Amazon Kindle’s biggest competitor? The print book!
As excited as I get about electronic books and all things digital, not everyone feels the same way. When I talk to fellow bookworms, especially those who are middle-aged or so, they merely shrug off ebooks and make up some silly excuse that the screens are too small or they can’t imagine reading so much on a screen (yet they have no problems reading emails, articles, blogs, etc on their computers).
So when I read all these different articles about the Amazon Kindle, and whether the iPhone is a "Kindle-killer" or whether or not the Sony Reader will surpass the Kindle in sales, I secretly think that the Kindle’s biggest competitor is still the print book.
Ebook lovers still have a lot of work to do in convincing skeptics that ebooks aren’t just some elitist alternative to traditional publishing, rather, ebooks are the future of traditional publishing. Yes, ebooks take a little getting used to and publishers cannot yet agree on a standardized format, but that’s just the nature of emerging technology.
Many still hold onto print books as something sacred, which I totally understand. I love the feel, the look and even the smell of a brand new print book I just bought at the bookstore. I remember loving that feeling even in my careless days of high school. Will print books always be around? I don’t know. Much of that answer will depend on how we deal with the environmental impact of cutting down so many trees to make into paper for the books.
My main point is this: As popular as ebooks are becoming, I’m still hard pressed to talk to people who embrace ebooks like I do. I find a few that are willing to give them a shot, to those that want nothing to do with ebooks. The bad news is that I find many more people in the latter category.
What do you think it will take for ebooks to go "mainstream"? Better standards? No DRM? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.
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- Amazon Kindle: You only “rent” the content, you don’t own it
I suspect that the perception of a greater expense for an ereader plus first hand use for people to learn that EInk simply has nothing to do with reading on screen or on a phone, where the backlight contributes to eyestrain. Instead, readers are easier to read than a book (less wrist strain, easier in bed or at a table, no piles of books for a trip or by the sofa, etc), the cost per book is often less (except for a few obnoxious publishers, who deserve to be in financial trouble for price gouging on a lower production cost edition) and that there are many free books (legal) out there (even if libraries are behind in adding support for all the readers).
I love my Kindle; it’s too bad many won’t be able to order one and get it in time for the Christmas, as that will lower sales and ereader acceptance. There is an alternative that may get you a Kindle for Christmas (without resorting to sky-high ebay prices) — the refurbished Kindles keep coming back in stock at Amazon. There were several available on the web site yesterday, appearing at times from very early morning until midnight. From the comments and emails I’ve received from those who grabbed one, there must have been at least dozen in stock in the morning and several more in stock in the afternoon and evening, so it pays to keep checking the link:
http://www.tinyurl.com/RefurbKindle
Note that if the refurbished units are sold out, that page will also display “used” Kindles being sold by third parties, not Amazon. Generally these are new or only slightly used units, sold at a premium due to the shortage. I know that many dozens of the refurbished Kindles have been sold and shipped since Dec 1, but they go in an out of stock quickly. They don’t last on the site very long, so if you want one, you must order it immediately if you find one in stock. If you they are out of stock when you check, be sure to read my blog for tips on getting one:
http://beesontheknob.blogspot.com/
E-reading can be handled by the kindle and other devices, but what about the future of "p-reading" (p = physical)? We’ve still got plenty of people looking to read paperbacks and hardcovers because they either can’t afford an e-device or love the feel of a book. These books are getting increasingly expensive (average NY Times Bestseller is $22, all the way up to $39 per book) so people have begun to look for other book distribution alternatives to lower their costs.
This is where netflix-like book rental companies, such as Bookswim, enter — http://www.bookswim.com. No due dates, no late fees, and free shipping both ways is a good alternative to expensive book purchasing, and a good transition before ebooks really start to fly.
I’m looking forward to the redesign of the Kindle. Let’s see how this increases the spread of ebooks.
-George Burke
Founder, BookSwim.com
Thank you for your comments, I really appreciate it!
@George: You’re right, one of the biggest barriers to ebooks is that the devices are still out of many reader’s price range.
I have heard of BookSwim before (I think I wrote about it on this blog) and think it’s an excellent and unique service!
@Karen: The Kindle is becoming a more and more attractive ereader. I’m using much self-discipline to keep myself from buying one right now. But I already have an iPhone, which works good as an ebook reading device.
Thanks again for your comments!
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Deborah
Term Life Insurance
Hi Deborah!
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it. I hope you visit Brad’s Reader often!