The BookExpo America (BEA) week kicked off with IDPF's annual Digital Book 2011 conference. This was followed by a week that featured the release of two new low-cost digital e-readers, a book blogging session at the Javits Center, and debate about future business models for e-publishing.
Speaking at the conference, held on May 23, 2011, Kobo's Michael Tamblyn punctuated his claim that 'tablets have not killed e-ink' by announcing a new $130 black & white touchscreen e-ink device. The next day Barnes & Noble also launched a $139 black & white e-ink touchscreen reader. The company emphasised that it was out to combine tablets and dedicated e-ink readers, the two digital reading technologies that have shown explosive growth. Amazon too dropped the price of its $189 3G Kindle with special offers to $164, cheaper than the now-discontinued Nook 3G model.
Canadian printer/media aggregator Transcontinental launched its own international e-book distribution platform. Copia, the reading social media and online book retailer, was reportedly seen promoting its platform. The marriage of books, technology and commerce was observed to be the subtext of many BEA presentations, whether on the present or on the future of the book industry.
Situated in the Digital Zone, Baker & Taylor set up the DemoZone, a kiosk showing off its partnership with Blio, the multimedia e-book reading software, set up to run on virtually any device. Also on hand in the Digital Zone was Chinese manufacturer Hanvon, presenting its slate of e-ink devices and looking for distributors and retailers.
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