The eBook and eBook Reader Wars

At this moment, the eBook market giants are at loggerheads with each other for digital content they provide through their stores. Major companies like Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble along with some other major publishers are battling online and in courtrooms for their digital business.

At first there wasn’t any competition, when Amazon introduced their Kindle ebook reader on the market in 2007 and Sony presented their device in 2006. Now lots of new ebook readers have been introduced to the market, by several companies. The latest entries are much more refined, much faster and less costly than their older counterparts. The content is also readily available through wireless Internet access, which has been introduced in the latest versions.

The reason why the ebook readers have instantly gained worldwide success varies from person to person. Of course, the most common ones include reduced storage and shelf space, convenience during travelling and low cost of reading good books.

Now the companies and publishers who have been providing online content are battling with full force for your money. Their battles have turned legal to include the U.S Justice Department recently. The major reason for this war is the monopoly of Amazon who can buy eBooks on wholesale rates cutting other competitors from the market easily. Apple, Penguin and McMillan are trying to formulate an eBook fixing association to decrease Amazon’s monopoly and promote healthy competition in the market.

Apple and Amazon are two key players in this battle who have been trying to undermine each other for quite a while now. Apple seems to be doing pretty well in this fight and is influencing publishers as well as retailers to hold back their relationship with Amazon. Its rival, Amazon, became at loss when it decided against paying 30% for every book sold through Apple’s app, as no one can purchase the books through this popular app anymore. Amazon has shipped 4.8 million Kindle Fires in the last year. During the shopping season, their Kindle Fire reached a critical mass in the market. The company also increased their market shares but could not get expected value out of their share. It is believed that Kindle Fire has reached its optimum number of users.

Barnes & Noble stroke a good deal with Microsoft, who will bundle its bookstore in Windows 8. This will make it convenient for users from all corners of the world to buy these books. This international development and expansion was a necessary move by Barnes & Noble, in order to maximize their international presence. This partnership also helps Microsoft, as it has not done well in the eBook market so far.

The eBook market has been enjoying a tremendous success in the recent years, making the fierce competition more cumbersome, as lots of money is at stake in this new electronic age. Google, Kobo, Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble are fighting hard to keep their customers, with lots of attractive offers that have been introduced by companies to stimulate them. Some offers include free software while others are giving away free ebooks.

The complications are yet to increase in this advanced electronic age!

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