Allen Weiner

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Entries Tagged as 'ebooks'


Google Takes Publishers, Consumers to the Cloud

by Allen Weiner  |  December 6, 2010  |  3 Comments

Google’s entry into the digital publishing space with the launch of its eBookstore, partner program and device neutral distribution scheme is a big deal. On first look, there is the significant impact on rivals in the distribution space (Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple and Amazon) as they face new competition. However, as the first “media [...]

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2009 Holiday E-Reader Bonanza Set to Fizzle

by Allen Weiner  |  November 30, 2009  |  1 Comment

As suggested in our research report, “E-Readers Will Take off With Holiday Shoppers in 2010,” Gartner stated that the pieces were not in place for e-readers to be the must-have holiday gift for 2009 and that 2010 was a more likely time for product take-off. Early indications confirm our research with Sony and Barnes and [...]

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Taking a Page from the Apple iPod Marketing Playbook

by Allen Weiner  |  November 24, 2009  |  2 Comments

Kudos to Sony and Random House (U.K.) for some innovative marketing for its ereader. In the U.K., Sony is launching a pink ereader for fans of John Patterson (alas, one of my guilty pleasures). The reader will contain some exclusive content from John Patterson as well as a pre-release version of the latest Alex Cross [...]

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Ereading in South Africa?

by Allen Weiner  |  November 16, 2009  |  2 Comments

Every time I read a blog post, like this one, reviewing the Kindle’s arrive in South Africa, I retreat to the notion that the future of ereading is on smartphones. Even with a slightly less optimal reading experience, the ubiquity of smartphones (not to mention carrier subsidized cost) is too glaring an advantage to ignore.

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John Grisham on The Today Show Talk Ebooks

by Allen Weiner  |  November 4, 2009  |  Comments Off

Author John Grisham talks about the devaluation of books as well as “uncertainty over ebooks” in this insightful interview on NBC’s “The Today Show.”

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John Grisham on Ebooks

by Allen Weiner  |  November 3, 2009  |  1 Comment

Don’t get too excited, in this video, Grisham only acknowledges the fact that ereaders will make an impact on the number of authors who get published (as a result of lower retail prices). The world (or at least those of us who are fans of John Grisham), await the author giving the green flag to [...]

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Author Ebook Royalties in Play

by Allen Weiner  |  October 28, 2009  |  1 Comment

Macmillian, perhaps believing it will face some tight margins as ebooks sales become as competitive as print products have become of late, has rewritten its author contracts, with boilerplate language stating that authors will receive 20% royalty fees on net ebook sales. Many major publishers, including Random House and Simon and Schuster offer authors 25% [...]

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A Barnes and Noble EReader Seems Likely

by Allen Weiner  |  October 9, 2009  |  1 Comment

Putting aside my instincts to avoid writing about rumor (oops. I have said that before), an overwhelming number of published reports indicate that book retailer Barnes and Noble is about to launch an ereader, joining the parade of devices that includes the Kindle, Sony’s family of products and devices soon to launch (Irex), hyped to [...]

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IREX Teams with Verizon, B&N For Its Latest E-Reader Offering

by Allen Weiner  |  September 23, 2009  |  1 Comment

IREX Technologies has announced a new entry into the e-reader space that is sure to turn some heads and offer yet another competitive alternative to Amazon’s Kindle and Sony’s new product lines. Additionally, the new, 8.1-inch IREX DR800SG, adds Verizon to the list of carriers who sense an opportunity in this emerging space. Verizon will [...]

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Is The Courier Microsoft’s Xbox for the E-Reader Space?

by Allen Weiner  |  September 23, 2009  |  1 Comment

Word is leaking out (no doubt from Microsoft itself) on the Courier tablet. Looks very cool but it raises more questions that offers answers. If it’s the device that supports cool Silverlight applications for content providers, it will be quite interesting. So far, Apple has little to worry about if it intends to offer a [...]

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