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Amazon Testing 'Kindle Unlimited' E-book Subscription Service

Wednesday July 16, 2014 11:05 am PDT by Juli Clover
Amazon appears to be testing a new e-book and audiobook subscription service it's calling "Kindle Unlimited," which brings unlimited access to 600,000 e-books and thousands of audiobooks for a fee of $9.99 per month.

According to information discovered by users on the KBoards Kindle forum (via Gigaom) the Kindle Unlimited service will be available on all devices, including the iPhone and the iPad likely via Amazon's Kindle app. Amazon has pulled the pages that were found this morning, but information on the service can still be seen through Google Cache and a single test page.

kindleunlimited
The now defunct Kindle Unlimited section on Amazon.com lists several popular e-book titles, including Water for Elephants, Life of Pi and the entire series of Harry Potter and Hunger Games books. The titles appear to mirror many of those available through Amazon's existing Kindle Owners' Lending Library, a service that allows Kindle-owning Amazon Prime subscribers to rent free e-books.

There are several existing e-book subscription services like those from Oyster and Scribd, but Amazon has a larger catalog of books to offer, advertising more than 600,000 titles compared to Oyster's 500,000 and Scribd's 400,000, plus more than 7,000 audiobooks. Thus far, Kindle Unlimited appears to include books from publishers like Open Road Media, Workman, Algonquin, Bloomsbury, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.


It is unknown when Amazon might officially launch its Kindle Unlimited subscription service and thus far, it has not made a statement regarding the test pages.

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Cougarcat
67 months ago

I don't know how to get a book from my library with my pants off while laying in bed (theoretically). Could you explain how?


Many public libraries have ebook libraries.
Rating: 6 Votes
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matty.p
67 months ago
aka a public library...
Rating: 6 Votes
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ActionableMango
67 months ago

I don't know how to get a book from my library with my pants off while laying in bed (theoretically). Could you explain how?


Sure. I log into the library website and search for a title. All the variations come up in the results (hardcover, audiobook, ebook). I select the ebook and check it out, selecting the Kindle format. The library's website redirects me to Amazon, where I click to download it to my iPad. I start up the Kindle app on the iPad and it's there.

At some point in the future, Amazon sends me a note that my check out is about to expire and a few days later the ebook is no longer accessible through the Kindle app. If I haven't finished the book, I have to check it out again. Or, I can simply turn on Airport mode before I launch the Kindle app, and the book will stay there even after the expiration period.
Rating: 5 Votes
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yaxomoxay
67 months ago

I don't know how to get a book from my library with my pants off while laying in bed (theoretically). Could you explain how?


At our public library we offer free ebook rentals through Overdrive and other providers. The selection is quite good, latest releases are usually available.
In addition we provide a Books on Wheels program for elderly and handicapped.
In Houston the first 100% digital public library was recently opened, and I was told by a librarian that it's top notch in both available services and quality.
Rating: 5 Votes
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ZacNicholson
67 months ago
Reading is so 1800s
Rating: 4 Votes
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Michael Goff
67 months ago

aka a public library...


I don't know how to get a book from my library with my pants off while laying in bed (theoretically). Could you explain how?
Rating: 4 Votes
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Thunderhawks
67 months ago

I don't know how to get a book from my library with my pants off while laying in bed (theoretically). Could you explain how?


In your scenario a book doesn't seem to be the best solution. Plenty of streaming websites available.
Rating: 3 Votes
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writingdevil
67 months ago

I want this for audiobooks.

Charging $15/mo for ONE BOOK at audible.com is a joke. Give me unlimited audiobooks and I'll give you my money.

edit: Wait, this includes audiobooks? I read too fast. This is awesome!


You realize the cost of an audible book on most sites/physical locations is double $15? Your theory of "give me all I want for $15" sounds like some very early teens I know who just expect everything to be free or damn near it or...why bother?
This also puts an unhealthy power in the hands of the giant A, makes market entry in that area an almost impossible venture and raises risk factor geometrically if you seek investors for a new venture. The Big A is already experimenting dealing directly with authors and bypassing publishers and their contracts are far less lucrative than those who had contracts with publishers. Granted getting picked up by a publisher can be difficult, but putting all the choices in one hand is an extremely risky enterprise. A stealth way to buy your way into being a monopoly.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Renzatic
67 months ago

In 10 years after, that $5 in late fees is now $120. Until i pay that, I cannot borrow books from them.


Hell hath no fury like a library lady scorned.

...and they network. Your name is probably known in every library across North America. By this point, it'd probably be easier just to change your identity, move to another country, remarry, etc..
Rating: 3 Votes
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digi999
67 months ago
Given everything we know about the business practices of Jeff Bezos and Amazon, I don't know how anyone who are completely unselfish, ethical, and caring can continue to do business with them.

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But what is the deal for the publisher? It's sure to be really bad.


Of course it's really bad, it's Amazon. Amazon cares for one thing and one thing only, their bottom line.
Rating: 3 Votes

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