Actually one of my favourite features about the Kindle and related Kindle software is it's ability to track your position in a book. So if I'm at home reading on the actual Kindle and am on page 85 of a book, later when I'm out and about say in line for something I can pop open my Android and it will jump to the same spot in the book on the phone. I can only imagine the amount of data these guys need to keep track of... Amazon knows what page you're all on! :) From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Earl Borah Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 1:12 PM To: feistfans-l Subject: Re: Converted...
And the vendor (Apple, Amazon, Google) is taking a cut as well - I think with Apple it's a third of the price, though with the lawsuits and settlements around price fixing between Apple and the major publishers, I'm not sure what the real numbers are. In any case, the provider is charging for the infrastructure. They're providing the download (and keeping it available so you can download it again and again when you delete it from your device to save space or get a new device), they're handling the monetary transaction, they're handling the account security and customer service so you can add a new device to your account or change your password when you lose it. They're updating the software to work with new devices, and protect against cracks that break the DRM. They're answering the tech support calls and emails (hopefully) for the people who don't know they have to click a download button or who don't understand why they can't download anything when they don't have any type of internet connection (and those are a lot more time-consuming than you think) or they don't have the app installed on their device. The infrastructure is certainly different than the retail book infrastructure - no trucks shipping paper around the country - but the infrastructure costs are still there. ________________________________ This e-mail communication, including all attachments, may contain private, proprietary, privileged and/or confidential information and is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. Any unauthorized use, copying or distribution of the contents of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, and have received it in error, please delete it and notify the sender immediately.
