You’ve probably heard the news, unless you have been living under a rock that blocks all incoming internet signals as well as the Apple nerd at work and even then HEY YOU UNDER THE ROCK, tomorrow is the big day that Apple announces the worst best-kept secret in the multiverse: the mythic iTablet or iSlate or iSomething that promises to be a game changer or not or who the heck knows.
Already this is shaking up the publishing business. Publishers have been rumored to be in discussions with Apple, and Amazon recently announced a (caveat heavy) deal whereby people who publish with the Kindle will receive a 70% royalty provided they meet certain criteria, which some have viewed as a preemptive response to Apple’s dealmaking (via reader Brandon).
With rumors rampant about what the tablet will look like, what it will cost, and whether it will be the most awesomest most awesome thing in the world or merely awesome (or even not awesome), I’ll leave all that to the rumor sites.
But it seems clear to me that the days of grayscale e-books are likely coming to an end. While the iTablet will probably be too expensive to change things immediately, it’s a harbinger of things to come: color and video and audio are coming to e-book readers near you.
And it’s going to be interesting to see how it shakes out. Who will be the first author with an animated cover? Will people crave enhanced e-books or do people want their e-books to remain static and moving-part free? Will Apple come to dominate the e-book business the way they do e-music, or will other competitors like Amazon remain strong? Will dedicated devices still appeal to core audiences?
I personally think a big question is: will people still read books on a device so eminently capable of distracting you with movies, the Internet, games, and anything the geeks of tomorrow invent?
We’ll see. But I suspect the future of publishing is about to take another lurch forward.
What about you, any predictions?
Michelle McLean says
I don't know about books, but this will be huge for e-magazines. For me, I'll always love my paper books, but this sounds too fun not to try. I have this vision of a "Harry Potter" newspaper type experience, with moving pictures and floating articles 🙂 Perhaps we aren't quite that advanced yet 🙂
Kristin Laughtin says
While I'm all for my books remaining static, I can see enhanced ebooks becoming popular. Look at all the viral tie-in campaigns that are so popular with TVs and movies right now. I can imagine at least some readers wanting to play the games or solve the puzzles or listen to the soundtrack or whatever else accompanies the ebook, and the publishers putting huge effort into it even if only a minority of readers do.
And I won't be surprised if it catches on quickly. At first everyone said iPhones would be too expensive for most people to get…yet I know more than a handful of people who stood in line the day they were released and paid hundreds of dollars they didn't have. Because it's Apple.
AAJ says
Personally, I just started reading ebooks on my brand new nook, and I love it. I don't think I'll give up paper books, but I certainly see it as a really nice addition.
That being said, I'm not feeling the need for an iTablet or iSlate or whatever it will be. Why should I? Do I need an animated cover to enjoy a book? No. I hate reading on a computer screen! I think it's a fabulous idea for a product, but I've got my laptop and I've got my nook. I don't feel the need to combine all my devices into one.
THAT being said (phew) if it gets people thinking in new directions… go for it. But I hope they still make plain, ol' books (and ebooks!) for the rest of us.
Anonymous says
predictions? we still need good stories, regardless of how they're delivered
Marilyn Peake says
The article about Amazon is really interesting. Amazon isn’t offering 70% of original paperback or hard cover prices to authors. The article made some extremely interesting points. After slashing Kindle eBook prices to $9.99 which most likely incurred the wrath of authors and publishers, and now facing competition from the iTablet, Amazon’s suddenly offering 70% of eBook sales to authors and publishers. I followed the link in the article to Amazon’s News Release. In order to qualify for 70% of the book price, authors and publishers must agree to quite a few caveats, including setting the list price between $2.99 to $9.99 and allowing Amazon to set even lower prices if competitors do, and giving Amazon not only text-to-speech rights but also a list of other features that "…will grow over time as Kindle continues to add more functionality to Kindle and the Kindle Store." On top of all that, Amazon has started giving away many best-selling books for FREE, using them simply as promotion for other formats of the book. Tricky, eh?
Bane of Anubis says
This is right up my alley. Tablets are the en vogue thing right now for some reason (as demonstrated by this year's CES). The only way a table will make any sort of waves is if it provides something laptops/netbooks don't, which translates to an e-ink fashioned e-reader (plus all other gadgetry).
Amazon had a fun ride, but its time is done unless they significantly reduce costs on the Kindle (and by significantly, I mean < $100 on DX) b/c the tablet is projected to be $200 – $400 more than the Kindle with significant application advantage.
