What if you consider Apple and Amazon competing from a totally different perspective? Let's say they don't offer competitive devices... rather competitive online shopping experiences!!!
Some points to consider if Apple chooses to compete across the board in online shopping-- it is 3 years later and:
1) Apple has 2 (soon to be 3) proven online stores that sell digital media
2) Apple has millions of customers and millions of credit cards on file for painless shopping.
3) Apple has millions of devices that are a touch away from instant conection to their online stores (anywhere, anytime)
4) the offline distribution of physical goods can be handled by 3rd-party fulfillment houses (Amazon uses these for goods they do not stock themselves)
5) Based on Market Value, Apple could acquire Amazon with its cash reserves. Although, this is not the way Apple [typically] enters a market.
It might explain the need for that North Carolina Server Farm!
I have recently come to believe that the iPhone, iPod Touch and now the iPad are not so much about making calls, playing music, surfing or running apps...
... I tell myself: It's about the shoppng, stupid!
Sony was on their second generation when the Kindle came out. Sony released their 3rd Gen E Ink touch screen after the 1st Gen Kindle.
And it is also incorrect to say that no one heard of the Sony Readers before. Sony partnered with Borders in 2006 (before the Kindle) and had had a presence at every one of Borders stores (the main stores at least, not the Bordres Express stores). Sony had demo units for people to play around with all over Bordres stores (and still do) and have a spot on Border's online store.
I bought a Sony ebook reader so yes clearly some people had heard of them; however, it was the efforts of Amazon with the Kindle that truly brought mainstream attention to e-book readers.
As for whether Sony was on the second or third gen when the Kindle launched; it depends if you count the Japanese only ebook reader Sony released way back in 2005.
I know lots of people love the idea of a stylus but I think it's bygone technology. Multitouch is very cool but can get overly complicated (like a five or seven button mouse), so I see little value in the ability to use limitless touch points.
Agreed that the original stylus has been replaced by the finger, but if you've ever tried doing fine arts on a touchscreen you realise how desperately you need something with a finer tip than the sausages most of us call fingers
Depending on how much they paid, it could be a good acquisition.
...
But I am sceptical that iBooks will outsell the Kindle store.
What Amazon should be doing is plotting a price drop. Both Kindles were ridiculously priced to begin with. The Kindle 2 should be under $100. And the Kindle DX should be under $200.
And as far as technology goes...before worrying about touch-screens (which aren't really all that necessary on an e-reader), colour should be a priority.
Amazon probably bought the company for pocket change, so it does not matter much if they use it successfully or not. At least they'll have the patents in their arsenal.
I think iBooks will outsell the Kindle store many times over because it will provide a much richer reading experience for all ages. Also, Amazon has already lost their pricing advantage. Many people will buy the iPad for other features but also use the iBooks store. iPad is much more suitable for kids, college students etc...
Amazon already has their Kindle ported to the iPhone and iPad but they need to offer a richer experience to attract younger kids and others because the iPad will radically change the whole eBooks industry. They can also leverage other platforms from HP, Google, Palm, Sony etc...
The hardware/software business is cut-throat so... Perhaps Amazon should consider buying Palm in order to offer a richer experience to readers.
Maybe the server farm has a lot to do with Apple is heading?
with all of the information (CC's, names, address etc.) they have a HUGE leg up on just about everyone. As pointed out by someone else here, it's about the shopping.
It won't be long before Apple and company will know;
- What we want
- When we want it
- How much we are willing to spend
- How long we are willing to wait for what we want
- How many "Early" models we will purchase, waiting to get the one we REALLY want
Hell, it won't even be a matter of shopping. Said item(s) will just show up at our door step, without us even had ordering them and we'll be surprised, excited, and wondering why it took so long to get here
I couldn't agree more. What the heck is Amazon thinking here? Next thing you know, Wal-Mart will start building cars and Microsoft will start selling a line of women's underwear.
What is it with these companies that don't understand the importance of focusing on what they're good at?
I couldn't agree more. What the heck is Amazon thinking here? Next thing you know, Wal-Mart will start building cars and Microsoft will start selling a line of women's underwear.
What is it with these companies that don't understand the importance of focusing on what they're good at?
What a dumb idea, here we go again another company stepping outside there core competency. This is as bad as Google trying to be a hardware company. When times get tough and money is short the first place Amazon will cut it this acquisition.
Amazon sell cheap books and provide store store fronts so other can sell cheap stuff, Their last great idea was one-click, ow wait they lost that case.
Depending on how much they paid, it could be a good acquisition.
I really don't see iPad and the Kindle in direct competition. It's more like Kindle and iBooks in direct competition. And on this front, Kindle is strong. Kindle fans tend to be as obsessive about e-ink as Apple fans tend to be about the 'experience'. That's exactly what the Kindle offers to avid readers. A more book reading type experience. A person who spends $489 on a Kindle DX is not likely to be the type of person who will want to read an e-book on a 1.5 pound computer with a glossy screen (though he might get an iPad to watch movies and surf the web when he travels). And they probably aren't going to be all that interested in spending $130 more for the device + $30/mo in data charges with limited global roaming functionality just to get access to content. That's not to say the iPad won't outsell the Kindle. It will. General devices always sell out niche devices. But I am sceptical that iBooks will outsell the Kindle store.
