How Barnes & Noble Can Avoid Getting Netflixed

Michael Wolf
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Join the Discussion

As a cash-poor graduate student in Arizona, I couldn’t afford to go out much. So instead of hanging out in my small, hot apartment on Friday nights, my wife and I did what any no-money schmoes with a love for books and air conditioning would do: we hung out at Barnes & Noble. Reading novels in the book-filled, cushy-chaired world of B&N, I fell in love with the book giant’s in-store experience. But even back in the mid-90s, I saw challenges for the company in the age of the Internet. Amazon had already started to make a name for itself as an online bookseller, and as the two companies battled into the new century, the online e-tailer continued to eat into B&N’s market share. Today, as Amazon kickstarts the e-book revolution, B&N faces a renewed challenge, as the online powerhouse with digital DNA tries to “Netflix” the bookseller. […]

Question of the Week

Will Barnes & Noble avoid the fate of Blockbuster as it looks to refashion itself for the world of digital distribution?

Mattel’s New Web-Enabled “Avatar” Toys Will Offer Augmented Reality

Maybe RWW writers don't have children and haven't heard of Webkinz? Web-tied toys have been around for some time, with Webkinz being the biggest example.

Submitted by Michael Wolf
MediaGate’s MG-M²TV

Impressive media player box - lots of formats and HD support, lots of I/O and media support - but it doesn't have an IP connection. Too bad, as that seems pretty counterintuitive and just plain a huge gap for an otherwise stacked box.

Submitted by Michael Wolf
Xbox Division Profits for Second Straight Year, but …

Overall Microsoft couldn't avoid the downward pull of the economy, but they continue to make the Entertainment and Device division profitable. I expect fall sales will rebound, and could have rocket fuel on them if they cut the price.

Submitted by Michael Wolf
Disney to Charge for content online

It seems the growing conscensus in Hollywood is pay-for-content is the model to pursue. I am skeptical that each content provider should have their own portal, but apparently Disney doesn't agree with me.

Submitted by Michael Wolf
How Many Content Subscriptions Do You Want?

On the same subject - Disney's designs on its own OTT portal - Chris asks the money question: how many content subscriptions do you want? Me, I think most consumers want one or two, but not one down to the studio level.

Submitted by Michael Wolf