PocketBook Cloud Solution Launches in Austria This Fall, Strengthening eBook Market Presence
With the straightforward wireless access to the eBook shop directly on the reading device and the associated cloud solution, Amazon’s digital book business has grown. However, here in Germany, such solutions initially spread slowly. In addition to Amazon and Kobo (and the scaled-back Sony implementation), the Tolino alliance also launched its own cloud solution in 2013. On November 1, PocketBook, the fourth major eBook reader provider, will follow suit.
The former partner company of Osiander and Mayersche already announced at the Leipzig Book Fair that they planned to release their own synchronization solution to the market in fall 2015 – specifically for the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Seamless Switching with Content Sync
Like other cloud solutions, the PocketBook Cloud Solution is expected to allow seamless device switching, enabling users to read eBooks on different devices. The last reading position will be saved and synced, along with notes and bookmarks. “The focus is on the long-term security of purchased ePUB and PDF files, which can be conveniently managed using a library management tool,” the press release states.
From the start, longtime partner Umbreit will be involved, allowing independent booksellers to benefit from the innovation. It remains unclear how the system will differ in detail from existing solutions and whether it will be possible to sync personal files. The reference to purchased files in the press release suggests that, at least for now, this is not the case.
PocketBook Solidifies Market Position
In the first half of 2015, it seemed that PocketBook would push further into the digital market with its own cloud service. Thanks in particular to partnerships with the two regional chains mentioned above and the redesign of the eBook reader interface, the company was able to shed its underdog role bit by bit.
However, after Osiander and Mayersche recently joined the Tolino alliance, the tide turned for PocketBook. Their previously strong presence in the domestic book trade will now be significantly reduced compared to the past two years. Nevertheless, partners Umbreit and KNV are still on board.
The cloud solution will be PocketBook’s final new introduction this year, as it was announced a few months ago that the company, aside from the already available PocketBook Touch Lux 3, will not be introducing any new eReaders this year. Although this step is unexpected, it is not completely surprising, as the reasonably long delays and launch issues of the last eReader generation brought criticism from loyal fans. It’s a signal that they want to refocus on their traditional strengths by slowing down.
Third Force in Austria?
Meanwhile, it has become known that after setbacks in the German book market, PocketBook has managed to establish itself in Austria.
As Buchreport reports, the marketing alliance Buchmedia, which comprises 100 bookstores from 35 companies, will in the future rely on the PocketBook Cloud Solution. Apparently, joining the Tolino alliance was also discussed but did not materialize due to high entry costs.
Buchmedia bookstores are particularly well-represented in western Austria, with less presence in the south. Nevertheless, PocketBook can celebrate this addition because it fills the gap (amounting to 74 bookstores) left in Germany by the loss of Mayersche and Osiander, at least in terms of numbers.
However, it remains uncertain whether this will also compensate for the revenue since the two German regional chains were important points of sale for PocketBook eReaders, both locally and online. Therefore, it will also be interesting to see whether the Tolino strategy will pay off for the two booksellers.
