Jun 19
Read this article at CNN about the ridiculous $1.9 million fine handed down to mother and internet music pirate, Jammie Thomas-Rasset. While you do, imagine the word ‘eBooks’ in place of ‘songs,’ and substitute ‘publishers’ for ‘Recording Industry of America…’ The high price of eBooks and attempts to control the product with DRM (locked) files will create …
Jun 18
From a press release: “MP Publishing is acquiring thousands of book titles from publishers all over the world and making them available for instant download through their website, www.skoobestore.com, and through mass distribution channels.” Read the full release here. What I like about this crew is they’re open to established publishing houses and independent authors. …
Jun 17
At least the delivery is straightforward. I wouldn’t want to touch the coding…but:Â The Software developer, Language Technologies, Inc., that specializes in reading technology announced the release of its ReadSmart Edition applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch at the iTunes App Store. Read the press release here. You can get the apps direct from …
Jun 16
Amazon.com’s new Kindle DX with the 9.7 inch screen and $489 price tag sold out within three days of its June 10 release. Read a story about it here. The Kindle DX should be back on sale (restocked) by June 17. I’ve been skeptical of market babble like ‘sold out’ ever since I discovered that …
Jun 15
We talked about this before, but I have to wonder when this is going to become a thorn in everyone’s side. (Especially those agencies authorized to print money issuing ISBN for every damn thing). Now that Amazon is embracing the vast number of Independent authors and artists by issuing unique Amazon Standard Identification Numbers regardless …
Jun 14
An excellent article here for a Sunday read suggesting the shape of things to come. Scott Stein at CRAVE the Gadget Blog from Cnet details an interesting experience in which he ends up favoring the present over the past. And I think you’ll find that common sense and economic realities are the driving forces behind …
Jun 13
Stephen King publisher Simon & Shuster has taken the leap and opened a virtual storefront at Scribd.com. Read the story here. Called the Youtube for eBooks, the document sharing site, Scribd.com, allows publishers and independent authors to offer samples of their eBooks and make direct sales to readers. Simon & Shuster is making 5,000 titles …
Jun 12
Ok. We know Apple released its new iPhone 3G on Monday and re-priced it to sell at $199 (with strings attached.) Read about it here. But where is their Media-tablet (Media-pad)? We’ve reported rumors here and here about something bigger and sleeker on the drawing boards at Apple. Something with superior eBook reading capability… Steve Jobs didn’t …
Jun 11
Okay. ‘War’ may be overstating, but you have to agree this is going to stir the pot. I love it! Borders is offering a Sony® Reader Digital Book PRS-505 with a list price of $299.99 for just $199.99. Check out the specifics here. It’s a sale, yes. A limited time offer too, but it’s exactly what …
Jun 10
I will resist the urge to make any ‘killer robot’ allusions or asides. Sometimes a governor is just a governor. The Ventura County Star reports California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announcing the adoption of the nation’s first Free Digital Textbook Initiative designed to save schoolboards (and his financially strapped state) millions of dollars per year. Read …
