In another BEA-timed announcement, Target plans to pair with start-up Librify to offer some form of ebook club/subscription service, though an “official launch is still several months off,” USA Today reports. As a result, the details are opaque for now, with Target indicating they will reveal more this summer. “The service will be targeted at women, especially young professionals and moms of the coveted Millennial generation.” Target spokeswoman Erica Julkowski says, “We are proud to partner with Librify to offer a differentiated experience, which focuses on social connectivity and book clubs. She adds, “It is a great solution for bringing a […]
ebookstores
Acquisitions: McEvoy Buys Personalized Publisher, Kobo Adds More Sony Readers, Oyster Expands
The McEvoy Group has acquired Minneapolis–based personalized gifts and books publisher I See Me! from founders Maia and Allan Haag for an undisclosed sum. Owner of properties including Chronicle Books, McEvoy plans to use the acquisition to build upon Chronicle’s personalized books and gift line. “We’re excited to welcome I See Me! to our family of companies,” said The McEvoy Group founder and ceo Nion McEvoy in the announcement. “We believe that together with Chronicle Books’ growing personalized publishing program, MyChronicleBooks, we will provide the best and most innovative personalized publishing and gifts in the market.” The 14-year-old company will remain headquartered […]
Google Play Continues Growth
Google reported first quarter earnings Wednesday afternoon that were somewhat short of analysts’ expectations on both sales and earnings. Our narrow interest in their earnings reports remains the hints regarding their expanding Play store. The category that includes Play results — “other revenues” — was up 48 percent compared to a year ago, at $1.554 billion. The same revenue line comprised $1.65 for the previous holiday quarter, and just under $5 billion for all of 2013. As we noted earlier, this business category includes the Google Play store; their hardware line (Nexus devices and Chromecasts, but not Chromebooks); and their […]
Wattpad Takes $46 Million It Doesn’t Need Yet; PRH UK Announces Reader Bookshelves; New eBook Courses and Certificates
Wattpad announced in a press release that it has raised $46 million in Series C funding, led by OMERS Ventures with participation from August Capital, Raine Ventures, and Northleaf Venture Catalyst Fund. Wattpad’s existing investors also participated in the round. The company will use the funds to expand their staff in Toronto and move to new office space, along with “support[ing] product development and community growth.” CEO Allen Lau admits to Gigaom they don’t really need the money, and still have much of their previous round of $17.3 million in financing from 2012 on hand. Over half of their users […]
Diesel eBooks Will Shut Down By Month’s End
Diesel eBooks finally confirmed that it is shutting down by the end of the month, just shy of its tenth anniversary. The news was made more obvious as a result of the company’s March 14 lawsuit (under the “new” name of Lavoho, Inc.) against Apple and the “Agency Five” publishers last week for effectively ruining its business by implementing the agency model. In a statement on its website the independent digital retailer said: “It’s been a great ride! We’re exploring our options – eBooks are still in the infant years and there are many opportunities opening up now and in […]
Microsoft Will Try Again with “Microsoft Consumer Reader”
Microsoft has expanded ambitions for the ebook market beyond their existing partnership with Nook Media, indicated through amendments to their contract with Barnes & Noble filed with the SEC. As with the previous agreements, key portions are redacted, but the important development is plans to release a Microsoft Consumer Reader. The description of that forthcoming product is omitted, but sample slides submitted to the SEC show what appears to be a Microsoft ebookstore, which will be “powered by Nook.” Once the Microsoft Consumer Reader (yes, they have a knack for consumer product names, don’t they?) is launched, Nook Media is […]