Borders and Sony have launched a co-branded e-book store according to The Book Standard. People who buy a Sony reader (see photo) have access to the site.
With the Amazon Kindle and this Sony device leading the renewed e-book pitch, expect to see plenty of action in 2008. This action will flow over to electronic editions of magazines – as we have seen already with iPhone and iPod versions of more than 50 magazines available already in the US. While there are online magazines in Australia, none of our major titles are embracing the iPhone or iPod yet as far as I am aware.
The book and magazine supply chain has changed and our businesses – newsagencies – need to change too. By embracing change early – as Borders has – we are better positioned for the future. Given the lack of active discussion among newsagents about the disruption of the supply chain, I fear many will miss the opportunities change presents. There is nothing to fear from change in my view.