Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Warner Bros. intros 'Inside the Script' eBook series, gives film buffs a deeper look]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/warner-bros-inside-the-script-ebooks/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/warner-bros-inside-the-script-ebooks/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/warner-bros-inside-the-script-ebooks/#comments Warner Bros. intros 'Inside the Script' eBook series, gives film buffs a deeper look

From time to time, we see movie studio Warner Bros. bring forth ways to give its oldies-but-goodies a longer life span. On this occasion, Warner's launching a novel eBook series titled "Inside the Script." The new release will give movie buffs a deeper look into a handful of the studio's films, which will include tidbits such as complete shooting scripts, deets about the flick's development and other "rare" goods. At launch, Warner will offer classics like Casablanca, Ben-Hur, An American in Paris and North by Northwest -- all available now on iBooks, Kindle and B&N's NOOK for $10 each. Those eager to flip through the antique pages can head to the source below, where you'll be able to grab the version best suited for your device.

Continue reading Warner Bros. intros 'Inside the Script' eBook series, gives film buffs a deeper look

Warner Bros. intros 'Inside the Script' eBook series, gives film buffs a deeper look originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 23:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>an american in parisAnAmericanInParisBen-Hurcasablancae booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersebook seriesEbookSeriesibookstoreinside the scriptinside the script seriesInsideTheScriptInsideTheScriptSerieskindlekindle storeKindleStoreminipostnooknook storeNookStorenorth by northwestNorthByNorthwestwarnerwarner brosWarner Bros.Warner BrothersWarnerBrosWarnerBros.WarnerBrothersTue, 01 May 2012 23:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple gearing up for 'media-related announcement' later this month?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/02/apple-media-related-announcement-this-month-rumor/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/02/apple-media-related-announcement-this-month-rumor/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/02/apple-media-related-announcement-this-month-rumor/#comments Leave it to Apple to completely avoid CES, yet be one of the largest stories surrounding its dates. Much like last year's invite to what would eventually be the introduction of Verizon's iPhone 4, All Things D has it on good authority that the folks in Cupertino are spending their first hours back on the job planning a "media-related announcement" for later this month. Contrary to earlier beliefs, we're told by All Things D that this particular event won't be related to the next-gen iPad, and it's also "unlikely" to be connected to a "large-scale rethinking of its interactive television initiative."

So, knowing what it won't entail... what will be talked about? According to unnamed sources, Apple SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue is reportedly involved. For those unaware, Cue is responsible for a sizable chunk of Apple's media units, not the least of which include the App Store, iBookstore, iTunes Store and iCloud. Sadly, details outside of that are few and far betwixt, but you can bet we'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more -- even if it's smack-dab in the middle of a Sony CES keynote. Cough.

Update: TechCrunch is reporting that it'll focus on the publishing sector, with no new hardware whatsoever on tap.

Update 2: Clayton Morris has chimed in and confirmed that it'll be related to iTunes.

Apple gearing up for 'media-related announcement' later this month? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementappleapple tvAppleTve-readerEddy CueEddyCueibookstoreinteractiveinternetiosipadiphonemediarumorrumoredrumorssoftwareMon, 02 Jan 2012 16:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Random House switches e-book pricing models, clears way for entrance into iBookstore]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/01/random-house-switches-e-book-pricing-models-clears-way-for-entr/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/01/random-house-switches-e-book-pricing-models-clears-way-for-entr/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/01/random-house-switches-e-book-pricing-models-clears-way-for-entr/#comments Well, it looks like the last major holdout from Apple's iBookstore could soon be joining its rivals on iOS devices -- Random House announced today that it's abandoning its current pricing model for e-books in favor of the so-called "agency pricing" that Apple insists on. That model requires publishers to set the retail prices of their books with the bookseller getting a 30 percent cut of each sale -- as opposed to the traditional wholesale model that lets retailers set the price of books and even sell them at a loss (as Amazon has done in the past). As the Wall Street Journal notes, the agency model has been criticized by some (including Random House previously) for effectively eliminating discounting and guaranteeing retailers a profit on each book they sell. Of course, Random House hasn't yet officially announced that it will be joining the iBookstore ranks, but this news does certainly line up nicely with a little event tomorrow.

