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Walmart Launches Online Store For Ebooks, Audiobooks (variety.com)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the further-push dept.

Amazon just got yet another competitor in the ebook and audiobook space: Walmart launched its very own digital book store Wednesday, selling ebooks as well as audiobooks through its website and dedicated apps. From a report: The retail giant's digital book service is being powered by Kobo, the ebook company owned by Japan's Rakuten. Through the partnership, Walmart customers are now able to buy from a catalog of more than six million books, which can be read through dedicated mobile apps as well as Kobo's line of ebook readers. Walmart is also launching a Kobo-powered audiobook subscription service for $9.99 per month. For that price, consumers get one book credit per month. Audiobooks will be accessible even after a subscription is cancelled. As part of the partnership, Walmart will also start to sell so-called digital book cards that can be redeemed online for ebooks in 3500 stores.

6 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Price? by fluffernutter · · Score: 2

    Will ebooks actually be less expensive then physical books as they should be?

    --
    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
    1. Re:Price? by The+Original+CDR · · Score: 2

      Probably not. Most traditional publishers are keeping ebook prices high to protect their print business. If the hardback is $36, expect the ebook to be priced the same.

    2. Re:Price? by jellomizer · · Score: 3, Informative

      I did work for a publishing company. Paper, Ink, binding are a huge part of the costs of book production. A 500 page textbook, with color images, hard cover binding, and made with good paper stock will cost $75 just for materials alone. They will then sell that book for $200 and give the author $3.00

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    3. Re: Price? by datavirtue · · Score: 2

      No, and Walmart customers do not read so this is all for naught.

      --
      I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  2. More me-too-ism from Walmart by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    If Amazon had toilets for two in their employee bathrooms, Walmart would be installing them right now.

    It won't save them.

  3. Re:If it was OPEN - PDF, EPUB, etc.... by fluffernutter · · Score: 2

    We have kobo readers, they are collecting dust because it is too awkward and slow to skim pages. Real books are king in our house.

    --
    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.