Re: [tlug] Netbooks (sony reader)

["Stephen J. Turnbull" <stephen@example.com>]

Ai Ling writes:

 > Sony used to sell them in Japan some years back, a student of mine in
 > publishing said. Sony made some horrible choices, though, including DRM that
 > _rented_ the book out, not sold it,

Leaving aside the question of DRM at all, DRM'ed rentals could be a
big win in the market if (1) the price was very low (ie, few enough
yen that you'd rather rent the thing and sit down while reading as
opposed to wearing out your legs by tachiyomi) and/or included an
attractive option to buy.

Big Japanese companies just don't get marketing, even today.  They
throw money at television and other advertising, but look at their
home pages.  Instead, they focus on controlling the market through
dealer networks.  (That's why although Japanese MSRPs are reasonable
by international standard, it's very rare to see the kind of
"end-of-season" deals, or even just the everyday low prices of
outlets, that you see in the U.S.)  One more big Amazon-style breakout
in the e-retailer market (eg, a dramatic price drop in the cost of
delivering washing machines :-) and they could get their clocks
cleaned.