Nov 19

Sony + Public Libraries = Kindle Killer

Thanks Jorgen for this link to a story at Gather No Dust. In it the author suggests that Sony’s plan to link its eReaders to Public Libraries will spell doom for Amazon’s Kindle. I especially like the idea of entering a Zip Code and finding the downloadable item at a library near you. All that content free for the reading, yah?

Nov 18

Kindle Now Available in Canada

Kindle, the actual eBook Reading device, is finally available for sale in Canada. Read the story about the $259 (US) eBook reader in the National Post.

I think they missed an opportunity, coming this late, considering the large number of snooty literary types that inhabit the forests up here salivating for the chance to make the experience distasteful to the mainstream audience. But I’m pleased it’s here…months after Sony’s arrival, I have to point out.

I will say that the KINDLE for PC is now available for download in Canada, too. Get it here. I ‘grumbled’ about it not being available in Canada a few days back. But I’ll give Amazon it’s due. I downloaded it, having always been curious about the interface (but I was locked out) and it plays pretty well. It’s a little bright on the eyes, if you compared it to the actual Kindle device display or  Digital Editions, a competing eBook reader for computer monitor or laptop that uses open format EPUB. I think Digital Editions has a more user-friendly feel and look to its ‘paper’ display. Download it here.

I compared a few eBooks in the Kindle proprietary AZW format versus the Mobipocket PRC format (PRC also plays on Kindle and the Kindle for PC App). I’ll say, there were few differences, so wonder again why there’s all the duplication. (And why Kindle hasn’t adopted the EPUB format yet.)

I’ll keep playing around with it, but so far so good, yah?

Nov 17

BIG NEWS for INDIE AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS!

Media Bistro’s Galleycat reports digital book service Shortcovers has formed a partnership with Indie Author and Publisher platform Smashwords. On Nov. 18  Smashwords will start sharing titles from its growing 5,000+ stable of eBooks from Independent talent. 

This is a significant move as Smashwords accesses Shortcovers’ global infrastructure for reading and downloading eBooks across multiple devices (e.g. iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Pre , Google Android and Sony Reader.)

On top of similar deals with Sony eBook Store and Barnes and Noble, this coalition begins to challenge even Amazon’s distribution might. As it’s described, the eBook-only distribution deal allows Indie authors and publishers to sell directly, globally, without negotiating the sale of foreign printing rights.

They call it “democratizing distribution.” I call it a win-win scenario for the eBook Revolution, yah?

Nov 16

Doom and Gloom from Ireaderreview

Jorgen dropped off another link, this time to a somewhat gloomy article at Ireaderreview about the ‘value perception’ of eBooks dropping to ZERO.

Give the article a read. I think the author jumps to several conclusions that could be vigorously debated. For instance, there is no real discussion in the piece about how we determine the ‘actual value’ of content. In my books, it’s a leap to consider an eBook being accurately valued at $9.99 (the famous Amazon boycott price.) I would think a much lower price would be appropriate, considering an eBook is a rather small digital file requiring very little storage space that is ‘free’ to ship and can be copied a limitless number of times.

Here are just a couple things that cannot be ignored. Perhaps selling content is not the same as selling actual books. Perhaps methods of appreciating that content have changed. Perhaps the market needs to adjust to the new product.

And I really think it’s a leap to consider Moby Dick or Paradise Lost, both public domain titles and free, to be actual competition for Stephenie Meyer’s latest.

Nov 15

The Future of books: Adapt or Die

I’ve said it many times and it’s finally being pounded home by a long continuous explosion in the eBook Revolution. The future of books is eBooks, and anyone in the business: writers, publishers, agents, book sellers and printers will simply be left behind if they don’t accept it. Adaptation will assure that all of the above can remain competitive.

Here’s a link to a good read at JournalStar.com on the future of eBooks and reading.

