Diamonds in the Rough: Creating New Content Value through New Uses

Patricia Joseph

SCI200503   
4 April 2005    Version 1.0  
16 Pages 

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Table of Contents, Report Profile, Executive Summary and Offline Order Form (PDF)

The market for eBooks content and technology has looked promising for a number of years, but many startups in this sector have withered. The challenges of marrying content, software and hardware into a reader-friendly experience remain as centuries-old packaging concepts confront readers trained by the experiences of the Web and gaming technology for a different level of entertainment and information experiences. But new technology components, content marketing and production methods are bringing new solutions to this evolving market. Has the time for eBooks finally arrived? This report examines the content, technology and human factors driving the eBooks marketplace today, and offers strategic recommendations for vendors and purchasing institutions on how to position themselves for success with eBooks. Vendors covered include NetLibrary, OverDrive, Knovel, Books 24x7, Safari Books Online, Questia, Books@Ovid, eBrary, Franklin, Hewlett-Packard, Palm, Adobe, Microsoft, Mobipocket, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Baker & Taylor and Ingram.