Amazon searching for more tablet content

We recently heard about Amazon exploring the idea of a virtual library, and we’re now hearing more talk of similar ideas. This time around, the discussions appear centered around subscriptions to digital magazines, as the company appears to be in intense negotiations with leading publishing houses and newspapers.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, industry sources point to the company being in current talks with various publishers in order to provide digital content in a context similar to what Apple has with its iPad tablet. The content would be provided on a subscription or single copy basis, and the terms “are in the same ballpark” as Apple's. On the other hand, Amazon could end up making concessions, with the same sources mentioning that the company may be willing to cut publishers a better deal than Apple.

Apple has been widely known for their strict terms and conditions, as they demand a 30% cut of any retail sales or subscriptions sold through iTunes while strongly regulating sales through other channels. As such, if Amazon were to strike a fair deal with publishing houses, they may be able to secure more content than Apple along with further bolstering their digital market.

Neither Apple nor Amazon commented on the report when contacted by The WSJ.

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