Amazon's Kindle Lending Library
I realized that a fair amount of my posts are about Amazon. Their service updates always seem to me to be quite innovative and impact me personally. In this case, I was excited to learn about their new Kindle Lending Library - a program that allows Amazon Prime members to borrow one free book per month. This would have saved me a few bucks when I recently bought and read Kitchen Confidential
I was particularly excited because I had been looking forward to reading Fast Food Nation
When I got around to downloading the book, I found that the process wasn't the most intuitive. Then I realized why - I had missed a really important part of the lending program. It is only for Kindle owners - NOT for Kindle apps - and as such qualifying books had to be downloaded through a Kindle device. In much the same way that Apple ruled that Amazon had to drop its in-store button on the iPad app earlier this year, Amazon is building its services around its own content platform. Given the intersection that is being shaped by the competitive landscape these companies are building, it is understandable although disappointing for consumers like myself that aren't able to gain access to the best of both worlds through fewer devices.
On the plus side, as I was doing some research for this post I did come across information on lending Kindle books between individuals that does not require that the borrower own a Kindle.
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I was particularly excited because I had been looking forward to reading Fast Food Nation
When I got around to downloading the book, I found that the process wasn't the most intuitive. Then I realized why - I had missed a really important part of the lending program. It is only for Kindle owners - NOT for Kindle apps - and as such qualifying books had to be downloaded through a Kindle device. In much the same way that Apple ruled that Amazon had to drop its in-store button on the iPad app earlier this year, Amazon is building its services around its own content platform. Given the intersection that is being shaped by the competitive landscape these companies are building, it is understandable although disappointing for consumers like myself that aren't able to gain access to the best of both worlds through fewer devices.
On the plus side, as I was doing some research for this post I did come across information on lending Kindle books between individuals that does not require that the borrower own a Kindle.
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Posted by coolguyphil at 11/7/2011 11:21 AM 
Categories: commentary
Tags: amazon kindle kindle lending library amazon prime kitchen confidential fast food nation kindle owners kindle apps apple lending kindle books
Categories: commentary
Tags: amazon kindle kindle lending library amazon prime kitchen confidential fast food nation kindle owners kindle apps apple lending kindle books
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