Sat, 11 Jun 2011

Why are eBooks expensive?

Why does an eBook cost as much or more than a real book?

I was just struck by this when visiting the iTunes store and seeing that they have ebooks for the iPod/Pad/Phone. OK, I don't have anything that can read these, but I was struck, once again, by the cost of eBooks. They are as expensive or more so than the equivalent book. I looked at a book selling in hard cover for $14.99. The electronic edition at iTunes is $9.99 while another electronic edition at a competitor (ok, Amazon Kindle) is $9.99.

No admittedly, I don't usually buy hard cover books, primarily because they cost too much and I can wait for the paperback. But, it seems that electronic books should be less pricey -- especially since I have had to shell out hundreds for the reader. It's the type of thing that keeps me from moving to electronic books and staying with the cheaper paper versions

Just so you don't think I'm a complete luddite (here's something I wrote some time ago about that), I do have a free book reader on a blackberry. I download and read "classic" (read "free") books on this occasionally. You know the ones you should have read in high school or college. And also, don't get me wrong, I'd love an iPad if someone would give me one. Just can justify the cost of the item for viewing things. I need more of a device for creating things (like this blog that no one will read).

posted 09:25 [/Technology] permanent link