Friday, November 30, 2012

Industry News and Friday Inspirational Photo

Some interesting things in the news this week:

According to Tech Crunch, $1.456 billion was spent on Cyber Monday, the biggest day ever. Digital content sales grew 28% from last year.

"Barnes & Noble Decides That Purchased Ebooks Are Only Yours Until Your Credit Card Expires." (Nice, huh?) Read the full article, which also covers DRM, at Tech Dirt

Publishing Executive posted this article - 1 in 5 Adults to Own an iPad in 2013
The Simba Information Report reveals:
“After tracking U.S. iPad ownership trends since the tablet's birth in 2010, Simba estimates that within a few short weeks, one in every five adults in the U.S. will own at least one iPad.
“Additionally, the report projects that within five years, there will be more adults in the U.S. who own an iPad or other tablet than those who purchase print books -- and it is up to publishers and authors to decide how to approach this.”

Publishers Weekly noted that mass market paperbacks had fallen 23% this year, with hardcover and trade paperbacks falling 7% and 10% respectively.

What do you think of this week’s news?

And your Friday inspirational photo:


Feeling chilly?

28 comments:

Stina said...

Oh. Is B&N the only one where this is an issue? What if someone gifted you the book? Does that mean they will go too?

Maybe this means we should only buy books as we read them. That would hurt authors and ebook sellers big time, because a lot of the books we buy we often don't get around to reading, as our ever growing TBR piles can attest to.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cool photo!
And yes - iPad world domination. Make it so.

Gossip_Grl said...

Great posting on the subject. I don't have a reader or I-pad I guess I am old fashioned, I still like to hold a book in my hand. With the I-pad I feel phones are too much of a public distraction now.

randi lee said...

I have a Macbook, and there are two iPads and two iPhone 5s in my household. Whatever Apple's doing, they seem to have hooked me ;)

As far as the actual reading... I don't use the iPad as a reader, nor do I own a Kindle or Nook. I enjoy the feel of a book in my hand. I suppose that makes me semi-old fashioned.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Stina, I know Amazon can wipe books from Kindles, but I don't think they do it when your credit card expires.

Gossip Girl, people who have to be on their cell phones all the time annoy me.

Randi, you are keeping Apple in business.

Laura Eno said...

What? You bought the book, not borrowed it. They're going to have to change that policy or lose their shirt over it.
When Amazon wiped the books from Kindle (I think it was a copyright issue) it caused an uproar and they apologized for handling it so badly.

Anonymous said...

I love the iPad mini mainly because I can fit it into mu pocket and its on my Christmas list. I'll download the Magic Jack app for free phone usage. Wifey has an iPad.

Anonymous said...

I think B&N will lose a LOT of ebook sales if they don't allow access to ebooks already paid for. Talk about crazy.

David P. King said...

Incredible stats! We've yet to grab an iPad, but if B&N takes back our ebooks when our cards expire, I don't know how warm I am to that idea. Better read that article. :)

Steven said...

I knew there was a reason I didn't have a Nook!

Arlee Bird said...

That B&N decision is crazy scary. What next--will they erase our memory of the books we've read when the card expires? More corporate control on the horizon.
When 99% of the world owns iPads I will probably be among the 1% that still doesn't. I probably won't even notice.

Lee
A Faraway View

Hart Johnson said...

I call shenanigans on that credit card thing! No freaking WAY is that okay.

Interesting iPad stats. I wouldn't say no if someone gave me one, but I'm content with my Kindle for the time being.

Johanna Garth said...

I've heard of books being reclaimed on Amazon too. I think the seller's need to address this and quickly because once I buy it, I want it to be mine!!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Laura, I'm curious what B&N will do about this situation.

Stephen, the Magic Jack app is great.

Lee, someday they might do that.

Johanna, that's how I feel.

Jay Noel said...

B&N is cray-crazy. Not right at all.

Oh, and do you know where that post is with all of those attention-grabbing words I can use for my blurb?

Gwen Gardner said...

It stands to reason that paperback and hardback sales would decline, with so many using ereaders now. But I'm surprised that paperbacks fell harder than hardbacks.

I wonder what will happen to all the gifted books on B&N?

Carol Kilgore said...

I doubt the BN decision will last long. That's crazy thinking. Oh, so happy I have a Kindle! And I do love it. I read more and faster and it's much easier on my eyes than paper.

M Pax said...

Great photo, especially since I'm writing about parasitic vines at the moment :)

Shame on all B&N & Amazon. I try to buy from Smashwords and don't DRM my amazon books. Since I own a nook, I have purchased some books from B&N tho. Oh dear.

Jeff Hargett said...

The B&N move surprises me. I would think with Amazon devouring market share, B&N would try to entice customers rather than repel them.

I'm a tablet addict, but Android as opposed to iPad.

Christine Rains said...

B&N surprised me too. Amazon is going to take over everything soon if they don't wise up. Gorgeous photo! Have a wonderful weekend.

Karen Lange said...

I don't care for the B&N policy; guess that's one reason not to buy ebooks from them. It's interesting to see how things are changing. Some of the changes I like, others not so much.

Happy weekend!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane .. interesting - so much is happening on line now. I hope I'll be getting an ipad soon - may well wait til early next year ... when there'll be more peace around and I can think!

Cheers Hilary

Trisha said...

The print thing makes me sad, but it doesn't surprise me. I don't have an iPad, but it seems most people on the planet do right now! I don't even want one.

I don't have an iPhone either.

Ciara said...

ipad is dominating for now, but that could change. Cool picture. Any time people are spending it is a good thing for the economy.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I am feeling chilly. I hate the cold. I'm busy deciding if I want to get a Kindle Fire for Christmas or do I want to wait until spring when I can afford an iPad?
I haven't bought anything except electronic books for months.

Sherry Ellis said...

I don't have an iPad. I guess it's the way of the future, though.

Jai Joshi said...

Wow, Barnes and Noble reaches a new low.

Jai

Rhonda Albom said...

I think you actually did find the worst song ever! Wish I thought of that one.