Rakuten bolsters ebooks by gobbling up distributor OverDrive

Rakuten is trying to inject some black ink into its struggling ebook business with the acquisition of OverDrive Holdings, one of the largest providers of ebooks for rent to libraries and schools.The Japan-based e-commerce giant will gain about 21 million users in the US$410 million deal as well as a digital distribution platform with over 2.5 million titles and relationships with thousands of publishers, libraries and schools.Cleveland, Ohio-based OverDrive makes rental ebooks available as Web apps or e-reader files. While content on OverDrive’s lending-focused marketplace is available on multiple platforms including Kindle from Rakuten rival Amazon.com, the move could boost the profile of Kobo, Rakuten’s small e-reader company.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here Continue reading at 'PC World'

[ PC World | 2015-03-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How to find free ebooks while libraries are closed

Shelter in place orders throughout the country haven’t just brought the economy to a grinding halt, but frozen civic infrastructure as well. Sure, water still flows from our taps, police and firefighters are still on the job, but your local library l... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2020-05-11 15:00:59 UTC ]
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Lockdown diaries: the audiobook distributor

I am not going to write about the illness; the headaches, the pain in my lungs and chest, the loss of smell (wine has still not yet been consumed), the breathlessness, the trip to A&E… Yep a seven long week Covid drama and if I had to use an emoji to illustrate the whole sodding experience,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-11 08:59:32 UTC ]
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Amazon to cut price of its ebooks to reflect removal of VAT

Chancellor drops 20% levy on online news subscriptions and books as industry strugglesAmazon has confirmed it will cut the price of its Kindle ebooks from Friday, after the government announced it would bring forward plans to stop charging VAT on online publications because of the pandemic.The... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-04-30 18:11:42 UTC ]
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99p Ebooks for Lockdown Reading

For the duration of the coronavirus crisis, Granta Books is running special offers on weekly, themed selections of our ebooks. The post 99p Ebooks for Lockdown Reading appeared first on Granta. Continue reading at Granta

[ Granta | 2020-04-20 00:31:17 UTC ]
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Bookwire Cites Growth in Spanish-Language Audiobooks, Ebooks

The Spanish and Latin American markets are expected to have 14,000 Spanish-language audiobooks available this year, and, with ebooks, continued to see growth in 2019. The post Bookwire Cites Growth in Spanish-Language Audiobooks, Ebooks appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-04-06 13:00:46 UTC ]
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Free Books for Kids: Great Resources for Ebooks and Audiobooks

There is already a decent amount of free books for kids available online, and now there has been a recent expansion of available resources. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-04-01 10:38:43 UTC ]
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20 Feel-Good Ebooks Unlikely to Have Long Library Waitlists to Read While Social Distancing

These feel-good ebooks don't have long waits -- if any wait at all -- from your library. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-03-27 10:32:33 UTC ]
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Haymarket Books Offering 10 Free Ebooks to Support Social Distancing

You can now download ten free ebooks on social and economic justice from Haymarket Books to read while social distancing. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-03-19 15:10:47 UTC ]
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Macmillan Walks Back Ebook Embargo

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[ Book Riot | 2020-03-17 20:14:04 UTC ]
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Coronavirus: Canada’s Kobo Joins Mondadori in Providing Free Ebooks to Italians in Lockdown

Amid Europe's largest COVID-19 outbreak, Italian citizens in lockdown have been able to read free Mondadori ebooks in a program facilitated by Kobo. The post Coronavirus: Canada’s Kobo Joins Mondadori in Providing Free Ebooks to Italians in Lockdown appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-03-11 12:22:51 UTC ]
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OverDrive Reports Record Digital Borrowing in 2019

Public Libraries around the world generated a record level of digital content circulation in 2019, providing patrons access to more than 326 million e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines, according to a report by Rakuten OverDrive, a digital distribution vendor for libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Equity Firm Agrees to Buy OverDrive

The private equity firm KKR has signed a definitive agreement to acquire OverDrive in a deal announced on Christmas Eve. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-26 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Kindle Unlimited: We try Amazon's subscription service for ebooks

If you’re a Kindle user, you’ve undoubtedly come across titles with that Kindle Unlimited logo and an enticing “$0.00” price tag attached. You’re curious, yes? With titles in genres from mysteries and romance to sci-fi and self-help, Kindle Unlimited is an easy and affordable way to sate your... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2019-12-18 11:30:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-13 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Taking From The Vulnerable: JPay, States Charge Incarcerated For Free Ebooks

JPay made ebooks from Project Gutenberg free to incarcerated people who have their tablets last month. But...where did the money they collected for all of those Project Gutenberg books go? Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-12-05 11:39:33 UTC ]
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Libraries Suspend Macmillan eBook Purchases: Critical Linking, November 3, 2019

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[ Book Riot | 2019-11-03 11:30:57 UTC ]
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Want To Borrow A Library Ebook? Why It Might Become More Challenging (& How Libraries Are Fighting Back)

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[ Book Riot | 2019-11-01 10:32:08 UTC ]
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Kindle Kids Edition -- Amazon launches ebook reader for younger bookworms

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[ Betanews | 2019-10-07 15:55:49 UTC ]
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Nielsen Social Content Ratings Bolsters Talent Promotion Measurement via Instagram

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[ AdWeek | 2019-09-19 13:30:21 UTC ]
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Poland Approves Reduction of Ebook VAT from 23 to 5 Percent

Warsaw's cut in VAT rates on digital books takes effect November 1, a long-called-for equalization in taxation on print and ebooks, now allowed by Brussels. The post Poland Approves Reduction of Ebook VAT from 23 to 5 Percent appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-09-17 05:30:49 UTC ]
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