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Loading ...E-book store: Borders offers 1.5 m books
Ann Arbor (ip-192.com): In a bid to boost revenue, Borders started unveiled its new e-book store. The Ann Arbor based bookseller said that it has about 1.5 million books available. The digital copies include paid and free books in a variety of formats that include ePub, Adobe Acrobat, and mobile.
Free software powered by Kobo (ip-192.com reported here), a Canadian based e-book reader, allows customers to read books on a variety of different devices including PC’s, Macintosh computers, Apple's iPad and iPhone, Google's Android and RIM's BlackBerry smartphones. Kobo also allows users to search for specific titles and manage their libraries. "The race to emerge as a retail leader within the digital category is just starting," said Mike Edwards, Borders chief executive.
Borders dedicated e-reader, the $149 Kobo, comes with 100 free classic e-books. The second largest bookstore chain in the U.S. also sells the $119 Aluratek Libre eReader and two Sony readers. The company will compete directly with Barnes & Noble's e-book store and Amazon.com. While Barnes & Noble sells its own 3G and Wi-Fi enabled Nook reader for $199 (and a Wi-Fi only version for $149), Amazon pushes the $189 Kindle that offers 3G wireless connectivity. Kobo uses Bluetooth or a USB port to connect to a smartphone or a computer.
Many books in the Borders e-bookstore sell for around $10, while some bestsellers have the same list price as their paper counterparts. Borders hopes that it can capture 17 percent of the e-book market within the next 12 months and says that purchases of e-books will count towards its Borders Rewards loyalty program. Google Inc. is also expected to enter the e-book market later in the year (ip-192.com reported here).
Photo: Laeschke
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