Amazon now sells more Kindle e-books than print books
In a major e-book news, Amazon.com announced Thursday that it now consistently sells more Kindle e-books than print books.
Since April 1 of this year, Amazon sold 105 Kindle e-books for every 100 print books sold, hardcover and paperback combined.
Kindle e-book sales, which do not include Amazon's popular free e-book downloads, have been bolstered by the popularity of the newest, cheapest Kindle. The company says the $114 Kindle -- whose price is low because it includes advertising -- is the bestselling Kindle ever.
The original Kindle introduced in November 2007 cost $399.
Amazon also notes that year-to-date sales of Kindle e-books total more than three times those sold in the same period last year. But what those numbers are is not known.
Although Amazon is quick to share news of the popularity of its e-books, it does not make public actual numbers of Kindles sold or e-books sold.
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Have you faced Kindle prejudice?
-- Carolyn Kellogg
Photo: Amazon Kindle. Credit: Chris Ratcliffe / Bloomberg
Nothing surprising. We do evolve you know.
Posted by: Charlie C. | May 19, 2011 at 08:25 AM
A passing fad..nothing more.. Nothing can replace the 'feel' of the paper at our fingertips ever . Books are here to stay. ebooks are here to be 'deleted' ;)
Posted by: Anil Atluri | May 20, 2011 at 02:02 AM
One factor contributing to the popularity of ebooks is that authors (such as myself) whose paper books are out of print are now bringing them back as ebooks at bargain prices.
Print publishers really need to wise up and make their backlist available at prices that compete with used books. An ebook will bring in some money; a used book brings them nothing.
Posted by: Jan Strnad | May 20, 2011 at 07:21 AM
As an avid reader, there is nothing better than to pick up my Kindle and go! I no longer have to think about what book to take and if it will fit in whatever bag I'm carrying. I DO NOT miss the so-called "touch and feel" of a book. I will admit though, I still browse books in the bookstore... ummm, is that a crime? LOL
Posted by: JXS | May 20, 2011 at 12:10 PM
It was only a matter of time before this happened. Print books are going to become history.
Posted by: mark | May 21, 2011 at 04:49 AM