Book-Diva

Are Ebooks now the Trend?

Informationweek just reported that ebooks outsold books for Amazon on Christmas Day:

"Amazon sold more electronic books than physical books on Christmas Day, due to the popularity of the Kindle e-reader, the online retailer reported. It was the first time e-books had led in sales.

In addition, the Kindle has become the most gifted item ever on Amazon, according to the company, which did not release sales numbers. "

India's Not Into Kindle, or any Ereader

India, as one of the more technologically savy societies in the developing word, seems to have an aversion to the Kindle and other ereaders.  The cost of a Kindle with taxes is nearly $350, which is much too expensive for many.

Its interesting in this article that Forrester reports that even US customers feel that a fair price of an ereader is $50-$99. 

At what price do you think will convince most readers to adopt an ereader?

ebooks - The iPod Moment for Novels?

As you will often see on Book-Diva.NET, I often reference other authors, articles or blogs that pertain to the publishing and writing world.  In particular, I focus very heavily on ebooks and their effect on the physical form-factor of the book.  I came across an interesting quote from Tim Adams from The Observerin a recent article:

"This Christmas may well mark the moment when the Nintendo idea of writing – and reading – takes precedence over the DeLillo idea of it. The growth in sales of the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader – which can store thousands of texts, classic and otherwise, and which may eventually provide digital access to every book ever written – suggests that we are at an iPod moment: books, in particular novels, may well be about to face the fate of records and CDs."

What caught my interest is the term, the "iPod moment."  If we are truly at the "iPod moment" of the book industry, is that truly such a bad thing?  Many users of the iPod are eternally devoted to this device and the iPhone for its ability to be customized and personalized.  They can create their own playlists and download the applications that they want, all in the name of personal content consumption.

Isn't this just what the traditional book format has done for us the past couple of thousand years?

Amazon Looking to Have a Physical Presence?

Interesting article on Amazon potentially becoming a physical retailer from the BookSeller:

"Amazon has denied reports that it has embarked on a "secret search for bricks-and-mortar stores" in the U.K., in what was thought to be a move to pick up on customer demand for "click and collect" services.

The original report, which appeared in the Sunday Times over the weekend (Dec. 6), claimed the e-tail giant was "scouring the country for high-profile sites just as the Borders book chain is shutting up shop."

But the Press Association is today (Dec. 7) reporting a denial from the firm. An Amazon spokesman was reported as saying: "We have no plans to open physical stores anywhere in the world."

Previously, U.S.-based analysts have argued having physical stores could give Barnes & Noble an advantage over Amazon in the e-reader wars, as it allows consumers to use the device, and read books onsite for free using WiFi.

However, the Sunday Times suggested Amazon's focus with these stores would be larger goods that are typically difficult to deliver.

The source was quoted as saying: "When Amazon was just selling books and CDs that fitted easily through the letterbox it was fine to be a Web-only business, but now it has branched out into everything from children's bikes to electricals it believes it could boost sales by having stores that offer a collection point for shoppers.""

Dan Brown book selling better on Kindle than hardcover

CNET reports that Dan Brown's latest book "The Lost Symbol" is selling more electronic copies on its Kindle platform rather than the hardcopy version.  This does not seem to be the case with other booksellers.  However, what I find curious is that Random House, the publisher, was not even going to release a Kindle version of the book but reluctantly relented.

Could this be the beginning of a trend?