Author Topic: Amazon Now Selling More Kindle Books Than Print Books (Read 4620 times)

roo_ster · « **on:** May 26, 2011, 12:34:32 PM »

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/05/amazon-now-selling-more-kindle-books-than-print-books/239150/

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The Kindle was only released in November of 2007, just three-and-a-half years ago. By 2009, Kindle book sales briefly surpassed print sales on the day after Christmas. In July of 2010, the eBook format overtook hardcovers, and six months later, it surpassed paperbacks.

Today, according to Amazon, eBooks have surpassed print books entirely; they are selling more Kindle editions than they are selling from all of their print formats combined. Since April 1st, they've sold 105 Kindle books for every 100 print editions.

The speed is remarkable, but the outcome doesn't surprise me. I buy almost everything for Kindle now, unless it doesn't have a Kindle edition, or it has lots of pictures that I want to examine in detail. Which is to say, not many. Frequently, if it doesn't have a Kindle edition, I don't order it at all.

And like many Kindle owners, I've found that I buy more books than I used to.

I buy many more new books than I used to, given that the eVersion is usually cheaper and many times comparable to what I'd pay for a used copy. This is true more for Baen than Amazon. Baen's average ebook costs $5, whereas Amazon averages $10.

I also don't have to find space to keep all my pleasure reading.

It is a new world out there, bibliophiles.

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2011, 12:50:43 PM »

Not for me it isn't.

I want books I can hand down to subsequent generations.

I want books I can share with my family members and friends.

I want books I can trade.

I want books I can sell to the used book store and get other used books.

Digital distribution doesn't allow for that.

Fitz · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2011, 12:57:06 PM »

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I want books I can hand down to subsequent generations.

All my ebooks are archived, both in DVD form here at the house, and "in the cloud"

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I want books I can share with my family members and friends.

I want books I can trade.

I break the DRM on every ebook I buy, if it has it. A lot that I buy do not.

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I want books I can sell to the used book store and get other used books.

Can't help ya there ;-)

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2011, 12:58:48 PM »

Quote from: Fitz on May 26, 2011, 12:57:06 PM

I break the DRM on every ebook I buy, if it has it. A lot that I buy do not.

How?

Fitz · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:01:05 PM »

Since it's been declared OK to break DRM for personal use, can i get a mod's permission to post a link to how?

Attention mods!

AJ Dual · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2011, 01:14:22 PM »

Seconded.

This has been my one single objection to getting into e-books myself.

TommyGunn · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2011, 02:34:52 PM »

In the 1982 movie, Star Trek II; The Wrath of Khan, there was a scene in which Mr. Spock gives Admiral Kirk a copy of Dickens .... book form. How quiant. Old fashioned -- like the glasses Kirk used to read.
Only three decades later (not three hundred years) we are now approaching a time in which the old fashioned printed book (I have a million of 'em) is -- possibly -- going out of style.
A shame really.

Someone get back to me when Scotty invents the warp-drive .....

Regolith · « **Reply #7 on:** May 26, 2011, 02:59:11 PM »

I always find it amusing to read about people using book readers in older science fiction novels while reading on my Kindle.

Nick1911 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2011, 03:09:37 PM »

Quote from: Fitz on May 26, 2011, 01:01:05 PM

Since it's been declared OK to break DRM for personal use, can i get a mod's permission to post a link to how?

Attention mods!

Has DMCA 1201 been shot down in court?

cassandra and sara's daddy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2011, 06:31:59 PM »

they want 16.99 for dune? good luck with that

dm1333 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2011, 06:46:22 PM »

After somebody sets off an EMP above the US my paper and ink books will still work fine. Good luck getting your Kindle to work!

Viking · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2011, 06:49:03 PM »

Quote from: AZRedhawk44 on May 26, 2011, 12:50:43 PM

Not for me it isn't.

I want books I can hand down to subsequent generations.

I want books I can share with my family members and friends.

I want books I can trade.

I want books I can sell to the used book store and get other used books.

Digital distribution doesn't allow for that.

This. I also want something that doesn't rely on batteries, or processors for that matter.