Random House switches e-book pricing models, clears way for entrance into iBookstore originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agency pricingAgencyPricingapplee booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersebookebooksibooksibookstorerandom houseRandomHouseTue, 01 Mar 2011 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple developing iNewsstand to support iBooks?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/17/apple-developing-inewsstand-to-support-ibooks/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/17/apple-developing-inewsstand-to-support-ibooks/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/17/apple-developing-inewsstand-to-support-ibooks/#commentsApple developing iNewsstand to support iBooks?Apple has been doing what it can to bring publications of a more periodical nature to the iPad and other iDevices, but hasn't exactly offered a stunning portfolio of papers and such. That's set to change according to a Bloomberg report citing the ever popular people "familiar with the matter," indicating that Apple is currently building partnerships with various parties to develop pricing strategies to bring that content to consumers. This will supposedly be presented through a new storefront especially dedicated to periodical content, which could be launching as soon as a few months from now -- though there is also speculation that Apple will sit on it until the launch of a next-gen iPad. There are a number of roadblocks, including an apparent resistance from Apple to release the specific sales metrics that publishers want to tailor their content. Oh, and there's the traditional 30 percent cut of revenue rubbing some the wrong way. Will Apple succeed in bringing all these pubs together? It's certainly succeeded at herding the music industry...

Apple developing iNewsstand to support iBooks? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleibookibooksibookstoreinewsstandipadiphoneipodmagazineperiodicalFri, 17 Sep 2010 21:07:00 EST<![CDATA[iPad corners 22 percent of ebook market, iBooks gets iPhone version and PDF reader]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/ipad-corners-22-percent-of-ebook-market-gets-pdf-reading-abilit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/ipad-corners-22-percent-of-ebook-market-gets-pdf-reading-abilit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/ipad-corners-22-percent-of-ebook-market-gets-pdf-reading-abilit/#comments Apple has just announced that the iPad has collected 22 percent of ebook sales since its launch and is about to get new features too. A PDF viewer is going to be thrown into the iBooks app later this month, and will be accompanied by new bookmarking and note-taking functionality. Yeah, they're basic enhancements at best, but we're still trying to wrap our minds around this idea that Apple is already responsible for nearly a quarter of all ebook sales. Then again, as Steve points out, a cool five million of the darn things have been downloaded in the first 65 days of the iPad's availability.

Update: Seems like even five mill ain't gonna be enough for Apple, which is set to massively expand its iBooks user base by bringing the app to iPhone and iPod touch users. You'll be getting the same note-taking, same bookmarking -- same everything -- just on a smaller screen, and at no extra charge. Users will be able to purchase a book on one device and then consume it across the full range of iDevices, with bookmarks and progress getting synced across the ether.

Gallery: iPad corners 22 percent of ebook market, gets PDF viewer

Gallery: iBooks for iPhone




Check out more from WWDC 2010 in our liveblog!

iPad corners 22 percent of ebook market, iBooks gets iPhone version and PDF reader originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadbookmarkingbookmarksbreaking newsBreakingNewsdatadownloadsebookebooksfiguresibooksibookstoreipadiphoneipod touchIpodTouchnote-takingnotespdfpdf readerpdf viewerPdfReaderPdfViewersalesstatsupdatewwdcwwdc 2010wwdc10Wwdc2010Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[UK iBookstore surprise: premium content appears]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/uk-ibookstore-surprise-premium-content-appears/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/uk-ibookstore-surprise-premium-content-appears/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/uk-ibookstore-surprise-premium-content-appears/#commentsUK's iBookstore gets some premium content, contrary to earlier statements The iPad has officially hit Europe today (though some lucky duckies got theirs a bit early), and contrary to earlier descriptions of the iBookstore as being "US only" it seems UK virtual bookshelves are now receiving some decidedly in-copyright texts to fill in the gaps between the dusty, out-of-copyright volumes previously available. Prices are displayed in the local currency, nice for those living in fear of the NWO, and purchases are made in just two taps. So, UK owners, download yourself a new book, find a comfy chair, pour a nice cuppa, and enjoy your weekend with your new toy.

