Every scholar has a kindle, but not every scholar uses a kindle to read.
You probably have heard the rumors that Kindle will withdraw from the Chinese market.
Regardless of whether the news is true or not, there is an indisputable fact that Kindle has not been doing well in China.
For many years, kindle’s problem has been there, that is, the pricing of their e-books does not meet the expectations of most Chinese.
Simply put, in China, kindle e-books are too expensive, easily tens of dollars. Such pricing is no problem in the United States, because American paper books are more expensive, and you can save a lot of money by buying e-books. But in China, due to various reasons, the price of paper books is abnormal. The online free shipping is 50% off, which is no different from kindle e-books.
Why should I buy an e-book?
You have to know, how many books does the average Chinese read each year? 5 books or 7 books? No more than 10 books. At the same price, why should those who read 5-7 books a year buy e-books? Buying paper books online can show that you love to read, have a culture, and can collect them. Isn’t it fragrant?
Of course, these “non-reader” were not originally the target audience for Kindle when it entered the Chinese market.
The crux of the problem now is that the true “reader” in China cannot support kindle to live decently.
Although deep readers know that in the genuine e-book market, Kindle’s comprehensive software and hardware experience is the best, and there is no one. Including comments, synchronization, search and other functions, kindle is so meticulous and considerate that only a “reader” can distinguish it.
But what can it be?
In China, there are both giants such as WeChat reading and rising stars such as e-books. In a low-cost or even free business environment, the kindle of scholars will inevitably be reduced to an ashes-like “smooth noodle artifact”.
Let’s put it this way, every scholar has a kindle, but not every scholar uses a kindle to read.
This is really cruel, because for Amazon, based on the business strategy of “getting users with hardware and making money with virtual products”, the kindle sold close to the cost price is just a profitable item. You bought the kindle, but didn’t buy it. E-books are equivalent to entering a restaurant without ordering food, which can instantly bankrupt the restaurant.
What’s more frustrating is that although the “dishes” in the kindle are delicious, who would have thought that once the small restaurant next door was reduced or even free, these senior gluttons would really go in without any promise.
In the final analysis, China has not cultivated a suitable reading soil for the kindle to survive. Once the kindle does not have the help of “readers”, all that is waiting for it is to leave the field.
Let us stand and applaud, and wait for it to leave the scene gracefully.