Nov 14

The Intel eBook Reader

Jorgen dropped by with a link to this article at Crunchgear about an Intel eBook Reader for the visually impaired.

I agree, at $1,500 it’s jumping into the eBook Revolution with a high price, but the device offers a unique approach to eBooks and reading for the over 50 million people in the U.S. who have sight problems.

This machine comes with a 5 Megapixel camera that can scan whole pages of books or other printed material (e.g. menus) and then display the information as size-adjustable text or audio playback.

Check out the article. There’s a detailed instruction video too. You’ve got to love the way these technologies are being mixed together, yah? (I know it’s expensive, but tech always arrives on the market over-priced.)

Nov 13

Amazon releases Kindle for PC

Here’s a story at the Examiner.com about Amazon releasing a Kindle for PC. That is, a Kindle-app for you to run on your computer or laptop so that you can enjoy the Kindle eBook Reading experience–test it out. It’s an attempt to generate a groundswell of interest and tease us with a taste of Kindle (with free eBook downloads to boot) so that we’ll all run out and slap the $250 down to buy an actual Kindle.

I’ve always been interested in the Kindle’s look and read about its functionality. Of course, being based in Canada I wasn’t able to purchase one until a few weeks ago when the Global Kindle was launched, but by then I’d made other arrangements. Still, I’m in the business, so to be fair I decided to at least give this Kindle PC a test drive. I mean, the Kindle’s a popular device, maybe I should give it another chance, yah?

So I popped over to the free Kindle for PC here. Enjoyed a moment of excitement and enthusiasm, and then clicked the download button. Imagine how I felt when I discovered that Kindle for PC is not available in Canada.

Well, do you know what they can do with their Kindle for PC? They can @!*^% !

Nov 12

Another foldable kid on the block…

Our friend Jorgen dropped in with another scoop here at RegHardware. It looks like Taiwanese manufacturer Wistron is planning a 2010 release for an eBook Reader with foldable screen (the picture in the article is the Readius so don’t get confused like I did).

The firm is developing a handheld device with flexible E Ink display that measures 5in x 6in.  If it’s anything like Readius, the gadget will have a hi-tech look that could move a lot of product. And it slips away in the pocket.

Futuristic ride, yah?

Nov 11

News from the Jetson Kitchen

Ok. I know this isn’t for everyone, but it’s just neat and absolutely an encouraging sign  about the eBook Revolution. These things are evolving quickly…

Demy – The Digital Recipe Reader by Key Ingredient is the first (and only) kitchen-safe recipe reader designed to revolutionize your cooking work flow. (Can you believe it?) The sturdy, sleek device features high-resolution color touchscreen, and a variety of apps to make life easier on the cook.

It can hold up to 2,500 recipes, with easy indexing interface that syncs up to your keyingredient.com account through your computer’s USB. (I’m serious…)

The Demy is amazing, allowing font-size selection as well as offering ingredient substitution suggestions. At $299 it’s asking a lot of early digital recipe reader adopters, but hey, I know someone who paid $800 for a frying pan. It might be a perfect fit for masters of the culinary arts.

But can I read Tolstoy on it, yah?

Nov 10

Harlequin Introduces Carina Press to Digital Publishing

Publishing giant Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. has launched an ePublishing-only division called Carina Press. Unlike the parent company that offers traditional hardcover, paperback and eBooks, Carina’s opening up to new and established authors as an option for publication that will distribute and sell eBooks only.

We’re going to see more and more of this, yah? As the traditional publishers struggle to adapt to the manifold changes to publishing, they’re anxious to get a piece of the massive library of Indie and established author titles. Sony eBook Store and Barnes and Noble have done it, as has Amazon’s Kindle. (Though Amazon offers Indie work shelf space through marketplace and there are strings attached to releasing a book as a Kindle eBook.)

Carina Press is calling for submissions in almost all genres from horror to romance, so if there are aspiring authors in the audience now is your chance. Click here for the Carina Press submission guidelines page.