UK iBookstore surprise: premium content appears originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadbookepubepublishingibookstoreipadukFri, 28 May 2010 07:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple will open international Stores early for iPad launch this Friday, iBooks app available now]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/apple-will-open-international-stores-early-for-ipad-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/apple-will-open-international-stores-early-for-ipad-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/apple-will-open-international-stores-early-for-ipad-launch/#comments Apple may be a despot of its own walled garden, but that doesn't mean it's not benevolent. The iPad's international launch on May 28 has prompted the company to open Stores an hour early, at 8AM local time, in order to give its devotees a reprieve from hours of queuing outside. Then again, that little asterisk up there points us to an ominous "while supplies last" note at the bottom, which together with current pre-orders being fulfilled at some unidentified point in June, might force the most impatient to just get to the Store even earlier. UK buyers will get an alternative option thanks to Dixons Group stocking Apple's slate in Currys and PC World outlets, an arrangement that we keep hearing might be exclusive for the first sixty days after launch. Either way, you've been warned, don't be tardy if you wanna be trendy.

P.S. The iBooks app has also made its debut outside of the US today, though at present it's limited to just freebie titles, and the iBookstore is still described as "US only."

Update: The latest we're hearing is that at least some Apple Premium Resellers will also be getting stock of the iPad in the UK -- worth checking out if other options sell out.

Apple will open international Stores early for iPad launch this Friday, iBooks app available now originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 May 2010 06:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadapple retail storeapple storeAppleIpadAppleRetailStoreAppleStorebritaincurrysdixonsdixons groupDixonsGroupearly openingEarlyOpeningeuropeibooksibooks appIbooksAppibookstoreinternationalipadipad launchIpadLaunchlaunchlondonpc worldPcWorldreleaseretailukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomTue, 25 May 2010 06:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple sells 1,000,000 iPads in revolution's first month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/03/apple-sells-1-000-000-ipads-in-revolutions-first-month/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/03/apple-sells-1-000-000-ipads-in-revolutions-first-month/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/03/apple-sells-1-000-000-ipads-in-revolutions-first-month/#comments Steve told us it'd be revolutionary, and if sales are the measure of a device's success, then the iPad seems to be well on track to validating its creator's bold claims. This past Friday, "just 28 days after its introduction," Apple sold its millionth iPad. 1.5 million ebooks have already been downloaded to the device, along with 12 million apps. Steve Jobs has also taken time from his busy essay-writing schedule to remind us that that's less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve the milestone with the original iPhone, and demand for the "magical" slate continues to outstrip supply. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Apple sells 1,000,000 iPads in revolution's first month

Apple sells 1,000,000 iPads in revolution's first month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadbreaking newsBreakingNewsdatadownloadsebooksibookstoreipadnumberssalesstatsMon, 03 May 2010 08:39:00 EST<![CDATA[iPad apps: books and comics galore]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/ipad-apps-books-and-comics-galore/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/ipad-apps-books-and-comics-galore/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/07/ipad-apps-books-and-comics-galore/#comments
Reading on the iPad is something that is part of the device's DNA. Whether or not you think that LED-backlit display is a killer or a cure for the world's third favorite bedtime activity, you can't deny that Apple has pushed the idea of the iPad as e-reader pretty heavily. So, if you've got one you must be thinking about what kinds of reading choices you really have. Unlike a lot of platforms, you're not just locked into Apple's iTunes-integrated iBookstore for getting your textual kicks -- you can also utilize Amazon's Kindle service and a handful of other distribution channels for the books and comics of your choosing. So, which ones stand out? Take a look beyond the break and see our picks for reading on your magical new device. Oh, and be sure to check out our other app roundups right here.

Continue reading iPad apps: books and comics galore

iPad apps: books and comics galore originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeappleapple ipadAppleIpadappsAppStorecomic booksComicBookscomicse booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersEBookEBooksEReaderEReadersfree booksFreeBooksibooksibookstoreidw comicsIdwComicsipadipad app roundupIpadAppRoundupkobomarvelmarvel comicsMarvelComicsreadingreviewyahoo entertainmentYahooEntertainmentWed, 07 Apr 2010 09:54:00 EST<![CDATA[iBooks app meets App Store, produces US-only iBookstore offspring]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/ibooks-app-meets-app-store-produces-us-only-ibookstore-offsprin/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/ibooks-app-meets-app-store-produces-us-only-ibookstore-offsprin/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/ibooks-app-meets-app-store-produces-us-only-ibookstore-offsprin/#comments Get ready to welcome some amazing wood grain effects into your lives, future iPad owners, for the iBooks app has just landed at the App Store. Proudly proclaimed as being "designed exclusively for the iPad," this app gives you direct access to the iBookstore, which will offer free samples of books ahead of purchase and a brand new way for you to channel money into Cupertino pockets. Built-in search, highlighting and bookmarking features are augmented by text-to-speech functionality and ePub format support. Funnily enough, iBooks will only support DRM-free ePub files sourced from outside the iBookstore, but no mention is made as to whether its own wares will be similarly unimpeded. Speaking of restrictions, the whole operation is still limited to the United States, leaving the Stephen Frys of this world sighing wistfully from across the pond.

