IDC has released the latest teaser data from their quarterly analysis of the ereader and tablet supply chain, which estimates devices shipped from manufacturers to accounts. (So they are not looking at point-of-sale data to consumers; these are devices made rather than devices sold.) Also, it would be irresponsible not to underscore that we–like every other report out there that you will see–are “covering” only their press release, and not their full paid report. Furthermore, as you can see from our recap below, what IDC “reports” in their quarterly press releases is inconsistent, so each one may reveal different statistics. […]
eNews
eBriefs: DRM-Free for Libraries, and Collins’ eBooks on the Way
As promised, OverDrive is making available to libraries a collection of DRM-free ebooks from those publishers willing to issue their ebooks that way (Carina Press, O’Reilly, Microsoft Press, etc.). The DRM-free titles carry the same one-lend-at-a-time-per-copy as other protected titles. Release With the forthcoming release of his new book this October, business writer Jim Collins has agreed to have HarperCollins publish GOOD TO GREAT in ebook form on July 19, followed by ebook editions over his three other books over the following few months.
eNews: Macmillan to Sell MPS Stake; Apps Are Adjusting to New iOS Rules; Another Subscription Offer
Macmillan is putting their controlling 61 percent stake in the publishing solutions and services unit MPS up for sale. The Times of India says the Bangalore-based company employs about 1,000 people, but the company’s site says they have 2,500 employees worldwide. Standalone 2009 sales were approximately $30 million. The Times says “MPS has attracted interests from IT services players as well as financial investors. Macmillan’s divestment could help the company scale up operations winning more third-party businesses.” They say the sector has been active for M&A lately, adding that “there is also speculation that Aptara Solutions may launch a stake […]
Pearson Buys Borders Australia and Angus & Robertson Web Businesses
In a different type of strategic acquisition, Pearson Australia has acquired the online bookselling and ebook businesses of the bankrupt REDGroup retail, which includes the online stores for Borders Australia and Angus & Robertson. (The sites are http://www.borders.com.au/ and http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/.) They intend to retain 16 staff members associated with the businesses, and will run the two sites separately for now. Pearson also has an agreement with REDGroup’s ebook partner Kobo. While it’s not entirely clear if they will continue to use Kobo as their vendor (REDGroup was an investor in Kobo as well), it will at a minimum give “customers continued […]
eNews: Nook’s Designer, YA Author’s Social Clout, French eBooks At 1.8 Percent
BusinessWeek profiles Robert Brunner, the designer of Barnes & Noble’s Nook devices, who was approached by the company in 2008. He was also a consulting designer to Amazon in the development of the first “wedgie” Kindle and had a role in Apple’s Newton handheld as that company’s director of industrial design. When Barnes & Noble approached him, Brunner said, “the company knew ‘nothing’ about digital media, and wanted to know about how you would create a product and bring it to market.” Their shared goal was to keep the device simple and remove as many buttons as possible. “Books don’t […]
People, Etc.
Anthony Cheetham has left Atlantic Books, where he was an associate publisher and director on its board, in what he described as a “joint decision” between himself and Atlantic ceo Toby Mundy. “There wasn’t a huge amount for me to do at Atlantic, and the projects that I had envisaged working on were not really happening because it has been a difficult year for the company,” Cheetham told the Bookseller. He added that he was about to launch a new venture sometime this autumn, and while Cheetham did not give many details, evidently the plan is to “develop a ‘specialist […]