The Wylie Agency is avoiding making deals on eBooks after being dissatisfied with the terms publishers have been offering for eBook rights and fearing eBooks will become like MP3s according to an article in Harvard Magazine, reports eBookNewser:
http://www.mediabistro.com/ebooknewser/agents/the_wylie_agency_avoids_ebook_deals_166051.asp?c=rss
After being battered by discount web retailer Amazon, independent bookstores see Google as an ally in the eBook market: The search giant is on the verge of completing a deal with the American Booksellers Association, the trade group for independent bookstores, to make Google Editions the primary source of ebooks on the web sites of hundreds of independent booksellers (pls see attached Word doc for full article):
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/30/business/30books.html?src=busln
A blog by the New York Times says that, despite experimenting aggressively with new electronic devices, a lot of magazine/ newspaper apps are still shy about socialising. Companies should be focussing on web capabilities to allow users to post, comment, and share content with other users (pls see attached Word doc for full article): http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/digital-magazines-dont-encourage-socializing/
Sony has launched a new Reader Library program to promote eBook collections in libraries; through the program, Sony will lead online training sessions on how to use digital reading devices and how to access eBooks. Sony will also give libraries digital reading devices for librarians to use:
http://www.mediabistro.com/ebooknewser/libraries/sony_launches_reader_library_program_166187.asp
Google to build a Facebook rival: Google are working on a large-scale social-networking project designed to compete with Facebook - a source says the launch of Google Me could be coming "very soon":
http://digitalmedia.strategyeye.com/article/aYcYu45pww/2010/06/29/google_builds_facebook_rival_rumour/
HMV Group has described the 2009/10 performance of Waterstone's as "disappointing" as profits slumped by more than 70% to £2.8m and like-for-like sales fell 6.2% during the 12 month period to 24th April:
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/122354-waterstones-profits-slump-70-after-disappointing-year.html.rss
Random House in digital restructure: the publisher says the new structure and roles will strengthen its commitment to creative digital publishing and position the company to take advantage of the new devices on the market:
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121900-random-house-restructures-digital.html.rss
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
iPhone 4 the most successful Apple launch so far
Apple sells 1.7m iPhone 4s in three days during the 'most successful launch in Apple's history' (and research suggests that 23% of the buyers were new to the platform):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jun/28/apple-iphone-4-sales
Amazon has updated its Kindle apps for the iPhone and iPad, adding video and audio capabilities to some of its titles. Around 10 titles are currently available from the store, including cookery titles, travel guides and a book on knitting:
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121830-amazon-adds-video-and-audio-to-kindle-apps.html
The New York Times reports that with the introduction of Apple’s iPad, the manufacturers of other eReading devices have suffered a drop in stock value while Apple has given publishers ammunition to demand higher prices for digitized books. In the meantime, Apple’s stock is rising and more than five million books have been downloaded to the iPad, suggesting that consumers prefer a more versatile device:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/technology/28views.html?src=busln
Innovative Thunder, a digital advertising company, has introduced a new service called "Pay With a Tweet,” where consumers purchase a product through Twitter and, at the same time, tell all of their followers about it:
http://www.mediabistro.com/ebooknewser/social_networks/paying_for_ebooks_via_twitter_165870.asp
Joel Friedlander (thebookdesigner.com) compares the evolution of the television to the rise of the eBook and looks at what we may expect from the eBook in 5-10 years time:
http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/06/the-e-book-in-2020-whats-on-your-wishlist/
As of yesterday, travellers in the US will be able to buy the Amazon Kindle in HMSHost branded stores - Simply Books and Authors Bookstores - at airports across the country:
http://newsblaze.com/story/2010062808043700004.bw/topstory.html
Google is making a final attempt to retain a presence in mainland China after the Beijing government threatened to close its Chinese operation (and put a stop to its practice of automatically redirecting users in mainland China to its Hong Kong site)
- please see Word doc for full article:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/3ea0fa9c-8352-11df-8451-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss
Authors fear cut in income as the budget for Public Lending Right scheme faces a 3% reduction (currently, authors receive just over six pence per library loan, up to a cap of £6,600, through the PLR scheme, and many describe this as a "lifeline"):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/28/authors-fear-cut-library-income
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jun/28/apple-iphone-4-sales
Amazon has updated its Kindle apps for the iPhone and iPad, adding video and audio capabilities to some of its titles. Around 10 titles are currently available from the store, including cookery titles, travel guides and a book on knitting:
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121830-amazon-adds-video-and-audio-to-kindle-apps.html
