I've always said that I don't like to read books online and I maintain that opinion. The Amazon Kindle holds absolutely no interest for me. However, I just purchased a book for a school project and received the following announcement (after the final purchase):
Get online access to your physical books with Amazon Upgrade:
* Start reading the book online while you wait for your physical copy to arrive
* Add highlights, bookmarks, notes, or tags to any page or section of text
* Print pages, and even copy and paste text from the book
* Read your book from any Internet-connected computer, meaning your book is always with you
Purchasing online access to your books is easy. After buying an eligible physical book, we'll give you the option to purchase access with Amazon Upgrade.
Suddenly I saw some value to this online trend. If I'm working on a paper and don't have the reference I need, or want additional information or a new reference source, now I don't need to wait until the book arrives. For $3.99 I can have immediate access and an electronic method to tag & reference information. I'll still wait for the physical book to read cover to cover, but for quick reference and specific information, this service is great!
Amazon continues to impress me with their innovations that meet me where I am and give me ways to become more efficient with technology. I certainly don't plan to jump on everything they put out -- never did see much of interest in my "Gold box" and as I mentioned I can live a full life without the Kindle -- but the simple services like online access to the books I buy and Super Saver (free shipping) have been simple, yet effective ways to make my life easier.
It all goes back to my first experience when I was up at 2 AM looking for a book about helping your infant learn to put themselves to sleep. The book arrived a day and a half later and I was an instant Amazon fan. But customers easily forget their loyalties, unless a smart company can continue to reinvent and add more services to keep me coming back. Amazon has done this and I remain loyal....for now!
