Microsoft Takes On the iPad with $300 Million Investment in NOOK

This is a discussion thread for the "Microsoft Takes On the iPad with $300 Million Investment in NOOK" story posted on the front page.

When I can go to my local Walmart and buy (for at least 20% to 30% less) than the same book from iTunes there is a fundamental problem. A problem caused by apples monopolistic hold on the iPad. The price of ebooks on iDevices do not reflect their true cost! A hard copy involves a physical item, that has a cost not required for the ebook. There is the cost, for the paper, the printing, the shipping, that are not involved in the ebook...

The writer and publishers still need to get paid. Just because the format is more convenient for the end user doesn't mean they need to reduce the price.

There is no need to reduce the price, just as there is no need to increase the price... The writer, and publisher both get paid, indeed more likely than not more than before, by expanding into the ebook area, but there is ALSO no need for the reader, to buy paper that the publisher isn't printing, on! Nor is there a need to buy ink that isn't being used! There is no need to pay shipping cost that aren't being incurred, there is no need to paid for the return of printed books, that haven't been printed. You've got a far more efficient system, with significant less waste, and the cunsummer should benefit from those savings. There is simply no way an ebook should cost anywhere near the price of a printed book.

I agree with these points. When comparing two different forms of media, you have to consider the properties of both, and what is reasonable to charge for the end product. When you look at a digital copy of the original, you cut out the cost for publishing and printing altogether. Instead, you're left with the cost of the author's paycheck, as well as the cost of converting the book into computer form. It seems more logical for a digital copy to be less expensive than a paperback. The only difference is, Apple wants its cut too. I believe that was Dav1d's original argument.

glee <3

In this case Apple has a lot more buying power than WalMart, in my example Walmart is getting their cut, as is the shipping company that shipped it from the publisher's warehouse, as is Walmart's employee who puts it on the shelf, and the cashier who rings it up for me. There are a lot more hands that touch that printed copy, and who get paid, than there is for the ebook copy... Apple doesn't need to pay all those people, nor does the publisher, nor does the publisher need to buy and maintain, and upgrade that equipment, to cut, print, and bind, package, and transport those ebooks!

It appears that both Apple and the publishers wish for us to believe that they must meet all those cost, for each and every ebook sold. I say again if Walmart can do it, if the little bookstore can do it about a mile away from me then Apple sure as can, as well....

I like my kindle more than the nook.

Delusional and uninformed

I have the [new] iPad. The books in iBooks seem reasonably priced and I like the quality and convenience. The difference in price isn't worth losing sleep over. Not to mention the fact I don't burn the gas (and time)running to Walmart to get a book they might not even have. The situation works for me.