The New York Times reports that with the introduction of Apple’s iPad, the manufacturers of other eReading devices have suffered a drop in stock value while Apple has given publishers ammunition to demand higher prices for digitized books. In the meantime, Apple’s stock is rising and more than five million books have been downloaded to the iPad, suggesting that consumers prefer a more versatile device:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/technology/28views.html?src=busln
Innovative Thunder, a digital advertising company, has introduced a new service called "Pay With a Tweet,” where consumers purchase a product through Twitter and, at the same time, tell all of their followers about it:
http://www.mediabistro.com/ebooknewser/social_networks/paying_for_ebooks_via_twitter_165870.asp
Joel Friedlander (thebookdesigner.com) compares the evolution of the television to the rise of the eBook and looks at what we may expect from the eBook in 5-10 years time:
http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/06/the-e-book-in-2020-whats-on-your-wishlist/
As of yesterday, travellers in the US will be able to buy the Amazon Kindle in HMSHost branded stores - Simply Books and Authors Bookstores - at airports across the country:
http://newsblaze.com/story/2010062808043700004.bw/topstory.html
Google is making a final attempt to retain a presence in mainland China after the Beijing government threatened to close its Chinese operation (and put a stop to its practice of automatically redirecting users in mainland China to its Hong Kong site)
- please see Word doc for full article:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/3ea0fa9c-8352-11df-8451-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss
Authors fear cut in income as the budget for Public Lending Right scheme faces a 3% reduction (currently, authors receive just over six pence per library loan, up to a cap of £6,600, through the PLR scheme, and many describe this as a "lifeline"):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/28/authors-fear-cut-library-income
R&D into Mobile Technologies by Magic
Magic — a key developer working with Pearson on a variety of digital projects — have supplied Pearson with an informative PowerPoint presentation summarising their R&D work into mobile technologies. Amongst other topics the document covers the following :
key trends and developments in the field of mobile device technology
production processes for multi-channel publishing
key usability and design considerations
possibilities for publishing in this field (including specific examples of applications that Magic have created).
Additional mobile device technology resources:
Contextual applications as envisioned by Adobe (lots of theory and terminology!): http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplatform/context_apps/#getstarted
The Open Screen Project. Adobe attempt to position itself for cross platform dev. Impressive list of partners: http://www.openscreenproject.org/
The 'Magic of Yoga' app on iTunes developed by Magic: http://itunes.apple.com/in/app/the-magic-yoga-sun-salutation/id369652156?mt=8
HTML 5 implementation by Scribd: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20004339-264.html
Penguin - Daily Digital Newsround - 21st June
Pearson stays on top as world's largest book publisher: Pearson has retained its position as the world's largest book publisher, according to a ranking of the largest international publishers, holding off a strong challenge from Reed Elsevier, which saw a 10% jump in sales despite the global recession. Pearson's own sales rose 4.9%, leaving it as top dog with book sales of €5.3bn.
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121248-pearson-stays-on-top-as-worlds-largest-book-publisher.html.rss
Does The iPad Change Everything? Publishers Chime In: We’ve fiercely debated the merits of the iPad (here and here and here and here) and whether Apple’s “magical” device will transform the mass market. The question, of course, is not whether the iPad is the leader in the tablet market but whether the iPad will become the iPod of its market. And if the iPad is indeed the iPod, how does that shape the digital strategy of publishers?
http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/17/does-the-ipad-change-everything-publishers-chime-in/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
US chips away at UK export markets: US publishers are increasingly seeking rights to territories that are traditionally the preserve of UK publishers, in lieu of global deals. India is top of the contested territories, while Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa are also significant. In most cases, US publishers seek non-exclusive rights, meaning that although UK publishers can still export, they must compete on launch dates and price.
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121201-us-chips-away-at-uk-export-markets.html.rss
Lane Fox to get expanded role as UK 'digital champion': Martha Lane Fox is to retain her role as the UK's "digital champion" but with an increased focus on finding savings by delivering services online. The internet entrepreneur advised Labour on digital inclusion and will act in a similar role for the coalition government, No 10 has confirmed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10352496.stm
Google aims to launch paid-content platform by year end: Google is in preliminary discussions with publishers to sign up to a new paid-content platform intended to launch by the end of the year, according to reports. The platform, which PaidContent and Italian newspaper La Republica reports as being called Newspass, will let users access multiple sites via a single login, with payment options including both subscriptions and micropayments.
