[IAEP] Competitive Landscape: Barnes & Noble launches Android-based "nook" e-reader device and MP3 player; "Kindle killer"; Adobe DRM

[Sean DALY]

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS31745+03-Nov-2009+BW20091103
http://www.springdesign.com/resource/jsp/

Spring Design has sued Barnes & Noble over the Nook.

Without knowing the facts of the case, it appears B&N decided to
launch the Nook and risk litigation. It's a strategy, but not always a
winning one.

The Spring Design Alex unit due to be released soon is said to offer
open internet access via wireless networks including wifi, 3G,
EVDO/CDMA and GSM.



On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 11:17 AM, Sean DALY <sdaly.be at gmail.com> wrote:
> http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/
> http://www.nook.com
>
>
> This is an excellent opportunity to study B&N's marketing and learn
> what their market studies analysis and focus groups have found
> concerning eBook perception in consumers. Remember however that their
> target market is not ours, although there is surely overlap
> (well-to-do parents and teachers who love to read, geeky teachers
> interested in the budding eBook reader gadget segment).
>
>
> I already notice the terms "eBook", no hyphen, capital B; this echos
> Apple's product marketing, and seems to me to be preferable to "ebook"
> or "e-book" or "e-Book" or "E-book". And, they are calling Epub
> "EPUB", probably to differentiate the format from commercial products,
> and to equate the format with "PDF" in importance.
>
> When a media launch is done six weeks before street availability, you
> know they are scrambling for purchase intention before the holiday
> season.
>
> "Thousands of free eBooks: From Treasure Island to Pride & Prejudice,
> download thousands of free titles."
>
> They are leveraging their retail presence by offering free wifi eBook
> browsing in-store.
>
> EPub and PDF formats.
>
> There is a 14-day "lending" function to nooks or other devices, which
> means DRM, confirmed in joint Adobe PR describing the Adobe Reader
> Mobile software development kit (SDK) and use of Adobe Content Server.
> From the PR: "Adobe is integrating Barnes & Noble’s eReader social
> content protection technology into Adobe Content Server, Adobe Reader
> Mobile SDK and, eventually, into Adobe Digital Editions.... Barnes &
> Noble will support PDF and EPUB, a reflow-centric, XML-based open
> standard with broad support from the publishing industry and the
> Association of American Publishers. With this enhanced version of
> Adobe Content Server, publishers and booksellers will be able to
> protect EPUB and PDF eBooks through either social password or
> identity-based authentication options, allowing their readers access
> to interoperable eBook content across diverse platforms."
>
> Multiplatform (PC, Mac) software for download, synchro etc.; similar
> to iPod/iTunes/iTunes Music Store tight integration
>
> No mention of access to free open repositories.
>
> media for journalists:
> http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/media/
> PDF press release:
> http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/bravo/whiteout/barnes_and_noble_introduces_nook_press_release.pdf
> PDF factsheet: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/bravo/whiteout/nook_fact_sheet.pdf
> PDF product comparison:
> http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/bravo/whiteout/nook_product_comparison.pdf
> PDF Adobe partnership:
> http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/bravo/whiteout/barnes_and_noble_and_adobe_join_forces_press_release.pdf
>
> They are photocopying iPod in the sense that they want to propose
> colors & jumpstart an accessories aftermarket.
>
> From their promo e-mail I am subbed to, condensed from nook.com redirected page:
>
> * "Introducing the world's most advanced eBook Reader: nook by Barnes
> & Noble. Access over one million books, newspapers and magazines;
> Downloaded wirelessly, in seconds. Available Nov. 30th. Pre-book your
> nook: pre-order today and receive a Free eBook of Malcolm Gladwell's
> The Tipping Point."
>
> * "Shop your own personal store. Download new titles in seconds,
> delivered free over a lightening-fast 3G connection."
>
> * "Enjoy a better reading experience. A color touchscreen and E-Ink(r)
> display revolutionize the way you read."
>
> * "Save time, money, and space. Read many bestsellers and new releases
> for just $9.99, and thousands of classics for free."
>
> * "Furnish your nook. Shop a wide range of accessories from top
> designers, made to keep your nook safe and looking good."
>