Reading ebooks on the Apple iPad’s big screen will probably be more enjoyable than reading on the Amazon Kindle or the Kindle app on the iPhone. (Some people may prefer actual books.)
The iPad should be a good e-reader, a product Amazon will welcome
But will it matter if you’re reading an ebook using the Kindle app on the iPad or Apple’s new iBook app? Frankly, I don’t think it will make much difference, especially when you consider that Amazon will certainly revise the fine Kindle app to take advantage of the iPad’s 9.7-inch screen. (Steve Jobs said all the apps on the iPhone will work on the iPad.)
Michael Hiltzik, writing for the LA Times, said “It’s hard to see the iPad as anything other than a mortal threat to Amazon.com’s market-leading Kindle reader.”
That’s a completely ridiculous notion.
Why? Simple. I can download ebooks from Amazon for a variety of prices, with best-sellers going for $9.99. So why would I pay $12.99 or $14.99 for the iBook version (what Apple is expected to charge) if I can download the Kindle app for free and buy the book for less?
I don’t know what Apple plans to charge for older titles, non-best sellers or editions recently released in paperback. I just bought the Kindle version of Steven L. Kent’s new book, “The Clone Betrayal” for $6.39. (Steven’s a friend and fine author. If you like Sci-Fi, check him out. Start with “The Clone Republic.”)
Hiltzik argues that people won’t buy Kindles anymore — particular the big DX model — because it’s priced similarly (currently $489) to the low-end Apple iPad ($499). That may be true. Also, it may be true that the standard Kindle ($259) will suffer a sales loss.
(On the nationally syndicated First Business TV show, I note that a $199 Kindle could be coming.)
But I suspect Amazon will be just as happy selling you an ebook than a Kindle. The iPad will help Amazon sell books — at prices consumers will prefer. Amazon has proven to be a very savvy book seller.
Here’s a statement Amazon spokesperson Andrew Herdener sent to CNET’s Crave blog for a story: “Customers can read and sync their Kindle books on iPhones, iPod touches, PCs, and soon Blackberrys, Macs, and iPads.”
Amazon sells books. The Kindle is one delivery device and the Apple iPad is another. Calling the iPad a mortal threat to Amazon is just silly.
One Comment
I still love printed books. I love going to used bookstores. I think they will survive just fine, no matter what all these e-readers can do.
2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
A Kindle killer? Not the Apple iPad. There's a flaw in Apple's iBook plan. http://bit.ly/bCwYQ9
rt @wired Five iPhone apps we can't wait to see on iPad http://bit.ly/cLdorv & my view of the iPad's flaw: http://bit.ly/bCwYQ9
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