Barbara's Spot on the Blog says
I've never had my paperback's batteries run out. They're kind of reliable that way.
Rick Daley says
Wow, that's a lot of rhetorical questions, Nathan 😉
Who will be the first author with an animated cover?
James Cameron, and it will be 3-D.
Will people crave enhanced e-books or do people want their e-books to remain static and moving-part free?
There are still many who prefer real books to e-books, so the change will be gradual. Those that were early adopters of e-books in general will probably marvel at the new-found gadgetry. Some e-book purists will hold their ground, as will the most traditional tree killers.
Will Apple come to dominate the e-book business the way they do e-music, or will other competitors like Amazon remain strong?
Apple has proven time and time again that they can sell devices. I don't think they will put Amazon out of business, but they will give them a run for their money. Amazon has a lot of momentum, and a very well-established distribution platform. I bet they have several war rooms full of strategic thinkers planning their counter attack. There's too much money on the line for them no to.
Will dedicated devices still appeal to core audiences?
I think the core audience itself is what's at risk, and the new options will fragment it beyond the simple e-book vs. print battle. This diversity will make total market domination difficult for any one company.
Will people still read books on a device so eminently capable of distracting you with movies, the Internet, games, and anything the geeks of tomorrow invent?
Yes. Those that like to read will read. My hope is that those who are not likely to read will stumble upon its joys when they have that multi-functional device in their hands and get bored with the other toys.
What about you, any predictions?
The sun will rise tomorrow.
Ben-M says
I'm not holding my breath. If it features backlit LCD then I can't see how it's anything more than a giant iPhone. To me, a big attraction of the Kindle and its ilk remains the reflective screen.
There are colour and multimedia reflective screens in the offing; when such a device comes out that lets me critique or mark up a draft or textbook I'll be more inclined to dish out the readies. The allure of "buying" books for a device when the future of DRM is a muddy and uncertain quagmire leaves that feature out of my consideration.
Shelby says
Apparently, i've been under a rock. I know not of this — until your post.
So – no opinion .. no time to form one really.
would someone please come get this rock from on top of me?
well, anyway, I'm sure it'll all shake down without me.
Andrea Franco-Cook says
Setting aside all the bells and whistles, nothing replaces the hard copy. I hate reading electronically. For some reason it distracts me. I'll pick a good ole fashioned book over some electronic device everytime.
FWIW, my techno savvy children also agree with me.
mkcbunny says
There's something to be said for having as much of your media in one place as possible, especially for travel, but I really like my Kindle as a "plain" tablet without all of the distractions Nathan cites.
So I don't think that having the Internets distracting form my books is necessarily a good thing. And really, that Apple tablet is going to cost a fortune (I'm guessing $899), so I couldn't afford one anyway.
But I'm guessing the bells, whistles, and motion are coming to e-readers everywhere eventually. I just hope that we'll be able to quiet down the visual noise if we want to.
ryan field says
I'm looking forward to it. And I hope we'll be able to personalize it, like phones and some of the dashboards in newer cars. The one thing I've been disapointed in with e-readers is that they are so gray and dull.
Livia says
But it's not going to be e-ink though. People made sucha big deal about e-ink with the kindle that I wonder why everybody's just disregarding that aspect of the apple tablet.
Ryan says
The timing of all this makes me feel like I could run on nails. Stoked is the word these days. I've been saying for three years now that my memoir will be a multimedia experience with dozens of videos to go along with the book. And now there are platforms and devices besides computers to support it.
The Vooks(Simon and Schuster) have had mixed reviews for the fiction pieces and great reviews for the non-fiction. I think it's a tough go for fiction unless the publisher or author can spend a great deal on actors and production. However, with today's technology and local acting talent one can find,low budget quality indies can be made.
I'd still want a hardcover release and then maybe a year later have the e-book come out with videos and even excerpts never seen before. That's what I wrote in my proposal anyways. First things first…find and agent.
