Kindle fans punish book that delayed digital edition |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
Today On Techflash
- Zillow, tech groups join companies heading to the White House
- One reporter joins TechFlash, and another takes vacation
- Fannie Mae expands online sales
- More turmoil for Yahoo: Chairman steps down
- TechNet study: Washington third in 'app economy' jobs
- Check out this app: Executives list the ones they use most
- Check out this app: Executives list the ones they use most
- Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen 2011's most generous living donor
- Keiretsu Forum NW invested $24 million in 36 startups in 2011
- Top Congressional stock picks: Microsoft beats Apple
- What women really want (online): MoonTango aims to deliver
- Renters, buyers (and lookers) continue to flock to Zillow
- Keiretsu Forum NW invested $24 million in 36 startups in 2011
- 'Fast Pitch Forum' to debut May 27 with some familiar names
- TechNet study: Washington third in 'app economy' jobs
- First a deal with Verizon; now Coinstar buys a competitor
- Coinstar, Redbox and Verizon: Here's what they aren't saying
- Buuteeq rounds up $3.5M to help hotels 'put heads in beds'
Mass High Tech
Jeff Bezos Watch
- Jeff Bezos 'grateful' to be selling millions and millions of Kindles
- Nick Hanauer and others invest $3.1 million in Qliance
- Survey: Employees say it's just 'OK' to work at Microsoft
- Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos give $15M for Princeton brain center
- Newsmaker of the Year surprise: Savitt beats Bezos, Allen
Kindle fans punish book that delayed digital edition
From Amazon.com
Amazon.com has been pushing publishers to release new books in hardcover and in electronic form for its Kindle readers at the same time. But some key publishers are holding back the digital edition of new titles by weeks or months to preserve hardcover sales (Kindle books are typically cheaper). Now there are signs that the battle over Kindle books is spilling over into an area of critical importance to authors and publishers: Amazon customer ratings.
Case in point: the much buzzed about new book "Game Change," which spills secrets about the 2008 presidential election. The book has been deluged with one-star, negative reviews from people who are protesting publisher HarperCollins' decision to delay the Kindle version to Feb. 23. Those one-star reviews have contributed to a ho-hum average customer review rating of a 2.5 stars (out of 5). Customer reviews are an important factor for book sales on Amazon, and it will be interesting to see if the Kindle protests spread.
Here are some examples from the one-star ratings of "Game Change":
This is time-sensitive material. No one is going to care in 6 weeks when it is released for the kindle. People want it now. The publisher is shooting themselves in the foot. They'd have made more money overall by offering the kindle version now.
And:
Publishers need to embrace the new digital reality and quit discriminating against those of us that would rather read our books on Kindle and other digital platforms. Release it on all platforms and you'll make even more money! DUH! I'm flying in two weeks and would have liked to have read the book, but I'm not going to lug a massive hardcover. You lost a sale.
Some in the publishing industry fear that Amazon's standard $9.99 (or lower) for new release books on Kindle will create a "sticky" price in consumers' minds, dragging down the overall perceived value of books. The pre-order Kindle version of "Game Change" is $8.61; the hardback is $15.39.
A lot of people use customer reviews as a guide when they're looking for things on Amazon. Will they notice that the Kindle protest is dragging down ratings on some books because of the format — rather than the content — of those books?
I've asked Amazon for comment on this and will update when I hear from them.
[Hat tip to Peter Zaballos]
Follow my updates on Twitter.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
TechFlash Team
Recent Sponsor Posts
Who's creating today's energy efficient buildings? Find out at the BetterBricks Awards, Feb. 16
BetterBricks Awards salute the individuals leading the way for high performance commercial buildings with an emphasis on energy efficiency. Join us as we recognize these standout green building professionals.
Award categories include: Advocate; Architect/Designer; Facility Manager/Operator; and Owner/Developer.
Keynote Speaker: Kevin Kampschroer, Director of U.S. GSA's Office of Federal High Performance Buildings. Kevin leads the U.S. General Services Administration's efforts in building sustainability and accelerating industry adoption of sustainable principles across all aspects of a building's life.
Register here by February 10!
If you are interested in buying a table, email Monica Alquist or call her at 206-876-5404.
The Triple Door Presents: The Atomic Bombshells "J'ADORE!: A Burlesque Valentine"
Seattle's reigning Burlesque super-troupe delivers a gorgeous and glittering VALENTINE featuring some of the Bombshells' most exhilarating acts to date. J'Adore! promises to celebrate l'amour with good humor, style, and a healthy dose of dazzle! Bring a friend, a lover, a family member, or a secret crush, and celebrate with the Valentine's Burlesque spectacular that will leave you shouting: "J'ADORE......The Atomic Bombshells!" The incomparable Jasper McCann emcees with high style and charm.
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
The Triple Door Presents: Bob Mould – See A Little Light: An Evening of Reading and Music
"Bob Mould. Those two words are synonymous with integrity. From Husker Du in the last century to right at this moment, Bob is the real deal, writing and playing music for music's sake. He's a great songwriter and performer. I have been a fan of Bob's for thirty years now with no end in sight." -Henry Rollins
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
Why Choose BDO for your SOC (previously SAS 70) Reports?
BDO’s experience in providing attestation services (SAS 70/SSAE 16, AT 101, AT 201, AT 601, etc.) to a broad range of industries, and our team of skilled professionals distinctly qualifies us to serve as your company’s Service Auditor. By leveraging the BDO global network of control specialists, we are poised to provide global services in more than 1,000 offices and across 119 countries. Many organizations find that investing in reports on controls may result in benefits, including:
• Increased client confidence
• Improved competitive advantage
• Minimization of frequent audits
• Streamlined business processes and controls
• Enhanced risk management
For detailed information contact Paul Martini at pmartini@bdo.com.
