Borders Opens eBook Store with 2 eReader Devices and Mobile Apps
The eBooks and eReader market is red hot in 2010 hot with Amazon, B&N, Apple and Borders. To the delight of book readers, the price war has begun with some latest price drop and the proliferation of mobile app to allow greater access to the eBook store.
Borders’ eBook store launches with more than 1.5 million titles, including thousands of free titles, available in a variety of formats, including ePub, mobile and PDF.
The store launch follows the introduction of the Borders iPhone and iPad apps, powered by Kobo, as well as the introduction of the Kobo eReader (photo right) and Aluratek Libre eReader(photo below) . Both devices, which are value-priced at under $150.
To provide additional value around its digital offerings, the retailer will offer its Borders Rewards® loyalty program members with benefits ranging from special gift cards and free shipping on certain items, to exclusive offers on popular digital series, double Borders Bucks(TM) incentives on the purchase of eReaders, as well as other valuable offers.
According to Borders’ consumer research, convenience, choice, content and quality hardware rank at the top of the attributes readers look for in an ideal digital bookstore experience. The launch of the company’s eBook store will be complemented by its strong in-store digital presence through its upcoming Area-e sections, where customers will be able to try out a number of eReading devices before making a purchase. Area-e sections, which will be in virtually all Borders stores by early September, will be staffed by knowledgeable associates, who will demo products and answer customers’ questions.
Research further shows that eReaders priced below $200 are likely to be the most gifted items this holiday season. The Kobo eReader ($149), which also comes with 100 free titles, and the Libre eBook Reader Pro ($119), both of which are priced to fit most budgets, position Borders for strong consumer adoption and market penetration. The Kobo eReader is currently available in select Borders stores and can be ordered on Borders.com anytime. The Libre eBook Reader Pro can also be ordered on Borders.com.
BlackBerry and Android Applications.
The company also announced today it is making available to consumers BlackBerry and Android eReading applications, also powered by Kobo. Now customers can enjoy the free, easy-to-use eBook reading applications on the BlackBerry® Curve(TM), the new BlackBerry® Tour(TM) 9630 and the BlackBerry® Bold(TM), as well as Android devices. These apps enable users to quickly and easily browse and buy eBooks; search by title, author, topic, or keyword; access their eBook library; download eBooks for offline reading; and enjoy several enhanced reading features that amplify the digital reading experience. Users can download the free BlackBerry and Android apps in the Borders branded eBook store atwww.borders.com. The launch of these apps represents another pillar in Borders’ digital rollout — an important part of its commitment to enable customers to enjoy digital books on a wide variety of devices.
[Source Borders]
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