I saw this NYT blog post and retweeted it (props to @datingdad) with “Good for amazon”
My friend Dave (@courier_new) asked some questions clarifying my position, so I thought I’d write my thoughts up (not new here, check the eBooks category) in a bit more than 140 chars.
Publishers are fighting companies like Amazon on eBook pricing. Many have won with agency pricing. Agency pricing lets the publisher set the price and more often than not you see this.
Posted in Business, eBooks, I am a Consumer, I am a Creator, Kindle, Technology, Writing
This will be a short one as it just popped in to my head as I emailed my friend Tim. He sent me a reading list for some Green Lantern comics because i mentioned I was reading some. The Comic reader i use on my Kindle Fire (awesome comic reader, BTW) posts to Facebook when I finish an issue.
Posted in 360Conferences, Business, community, Conferences, eBooks, I am a Consumer, I am a Creator, Random, Technology
Tagged Books, Business, community, Conferences, iPad, Kindle, Technology
My friend Jeffry sent me a Kindle Fire last week. He’s awesome! You should check out his Flex components if you’re a flex/AIR developer looking for some awesome turn key components. Ok that said, he sent me a kindle Fire.
I’ve been a Kindle owner since the K2 came out, and I paid almost $400 for it. I dropped it one morning and busted the screen, and bought a K3 for 1/3 the price of my K2, and I love it. It’s light, easy to use and great at the one thing it does, display words on a readable screen. Continue reading
Posted in eBooks, Google Android, I am a Consumer, I am a Creator, iPhone, Kindle, reviews
Tagged Business, Google Android, iPad, iPhone, iTunes, Kindle, Mac, Technology
I agree that there’s no real reason to not have ads in eBooks. If I can continue to pay what I pay for an ad free version, or pay 1/2 the price for an ad supported book, fine, why not. Some people (like Joe it seems) are totally cool with that. So long as the consumer get’s to vote with their wallet, I’m cool.
Here’s what I think Joe misses from the consumer perspective. I have 2 points
Yes the idea of special discounts is enticing, but we all know that won’t be what we get all the time. Sure to start there will be lots of $10 gets you $20 amazon gift cards, etc. But what about when it’s simply $5 off pampers, or “Check out this new thing, special low price” or worse “Your ad here, advertise to thousands”.
That’s point 1. The ads won’t always be awesome special deals that you’d get no matter what. They’ll become ads. i know this because if nothing else, the wording says so. “…Sponsored screensavers…” that says nothing about special deals, or discounts, or coupon codes. Sure they’ll be there, some will be good (Joe’s fooling himself if he thinks these awesome deals will ONLY be on this platform, the great deals will be available elsewhere), most I’d argue will be “New Ford F150 go buy one!” No discount, nothing, just an ad. Mostly an ad for things we don’t want or care about. Their ads, how many commercials do you watch these days?
Point 2 is. In exchange for being marketed to every time I put my kindle to sleep (so it’s really every time I pick it up and put it down) I save $25 dollars on a kindle? My attention is worth far more than that. For such a trivial amount of money I’m selling my attention, and short of buying a new kindle, there’s no way I can change my mind. Let’s face it, if you’re buying a kindle, $25 is nothing. If you’re so cheap $25 is a make or break the deal point, you won’t be buying a kindle in the first place. Why not sell the ad supported kindle for $50, that’s enticing. That’s a low barrier. Kindle buyers aren’t looking to save small bits of money. Publishers have ensured we’re usually paying more for eBook, than for dead tree now.
I won’t go into ad fulfillment, but how many times can you see an ad for the new F150 before you hate Ford?
By the way, Joe and I have met, he’s an awesome guy, and we mostly agree on ebook stuff, lest someone think this is a snarky attack. It’s not.
Posted in Business, eBooks, I am a Consumer, I am a Creator, Kindle, Technology
