For the most part I keep topics related to technology and software in particular confined to my technical blog. This blog is, after all, about my literary pursuits. But every once in a while a topic emerges that blurs those lines. Of late, there's been no greater such subject than eReaders, eBooks, and the resulting changes in the publishing industry.
Now, the game is about to change once more as Apple is set to unveil their version of the tablet computer this
week. Tablets are nothing new, but they've failed to gain a foothold beyond utilitarian use. There's no doubt Apple's products are revolutionary, evolutionary, and everything in-between (look no further than the iPod or iPhone). Now, if the sheer number of rumors hold any weight, Apple is about to change the eReader market.
Or maybe not.
Rumors News reports price the Apple iPad iSlate (or whatever they wind up calling it) at $499 and up $1000. Yet in an informal poll conducted by Retrevo, 70% of consumers would not be interested in purchasing an iSlate if it's priced higher than $700. Further, Retrevo found roughly half the respondents said they "didn’t think they needed a tablet computer" at all.
Also, compare the rumored $1000 price point with Kindle's current price of $259. The iSlate is supposed to do a whole lot more than just serve as an eReader, but c'mon. For someone who just wants to read eBooks on a small, lightweight device, I think the choice is an easy one.
Even if you never buy an iSlate, however, you still might feel its impact. Publishers are decreeing Apple as their savior (or at least they're hoping they are), largely because Amazon has been lowering consumer's expectations with regard to pricing. I'm not just talking eBooks here, either. Late last year Amazon, Walmart, and later Target engaged in a price war over newly released hardcovers when they dropped prices as low as $9. Now, the publishers aren't losing money when retailers choose to lower their prices by that much since Walmart, Amazon, Target, and others still pay whatever the publisher charges. But how long before those same retailers cry uncle and raise prices, all the while lamenting how greedy publishers have forced them to do so because they will not lower their prices. The backlash could be catastrophic to an already reeling publishing industry.
That's where Apple's role as savior comes in. Apple energized and legitimized the online music world with the introduction of the iPod and iTunes store. Publishers are hoping they'll do the same with eBooks. Also, by making their own deals with Apple, publishers hope to wrest back some leverage over pricing from Amazon.
Personally, I'm curious to see what capabilities Apple's new tablet might have (though I've no intention of purchasing one; I'm quite happy with my Kindle). I'm particularly interested in the possibility of Apple selling eBooks on iTunes and if they'll open that possibility to authors similar to how Amazon opened the Kindle store. Last, but not least, I'm looking forward to January 27 (the day of Apple's unveiling) if only to expunge the rumors and finally breath some reality into this story.
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