Happy eBirthday
Monday, August 23, 2010 by Matt Mercier
During a regular video chat with my brother a consensus was reached on eBook readers. We both agreed for a whole host of reasons that you can't beat a real book. We mentioned how you can pickup almost anything you want at the library, at no cost, so why would you need to buy a new book, or for that matter invest money on an electronic device. In converting the simplest form of popular media to digital you are now locked into filling it with content that you need to purchase, your old books are not welcome. I figured I would get by with the popular time tested tech of the good old fashioned book, and when I feel the need for new digital content I can refer to the many ebook reader apps for the iPhone.
With that being said 15 minutes ago Lucy and I ordered a Kindle eBook reader for my birthday. Why the flip-flop?
Well, my own situation is that I live overseas and am beholden to the Launceston City Library for all of my reading. Every bit of information that I get about life at home is delivered electronically, and read from a backlit computer screen. Any books I want to read can be downloaded, but again read from either my iPhone, or laptop. A sea change began to occur in my mind as I discussed the idea of a Kindle with my Brother during that video chat. I have a significant number of PDFs that are manuals, and documents that I keep as a library on my computer, and having them in a kindle would be useful. Since I cannot get access to new release books, or anything not available here in Tasmania unless I purchase it in the USA and ship it here, it is actually far easier to purchase a book for $9.99 and read it digitally. With the price of the global Kindle now below $200, I found it had now reached the tipping point where its usefulness for me outweighed my reluctance in adopting new gadgetry.
As soon as I let go of the idea of a kindle being a replacement for the book, and just a very well designed delivery method for significant digital content I validated its place in my library.
I don't expect, or want eBooks to takeover from print books. There will always be a place for printed books, but having a digital alternative is an important step for publishing to take. It is simpler, more economical ( the device pays for itself after the purchase of 11 new release books) and addresses the issue of reading increasing amounts of digital content on a screen that is far easier on the eyes.
The price of $9.99 for a brand new eBook halves the cost of purchasing by more than 50% (if you buy new). According to this post the author makes just over half the amount of royalties on $10 that he would on the price of a $26. You pay significantly less, but the Author doesn't get his percentage cut by the same ratio. This could be good, as more sales are possible. I think that this will make eBooks a good option for Authors who want an alternative to using large publishing houses. This fact of access to a larger audience has more implications than I can figure in a blog post but it clearly could have massive implications for the publishing industry.
As of this moment the Kindle I have ordered is on backorder. It hasn't even been made yet due to a massive demand. Clearly I am not the only one who thinks the tipping point for this technology has been reached. I caution those of you who love reading not to think this is a negative turn, it only makes books and writing more accessible.
I'll keep you posted to the arrival of this device. This is the first gadget I've bought in Australia, and it will be a much appreciated care package from my culture.
Matt
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