Sarah and I were eating dinner last night and discussing Steve Jobs and his legacy. She pointed out that it would have been fitting for Simon and Schuster to release Steve Jobs’ biography as an iBooks exclusive for a few days prior to street date release. Not only would this reward Apple fans, but it would also generate buzz for iBooks and stoke demand for the biography across all formats and platforms!
Sadly, unless they’re planning something awesome last minute, it looks like there won’t be any special iBooks deal. However, you can preorder the biography now at both Amazon and B&N. It’s $17.88 for the hardcover and $16.99 for the ebook at both stores. It’s too bad there’s not more of a savings on the ebook, but I have a feeling it will still sell extremely well. In fact, this could be a huge breaking point for the ebook/hardcover divide. Forget all the practical reasons why an ebook makes more sense; could anyone who owns an iOS device resist the urge to read Jobs’ biography on the devices he poured his heart and soul into creating?
What do you think? Should S&S have found a way to offer a little extra to Apple fans as they release his biography? Have you preordered it, or will you be snapping it up on October 24th? Let us know in the comments!
I agree with you; they missed a big opportunity. They’re actually missing a few, in my opinion; why not release Steven Levy’s “Insanely Great” in iBook form? Stupid.
I’m not going to get it until the price drops. I think these prices that are just a smidge under hardcover prices are insanity, and I don’t want to encourage them.
I preordered several weeks ago (In Kindle format.)
It wouldn’t matter to me whether it was iBooks exclusive at first – I’d read it when I got to it, either way. Not in iBooks format, probably, as reading full books on an iPod Touch is too much of a pain in the rear if I can just wait for it to hit the Kindle.
That’s a good point, Carly. I pre-ordered it months ago on Amazon (Kindle), but I think having it on iBooks would somehow be fitting. And having it launch there would be nice, though I bet that all was already worked out by the publisher. Good idea, though!
I have never bought an iBook and never will until I can read it everywhere. Either Kindle or Nook books I can read on iOS, Mac, PC, Android as well as the dedicated Kindle or Nook readers. Why would I want to buy from iBooks?
I am still annoyed that the hardcover is pretty much the same price as the ebook version since all the retailers can discount the heck out of the physical copies (which cost actual money to make) … but can’t touch the ebook price! What a crock of anti-consumer cartel BS!
I don’t know, I think there would be criticism about Apple wanting to “control” or “limit” the initial distribution. Or taking advantage of a situation. Personally I’m not a fan of “exclusive” content. Also we haven’t seen the book, Apple may not care for this level of access to Jobs and there may be some things that aren’t too favorable about him.