Re: Depends on strategy
cat tail
5/7/2012 1:08:23 PM
At the average cost students pay for college textbooks each semester, capitalizing on a digital platform makes a lot of sense for MSFT.
Maybe the plan is to put college textbooks on Nook type devices -- that would be a huge market with continual turnover. Some textbooks are now available online, but most are still sold in traditional format.
Does it make any sense to have a standalone operating system designed for the purpose of being an e-book reader -- created by a book company?
I don't think so. We live in the age of a multi-purpose OS that can do anything from read books, play apps, and upload video. It makes more sense over time for them to port the device to a broader operating system.
Re: Depends on strategy
yalanand
5/7/2012 9:30:18 AM
I am not sure what Microsoft is pursuing from B&N deal.
@Value Hiker, Microsoft–Nook partnership has less to do with Windows and more to do with getting a foothold into the e-book ecosystem and leveraging some of that Android–Linux related intellectual property that Microsoft has at its disposal.
Re: Depends on strategy
yalanand
5/7/2012 9:22:25 AM
The WSJ reported that they were considering a shift and a good friend of mine in Microsoft confirmed that possibility.
@tokyogai, true anything is possible. But there are many technical hurdles. For example Nook would need a serious overhaul before receiving the new operating system. All product redesigns — even very basic ones — come with a significant dollar value attached to them, and a platform switch would be a huge redesign.
Re: Depends on strategy
tokyogai
5/7/2012 6:54:18 AM
The WSJ reported that they were considering a shift and a good friend of mine in Microsoft confirmed that possibility. I don't think it is decieded yet, but it certainly is a strong possibility.
Re: Depends on strategy
yalanand
5/7/2012 6:10:32 AM
@tokyogai, I dont think they will change the software to Windows 8. Infact its the oter way around i.e Nook app will be featured on any smartphone or tablet that runs Windows 8 after the new software is released this fall. And Microsoft's global sales team will start promoting the Nook overseas.
Re: Depends on strategy
Value Hiker
5/5/2012 8:25:23 PM
Good point, Noreen. Educational Market share is far more valuable to Microsoft than the Nook platform itself.
Maybe we're overlooking the obvious: For its part in the new partnership, B&N is contributing its digital business assets, which include all of the Nook devices, the Nook Store (2.5 million e-books and "thousands" of apps), PubIt, and the college business, which had sales of $1.5 billion.
Microsoft President Andy Lees said Microsoft's interest in partnering with B&N was driven by its desire to expand in both the consumer and education markets. Maybe this deal is less about Nook than getting a strong foothold into the education market, where Apple is a big player.
Re: Depends on strategy
Value Hiker
5/4/2012 6:15:06 PM
No sure Microsoft wanted the B&N stores. Microsoft built enough retail channels through its push on XBox. In addition, B&N stores are big liabilities instead of valuable assets. I still think contents and Nook's current customer bases are what Microsoft want.
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