What Amazon should be doing is plotting a price drop. Both Kindles were ridiculously priced to begin with. The Kindle 2 should be under $100. And the Kindle DX should be under $200.
And as far as technology goes...before worrying about touch-screens (which aren't really all that necessary on an e-reader), colour should be a priority.
The Kindle DX cost $10 less, weighs 18.9 ounces vs. the entry iPad's 24 ounces. Not that much different.
The iPad data plan is pay as you go, not a fixed monthly plan.
No one was even talking about the Kindle until the iPad was announced. It has existed for a couple years now but it's already seen as the cheap iPad rip off to many
No one? 3 million "no one" have bought Kindle readers
And on this front, Kindle is strong. Kindle fans tend to be as obsessive about e-ink as Apple fans tend to be about the 'experience'.
Reading from e-Ink and LCD/OLED/CRT screen is totally different expirience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetz
What Amazon should be doing is plotting a price drop. Both Kindles were ridiculously priced to begin with. The Kindle 2 should be under $100. And the Kindle DX should be under $200.
An e-Ink display is very expensive itself. There is only manufacture of e-Ink displays in the world. That's why e-redaer are so expensice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetz
And as far as technology goes...before worrying about touch-screens (which aren't really all that necessary on an e-reader), colour should be a priority.
Yes, it's a point. But think about printed books. It's possible to print books in color, it doesn't cost much more, but the most books are black and white. Why?
Color is mostly critical for magazines, textbooks and kid's books
Comments
Crazy? Maybe so, maybe no!
Consider this Apple patent application from 2006:
http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/200...-patent-f.html
Some points to consider if Apple chooses to compete across the board in online shopping-- it is 3 years later and:
1) Apple has 2 (soon to be 3) proven online stores that sell digital media
2) Apple has millions of customers and millions of credit cards on file for painless shopping.
3) Apple has millions of devices that are a touch away from instant conection to their online stores (anywhere, anytime)
4) the offline distribution of physical goods can be handled by 3rd-party fulfillment houses (Amazon uses these for goods they do not stock themselves)
5) Based on Market Value, Apple could acquire Amazon with its cash reserves. Although, this is not the way Apple [typically] enters a market.
It might explain the need for that North Carolina Server Farm!
I have recently come to believe that the iPhone, iPod Touch and now the iPad are not so much about making calls, playing music, surfing or running apps...
... I tell myself: It's about the shoppng, stupid!
*
Sony was on their second generation when the Kindle came out. Sony released their 3rd Gen E Ink touch screen after the 1st Gen Kindle.
And it is also incorrect to say that no one heard of the Sony Readers before. Sony partnered with Borders in 2006 (before the Kindle) and had had a presence at every one of Borders stores (the main stores at least, not the Bordres Express stores). Sony had demo units for people to play around with all over Bordres stores (and still do) and have a spot on Border's online store.
I bought a Sony ebook reader so yes clearly some people had heard of them; however, it was the efforts of Amazon with the Kindle that truly brought mainstream attention to e-book readers.
As for whether Sony was on the second or third gen when the Kindle launched; it depends if you count the Japanese only ebook reader Sony released way back in 2005.
I know lots of people love the idea of a stylus but I think it's bygone technology. Multitouch is very cool but can get overly complicated (like a five or seven button mouse), so I see little value in the ability to use limitless touch points.
Agreed that the original stylus has been replaced by the finger, but if you've ever tried doing fine arts on a touchscreen you realise how desperately you need something with a finer tip than the sausages most of us call fingers
Depending on how much they paid, it could be a good acquisition.
...
But I am sceptical that iBooks will outsell the Kindle store.
What Amazon should be doing is plotting a price drop. Both Kindles were ridiculously priced to begin with. The Kindle 2 should be under $100. And the Kindle DX should be under $200.
And as far as technology goes...before worrying about touch-screens (which aren't really all that necessary on an e-reader), colour should be a priority.
Amazon probably bought the company for pocket change, so it does not matter much if they use it successfully or not. At least they'll have the patents in their arsenal.
I think iBooks will outsell the Kindle store many times over because it will provide a much richer reading experience for all ages. Also, Amazon has already lost their pricing advantage. Many people will buy the iPad for other features but also use the iBooks store. iPad is much more suitable for kids, college students etc...
Amazon already has their Kindle ported to the iPhone and iPad but they need to offer a richer experience to attract younger kids and others because the iPad will radically change the whole eBooks industry. They can also leverage other platforms from HP, Google, Palm, Sony etc...
The hardware/software business is cut-throat so... Perhaps Amazon should consider buying Palm in order to offer a richer experience to readers.