[Thanks, Brian]

iBooks app meets App Store, produces US-only iBookstore offspring originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeappleapple app storeapple ipadAppleAppStoreAppleIpadapplicationappsAppStorebookstoree-bookse-readerebooksepubibooksibooks appIbooksAppibookstoreipadipad appIpadAppFri, 02 Apr 2010 04:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Seton Hill University hands out iPads to students]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/seton-hill-university-hands-out-ipads-to-students/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/seton-hill-university-hands-out-ipads-to-students/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/seton-hill-university-hands-out-ipads-to-students/#comments
If there's one thing that universities are good at, it's dreaming up trendy technology initiatives. Apple knows that (as does McGraw-Hill) so it's no surprise that the company's been pushing to get the iPad adopted by schools around the country. And so it begins: Seton Hill University, a school in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, has announced that starting this fall all full-time students will get a slate of their own. We thought that the Kindle as textbook replacement idea was a little whackadoodle, and we don't have much hope in the iPad as a textbook replacement either. But if the school's aim is to get students playing Super Monkey Ball and up-to-date on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, then we might have a winner here.

Seton Hill University hands out iPads to students originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadibooksibookstoreipadseton hill universitySetonHillUniversityslatetabletuniversityTue, 30 Mar 2010 14:13:00 EST<![CDATA[iPad trainspotters divine e-book prices, My Documents and more from Oscar night commercial]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/08/ipad-trainspotters-divine-e-book-prices-my-documents-and-more-f/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/08/ipad-trainspotters-divine-e-book-prices-my-documents-and-more-f/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/08/ipad-trainspotters-divine-e-book-prices-my-documents-and-more-f/#comments
Trainspotters, eagle-eyed bloggers, and tech detectives of all stripes have had a field day with last night's iPad commercial. At the very least, we got a pretty good look at some e-book prices, ranging from Ted Kennedy's True Compass: A Memoir ($14.99) to Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World... One Child at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin ($7.99). All gripping reads, for sure, and all more expensive than Amazon. In addition to all that, TUAW has made note of a New York Times button, possibly to bring up NYT bestsellers in the iBookstore. Delving deeper into the UI, a look at the Pages iWork app has revealed a button labeled My Documents (where have we heard that one before?). But Oscar night is not the only place for iPad leaks: according to a tipster named James Barcellano, close viewing of the iPad keynote video has revealed an "Open In..." button during the viewing of a PDF attachment in mail. Perhaps this is an indication that the device's file system will be a tad more open than we were expecting. Or maybe not! You know how these things go. One more pic after the break.

Continue reading iPad trainspotters divine e-book prices, My Documents and more from Oscar night commercial

iPad trainspotters divine e-book prices, My Documents and more from Oscar night commercial originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applee booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readerE-readersebooksibookstoreipadnew york timesNewYorkTimespricerumorslatetabletMon, 08 Mar 2010 17:51:00 EST<![CDATA[HP to undercut iPad price, iPad to undercut Amazon e-books prices, Courier to rule them all?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/hp-to-undercut-ipad-price-ipad-to-undercut-amazon-e-books-price/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/hp-to-undercut-ipad-price-ipad-to-undercut-amazon-e-books-price/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/hp-to-undercut-ipad-price-ipad-to-undercut-amazon-e-books-price/#comments
Today's Apple rumor roundup is brought to you by the word "money." First up is a piece carried by the New York Times citing no less than three people familiar with provisions that would require publishers to discount best seller e-book prices sold on Apple's iPad. In other words, below the $12.99 to $14.99 price dictated by the new agency model -- prices Amazon is being strong-armed into accepting. Apple's prices could be as low as Amazon's previously magical $9.99 price point for some titles just as soon as they hit the New York Times best-seller lists. Discounted hardcover editions could be priced at $12.99 even if they do not hit the best-seller list.

