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Amazon Prime’s new killer app: Kindle books by subscription

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Re: Amazon Prime’s new killer app: Kindle books by subscription

#21

Post by sliverstorm »

drivebyacct2 wrote: post #11
ComputerGuru wrote: post #10

"one book a month" That makes it pretty much useless. EDIT I guess I'm just not the target audience. For the record, I borrow three longer novels from the local library every one or two weeks (depending on how busy I am with work and life).

For you, maybe, but that's awfully short sighted. It's an insanely cheap way to intice people to buy a Kindle device. I don't have a lot of time to read, but Kindle's are cheap compared to the price of books. I was considering getting a Kindle but chickened out because I don't read as often as I might like, but now, with a free book a month? I'm probably going to pick it up for Christmas. I have to think this will co…

I don't read as often as I might like

The Kindle doesn't have to fall victim to that- it can be a tool to fight it.

I have found the instant availability of a vast library of titles, combined with the portability and excellent reading experience, has helped me get back into books.

Re: Amazon Prime’s new killer app: Kindle books by subscription

#22

Post by prodigal_erik »

Cool. I'm a lot less uncomfortable with DRM-restricted content on a limited appliance, if it's presented honestly as a temporary rental on subsidized hardware that's substantially cheaper than a legitimate purchase including first-sale rights.

I'm surprised the time period is so much longer than it takes to read one book, though. Netflix got a very strong start offering "keep n DVDs, we don't care which ones, swap them every day or two if USPS can keep up". An all-you-can-eat version of this for $50ish/month would be compelling.

Re: Amazon Prime’s new killer app: Kindle books by subscription

#26

Post by jamesaguilar »

sliverstorm wrote: post #18
res0nat0r wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

12 free books a year say at average cost of $10 is still $120 of added value to a Prime subscription.

Plus that's still more books than the average American reads every year.

I'd wager the average Kindle owner is not the same as the average American in this regard.

Re: Amazon Prime’s new killer app: Kindle books by subscription

#27

Post by baddox »

thomasgerbe wrote: post #3

“One book can be borrowed at a time, and there are no due dates. You can borrow a new book as frequently as once a month, directly on your registered Kindle device, and you will be prompted to return the book that you are currently borrowing.” Hmm only once a month? That seems rather low.

Once a month seems extremely reasonable to me, but obviously it all depends on your personal reading habits. I read every day on the train to work, and it takes me about 2 months to finish a 1000 page novel.

Re: Amazon Prime’s new killer app: Kindle books by subscription

#28

Post by baddox »

jamesaguilar wrote: post #26
sliverstorm wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Plus that's still more books than the average American reads every year.

I'd wager the average Kindle owner is not the same as the average American in this regard.

What makes you think that? With the low price of the Kindle, I could see even very casual readers picking one up and not using it much.

Re: Amazon Prime’s new killer app: Kindle books by subscription

#29

Post by tomjen3 »

This could be the start of a good thing, but I am really itching for them to get a more reasonable limit to how often you can get a new book, not because I read that much but because I don't waste time on books that aren't great.

However I see no reason for them to not included any book in the offer. If a particular publisher isn't interested remove his book from Amazon completely.

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