PTK · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2011, 06:50:14 PM »

I've also noted the same amusing fact... automatic doors, cellphones, e-book readers... they're all Star Trek tech.

Science fiction, GOOD science fiction, seems to push techies and geeks toward developing the neat tech from the stories. Heck, what's a netbook/compact laptop but a computer like Picard's? What's an e-book reader if it's not a Star Trek data tablet? What's a cellphone if not a Kirk-age communicator?

Viking · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2011, 07:04:30 PM »

So, how long until replicators, phasers & Borg nanotech?

PTK · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2011, 07:10:10 PM »

Soon, I hope. I'd give up every last gun I own for a phaser.

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2011, 07:33:07 PM »

Quote from: PTK on May 26, 2011, 07:10:10 PM

Soon, I hope. I'd give up every last gun I own for a phaser.

Meh. I'd rather have a blaster, like Han Solo had.

"Ancient weapons and hokey religions are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Phasers are for tights-wearing phags.

TommyGunn · « **Reply #16 on:** May 26, 2011, 07:39:59 PM »

Quote from: AZRedhawk44 on May 26, 2011, 07:33:07 PM

Phasers are for tights-wearing phags.

You *#&$% Son of a Wookie!!!

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2011, 08:11:41 PM »

Quote from: PTK on May 26, 2011, 06:50:14 PM

Heck, what's a netbook/compact laptop but a computer like Picard's?

Didn't laptops come first?

PTK · « **Reply #18 on:** May 26, 2011, 08:25:41 PM »

I believe so, but they were extraordinarily bulky and nothing like the look of those "command computer units" that Picard and other captains used. I believe the comparison stands.

Fitz · « **Reply #19 on:** May 26, 2011, 08:48:01 PM »

USB thumb drives, too. First time i saw one was on Star trek Voyager. Then they showed up a few years later.

Anywho: I think for most people, ebooks serve a good purpose. Much of what we read, if we're voracious readers, isn't worth hanging onto.

I will order print copies of things i REALLY love. I have a large collection of paperbacks.

But for the *expletive deleted*it i'll never touch again, ebooks all the way.

dogmush · « **Reply #20 on:** May 26, 2011, 10:12:05 PM »

So have we decided whether the Nook or Kindle is better?

I'm kinda with Fitz here. I'll buy paper copies of books I want to keep around and loan out, but my house is getting pretty damn cluttered with trashy paperbacks.

"Oh, John Ringo, No!"

Vodka7 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 26, 2011, 10:13:50 PM »

I actually prefer ebooks for the books I go back to again and again. No such thing as a dog eared, falling apart ebook. No losing my notes either.

I was having a discussion with a good friend the other day--a few months back I convinced him to buy a Kindle, and even though he loves it, he still pictures his ideal library as a room full of shelves of thousands of big hardcovers. I told him my ideal library was four Kindles--one for the bathroom, one for the bedroom, one for the family room, and one for my bag. With that setup I'd almost always have my entire library, all my notes, and all of my bookmarks within arms reach.

But a lot of it comes from me being a guy who doesn't like to own a lot of stuff.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #22 on:** May 27, 2011, 02:03:41 AM »

Quote from: PTK on May 26, 2011, 08:25:41 PM

I believe so, but they were extraordinarily bulky and nothing like the look of those "command computer units" that Picard and other captains used. I believe the comparison stands.

The Linus entered the market in 1987, the same year TNG debuted. Picard's computer was no doubt better, but it's kinda hard to say that it inspired a technology that was already well underway when the show first aired.

http://oldcomputers.net/linus.html

drewtam · « **Reply #23 on:** May 27, 2011, 06:33:57 PM »

I have a Nook Color. Many of B&N's ebooks are loanable. I think it depends on the owning publisher's decision.

Ned Hamford · « **Reply #24 on:** May 27, 2011, 07:58:27 PM »

Quote from: dogmush on May 26, 2011, 10:12:05 PM

"Oh, John Ringo, No!"

That is a running joke with my GF and I. That and Kratman is watching...

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Author Topic: Amazon Now Selling More Kindle Books Than Print Books (Read 4620 times)