Here are a couple excerpts and a videos:
https://thechinproject.wordpress.com/memoir/the-monsterchapter-13-excerpt/
https://thechinproject.wordpress.com/memoir/round-up-chapter-8-excerpt/
Orange Slushie says
i have a kindle (which i dig) and i also love paper books – i've never subscribed to the either/or mentality. both have pros and cons, so why not have options? i also love apple products, and i'd be surprised if their new i-thingie isn't an awesome and covetable piece of the-future-is-upon-us gadgetry. BUT. do i actually want a book that can surf the net? no, i don't think i do. as nathan acknowledges, there are already so many distractions. i already have to take my laptop to the library, far away from my wireless connection, in order to get any real writing done (and it takes my breath away how much more productive i am in a period of, say, 2 hours, there as opposed to at home where i'm always 'quickly checking my email' or 'just looking something up online'). that's writer discipline – what about reader discipline? the beauty of a good book is the way you get lost in it. for that to happen, i need to disconnect once in a while.
Brittany says
I despise e-books. I think I'll begin protesting in public if they start getting rid of wonderful books and replacing them with the evil Kindle. *shudders*
Lorelei Armstrong says
I knew I kept the electronic rights to my novel for a reason, and it wasn't to fight the html death match with the Kindle. I do loves me some paper books, but I also loves me some Apple!
Ryan says
@ Rowenna about extra features on DVDs.
I actually love watching "The Making Of" if they have it on the DVD. The deleted scenes are good to watch too because it helps me see how they wanted to keep the story on track. I also really like hearing commentary by the directors and actors. Seeing and hearing the process and the problems they had to overcome to make the movie is pretty cool.
More than once I've enjoyed the extras even more than the movie.
Terry says
Some animation, as in trailers, appeals to me.
But, I still prefer the good old-fashioned novel, for reading. No distractions.
The novel, is more internal, more personal, and you get to imagine the world – not some producer's, director's or actor's vision of that world. It's more of a collaboration between you and the author.
More intimate, and therefore, more satisfying.
Kay says
Are electric based reading devices the wave of the future?
I always wonder what happens when the electricity is down … and the batteries need to be recharged. After all, computers are predicated on an abundance of electricity.
What if everyone is taking cheap electricity for granted?
Vacuum Queen says
The funny thing is….people in the graphic drawing world are wondering how it'll change THEIR workspace. And folks in the desktop computer, or even laptop computer world are wondering if they'll be obsolete soon. I mean, this iWhatever is going to do much more than be an eReader.
I own 2 desktop PC's and a MacBook (laptop) and the one I reach for the most? My iPhone. If only it could "do everything." I'm hoping it will soon.
Naya says
I think it'll be a flop. Some people will get it cause it's the latest neat thing, but for most it will be too expensive and not worth their effort (and expense). So it'll die out…
Then 5 to 10 years down the road, someone will create something similar only better and much more affordable. And it's going to be a hit!
Remember the laserdisk…
Christy Pinheiro, EA ABA says
Kindle, look out. That's all I have to say. I spend a lot of money on gadgets and this one is going to get my hard-earned dollars, too.
It's a netbook/e-reader replacement.
Erin McGuire says
I'm surprised there aren't more comments from illustrators. Rather than just assume that this technology will be used for cheap animated novelties, why not exploit it to its fullest potential?
People like reading books, not reading with distractions, but illustrations can be a really powerful supplement to good writing. Can this be an opportunity for a renaissance of good illustration?
I'd love to hear what you think about this, Nathan. Will color e-books make publishers more receptive to including illustration (not animated, just good ol' pure art awesomeness) in their books, with no color printing costs attached and a hopefully growing readership?
K.O. bookgirl says
One summer, I was in the middle of reading "An Instance of the Fingerpost" when I accidentally left it out on my deck. In the rain. Overnight. Anyone who has read it knows how large a book it is. Then it swelled to twice its size, and I had to read the rest of it like a sideways rolodex. But it was worth it!
I don't think an iTablet or Kindle would be nearly as forgiving of the things I put my books through.
And if I do get my novel published, I hope it becomes a dog-eared, metro-toted, crammed-in-a-purse enjoyable read. I won't even mind if it's left out in the rain.
Rowenna says
@Ryan–I'm glad they're finding an audience–I actually feel kind of bad not ever watching what I know someone put hard work into. I guess I just have to really enjoy the film to want to see more in the way of making-of or other features.
I wonder–could author/editor commentary, "making of" features, or, for researched materials, optional research notes be a good addition to e-books? You could be reading along and have a tabbed option to read where a historical fiction author found the source to back up a plot point in the book, for instance.
Lady Glamis says
Thanks for keeping us so posted, Nathan! I have no predictions. Maybe I'll wait and see what's announced tomorrow. 😉
jungletwins says
These things do have their benefits. I live on a tropical island (poor me) and have watched a tragically large number of books go to ruin on my shelves due to the climate here. Consequently, I now buy less books. This nifty device has the potential to change that.
