Kindle Killer

[TheQueen]

Kindle killer
Amazon's behind-the-scenes battle with publishers shows how the iPad is already making its mark
By Laura Miller

http://salon.com/books/laura_miller/2010/02/01/macmillan_vs_amazon/md_horiz.jpg

Over the weekend, a momentous game of chicken took place in the book industry. As the dust clears, it looks like the world will be a much less friendly place for Amazon.com's e-reader device, the Kindle.

After negotiations on e-book pricing between Amazon and publisher Macmillan broke down on Thursday, Amazon retaliated by removing all Kindle editions of Macmillan books from its online store. It even went so far as to stop direct sales of the print editions of Macmillan titles, as well. (Customers could still buy the print books via Amazon, but only through third-party sellers and without the minimum-order shipping discounts and other benefits of buying directly from Amazon.) Sunday night, a posting from Amazon's "Kindle Team" announced that the company would capitulate to Macmillan's demands, but as of this writing, you still can't buy such bestsellers as Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall" or Robert Jordan's "The Gathering Storm" from Amazon in either Kindle or print editions.

This dust-up is the culmination of a long-standing feud between Amazon and book publishers. What triggered it, however, is something new: the introduction of Apple's iPad.

CONTINUE READING (http://salon.com/technology/apple/index.html?story=/books/laura_miller/2010/02/01/macmillan_vs_amazon)

[pinkrose]

I still say that's a very bad name. :lookaroun

[Shannon]

I still say that's a very bad name. :lookaroun

Oh my yes. I can't believe no one stopped while they were making this thing and said "You know, this name sounds like something else."

[figmentmom]

You know, I have to admit that while in theory I like the idea of owning a Kindle (or an iPad), in actual fact, I like reading a good old-fashioned BOOK. You know, one you can take to the beach, or read in the bathtub, or wherever. Kindles don't seem to like sand (or water, either, for that matter). :lookaroun And there's just something about a book that is satisfying in ways a Kindle is not.

[Oscar Brito]

You know, I have to admit that while in theory I like the idea of owning a Kindle (or an iPad), in actual fact, I like reading a good old-fashioned BOOK. You know, one you can take to the beach, or read in the bathtub, or wherever. Kindles don't seem to like sand (or water, either, for that matter). :lookaroun And there's just something about a book that is satisfying in ways a Kindle is not.

I feel the same way. Besides, my eyes feel funny after reading too much off a screen.

I'm not sure how the whole ebooks thing works...but why not have a standard format that can be read on all of these devices (and one standard price for everyone...like a book).

[Barnum42]

You know, I have to admit that while in theory I like the idea of owning a Kindle (or an iPad), in actual fact, I like reading a good old-fashioned BOOK. You know, one you can take to the beach, or read in the bathtub, or wherever. Kindles don't seem to like sand (or water, either, for that matter). :lookaroun And there's just something about a book that is satisfying in ways a Kindle is not.

Agreed. Flicking through a real book is far more satisfying. The sound of the pages, the smell of the paper the actual touch of the pages. Something real and solid in a virtual world.

There's also something comforting about walking into a house and seeing books on shelves. A small flat screen with a browse facility does not match up to that.

[figmentmom]

Agreed. Flicking through a real book is far more satisfying. The sound of the pages, the smell of the paper the actual touch of the pages. Something real and solid in a virtual world.

There's also something comforting about walking into a house and seeing books on shelves. A small flat screen with a browse facility does not match up to that.

That's EXACTLY it. Something real and solid in a virtual world - and seeing books on shelves! :yes

[Doug11]

I don't know . . . have you actually seen a Kindle? The pages are shown just as they appear in the book, and you can easily adjust the font size to suit your eyesight (an issue for some of us ). The pages turn with the flick of a finger and even make a little page turning sound if you want.

As you can tell, we have been very happy with the Kindle and won't lightly toss it aside for the new Apple product which is significantly more expensive.

All that said, one of the key features making the Kindle attractive is the low cost and easy download of new book selections, so if that goes away . . .

[figmentmom]

I don't know . . . have you actually seen a Kindle? The pages are shown just as they appear in the book, and you can easily adjust the font size to suit your eyesight (an issue for some of us ). The pages turn with the flick of a finger and even make a little page turning sound if you want.

As you can tell, we have been very happy with the Kindle and won't lightly toss it aside for the new Apple product which is significantly more expensive.

All that said, one of the key features making the Kindle attractive is the low cost and easy download of new book selections, so if that goes away . . .

Yes, I borrowed Jason's Kindle when I was out in Minneapolis this last time. It's still too virtual for me, I guess. :blush

[Shannon]

I'm with you Mary. I need to feel the book and the pages. I like to feel like I'm living with the book in a way. Plus, like Oz, my eyes hurt after staring at a screen for too long

[figmentmom]

Plus, if it's a book I own, I can dog-ear the page corners if there's a paragraph or turn of phrase that I especially like. And if it's one of those Russian novels where everyone has three names used interchangeably, I can keep turning back to check that I've got the right character in mind. LOL

[Doug11]

with Kindle, you can input the word or phrase you like and be taken right there. :D

Face it, you are a tree killer. :point:

just kidding - :lol

[figmentmom]

with Kindle, you can input the word or phrase you like and be taken right there. :D

Face it, you are a tree killer. :point:

just kidding - :lol

Tree-hugger, tree-killer - I've been called all kinds of things! :)

[Hooker]

Kindle =:thumbs Joy's came in a couple of days ago and she's downloading and reading, so far enjoying it. And, it makes for EASY gift-giving for me. Anniversary? Download yourself a book on Kindle. Valentine's Day? Kindle it!

[Oscar Brito]

How about the Nook? :lookaroun