Microsoft buys into Nook

I knew it!

Well actually I did not know that Redmond would pump $300 Million into Barnes and Nobles ereader division but I did guess that Microsoft would do 'something significant' with ebooks in time for the launch of Windows 8

Have a look at this article to see what is happening

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/04/30/microsoft_pumps_cash_barnes_and_noble/

I think it is a really good move for both partners. I also think it will give Amazon and Apple much needed competition.

And that is good news for indie authors. A level playing field in the ebook marketplace will keep royalties high and the retailers keen to attract content providers. As a wannabe indie author that is pleasing to hear.

I just can not wait to get my mitts on a Windows 8 powered Nook ereader ... Can you?

Two alternatives to Kindle Fire

I thought I would post this link to a review of the Samsung Galaxy 2 7.0 and the Nook Glowlight

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120428/business/704289966/

I live in the United Kingdom so I do not currently have access to the Barnes and Noble ebookstore or their ereaders. I am sure that will change and I have always been impressed by the reviews of the Nook family of devices, even though I have not managed to get my 'grubby paws' on one ...

Still the Glowlight idea is fantastic.

The Samsung Tab is more interesting to me however. I have a number of ebooks from differing ebook providers and would love to be able to view them all on a single device. My phone is okay but the screen is a tad too tiny.  So an android tablet at a competitive price such as the one mentioned in the review I have linked would be attractive to me.

I do not care if the services are more fragmented on a Samsung Tab rather than a Amazon one. Once the accounts are all set up it is usually easy another to switch between software providers, I do not see a problem there.

So that is my current thoughts on these two devices. Would I buy the Samsung Tab? Well the Google Nexus Tablet is due out in July ... I think I will wait and see!

Independents need software rather than another ereader

There are signs that bookshops are grouping together to fight off the likes of Amazon and co.

Look at

www.hive.co.uk

But some industry watchers are saying that Independents need a rival to the Kindle ereader.

I think that rather than expending effort and money on developing hardware Bookshops, Indie Authors and small Publishers should invest in software solutions.

Develop ereading apps that link to networks of shops or writing collectives.  Why not code IOS, Android and very importantly Metro apps that run on Tablets, Smartphones, PCs and Ereaders. This would be much more cost effective.

The energy of the mobile revolution is in the software. There is no point in re-inventing the wheel (or the Kindle ..)

Is Android finished?

I am not so sure.

This link outlines a number of 'issues' that the Google OS faces

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-04-21/tech/31377717_1_android-appcelerator-ios

Google has a lot of money and other resources to  able it to bounce back. The 'Nexus Tablet' has not appeared on the scene yet, and it is not clear just how good Windows 8 will be.

That said Android has to improve. I can not for the life of me get the 'Ice Cream Sandwich' (Android 4.0 to those of us who don't do silly names ...) to work on my Samsung Smartphone. I do not use any paid Android Apps and I would really love a platform I could properly use for work.

I still have not got the inclination to buy an Ipad. (too expensive and, I can not use it for work) so I am not going to purchase a new Tablet to much later in the year.

If Google gets its act together it will be able to compete with Microsoft and Apple. That will be good for consumers. It will be good for mobile content providers too. I am hoping having three major platforms will stimulate innovation in the ebook arena.

Once again I have to say, let see what happens?

Indies need to work together to succeed

It is Good Friday and I have spent the having a look around the town centre in Stroud.

I often wonder whether the decline in most of our high streets is unavoidable. Do ebooks accelerate this effect?

As an advocate of the opportunities that digital publishing provides I feel conflicting emotions because, deep down, I love paper and print. I do not want the independent booksellers and small publishers going out of business. Amazon is just too powerful.

But technology is neither good nor bad intrinsically. I believe that indie authors, booksellers and publishers need to get organised. We need to pool resources and ideas to combat the negative effects of globalisation.

In America the independent booksellers are ganging up to (maybe) produce a rival to the Kindle ereader. Google ebook technology has been used to successfully increase revenue for some independents. In my walk around town this morning I noted many businesses that could benefit from collaboration. Book shops, cafes, game shops and others that could all share some of the 'digital pie.'

My point is that, as Indies, we need to be smart,  get organised and work together.