Apple has teased us with the idea of its very own e-book reader for a while now. Till now, all these rumors have been just what they are — rumors. But in the past couple of weeks, many reliable sources are reporting that Apple is planning something sneaky. Some argue that Apple is planning its own netbook. Some are even arguing that Apple is working on a netbook – iPhone hybrid. But how do you explain Apple folks scanning books in Apple headquarters?
It’s always fun to entertain these rumors, but when it comes to Apple, rumors are closer to the reality than they should be. Apple is a big idea company. I doubt Apple is going to come up with a device just to challenge Kindle. It’s more likely that Apple is planning to kill multiple birds with one stone. A netbook that is touch-screen, can run applications in iTunes, and allows people to read books and write notes like they would on a tablet: Netbook + Kindle + Tablet PC + Apple SDK.
Can Apple challenge Amazon in the ebook market? I wouldn’t be surprised if they do. I am certain that Apple won’t be introducing an e-book reader. But they don’t have to. The iPhone is not an e-book reader either but many iPhone fans can’t stop talking about how the iPhone beats the Kindle in its own game. An ultra portable Apple netbook can be the biggest challenge the Kindle has faced yet.
Your take: should Amazon be wary of Apple’s secret project?
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3 Responses to “More Apple Rumors…”
Everyone should be afraid of Apple competing with them.
With that said i still have serious doubts about Apple getting into the ebook market.
Although i am positive they have been working on something that is like an ebook reader. I just don’t see enough money in it for apple to really compete with Amazon on this.
The only area where i think apple might be able to make a play would be a tablet style device tailored towards students with ties to the text book market.
The text book market is one of the only areas of publishing that makes real money and students love apple products. Since we are talking students here i think apple could make a device that would still carry a decent margin since parents or financial aid checks would be paying for it.
Here is what I have learned from Steve Jobs. When he says a market is overrated or not worth it, it means they have already started creating a product to dominate that market. I personally want Apple to get in this market. Here is why: they make everyone else better. Competing with Apple either makes your stronger or sinks you. In case of Amazon, I think the competition would be good for them.
I would love apple to be in pretty much every market. They have brilliant design and are consistently innovative.
The problem is for apple to keep this up, they need to only attack markets where they can both innovate and make a good return on investment.
I don’t think the ebook market provides that.
I think they might be able to make an innovative product. Multi-touch based tablet with a strong multimedia ebook store would be pretty sweet. The problem is most of the publishing industry makes almost no money (with the exception of text books and harry potter).
With such small margins, complicated licensing, and a small and largely untried market ebooks is just not an area where Apple should be spending much time working on.
I would much rather have them work on creating a better AppleTV and maybe a tablet/netbook type device.
As far as the ebook market goes, they should just partner with amazon for the time being. They already partner with amazon in the area of audio books (via a deal with audible)
After the market grows and Apple has had time to develop an amazing ebook reader (which i contend will have to wait for major advances in screen technology) Then apple should just right in. For now, they have plenty of other things to focus on.