Mira says
Marilyn,
Good information, and yes, I know. I saw that part in Nathan's post about caveats. I chose to ignore it.
The important thing is that the concept: the author will be receiving 70% royalities has entered the collective consciousness.
That's a mighty fine concept. 🙂
DG says
If animated book covers on a color Apple tablet sound interesting, think of how the marketing of books via trailers will explode.
I can't wait to see what Apple does right next.
Anonymous says
It's a tablet PC. It's not even in the remotely the same space as the amazon Kindle or Nook. Will this device change publishing? I doubt it.
I just don't see myself sitting down with a tablet with a backlit screen and reading a book. Folks have a hard enough time coughing up the dough for a Kindle.
I can see the device competing with portable DVD players as an alternative media device for playing audio and video files. I can see people playing video games on the device. But I just don't see people reading whole novels on it. I can see people reading your blog on it and short news articles.
My Kindle is fine, and when color e-ink comes out, I'll probably opt to buy one that does color. I'll also stick with my DS as my portable video game device for now.
Now, will the publishers pushing for this device to be a Kindle killer please SIT down!
Linguista says
Nathan, I do live under a rock. It's called JAPAN! I only found out about Apple's tablet this week, I think on Rejectionist's blog.
For me, books and movies are too seperate things. When I watch a movie I want to see things. When I read a book, I want to imagine them. Sometimes it's even hard to watch book-to-screen movies, because the characters don't look the way I imagine or sound the way I imagine or say the things I imagine. I just don't want to lose out on the imagination factor.
But then, I don't own a Kindle or an ipod even. I like old fashioned stuff, like books and CD's.
Do you think that the ease of self-publishing wiht Kindle will have a major impact on the industry? Going to go look for/start a topic in the forums on that.
T. Anne says
I'm definitely ready for the lurch. How cool would it be to view the book trailer, the author's playlist, an author interview, and perhaps a picture of the muse? OK, well maybe not that last one, but still. And yes, I believe it is a harbinger of much geek ingenuity to come. Cannot wait.
Rachel says
It sounds so distracting that I am freefalling away from the whole idea. Old timey books are good enough.
Anonymous says
My hands hurt. Seriously. I'm on a computer at work. When I get home, I go to my, uh, MacBook. Then there's the iPhone. My shoulders won't stop hurting. My wrists won't stop hurting. I had to switch over to using the mouse with my left hand yesterday. I don't ever remember having this problem with a paperback. I'm amazed and excited about the technological advances we've made as a species for sure. Yes. I can talk to someone on a handheld device. Listen to my music on a handheld device. Write, send text messages, pay my bills, read the news, read blogs and a book, all on a HANDheld device. But the thought of another handheld device that requires me to punch buttons with either my thumbs or index fingers just sends shivers down my spine. I think I'm going to stick with the paper for a little while longer, and, uh, let my hands and shoulders get some rest.
Sofie Bird says
So close, Apple, but you didn't actually make anything new here. This is just a sexy tablet PC.
Get your hands on that transparent LCD technology, and put an e-ink screen behind your touchscreen – then I'll buy. Hell, I'll buy two. If I want to play games, I get the rapid response of an LCD. If I want to read a book, I get the anti-eye-tiring reflective display.
Until e-ink can match LCDs for refresh rate, that's the closest you're going to get to what you're trying to do, here.
Whirlochre says
It would be a shame if all the frills 'n' spills multimedia became a distraction to the main event — or superceded it entirely. Once there were horse-drawn carriages, now there are cars, kind of thing. But animated covers sound good. And horror novels could play scary music during the killer scenes — maybe even feature screams of pain (and I refer here to the author's own "how this book came to be written" bio)
Donna Hole says
Hmm, I love the book trailers, but doubt I want my book playing animations. And, it's little, right? I mean, like, smaller that the screen of an iPhone? I don't care if it can cook me breakfast, if I have to read a 2 inch screen, its toast.
And seriously, if I have EVERYTHIING on one device, and I happen to be leaning over the toilet, and my device dropps into the flushing stream and gurgles downward, am I happy I can't dial 611 and get at least my cell back?
Seriously, only SuperAgents like Nathan reads a novel for pleasure, blogs, updates twitter, edits submissions, sends out revisions on his own novel, sends e-mail answers to "ask the agent", soothes writer worries, blogs, and texts his mother all on the same device. At the same time.
