Macmillan Ebooks Return to Amazon

By Geoff Duncan Published February 8, 2010

macmillan — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Amazon said it would probably have to cave, and cave it has: ebooks from publisher Macmillan and its imprints are once again available from Amazon’s Kindle Store, and following a new agency pricing system that has Amazon charging from $12.99to $14.99 for selected titles, breaking Amazon’s informal cap of $9.99 as a top price for ebooks. Now that Amazon has capitulated to Macmillan, it’s widely expected to let other publishers follow suit—HarperCollins and Hachette are already indicating they plan to adopt a similar agency model with higher ebook prices.

The higher prices primarily apply to best-sellers offered via Amazon’s Kindle Store; many other titles and catalog selections will still be available at lower fees.

Recommended Videos

During the dispute with Macmillan, Amazon stopped selling ebooks from Macmillan and its imprints, trying to enforce the informal $9.99-per-title price cap that Amazon had set for best-selling titles for its Kindle ereaders. However, publishers have increasingly chaffed at that cap, saying it is too low and threatens the general value of books. It’s also worth nothing that Macmillan’s dispute with Amazon began just days after Apple announced plans for an iBooks Store to operate in conjunction with its forthcoming iPad; books from Apple’s store will range up to $14.99.

Overall, the new agency model being adopted for ebooks by publishers will probably mean a short-term slump in ebook revenues as customers resist the increased prices; however, in the long run publishers believe the system will benefit both authors and copyright holders.

Former Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Topics

Emerging Tech

This touchscreen is made from thread, and scientists want to put it in your clothes

The washable, breathable textile display can run simple apps, play videos, and even measure body temperature.

Garment GUI featured

Forget smartwatches. Scientists have developed a touchscreen that can be woven directly into clothing, letting users interact with digital content without carrying a rigid display. Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have integrated 54 specialised fibres into a sleeve to create what they describe as the world's first touchscreen built into a garment. Published in Nature, the research could open the door to clothing that does more than just look good. Your next smart outfit might actually be smart enough to show what's happening on your phone.

Your clothes could soon run apps

Emerging Tech

Scientists have figured out how to send smells over the internet, and coffee is just the beginning

The AI-powered Scentronic system can detect, transmit, and recreate five familiar aromas, bringing digital smell a step closer to reality.

Woman smelling sniffing drinking a cup of coffee

Imagine smelling freshly brewed coffee through a video call or getting a whiff of perfume before buying it online. Scientists are bringing that idea closer to reality with Scentronic, an AI-powered system that can detect smells, transmit scent data over the internet, and recreate aromas remotely. Developed by researchers from Ohio State University and Zhejiang Laboratory in China, the research, published in Science Advances, explores how digital scent transmission could add an entirely new dimension to online communication. Your next shopping session might literally come with a sniff test.

How does sending smells over the internet work?

Computing

Mori might be the cutest AI companion robot yet, and it reacts to you like a pet

The Pokémon-like companion can blink, dance, act shy, and respond to what is happening around it.

OKA Mori The Nature Companion AI Home Robot

With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.

Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.