> They have Azure to compete with AWS, and now they want to make a run at the Kindle. I get Azure, but I don't see why Microsoft are starting a fight on anothe

> They have Azure to compete with AWS, and now they want to make a run at the Kindle. I get Azure, but I don't see why Microsoft are starting a fight on another front. The US ebook market could be up to $7bn by 2016, but B&N will have to invest a hell of a lot to keep their 25% market share with the price of Kindles being driven down all the time. (And let's not even mention iPad.) > Investing in B&N right now actually seems pretty smart. For almost anyone except Microsoft, IMO. > B&N is in need of help, and for MSFT to start an eBook business from scratch would be very expensive. I agree. I just think this is a fight Microsoft should be skipping. > Microsoft offers more than just software. Agreed. > $300 million doesn't seem unreasonable for a company like Microsoft to become a major player in the eBook market. Maybe I don't get it because I don't see anyone using Windows phones or tablets. I don't see anyone using the Nook, either, although apparently I should see 1/4 e-book readers using one. The money is being spent on international rollout and Windows [mobile] software development. Great. Now they're just reliant on Microsoft making a dent in the Android/iOS consumer love-in to gain traction there. > I'm actually very happy to see this. I don't want to see Amazon hold a monopoly on the eBook market. Totally agree that competition is a healthy thing. I'm just skeptical that we'll be looking back in ten years' time at an e-book market in which MS/B&N are anything other than utterly marginalised.