Only 13 per cent want eBook reader
Despite everyone here at Stuff Towers getting in something of a tizzy about the imminent arrival of the Sony Reader, it seems you lot just don’t feel the same when it comes to eBooks.
When asked, only 13 per cent of you say you’d snaffle one now, with a massive 87 per cent saying you’d rather wait until more books are available electronically, or just not bother at all.
It seems that while eBooks and eReaders get more and more mainstream coverage, gadget fans are still wary of giving up their musty collection for something more techy.
It looks like it’ll be a while yet before we can dismantle our Ikea bookshelves for good. So while you wait for that fateful day, make sure you take a look at our feature on everything you need to know eBooks.
Does this mean eBooks are doomed from the start? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
Comments
Drunken Max
3 years ago
It is a luxury item. Waterstone's view a heavy reader as someone who buys 12 books a year. which equates to about £60-£80 so £200 for this is steep. I also understand that the e-books arent going to be any/much cheaper than the paper ones.
Audiojoe
3 years ago
There's so much wrong with the idea. For a start, £200 just for the gadget itself is ridiculous, who spends that much money on books? Paperbacks are around £3 - £6 each, so that's the equivalent of 30 - 40 books, and that's BEFORE you buy any books for it. The books are pretty much the same price as real books, so it's not like you'll "make your money back". The choice of titles for download is horrendous, lots of them are public domain titles or early twentieth century fiction. Publishers are not keen on this idea, let me tell you. The profit margin on books is small anyway. The last thing they want is to have digital properties out there for people to share and distribute, so the titles will always be second rate. Plus, and the biggest drawback for me, who on earth is going to whip out an eReader on a tube or a bus to read a book? I'd be afraid of using it in public. It's such an expensive, stealable item and easily resold on eBay.
What's wrong with books anyway? There's something organic and downright comforting about them. I'd rather just spend £5 here and there on books I want
Rant over (stupid Sony)
Lee Jones Jnr
3 years ago
Loads of people spend more than that on books. I, my girlfriend and both my parents all buy 3-4 books a month. Most paperbacks are about £7.99 when they come out and hardbacks between £12.99 and £18.99.
Obviously ebooks are not for everyone but I dont see why anyone would be afraid to use one on the train, they are no more stealable than ipods etc.
Why would a publisher not want to sell ebooks? They can be protected drm style from copying etc and are much cheaper to get to the end user - so the publisher will make more money not less.
There does need to be a good selection, but I think in time all books will get simultaneous release in 'real' and digital form.
There is nothing 'wrong' with a traditional book, and in many ways there are benefits to owning a physical copy, sharing etc, but for anyone who travels a lot like myself and likes to take more than one book the eReaders etc are great.
Drunken Max
3 years ago
Firstly, you wouldn't sit staring at your ipod on the train, it would be safe back in your pocket once you'd press play. I don't think loads of people buy 4 books a month. As I said, waterstones view one a month as statistically a heavy buyer. The primary problem is going to be available titles and lack of colour. Completely missed an opportunity to put kids books and graphic novels in there. Spiderman every week et al. The big selling point is convenience, especially when going on holiday apart from the fact that I would need two. One for me and one for the wife.
Lee Jones Jnr
3 years ago
I watch my iPod on the train, and so do plenty of other people. I use my laptop on the train too and that is far more desirable to a thief than an ebook reader - the world is not nearly as scary as some people make out. Having said that I think these types of device are more suited to actual travel, not the tube to work or whatever.
I dont think not having colour is that much of an issue either, as its not aimed at kids. If magazines become available then colour will be more of an issue, but that looks to be a while away.
Again, with regards volume of books, obviously if you don't read that much you wouldn't even consider something like this, I travel a lot which is why I get through so many and that is really the only reason why anyone would buy this type of thing. If you regularly carry 3-4 books around then you will feel the benefit. The ability to hold a massive library of books isnt that important either really I dont think - after all, who reads more than one book at once?
Drunken Max
3 years ago
of course, sorry, forgot about the video.
the books thing is more of an issue on holiday for me. Two weeks is a good ten books.
I have a toilet book as well as the normal one for those quiet moments... usually a book of jokes or quotes or something.
paul.hale
3 years ago
needs to work with apple mac or i cant use it!!plus the fact i love gadgets but books are a way of life - not for me either way
Audiojoe
3 years ago
Well then, the eReader is obviously for you. You are in the 13%. Personally, I looked at the selection for sale online yesterday. £15 for The Enchantress Of Florence?? I've seen it for half that price.
And I've explained why publishers are reluctant. DRM means nothing. It'll be cracked and available to share within hours. They're already popping up on sharing sites now. The profit margin on books is pitiful, and even more so when they hit paperback. The very fact that the "big launch" over here includes so few new titles says it all.
Also, I had a go on one yesterday. It's really unresponsive. You click to turn the page and the screen pukes at you and then takes about 5 seconds to do it. Hopefully the tech will get cheaper and better.
"Having said that I think these types of device are more suited to actual travel, not the tube to work or whatever"
So what are people supposed to do? Buy eBooks for proper travel and real books for commuting?
Lee Jones Jnr
3 years ago
People are supposed to make up their own mind and buy one if they like them and not buy one if they don't.
I don't see why people couldn't still buy paperbacks as well as ebooks, perhaps some people would be confused by this, but I doubt they can read anyway so it wouldnt matter.
I agree that the selection of titles available at the moment is quite poor, but I have seen the sony device today and I liked it. Assuming that the available content improves I will certainly be buying one.
Drunken Max
3 years ago
I'd try one if they were cheaper and there were titles I wanted to read but I don't think Mills and Boon have bought into the format yet.
antonymcf
3 years ago
overpriced, hardly any titles out there.
you're better off just buying a good old paperback.
but if they were to say, add school/college books to the available downloads then that would increase the number of people who would buy one
Audiojoe
3 years ago
"I don't see why people couldn't still buy paperbacks as well as ebooks, perhaps some people would be confused by this, but I doubt they can read anyway so it wouldnt matter"
What does this say?