The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, has a pair of sources saying that HP will be meeting with its US and Taiwanese partners to "tweak prices and features" on its upcoming Slate. The move is meant to capitalize on a recent uptick in tablet interest with hopes of undercutting the $629 price of the similarly spec'd 3G-enabled iPad. Although it was introduced before the iPad, HP deliberatly held back on announcing a ship date or pricing so that it could tweak the Slate accordingly.

Also noteworthy is renewed attention given to Microsoft's Courier. The WSJ says that Microsoft continues work on its two-screen Courier tablet at its Alchemy Ventures incubation laboratory in Seattle. However, it's still unclear whether Microsoft will launch the device.

HP to undercut iPad price, iPad to undercut Amazon e-books prices, Courier to rule them all? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agency modelAgencyModelAlchemy VenturesAlchemyVenturesamazonapplecompetitioncouriere booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readerE-readersebookshpibooksibookstoreipadkindlemicrosoftpricesrumorskunkworksslatetabletThu, 18 Feb 2010 02:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple said to be using FairPlay DRM for iBookstore]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/apple-said-to-be-using-fairplay-drm-for-ibookstore/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/apple-said-to-be-using-fairplay-drm-for-ibookstore/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/apple-said-to-be-using-fairplay-drm-for-ibookstore/#comments
Well, it looks like anyone hoping that books on Apple's iBookstore would be as DRM-free as music is on iTunes may be in for a bit of disappointment, as the Los Angeles Times is now reporting that Apple will be making its own FairPlay digital rights management available to any book publishers that wish to use it. Of course, that shouldn't come as a huge surprise considering that Apple still uses FairPlay for movies and TV shows sold on iTunes -- not to mention apps -- and it even still technically supports it for music as well, although it's pretty safe to assume Apple won't be going back down that road anytime soon. For its part, Apple is unsurprisingly staying mum on the matter, but March is fast approaching, so we should know for sure soon enough.

Apple said to be using FairPlay DRM for iBookstore originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadbookbooksdigital rights managementDigitalRightsManagementdrmfairplayfairplay drmFairplayDrmibookibooksibookstoreipadMon, 15 Feb 2010 17:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Rupert Murdoch: Amazon now 'willing to renegotiate' e-book prices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/rupert-murdoch-amazon-now-willing-to-renegotiate-e-book-price/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/rupert-murdoch-amazon-now-willing-to-renegotiate-e-book-price/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/rupert-murdoch-amazon-now-willing-to-renegotiate-e-book-price/#commentsYou didn't think the price hike would stop at Macmillan, did you? In today's News Corp. earnings call, chairman Rupert Murdoch gave indication that his HarperCollins would also soon be changing its e-book prices with Amazon. As relayed by All Things D, the mogul has been unhappy with the $9.99 tier, that Apple's iBookstore "does allow some flexibility and higher prices," and here's the kicker: "And now Amazon is willing to sit down with us again and renegotiate." Nothing's changed yet, but we gotta imagine it's only a matter of time -- not just with HarperCollins, but probably all "big six" publishers before too long.

Rupert Murdoch: Amazon now 'willing to renegotiate' e-book prices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon kindleAmazonKindlebookbusinesse booke-bookEBooki booki bookstoreIBookIBookstorekindlekindle storeKindleStoremurdochpricepricesrupertrupert murdochRupertMurdochsalesTue, 02 Feb 2010 18:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon pulled Macmillan titles due to price conflict -- confirmed (update: they're back!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/31/amazon-pulled-macmillan-titles-due-to-price-conflict-confirme/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/31/amazon-pulled-macmillan-titles-due-to-price-conflict-confirme/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/31/amazon-pulled-macmillan-titles-due-to-price-conflict-confirme/#commentsMacmillan's US CEO, John Sargent just confirmed that Amazon pulled its inventory of Macmillan books in a powerful response to Macmillan's new pricing demands. Macmillan offered the new pricing on Thursday, just a day after Apple announced Macmillan as a major publishing partner in its new iBookstore -- a revelation that certainly factored into the discussions along with Skiff and other emerging e-book distribution and publishing models. During the meeting with Amazon in Seattle, Sargent outlined what he calls an "agency model" that will go into effect in early March. Under the terms offered, if Amazon chose to stay with its existing terms of sale then it would suffer "extensive and deep windowing of titles." Amazon's hardball response was to pull all of Macmillan's titles from its Kindle site and Amazon.com by the time Sargent arrived back in New York.