http://www.nma.co.uk/news/google-aims-to-launch-paid-content-platform-by-year-end/3014809.article
Geoffrey Hill wins Oxford Professor of Poetry election by landslide: His academic credentials and plethora of literary prizes have meant that Geoffrey Hill has been the frontrunner for the post of Oxford Professor of Poetry from the race's start - and, this afternoon, the British poet was elected by a landslide.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/18/oxford-professor-poetry-geoffrey-hill
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121248-pearson-stays-on-top-as-worlds-largest-book-publisher.html.rss
Does The iPad Change Everything? Publishers Chime In: We’ve fiercely debated the merits of the iPad (here and here and here and here) and whether Apple’s “magical” device will transform the mass market. The question, of course, is not whether the iPad is the leader in the tablet market but whether the iPad will become the iPod of its market. And if the iPad is indeed the iPod, how does that shape the digital strategy of publishers?
http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/17/does-the-ipad-change-everything-publishers-chime-in/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
US chips away at UK export markets: US publishers are increasingly seeking rights to territories that are traditionally the preserve of UK publishers, in lieu of global deals. India is top of the contested territories, while Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa are also significant. In most cases, US publishers seek non-exclusive rights, meaning that although UK publishers can still export, they must compete on launch dates and price.
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121201-us-chips-away-at-uk-export-markets.html.rss
Lane Fox to get expanded role as UK 'digital champion': Martha Lane Fox is to retain her role as the UK's "digital champion" but with an increased focus on finding savings by delivering services online. The internet entrepreneur advised Labour on digital inclusion and will act in a similar role for the coalition government, No 10 has confirmed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10352496.stm
Google aims to launch paid-content platform by year end: Google is in preliminary discussions with publishers to sign up to a new paid-content platform intended to launch by the end of the year, according to reports. The platform, which PaidContent and Italian newspaper La Republica reports as being called Newspass, will let users access multiple sites via a single login, with payment options including both subscriptions and micropayments.
http://www.nma.co.uk/news/google-aims-to-launch-paid-content-platform-by-year-end/3014809.article
Geoffrey Hill wins Oxford Professor of Poetry election by landslide: His academic credentials and plethora of literary prizes have meant that Geoffrey Hill has been the frontrunner for the post of Oxford Professor of Poetry from the race's start - and, this afternoon, the British poet was elected by a landslide.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/18/oxford-professor-poetry-geoffrey-hill
Penguin - Daily Digital Newsround - 28th June
The Guardian's Alison Flood looks at the way the book industry is interacting with digital media, supplementing book releases with interactive apps full of bonus material. Flood looks specifically at Iain Banks' Transition:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jun/28/book-extras-iphone-app
"A young person in any country can access the world's information and get it translated. That's equivalent to the arrival of TV": Eric Schmidt, Google's chief executive, believes smartphones are the future for Google, and the world, and will empower the poorest people. Here he talks to The Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jun/28/eric-schmidt-google-smartphones-activate
John Donahoe, Ebay's chief executive, talks to the FT about how he is invigorating the company, his devotion to gadgetry and his belief that Ebay is poised to dominate the emerging field of mobile shopping: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3d6b0746-8251-11df-9467-00144feabdc0.html
Price Cuts Roil the Market For Digital Readers: James McQuivey, Forrester Research's e-reader and e-book analyst talks to Publishers Weekly and says device producers can sustain low prices and grow the market: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/devices/article/43648-price-cuts-roil-the-market-for-digital-readers.html
"Plastic Logic have made the fatal mistake of promising too much and taking too long to deliver in a rapidly changing world": The Bookseller reports that Plastic Logic has cancelled all pre-orders for its large screen e-reader Que - touted as a device for business people - and is no longer showing a date at which the device will be launched:
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121829-pre-orders-for-que-cancelled-launch-date-removed.html.rss
Hang on Every Word: FT critics pick the best of the year's books so far and there are a lot of offerings from Penguin (particularly Allen Lane):
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/da4adf96-7fe0-11df-91b4-00144feabdc0.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jun/28/book-extras-iphone-app
"A young person in any country can access the world's information and get it translated. That's equivalent to the arrival of TV": Eric Schmidt, Google's chief executive, believes smartphones are the future for Google, and the world, and will empower the poorest people. Here he talks to The Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jun/28/eric-schmidt-google-smartphones-activate
John Donahoe, Ebay's chief executive, talks to the FT about how he is invigorating the company, his devotion to gadgetry and his belief that Ebay is poised to dominate the emerging field of mobile shopping: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3d6b0746-8251-11df-9467-00144feabdc0.html
Price Cuts Roil the Market For Digital Readers: James McQuivey, Forrester Research's e-reader and e-book analyst talks to Publishers Weekly and says device producers can sustain low prices and grow the market: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/devices/article/43648-price-cuts-roil-the-market-for-digital-readers.html
"Plastic Logic have made the fatal mistake of promising too much and taking too long to deliver in a rapidly changing world": The Bookseller reports that Plastic Logic has cancelled all pre-orders for its large screen e-reader Que - touted as a device for business people - and is no longer showing a date at which the device will be launched:
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121829-pre-orders-for-que-cancelled-launch-date-removed.html.rss
Hang on Every Word: FT critics pick the best of the year's books so far and there are a lot of offerings from Penguin (particularly Allen Lane):
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/da4adf96-7fe0-11df-91b4-00144feabdc0.html
Monday, 21 June 2010
Penguin Daily Digital Newsround - 21st June
Pearson stays on top as world's largest book publisher: Pearson has retained its position as the world's largest book publisher, according to a ranking of the largest international publishers, holding off a strong challenge from Reed Elsevier, which saw a 10% jump in sales despite the global recession. Pearson's own sales rose 4.9%, leaving it as top dog with book sales of €5.3bn.
