Octobook

31 May 2020 by particularkev

The link below is to a new startup called Octobook, which is about library cataloging, reading, etc. It looks very interesting and is well worth a look.

For more visit:
https://www.octobook.io/

Odeen

6 July 2019 by particularkev

The link below is to an online publishing startup with a twist.

For more visit:
https://www.odeenbooks.com

Cyclops

15 September 2018 by particularkev

The link below is to a site that takes a quick look at the startup ‘Cyclops,’ a service that seeks to provide ebooks for people who own the physical book.

For more visit:
https://betalist.com/startups/cycloops

Apple, Amazon and the uncertain future of the book startup

11 May 2014 by particularkev

Gigaom

Over the past few years, I’ve encountered countless startups that claim they are going to disrupt or revolutionize book publishing.

I once thought we might see one of those take off. Today, I’m not so sure. Book-related startups face a particularly tough path forward. Here are a few reasons why.

When Amazon is the chief disruptor, the odds are stacked against you

Any company that comes along trying to reinvent book publishing is competing not only with traditional book publishers but also with Amazon(s AMZN), which is almost 20 years old but keeps finding new ways to shake things up. Print book buying continues to move online and Amazon, which is now delivering on Sundays and offering same-day delivery in a growing number of cities, has a lock on that business. Kindle, launched in 2007, is the dominant ebook reading platform and Amazon is continually rolling out improvements to the Kindle…

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Startup Book Publisher Unbound Raises $2M For Kickstarter For Authors Platform

23 October 2013 by particularkev

Ebook subscription startup Oyster expands to iPad and opens to all; some stats from Scribd

17 October 2013 by particularkev

Gigaom

Oyster, the Peter Thiel-backed startup that aims to be a Netflix (s NFLX) for ebooks, was iPhone-only and invite-only for its first six weeks. On Wednesday, though, Oyster launched its iPad (s AAPL) app and opened up to everyone. And it is now offering a free 30-day trial of its service — which is essential, since consumers are still very unfamiliar with ebook subscription services.

When I reviewed Oyster six weeks ago, I was impressed by its design and its offerings — over 100,000 in-copyright ebooks for $9.95 a month. But I thought the app’s lack of availability on iPad was a big drawback because I think it’s hard to do serious reading on an iPhone. The launch on iPad remedies this problem, of course, and subscribers’ books will sync between both devices.

Oyster’s design on iPad is great, just as the iPhone app design is. One feature…

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Article: Ownshelf

10 July 2013 by particularkev

The link below is to an article concerning a very interesting start up called ‘Ownshelf,’ which is an ebook sharing site – something like a Dropbox for ebooks.

For more visit:
http://www.mediabistro.com/appnewser/ownshelf-is-like-dropbox-for-ebooks_b38200