Tales of a First eBook Purchase

Richard over at Read/Write Web talks about buying his first encrypted ebook. His experience is very much like my own...

Read/Write Web: First eBook Purchase:

"The Fictionwise download process was very smooth and to unlock the eBook, I just had to enter my name and Visa card number. So all in all, everything went well. Experienced eBook readers will be going 'Duh!' at that statement, but when it's your first purchase of an eBook you worry about things like whether the installation/unlocking will be successful and what will happen if the format is incompatible etc. So I commend Fictionwise on a user-friendly and intuitive download process, particularly for the extensive help webpages and explanations of eBook formats and hardware requirements (as I mentioned, that was missing from Amazon)."

These are exactly the same thoughts that ran through my mind except the ebook retail contenders for me were Fictionwise.com and Powells.com. Fictionwise won out because they really took the time to answer my questions. Likewise I also chose eReader for my first encrypted ebook and if I must have a DRM scheme I think I prefer the eReader approach on a PDA. If an encrypted ebook is not available in eReader/Palm format then I usually buy it in MobiPocket format which is device dependant. I do not like Mobipocket's DRM approach as much, however their reader software is pretty nice and there are a lot of titles available in that format.

Blackmask eBooks Adds Direct Support for eBookWise-1150

Blackmask has added the file format native to the eBookwise-1150 ebook reader. The (.imp) format is labeled "EB-1150" as shown in this example.

Dedicated eBook Readers: The New Trend?

I have been using my new eBookwise-1150 dedicated ebook reader and, frankly enjoying reading with it. eBookwise is taking a page out of the computer printer book and selling the reader at near cost while making their money on the ebooks they will sell to users, just like the printer manufacturers make their money on selling ink cartridges. It is not a bad plan. eBookwise and their reader may well capture market share like Apple did with the iPod by getting there with a good product long before other competitors.

I suspect other ebook retailers are watching this with keen interest and may copy the plan by coming out with their own dedicated hardware readers. In fact it would not surprise me to see Mobipocket bring out a dedicated reader in the near future which would work with the Mobipocket software and their own well stocked bookstore. I know the Franklin eBook Reader works with Mobipocket format books, but it appears to no longer be in production. Ebookad.com had the Hiebook Reader, which also seems to be out of production as well as being too expensive. Of course this is just speculation on my part, but it would not surprise me.

There are some trends that make me think this way:

• PDA usage declining.
• Technological improvements: cheaper/better LCD displays, e-paper etc.
• Cheaper Manufacturing costs: economies of scale.
• Perception of safer DRM model: publishers like it
• Ease of use: make it as easy to buy ebooks and download as it is to buy music with iTunes/iPod and people will buy more ebooks. Apple computer showed them the way and a whole generation of users are familier with the model.

Is any of this making sense?

GEB eBookLibrarian Now Supports eBookwise-1150

Teleread blog reports that the GEB eBookLibrarian software which allows MS Windows users to convert, manage and load their own ebooks directly from their computer to the eBookwise-1150 ebook reader (see our review). Welcome news indeed. In fact so welcome that Teleread editor David Rothman bought an 1150 based on that news. :)

Let's hope that similar software will be developed for Mac OS X.

Review: eBookwise 1150 eBook Reader

I have posted a down and dirty review of the new eBookwise 1150 reader. I'm not much of a web designer nor a photographer, as you will see but it gets the job done. Review: eBookwise 1150 eBook Reader

We could be witnessing the revival of both the GEB and Rocket Reader .rb formats because of this device. Although the average user probably will never really need to know that.

eBookwise - 1150 and Blackmask eBooks

Just a brief post here with some welcome news. I've done some testing on the eBookwise - 1150. I wanted to see if a free public domain Blackmask ebook in "Rocket" .rb format could be uploaded and would be readable by the eBookwise 1150 reader hardware.

I did not have to convert anything. I used the web based personal server upload method. The process was very easy. The bottom line: the Rocket ebook format works just fine on the 1150 reader.

While the web based method works well, it would be nice if there was more extensive Mac OS X software for direct transfer from the Mac to the 1150. Hopefully a Mac solution will come along - in the meantime the web solution works.

What this means is that in addition to the many fine books available on the eBookwise site, thousands of free public domain books are also available as well as books for sale by other sites. All without getting too mired down in a swamp of formats and software readers. It definitely increases the reasons to buy an 1150.

Seth Godin Asks: Can you make any money giving away an ebook?

There is power in this, if you know how to tap into it.

Yesterday, we announced that for just two weeks, a ChangeThis edition of the ebook (Link: ChangeThis :: The Bootstrapper's Bible ) is available for free. And in twenty four hours, it has already "outsold" the Amazon eBook and will quite likely surpass the printed edition within a week or so.

Seth's Blog: Thinking about digital media

eBookwise - 1150 Works with Mac OS X

Here is a copy of the response to questions I asked on the Fictionwise mailing list about how the eBookwise 1150 device works.

Brad Enslen wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I have a couple of questions on how these devices
> work. The product specifications say: "Built-in modem
> and USB ports: Use a phone line or USB to instantly
> receive desired content. No linkage with a PC is
> required for phone connection."
>
> So here are my questions:
>
> 1. With the USB port, will this work with a Mac OS X
> computer?
>
> 2. "No linkage with a PC is required for phone
> connection." So if I connect to the internet via cable
> can I still download books via phone connection?
>
> Best,
>
> Brad

The response:

Hi Brad,

It's just like a GEB 1150. You can plug it into a phone line and it
dials out on a tollfree number to the server to grab the books you've
bought. But if you have a cable modem, it would be a lot faster to use
that connection to download your books.

Yes, the USB drivers for the device support OS X.

-Steve P.

These were questions that I had wondered about on my previous post.

I'm gratified with that response. eBookwise might just end up selling me one of these devices. I don't really need it because I have my PDA, but I have to admit I am curious, plus that $100 price tag is just too good. Ebookwise claims they will make other models available, but I bet they might cost more. I might have to indulge myself for Christmas and buy one of these.

Fictionwise Opens eBookwise

eBookwise has openned it's cyberdoors. It looks like it gives some Gemstar ebook reader owners a chance to update their bookshelves and buy new books from major publishers.

They are also selling ebook reading hardware devices for a stunning $99. That is a pretty good deal if you do not care about having the functions of a PDA. But any buyer needs to understand that buying this device pretty well locks you in to the Ebookwise format.

Information is sparse at the eBookwise site on how these devices work some unanswered questions:

How exactly do these devices download their ebooks?

I see there is a choice of telephone connection or USB - will the USB connection work with a Mac OS X machine?

It says you do not need to directly connect the telephone connection to the computer. So if you only connect to the internet via cable modem will this still work or do you need to be on dial-up?

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Fictionwise to Sell $99 ebook device!

Teleread is reporting that online ebook retailing giant Fictionwise is about to start selling a US$99 dedicated ebook reading device. At $99 this is a crucial price point. TeleRead: Rocket eBook-type devices coming back from Fictionwise

While the proprietary format worries me this venture might have legs, with the retail know-how of Fictionwise behind it.