The Google Print Library battle, Microsoft's deal to scan much of the
British Library collection and new Amazon programs to allow consumers
to view parts of books online and access an e-version of traditional
books they buy emphasize that the digital future that seemed just
around the corner a decade ago may finally be occurring--but via the
Internet, POD, pdas, smartphones and other devices rather than CD-ROMs
and
e-book readers. Not that electronic initiatives bypassed the book
world--they have had great effect in EDI, warehousing, inventory
control, editorial work, printing and basic communication. But the headlines of last
week and other recent events add to the sense that major change is
coming to what might be the last bastion of book tradition--how texts reach readers:
Google, Microsoft and Amazon will likely have more news soon. It's not hard to imagine an announcement in the near future from Amazon that involves BookSurge, the print on demand company it bought earlier this year. With its network of warehouses, BookSurge expertise and technology and tens of thousands of scanned titles, Amazon could become one of the largest printers in the country overnight. And in contrast to wholesaler POD operations, all of its POD books would be sold when demanded.
Ironically all the digital moves make Random House's announcement last week of the founding of Random House Films, a partnership with Focus Features, owned by NBC Universal, seem less of a blockbuster than it might have even just a few months ago.
- MBS Textbook Exchange's expansion next semester of the pilot program by which it sold e-versions of about 300 textbooks from four publishers at 10 college bookstores to as many as 800 e-texts from more publishers at about 100 college bookstores (Shelf Awareness, November 1).
- PublicAffairs founder and editor-at-large Peter Osnos's project to explore models for getting texts to readers, including the traditional book, POD books, audio and digital delivery.
- Audible's 75% jump in customers in the quarter ended September 30 and revenue gain of 81%. The spoken-word content company has added podcasting and downloading-to-smartphone services as well as expanded in the U.K. and Germany.
Google, Microsoft and Amazon will likely have more news soon. It's not hard to imagine an announcement in the near future from Amazon that involves BookSurge, the print on demand company it bought earlier this year. With its network of warehouses, BookSurge expertise and technology and tens of thousands of scanned titles, Amazon could become one of the largest printers in the country overnight. And in contrast to wholesaler POD operations, all of its POD books would be sold when demanded.
Ironically all the digital moves make Random House's announcement last week of the founding of Random House Films, a partnership with Focus Features, owned by NBC Universal, seem less of a blockbuster than it might have even just a few months ago.