Dec 09

Amazon Stores in the U.K.?

Here’s a rumor from TimesOnline about Amazon.com’s secret plans to open actual stores in the United Kingdom. Apparently, realtors have been queried by the American company regarding available retail space.

Could this be a reaction to the well-received Nook being integrated into Barnes and Noble’s long-standing membership in the bricks and mortar club? Industry analysts have already stated that B&N’s chain of stores is the retail giant’s trump card in the eBook Revolution.

So that’s one good reason to open something on main street. The other is Amazon’s desire to capitalize on consumer impatience with a click and collect service. In such a case, customers buy online and retrieve their own purchases from a neighborhood store when it’s convenient for them. (Another drive-thru?)

Mix that notion with Kindle owners wandering around looking at paperbacks or displays and then wirelessly slurping up the bestsellers with their devices. Whatever the actual case, it is an interesting reversal at a time when other booksellers are closing up shop.

Dec 08

Another Christmas Possibility

We tend to focus on the front-runners Kindle, Sony and Nook. Well, here’s Foxit eSlick FE-01 eBook Reader reviewed at Zath Tech and Games. It’s a ‘slick’ looking piece of tech and priced comparably to the industry leaders. Have a look at the specifications by taking the jump. These guys have to be seeing green since Nook and Sony started running out of product.

Dec 07

More Predictions for Digital Publishing

Thanks to Jorgen for a link to another group of predictions over at Minonline.com. This story’s suggesting some pretty hefty increases to eBook sales, with nothing but growth in the year ahead. This article also points out that news and magazine publishers are pushing for their own platform that allows video, display ads and more. (It’s called television guys…)

Ah well, you can’t have reservations about innovations. As the article points out downloadable APPS will undoubtedly make book, newspaper and magazine reading available across a range of platforms from smart phones to the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS. Soon after, the eBook will achieve ubiquity, yah?

Dec 06

More Predictions for 2010 and Beyond

A very engaging Sunday read at Pantagraph.com where Tim Barker writes about the future of the eBook and makes some predictions regarding the shape of digital publishing to come. More great information and ideas. Well worth taking the link.

Dec 05

News and Magazines for a Digital Age.

Here’s an excellent link from Jorgen to a story at The Atlantic Wire that describes some of the pros and cons to recent moves traditional news and magazine publishers are making to adapt to the constantly changing face of the digital publishing industry.

The digital age is famous for punishing those who do not adapt, so kudos to the listed publishers who are finding digital alternatives to extinction.

Dec 04

STOCKING STUFFER? Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-300)

For $199 (the PC Mag link suggests you might find one as low as $174.99) the Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-300) could turn into this Christmas’ perfect gift for early eBook adopters.

It’s a smaller platform, with a 5″ instead of the more common 6″ screen, but tech-wise it plays pretty much on par with the industry leaders Kindle, the missing Nook and larger (and also missing) Sony eBook Touch Edition. Get full PRS-300 specs and mini-review here.

The PRS-300 lacks the wireless connectivity boasted by the bigger machines, but with a USB computer connect, multi-format eBook play and long battery life, this is an excellent startup machine for the curious, be they student, business person or senior. It seems that this will be the Christmas of missing eBook Readers, since most devices are order-only, but you might be able to find the smaller PRS-300 at a Sony Store, and with the low price, they’re well worth the wait if you do have to order.

Dec 03

Good news for the EPUB eBook format is good news for the eBook Revolution

A special thanks to Jorgen for stopping in with a link to this PCWorld story. China and Taiwan have agreed (in principal) to push the EPUB e-book format for the Chinese-language market. This when officials met at a technology conference last week, with plans to meet next year to settle the deal.

This is huge news considering these two gigantic economies are called home by some of the world’s most avid readers. If ratified, the deal will open a market of 1.3 billion people to publishers offering their product in the standard eBook format (EPUB).

As soon as a standard is selected (EPUB) then publishers can focus on selling books and stop all the duplication of effort, yah?

Dec 02

eBook Revolution Predictions for 2010

Is it that time of year already? I guess with only a month to go, it’s not too early to start rolling out predictions for the coming year.

PaidContent.org has an interesting article “Ten Predictions For The E-Reader/E-Book Market In 2010″ that’s well worth the read.

It suggests that all the positives we’re seeing as 2009 winds down will only get better in 2010. I tend to agree.

Dec 01

Are eBook Readers here to stay?

Here’s a link from Jorgen to a Daniweb story suggesting eBook Readers are about to be made obsolete by the Apple Tablet. It’s worth a read, and while I agree that Apple will have a huge impact (whenever the rumored device is released) I think it will have a greater impact on iPhone and netbook sales than it will eBook Readers.

Don’t get me wrong, there will be poaching of adopters, but it’s like predicting laptops would go obsolete after netbooks arrived on the marketplace. They’re complimentary technologies not competition.

It’s too early to tell, but one thing is pounding home to all participants in the eBook Revolution, it is the biggest marketplace in human history, and there is lots of room for everyone.

It’s all a matter of taste, yah?

Nov 30

The (sch)Nook!

I’m sorry to keep harping about this, but it’s embarrassing for people like myself who have long supported competition in the eBook Revolution. The whole idea is choice creates a stable marketplace with better prices and selection for consumers. And then these ninnies at B&N failed to build enough machines to suit the demand they created!

Oh, here we’ve got Barnes & Noble’s brave solution. On their Nook page, this bold headline: “The hottest holiday gift is out of stock. Order nook today to be first in line for the new year.” (shouldn’t it read, “last year’s hottest holiday gift was out of stock?”)

Since I’ve got a whole year to make a choice now, maybe I’ll see what else is coming onto the market.