Dedicated e-reader folks. If you're taking a break from your busy afternoon – don't be distracted by updates while you're reading the newest -xxx whatever vampire – novel.
Think Kindle, or Sony, for that relaxing moment with a good e-book.
…………dhole
ciara says
if it can do everything isn't it just going to be some kind of flat laptop? apple always take things too far. we don't need all that stuff! like iphones, i know lots of people love them but does anyone really need a phone with an app that imitates a light saber? i mean really. i hate to sound like an old fart, when i'm only 23, but i'd rather get back to basics
Scott says
No predictions, but I really, really think I want one. Unfortunately, I'll probably have to give up my first born child in order to afford one.
Cam Snow says
here's two thoughts for you:
1) The tablet will not trump the traditional small, black and white e-Reader because (a) neither authors nor publishers are ready to generate enhanced media; (b) most people I know want a smaller portable e-Reader, not a bigger one (i.e., a thin paperback size); and (c) I think traditional eReaders will drop to $20 (yes twenty) in the next couple of years… I wouldn't even hesitate to bet that in 5 years you will have the option of buying the hardcover for $27.95 or the eReader, pre-loaded with the book for the same price.
(2)You know what I call enhanced media books? Movies with subtitles! If I wanted to read a movie, I'd turn my DVD player to French language option and put on the english subs.
Do the talking heads at these tech companies really think that authors or publishers want to put background music or video clips in their books? Not unless you want book prices to SKYROCKET!
Finally, the one thing that I think could be interesting (which I mentioned in your forum) is that these new devices do open up the possibility of doing targeted advertising within an eBook (possibly an alternative revenue model)
Maripat says
For me e-ink is wonderful. So much easier on my eyes than reading from a screen. Saying that tough as much as I like my itouch I would love it to be bigger. So yes, I'm anxious to see this.
Ted says
Agree with Cam Snow… "multimedia e-books" eventually become movies with subtitles.
When you start adding images to e-books, you take away the reader's obligation to conjure a scene, which means you're diluting the imaginative experience. It's why as a kid I always felt ambivalent about those great line-art sketches in my hardcover copy of TOM SAWYER… that's not what Injun Joe looks like!
When you start adding time-based media (like animations or video), you're taking away the reader's ability to pace the story as well.
"Enhancing" e-books with graphics definitely creates the potential for interesting hybrids, but at some point it means the experience isn't really reading anymore.
Abby Stevens says
I still just really, really enjoy reading a regular ol' book, big bulky spine, pages, and all. 🙂
Heather says
Tablets have been around for years, or has everyone forgot? They're not huge sells now. Apple is VERY good at hype, so this one probably will sell, but it'll be far more expensive then the general consumer will be looking to pay. You have your Apple Geeks who are mostly teenagers with money burning a hole in their pocket and not the technical know-how to realize they could get the SAME EXACT THING at sometimes HALF THE PRICE by other vendors. And then you have those gadget hounds that just want to buy the new shiny. Personally, I'm holding off on any and all e-readers until there is a standard format. I don't want to buy a Sony e-reader and then my less than technical friends buy me a a Kindle gift card (do those exist?) not realizing it's useless to me. I want my books to be transferable from device to device like your typical mp3s are today (however not iTunes. Heaven forbid you use something other than an Apple product or a regular computer to listen to your iTunes!)
Kathryn Magendie says
*crawls out from under rock, blinks*
As always, as an author or writer, curious to see what happens – as a reader, give me my bound books I can snuggle up with in bed at night!
JMCOOPER says
I'm so horribly torn! Each time a new electronic coolness becomes available, I am just as interested as the nerd at Radio Shack, but I love, love, love traditional books. I love them displayed, I love to lend them to friends, I love to write my name in them, I love to hold the story in my hands. But the technology is just so…friggen cool! I remember "computers" class in the mid-80's; programming apple computers with strange codes…look how far we've come! How can you not be fascinated? (but I will still single-handedly keep B&N in business)
Trace says
I want to grumble and say that I prefer paper all the way, but since I'm an ebook writer, that would be silly.
I'm just too damned poor to afford one of these pretty, shiny, wonderful, lovely little jobbies. So it's easier to say that I prefer paper than to admit that I can't have one!
Kate Sheeran says
*grips Kindle* PLEASE don't take away my precious just-like-a-book-but-better device, nooooo!