Darkblock Bridges the Web3 and Web2 Publishing Landscape with 'Send to Kindle' Feature
In an ambitious move that bridges the digital divide, Darkblock has announced a new feature allowing users to send their token-bound ebooks directly to Kindle devices and apps. This groundbreaking integration, coupled with Darkblock's pioneering position in Web3 technology, promises to disrupt the publishing industry by uniting the exciting possibilities of Web3 with the widely accepted Web2 platforms.
The digital revolution led by Web3 has provided authors with unheralded opportunities for expanding readership and fostering fan engagement while maintaining creative autonomy. Nevertheless, a vital aspect has remained untouched - making these blockchain-based ebooks more accessible and convenient for the everyday reader.
This is not a case of "if you can't beat them join them." Darkblock understands that fighting Web2 is not the way forward, and until Web3 has better User Experiences (UX) and User Interfaces (UI) combined with ease of access, some out-of-the-box thinking needs to be done. Darkblock's 'Send to Kindle' feature is set to remedy this oversight and, in doing so, could redefine the future of ebook consumption.
Bringing Web3 to Kindle
Darkblock's latest innovation enables authors to seamlessly send their token-bound PDFs and EPUB files to their readers' Kindle devices and apps post-purchase and unlock.
We believe it doesn’t have to come at the cost of utility, says Chris Seline, Darkblock's CEO.
Although Web3 platforms, including Darkblock, have been positioned as alternatives to Web2 platforms like Kindle, a significant number of readers continue to prefer and rely on the latter. As of 2021, Kindle boasted over 30 million active users in the United States alone, and the global number of Kindle devices sold reached approximately 150 million. By integrating 'Send to Kindle', Darkblock seeks to marry the best of both worlds – connecting the promise of Web3 with the convenience and familiarity of the Kindle platform.
"We believe books should be read, not just collected. Our new Send-to-Kindle feature, coupled with our other offerings that help authors spin up web3-native but web2-friendly ecommerce sites, is a good first step towards enabling authors to reach to a wider readership, ensuring the true purpose of their creations is fulfilled,” said Chris Seline. “By leveraging blockchain technology and integrating seamlessly with Kindle, Darkblock is at the forefront of revolutionizing the NFT book landscape, offering an enhanced reading experience and enabling authors to fully benefit from web3 technology.”
But unfortunately there is another underlying problem!
NFT books being collected, not read.
The digital Tsundoku
Tsundoku refers to the phenomenon of acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them. Something similar is happening here.
The rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has sparked a revolution in digital collectibles, but the NFT Books sector has remained focused on collectability rather than ease of reading. According to Darkblock's blog post, the NFT Books trend, driven by the NFT craze of 2021 and 2022, has mostly attracted collectors and speculators, with most purchasers not actually reading the minted ebooks. Darkblock's new feature aims to change this narrative by making it easier for readers to access and enjoy their token-bound ebooks on their preferred e-reading platform - ensuring that the token-bound ebooks become as much a utility as they are collectibles.
The Future of Ebooks
According to Statista, the global revenue in the ebooks segment of the media market is expected to increase by 1.2 billion U.S. dollars (+8.29 percent) between 2023 and 2027. This trend predicts a total revenue of 15.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2027.
By bridging the gap between Web3’s innovative possibilities and the mainstream platforms like Kindle, Darkblock is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolving market. Their 'Send to Kindle' feature is more than just a technical update; it's a bold leap towards a new publishing landscape where blockchain technology, reader-friendly utilities, and traditional platforms work in harmony. As the world waits for Web3-native digital ebook readers to gain traction, Darkblock is taking strides to meet readers where they are, combining the best of Web2 and Web3 for the benefit of authors and readers alike.