Macmillan claims that its new model is meant to keep retailers, publishers, and authors profitable in the emerging electronic frontier while encouraging competition amongst new devices and new stores. It gives retailers a 30% commission and sets the price for each book individually: digital editions of most adult trade books will be priced from $5.99 to $14.99 while first releases will "almost always" hit the electronic shelves day on date with the physical hardcover release and be priced between $12.99 and $14.99 -- pricing that will be dynamic over time. So when Steve Jobs said that Apple's and Amazon's prices would be the same, he was almost certainly referring to the $12.99 to $14.99 e-book pricing originally rumored by the New York Times -- not the $9.99 price that Amazon customers have been enjoying so far. Funny how Jobs, the man who once refused to grant the music labels' request for variable pricing on digital music so that Apple could maintain a low fixed $0.99 price per track, is suddenly the best friend of a new breed of content owners. Guess the old dog just learned a new trick, eh?

Update: Amazon has conceded, but not willfully. It has decided to give the consumer the option of paying too much for a bestseller, and frankly, that's the right thing to do. Let 'em vote with their wallets, we say. The full response is after the break.

Continue reading Amazon pulled Macmillan titles due to price conflict -- confirmed (update: they're back!)

Amazon pulled Macmillan titles due to price conflict -- confirmed (update: they're back!) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonapplee booke bookse readere readerse-bookse-readerE-readersebookselectronic booksElectronicBooksibooksibookstoremacmillanpricesretailskiffsteve jobsSteveJobsSun, 31 Jan 2010 04:06:00 EST<![CDATA[iPad iBooks will be US only at launch?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/ipad-ibooks-will-be-us-only/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/ipad-ibooks-will-be-us-only/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/ipad-ibooks-will-be-us-only/#comments Apple Australia just became one of the first international sites to introduce the iPad to its pages. That gives us a pretty good indication of Apple's plans for a global launch: same "late March" ship for Wi-Fi only models and April for 3G models (carrier yet to be announced). Fine, but it's not what we see that has us intrigued so much as what's missing: the iBookstore and any indication of the iBooks app. This doesn't look like an oversight but rather its purposeful removal from any images or feature lists. Guess we shouldn't be too surprised; going back to the press release we see the following: "iBookstore will be available in the US at launch." Seems Apple meant to say, only in the US, eh? Rest easy Bezos, the iPad has a long way to go before it's any competition to the Kindle.

Update: Footnote on the bottom of the Apple Australia iPad site says "iBooks available in the US only." Evidence after the break.

Update 2: UK site is up sans iBooks which doesn't bode well for Europe considering it's the home for many of the world's top publishing houses. One sliver of hope was spotted in the iPad video promo that's footnoted with the following text: "iBooks available in U.S. and select countries." Hopefully soon rather than later. Screenshot after the break. [Thanks, Eytan D]

[Thanks, Robert S.]

Continue reading iPad iBooks will be US only at launch?

iPad iBooks will be US only at launch? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleaustraliaibooksibookstoreinternationalipadusThu, 28 Jan 2010 05:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple reveals iBook Store and app for the iPad]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-reveals-ibooks-store-and-app-for-the-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-reveals-ibooks-store-and-app-for-the-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-reveals-ibooks-store-and-app-for-the-ipad/#comments Put this down as something else rumored that's come to fruition today. Apple's just announced iBooks, an e-reader app and bookstore (called iBookstore) for the iPad, using the ePub format. We're seeing prices around $12.99 to $14.99 so far... looks pretty slick! We're sure Jeff Bezos and Co. are none too pleased to see this one, but we'll have to see for ourselves what reading's like on a non-E Ink screen. There's a gallery after the break.

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Continue reading Apple reveals iBook Store and app for the iPad

Apple reveals iBook Store and app for the iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadapple tabletappleipadAppleTabletbreaking newsBreakingNewse booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readerE-readersebooksepubibooksibookstoreipadlatest creationLatestCreationmedia partnershipMediaPartnershipreadersreadingtabletWed, 27 Jan 2010 13:57:00 EST