Time will tell.
Unless Amazon dumps e-ink, this isn't going to improve the Kindle much.
C.
Who says Apple's touch screen cannot detect unlimited touch points? We only have 10 fingers!
If you want to use it with your ass...
PS. maybe one could wipe your ass with it, it is digital paper isnt it?
with all of the information (CC's, names, address etc.) they have a HUGE leg up on just about everyone. As pointed out by someone else here, it's about the shopping.
It won't be long before Apple and company will know;
- What we want
- When we want it
- How much we are willing to spend
- How long we are willing to wait for what we want
- How many "Early" models we will purchase, waiting to get the one we REALLY want
Hell, it won't even be a matter of shopping. Said item(s) will just show up at our door step, without us even had ordering them and we'll be surprised, excited, and wondering why it took so long to get here
Skip
If you want to use it with your ass...
PS. maybe one could wipe your ass with it, it is digital paper isnt it?
Hey, if anyone is interested, I do sell "Custom" rolls of toilet paper
1 roll or a box full
Custom imprint with whatever you want it to say on it. And the imprint is then repeated over and over, till you get to the last piece.
Skip
Hahahahahaha!
I couldn't agree more. What the heck is Amazon thinking here? Next thing you know, Wal-Mart will start building cars and Microsoft will start selling a line of women's underwear.
What is it with these companies that don't understand the importance of focusing on what they're good at?
I couldn't agree more. What the heck is Amazon thinking here? Next thing you know, Wal-Mart will start building cars and Microsoft will start selling a line of women's underwear.
What is it with these companies that don't understand the importance of focusing on what they're good at?
Stupidity and hubris. Always.
Amazon sell cheap books and provide store store fronts so other can sell cheap stuff, Their last great idea was one-click, ow wait they lost that case.
Depending on how much they paid, it could be a good acquisition.
I really don't see iPad and the Kindle in direct competition. It's more like Kindle and iBooks in direct competition. And on this front, Kindle is strong. Kindle fans tend to be as obsessive about e-ink as Apple fans tend to be about the 'experience'. That's exactly what the Kindle offers to avid readers. A more book reading type experience. A person who spends $489 on a Kindle DX is not likely to be the type of person who will want to read an e-book on a 1.5 pound computer with a glossy screen (though he might get an iPad to watch movies and surf the web when he travels). And they probably aren't going to be all that interested in spending $130 more for the device + $30/mo in data charges with limited global roaming functionality just to get access to content. That's not to say the iPad won't outsell the Kindle. It will. General devices always sell out niche devices. But I am sceptical that iBooks will outsell the Kindle store.
What Amazon should be doing is plotting a price drop. Both Kindles were ridiculously priced to begin with. The Kindle 2 should be under $100. And the Kindle DX should be under $200.
And as far as technology goes...before worrying about touch-screens (which aren't really all that necessary on an e-reader), colour should be a priority.
The Kindle DX cost $10 less, weighs 18.9 ounces vs. the entry iPad's 24 ounces. Not that much different.
The iPad data plan is pay as you go, not a fixed monthly plan.
Apple has the cash and cash equivalents of 7.6 billion USD. Amazon has a 52 billion dollar market cap.
http://iphonasia.com/?p=7394 says they have 40
No one was even talking about the Kindle until the iPad was announced. It has existed for a couple years now but it's already seen as the cheap iPad rip off to many
No one? 3 million "no one" have bought Kindle readers
Apple has the cash and cash equivalents of 7.6 billion USD. Amazon has a 52 billion dollar market cap.
Sorry... Apple has current cash position of approx. $40 Billion:
http://www.businessweek.com/technolo..._40_billi.html
at 9:25 AM PST AMZN Market Value
BTW, AMZN has a cash position of $4 Billion:
http://ycharts.com/companies/AMZN
So...
+ $40 Billion AAPL Cash
- $51 Billion AMZN Market Value
+ $4 Billion AMZN Cash
-------------------------------
- $7 Billion Net cost (Stock/Debt) to AAPL to purchase AMZN at Market Value
What's $7 Billion among skilled negotiators?
Close counts... in everything except: Horseshoes, Hand grenades and Dancing!
*
And on this front, Kindle is strong. Kindle fans tend to be as obsessive about e-ink as Apple fans tend to be about the 'experience'.
Reading from e-Ink and LCD/OLED/CRT screen is totally different expirience.
What Amazon should be doing is plotting a price drop. Both Kindles were ridiculously priced to begin with. The Kindle 2 should be under $100. And the Kindle DX should be under $200.
An e-Ink display is very expensive itself. There is only manufacture of e-Ink displays in the world. That's why e-redaer are so expensice.
And as far as technology goes...before worrying about touch-screens (which aren't really all that necessary on an e-reader), colour should be a priority.
Yes, it's a point. But think about printed books. It's possible to print books in color, it doesn't cost much more, but the most books are black and white. Why?
Color is mostly critical for magazines, textbooks and kid's books