over but only one reader at a time will have the book. Publishers balked like no tomorrow and Barnes and Noble had to keep scaling back to get any agreement.

As it stands right now current estimate is about "half" the Barnes and Noble digital titles are lendable but there is no news on which half..... are these ancient backlists with little interest anyway or new releases? It is very hard to get answers and from what I hear Barnes and Noble is still pushing hard with the various Publishers to get them to participate.

nick101 · 12-07-2009, 09:10 AM

Supplier critical of rival supplier.

Bears defecate in woods.

Pope revealed to be catholic.

And in other news ...

rcuadro · 12-07-2009, 09:50 AM

I think people are going to get frustrated with the lending feature anyhow. As it is You can share books with the devices on the same account. All you have to do it put a Kindle on an account, send a book, and put it back on your account and you are good to go

daffy4u · 12-07-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abookreader

rude and sarcastic is pretty much par for the course in regards to Bezos but Sophie's choice is a kinda funny shot. Hey, it isn't his job to be fair and partial. He is the Amazon guy.

The "Sophie's Choice" line was made by the reviewer, Bezos just appreciated it.

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12-06-2009, 11:13 PM	#2
Nitrousoxide Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: None	And yet, the Kindle has no lending. I'll take lame lending over no lending any day.

12-06-2009, 11:31 PM	#3
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	Bezos dislikes any good idea he didn't think of first

12-07-2009, 12:45 AM	#5
m-reader Guru Posts: 785 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-300. PRS-650, PRS-900, iPad2, Iconia A500, Irex Iliad (sold)	I didn't really expect him to praise the competition either. Thorny question for Mr Bezos, lame answer ...

12-07-2009, 01:02 AM	#6
MaggieScratch Has got to the black veil Posts: 542 Karma: 2144168 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania Device: Kobo Aura One, Kindle Paperwhite 2	My understanding is that B&N would like readers to be able to lend books more than once, but the publishers won't allow it--some won't allow any lending at all. However, since the capability is on the device, perhaps they are hoping that customers will demand more liberal lending policies, and the size of the B&N-reader cohort will make the publishers more amenable to the idea. But I could just be a crazy dreamer.

12-07-2009, 06:56 AM	#10
Hogan Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 5228 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ireland Device: Motorola Xoom	Hmm, Mr Bezos was a little defensive in that interview!! Rude even. Was there a reason for this? Has he a history with the interviewer?

12-07-2009, 08:34 AM	#11
Wetdogeared Storm Surge'n Posts: 5,780 Karma: 8213195 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Polar Vortex Device: S0ny PRS-300/350/505/700/T1	I'm no fan of Bezos or Amazon but you have attributed the quote "No comment on the Nook, but do you know how lame lending is?" to him in your thread title, and it is not in the news article referenced.

12-07-2009, 09:09 AM	#12
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	rude and sarcastic is pretty much par for the course in regards to Bezos but Sophie's choice is a kinda funny shot. Hey, it isn't his job to be fair and partial. He is the Amazon guy. Industry rumor has it that Barnes and Noble originally wanted a much more robust LendMe program - as in the user may lend this book out over and over but only one reader at a time will have the book. Publishers balked like no tomorrow and Barnes and Noble had to keep scaling back to get any agreement. As it stands right now current estimate is about "half" the Barnes and Noble digital titles are lendable but there is no news on which half..... are these ancient backlists with little interest anyway or new releases? It is very hard to get answers and from what I hear Barnes and Noble is still pushing hard with the various Publishers to get them to participate.

12-07-2009, 09:10 AM	#13
nick101 Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 1248 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Milton Keynes UK Device: Sony PRS-600 Touch, iPhone	Supplier critical of rival supplier. Bears defecate in woods. Pope revealed to be catholic. And in other news ...

12-07-2009, 09:50 AM	#14
rcuadro Wizard Posts: 1,686 Karma: 874275 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Device: Kindle DX	I think people are going to get frustrated with the lending feature anyhow. As it is You can share books with the devices on the same account. All you have to do it put a Kindle on an account, send a book, and put it back on your account and you are good to go

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