Will you go for the enhanced ebook? Or read the
"regular" ebook version?
Thanks to the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the ebook readers are about to hit the market in thriving numbers. And with expected sales of 2.5 million devices this year, the focus also turns to ebooks.
Macmillan Group, one of the major publishers of fiction, nonfiction, and young adult fiction, has announced plans to offer "enhanced ebooks" along with the hardcover version. The enhanced ebook will offer author interviews as well other "reader materials," which were not specified during the announcement. Macmillan will offer these enhanced ebooks for special titles and for ninety days only before replacing with the unenhanced version. These titles are expected to sell for "slightly more than the hard cover versions."
HarperCollins has also made plans to offer an enhanced ebook, choosing to sign an exclusive agreement with Apple, Inc. Apple's new reader tablet is expected to display video and use color instead of black and white, which is what all current readers offer. However, the drawback to Apple's ereader tablet will be in the price tag--Apple's tablet is expected to be priced at $1000 at the start.
The question will be if readers will be swayed to purchase the electronic format for a price higher than the physical hard cover, when ebooks have been priced at a fraction of the cost. And will they go for the extras that amount to little more than promotional materials that can be found free throughout the internet. Time will tell as the market gets ready for what could well be a prosperous e-year.
Comments
Excellent article. It's remarkable how major publishers are trying to put a new, albeit costly spin on eBooks. It appears they are trying to "enhance" their profit on a near-zero-overhead industry. I don't know about anyone else, but I find it a bit humorous.
And though I love to see the eBook industry grow, I agree, given the higher price tag, enhanced eBooks will need to provide more than the gimmick of rich media promotions on one's e-gadget.
Janet
Technical Services, Moongypsy Press
I know that I, for one, would not spend more money on an e-version of a hardcover book-- not when I am used to paying pennies on the cost for an ebook, now.
I think MacMillan would be wiser to get into the ereader business, come up with their own version of it to sell, then as an enticement to buy one, offer a free download code with the purchase of the physical book. That way, they'd make sale on the reader AND the book. They'd also make a small profit on non-MacMillan books the consumer happened to download into the reader.
This is an awesome article that shows what future might be ahead for eBooks!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!