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Scribd Challenges Amazon and Apple With ‘Netflix for Books’

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Re: Scribd Challenges Amazon and Apple With ‘Netflix for Books’

#2
Not really a challenge to Apple. Apple doesn't care about books. Any garden you buy an ebook in can be read on an iOS device via ereader apps, including Scribd's app. Apple is happy to let app publishers innovate on software products since they are almost all optimized and catered to iOS users.

Re: Scribd Challenges Amazon and Apple With ‘Netflix for Books’

#3
It would be great if public libraries offered this service (or one like it) to their patrons. My local library offers Overdrive Media Console [1], but the selection always seems to be lacking and the apps are subpar. An electronic rental service with books that people actually want to read would be killer and could save libraries money. My library system has cut back on inter-library requests because of shrinking funding, and an electronic delivery system could help cut costs.

[1] http://omc.overdrive.com

Re: Scribd Challenges Amazon and Apple With ‘Netflix for Books’

#4
Whilst I'm pretty sure I'd use this or something like it, it's kinda sad the traditional libraries I used so much (and for free) when I was younger can't keep up with the pace of convenience. I often wonder how long it'll be before the smaller towns (sadly) lose them completely.

That said, good luck to them :-)

Re: Scribd Challenges Amazon and Apple With ‘Netflix for Books’

#5
Doesn't Amazon already have tie ins with libraries?[1] Combined with the Kindle "lending library" and Amazon's amazing marketing at the moment, I'm not sure they are a company I would want to compete with. Best of luck!

[1] http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=...

Re: Scribd Challenges Amazon and Apple With ‘Netflix for Books’

#6
‘This works so well in video and music. It’s inevitable that there’s something to do here in the book space too’

This works well for the distributor and the consumer but has yet to work well for the producer or the publisher. (note - I recognize it's unpopular to support the publisher in this case)

Re: Scribd Challenges Amazon and Apple With ‘Netflix for Books’

#8
post #6

‘This works so well in video and music. It’s inevitable that there’s something to do here in the book space too’ This works well for the distributor and the consumer but has yet to work well for the producer or the publisher. (note - I recognize it's unpopular to support the publisher in this case)

I'm not sure if "producer or publisher" are supposed to be distinct entities in this context?

Either way, that's not an intuitive conclusion. I've seen a lot of films on Netflix I would have never seen otherwise. Lots of Korean films for example. I can't think of another way I'd have been exposed to this content. So in that respect, if the publisher is seeing any compensation at all it seems like a good investment.

I've also seen a number of older US releases that are on my "eh, got a couple hours to burn, I'll give it a shot" list. I wouldn't have bothered to commit to a $3.99 iTunes rental for those features, but on Netflix it's "sure, why not?".

I (and most people I assumed) don't really have the patience to wait a few years for 1st-tier media to drop on Netflix, so it really doesn't substitute existing consumption.

Except in children's programming I guess now that I think about it. Much more convenient to have Curious George or what have you without the barrage of advertisements on cable.

Re: Scribd Challenges Amazon and Apple With ‘Netflix for Books’

#9
post #4

Whilst I'm pretty sure I'd use this or something like it, it's kinda sad the traditional libraries I used so much (and for free) when I was younger can't keep up with the pace of convenience. I often wonder how long it'll be before the smaller towns (sadly) lose them completely. That said, good luck to them :-)

It varies a lot, depending on what you read. I basically had my local library of classical literature and philosophy all to myself, but I'd have to wait months to get something like the next Harry Potter.

Maybe it's more of a feature than a bug. :)

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