The True Cost of Publishing On the Amazon Kindle

Barence writes "Ever wondered why Kindle newspapers and magazines don't have many photos? PC Pro has done an analysis of the costs of publishing on the Kindle and discovered that Amazon effectively taxes newspapers and magazines for including more images. Amazon applies 'delivery charges' to publishers at the cost of $0.15 per MB/10p per MB. At those prices, PC Pro claims it's cheaper to mail out a physical magazine than have it delivered electronically on the Kindle. What's more, publishers have no control over the price of their newspaper or magazine: Amazon sets the prices itself, leading to huge customer complaints for titles such as The Economist."

Now you know

[Overzeetop]

An now you know how they can make the 3G whispernet free. They get somebody else to pay for the connection.

No surprise there

[AndyAndyAndyAndy]

Too many precedents have been set lately by allowing manufacturers/distributors to control content. And not just in publishing, either.

Smallest Violin

[MightyYar]

Between EVIL Amazon and EVIL Apple, I'm running out of tears for the publishing industry.

</sarcasm>

Costs

[Elder Entropist]

"At those prices, PC Pro claims it's cheaper to mail out a physical magazine than have it delivered electronically on the Kindle." But that doesn't include the costs of actually printing the physical magazine. Not to defend Amazon though. They're clearly trying to make a buck before commoditization of the industry drives prices down.

Re:Now you know

[The End Of Days]

Well, duh. How many people really thought it was an altruistic contribution from the bottom of Amazon's heart?

Not "allowing" anything

[SuperKendall]

Too many precedents have been set lately by allowing manufacturers/distributors to control content.

Amazon (and Apple) are not being "allowed" to control content. They have managed to build something desirable to put content on.

They have figured out how to make devices on which people enjoy reading content. A great part of the reason WHY people enjoy reading content on those devices is because of the way the systems have been set up - in Apple's case extreme ease of purchase for applications or content you wish to buy, in Amazon's case that plus free always-connected status.

Neither of those things is free to provide, and content PRODUCERS are welcome to sell content elsewhere or even make competing devices if they so choose. But the truth is there is great value in the path to readers that Apple and Amazon provide, and there's nothing wrong with paying for that.

Re:I 3 my kindle

[BitZtream]

Kindle + calibre + torrents = awesomeness. Screw paying for anything.

So you think we're going to be impressed by the fact that you're nothing more than a petty thief?

What are you going to do when your boss says 'screw paying for your time'?

Ignorant shits like you give them a reason to push for DRM.

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