The publishing tide is shifting fast: E-book sales in February topped all over formats, including paperbacks and hardcovers, according to an industry report released this week. Get the full story »
Inside these posts: E-books
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Amazon offers cheaper Kindle — with ads
A commuter reads a Kindle while riding the subway in Cambridge, Mass. (Reuters/Brian Snyder)
Amazon announced its new “Kindle with Special Offers“ on Monday which will sell for $114, which is $25 less than its ad-free counterpart, Amazon’s $139 Kindle Wi-Fi. The Kindle 3G is available for $189. It will begin shipping May 3.
The Kindle’s “special offers” and ads will appear on the e-reader’s screensaver and at the bottom of its home screen. Amazon plans to mix together advertisements from launch sponsors including Buick, Olay and Visa with daily-deal style discount coupons. Get the full story »
Judge rejects Google’s deal to digitize books
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a settlement deal Google hammered out with publishers over its controversial Google Books archive, saying the proposed agreement went too far in giving Google control over the digitalization of books. Get the full story »
Microsoft sues Barnes & Noble over Nook
A customer tries out a Nook electronic book reader at a Barnes and Noble. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Microsoft Corp. sued Barnes & Noble Inc. and the manufacturers of Barnes & Noble’s Nook electronic book device, escalating a series of patent battles over gadgets based on Google Inc.’s Android operating system. Get the full story »
Sources: Borders talking with restructuring advisers
Bookseller Borders Group has hired FTI, a firm known for its restructuring practice, to assist in analyzing its finances, according to sources familiar with the situation. Get the full story »
Google ready to launch e-books venture
Google Inc. is in the final stages of launching its long-awaited e-book retailing venture, Google Editions, a move that could shake up the way digital books are sold.
The long-delayed venture — Google executives had said they hoped to launch this summer — recently has cleared several technical and legal hurdles, people close to the company say. It is set to debut in the U.S. by the end of the month and internationally in the first quarter of next year, said Scott Dougall, a Google product management director. Get the full story »
Google, Hachette ink accord on book scanning
Google has signed an accord with France’s biggest book publisher Hachette Livre on the scanning and sale of out-of-print books, which grants the publisher wide control over pricing and content. Get the full story »
Nov. 11, 2010 at 3:07 p.m.
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Filed under: Books, Computers, Entertainment, Media, Newspapers, Technology, Wireless N.Y. Times to add e-book best-seller list
E-books have reached another milestone: their own best-seller lists in The New York Times.
The Times, whose best-seller lists have long been a benchmark for success among authors, announced Wednesday that in early 2011 it will begin publishing rankings for fiction and nonfiction e-books.
The digital market has grown rapidly in the last three years, starting with Amazon.com’s Kindle reader and continuing with Apple’s iPad and Barnes & Noble’s Nook.
Amazon to let readers lend Kindle books
Amazon.com Inc. is going to allow the lending of e-books purchased from its Kindle Store.
The online retailer announced the upcoming feature in a discussion forum for the Kindle on its website Friday, saying that later in the year it will start letting Kindle users and people who use its free Kindle apps loan books to others for a two-week period. During the loan, the book’s owner will not be able to read the book, Amazon said.
Barnes & Noble says Burkle not fit for board
Barnes & Noble Co. said activist investor Ronald Burkle was unqualified to be on its board and accused the billionaire of trying to take over the bookseller through a proxy battle without rewarding shareholders. Get the full story »
Barnes & Noble posts 1Q loss on legal costs
Barnes & Noble Inc. posted a first-quarter loss on legal expenses related to its proxy fight with a major shareholder, the struggling book seller said Tuesday. The company cut its annual earnings outlook on the costs related to fighting billionaire financier Ron Burkle.
Burkle deal dead, Barnes & Noble girds for proxy fight
Barnes & Noble said it failed to reach a deal to end a rift with billionaire investor Ron Burkle, casting doubt on the bookstore chain’s ability to attract buyers and raising the specter of a proxy battle.
“Barnes & Noble and Yucaipa were unable to conclude an agreement on mutually acceptable terms,” the company said in a statement on Thursday, referring to Burkle’s investment firm. Get the full story »
Barnes & Noble expands textbook rental program
Barnes & Noble’s college bookstore unit said Monday it is expanding its textbook rental program.
The program, which began as a pilot in January, is offered through campus bookstores managed by Barnes & Noble. Users have the option of renting in campus bookstores or online. Get the full story »
Barnes & Noble reviews sale; Riggio may bid
Barnes & Noble, the world’s largest specialty bookseller, said it was reviewing a possible sale as its board believes its shares are significantly undervalued. Barnes & Noble shares soared 21 percent after the company announced formation of a special committee of four independent directors to consider all options for increasing shareholder value.
Shareholder Leonard Riggio has told the board he would consider being part of a wider investor group that could buy the company. Get the full story »
Inquiry opened on e-book pricing
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is investigating deals struck by Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc. to offer low prices on electronic books, saying the agreements may block rivals from providing attractive pricing.
Earlier this year, Amazon and Apple worked out a “most favored nations” deal with major publishers, ensuring rival booksellers would not be able to work out an even lower price, Blumenthal said. Get the full story »