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121248-pearson-stays-on-top-as-worlds-largest-book-publisher.html.rss
Does The iPad Change Everything? Publishers Chime In: We’ve fiercely debated the merits of the iPad (here and here and here and here) and whether Apple’s “magical” device will transform the mass market. The question, of course, is not whether the iPad is the leader in the tablet market but whether the iPad will become the iPod of its market. And if the iPad is indeed the iPod, how does that shape the digital strategy of publishers?
http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/17/does-the-ipad-change-everything-publishers-chime-in/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
US chips away at UK export markets: US publishers are increasingly seeking rights to territories that are traditionally the preserve of UK publishers, in lieu of global deals. India is top of the contested territories, while Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa are also significant. In most cases, US publishers seek non-exclusive rights, meaning that although UK publishers can still export, they must compete on launch dates and price.
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121201-us-chips-away-at-uk-export-markets.html.rss
Lane Fox to get expanded role as UK 'digital champion': Martha Lane Fox is to retain her role as the UK's "digital champion" but with an increased focus on finding savings by delivering services online. The internet entrepreneur advised Labour on digital inclusion and will act in a similar role for the coalition government, No 10 has confirmed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10352496.stm
Google aims to launch paid-content platform by year end: Google is in preliminary discussions with publishers to sign up to a new paid-content platform intended to launch by the end of the year, according to reports. The platform, which PaidContent and Italian newspaper La Republica reports as being called Newspass, will let users access multiple sites via a single login, with payment options including both subscriptions and micropayments.
http://www.nma.co.uk/news/google-aims-to-launch-paid-content-platform-by-year-end/3014809.article
Geoffrey Hill wins Oxford Professor of Poetry election by landslide: His academic credentials and plethora of literary prizes have meant that Geoffrey Hill has been the frontrunner for the post of Oxford Professor of Poetry from the race's start - and, this afternoon, the British poet was elected by a landslide.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/18/oxford-professor-poetry-geoffrey-hill
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121248-pearson-stays-on-top-as-worlds-largest-book-publisher.html.rss
Does The iPad Change Everything? Publishers Chime In: We’ve fiercely debated the merits of the iPad (here and here and here and here) and whether Apple’s “magical” device will transform the mass market. The question, of course, is not whether the iPad is the leader in the tablet market but whether the iPad will become the iPod of its market. And if the iPad is indeed the iPod, how does that shape the digital strategy of publishers?
http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/17/does-the-ipad-change-everything-publishers-chime-in/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
US chips away at UK export markets: US publishers are increasingly seeking rights to territories that are traditionally the preserve of UK publishers, in lieu of global deals. India is top of the contested territories, while Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa are also significant. In most cases, US publishers seek non-exclusive rights, meaning that although UK publishers can still export, they must compete on launch dates and price.
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/121201-us-chips-away-at-uk-export-markets.html.rss
Lane Fox to get expanded role as UK 'digital champion': Martha Lane Fox is to retain her role as the UK's "digital champion" but with an increased focus on finding savings by delivering services online. The internet entrepreneur advised Labour on digital inclusion and will act in a similar role for the coalition government, No 10 has confirmed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10352496.stm
Google aims to launch paid-content platform by year end: Google is in preliminary discussions with publishers to sign up to a new paid-content platform intended to launch by the end of the year, according to reports. The platform, which PaidContent and Italian newspaper La Republica reports as being called Newspass, will let users access multiple sites via a single login, with payment options including both subscriptions and micropayments.
http://www.nma.co.uk/news/google-aims-to-launch-paid-content-platform-by-year-end/3014809.article
Geoffrey Hill wins Oxford Professor of Poetry election by landslide: His academic credentials and plethora of literary prizes have meant that Geoffrey Hill has been the frontrunner for the post of Oxford Professor of Poetry from the race's start - and, this afternoon, the British poet was elected by a landslide.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/18/oxford-professor-poetry-geoffrey-hill
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