Many thanks to Jorgen for a link to a thought-provoking piece at The Independent on surviving (and reading) in the age of distraction.
Jun 24
Social Networks for Readers
eBookNewser offers a list of reading and eBook related social media networks. They vary from place to place but think book club, fan club and chat forum all rolled into one.
Some of these networks have been in place for years awaiting the eBook Revolution and you can tell which sites have set the high bar. They’re worth checking out if you like talking eBooks!
Jun 23
Pottermore to sell Harry Potter eBooks directly!
Techradar offers an explanation for the recent mysterious appearance of J.K. Rowling’s new website Pottermore. The site started rumors flying about whether Rowling was going to release a new book in the Harry Potter series. According to Techradar the site will provide interactive information and allow fans of the series to explore Harry Potter’s world.
Now, important to the eBook Revolution is the news that Rowling intends to sell eBook versions of the Harry Potter books via Pottermore–directly. If you remember, Rowling has resisted the conversion of her titles to eBooks, and now we read that she intends to sell them directly (sans Amazon, etc.) to readers, free of DRM so they’ll be accessible on any device.
This is exciting news indeed. A democratized digital publishing industry is changing the landscape yet again.
Author to reader sales may not work for new scribes, but publishing heavyweights like Rowling will be able to serve their fan base directly. Stephen King’s name immediately comes to mind.
Jun 22
Barnes and Noble Nookbooks outselling paper…
PCWorld posted on Barnes and Noble’s announcement that its Nookbooks are outselling the store’s offering of ‘paper’ books three to one.
This is good news in light of a report at Bloomberg that B&N posted a quarterly loss as a result of its investments in digital publishing and shortfalls incurred by Borders’ bankruptcy.
Jun 21
Kobo eReader Touch Edition now on sale in US and Canada
TechConnect Magazine tells us that only a short month after its unveiling the Kobo eReader Touch Edition is now available in the US and Canada. Available in black, lilac, blue and silver the $129.99 US and $139.99 Canadian device features a 6-inch Pearl E Ink screen and access to Kobobooks’ 2.3-million titles.
Jun 20
Sand in your Kindle. Water in your Nook!
Planning to read on your summer vacation? Whether you do it on a Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader or iPad it pays to put some thought into their protection and care.
With that in mind, GoodeReader has posted some suggestions to help you avoid destroying your device, and to minimize the damage if it occurs.
Jun 19
New reality versus outdated thinking…
Techdirt offers a post where Indie author J.A. Konrath has a few words regarding the Mystery Writers of America’s outdated thinking, and draws a parallel with some of the mindsets seen among traditional publishers who seem reluctant to embrace the eBook Revolution in its entirety.
The truth is the new open digital publishing market has created many doorways for good to great authors to find their own readers. And the traditional publishing world is losing its opportunity to be a part of the process. (If it’s not too late already.)
Jun 17
Google eBooks continues to roll out…
Internet search giant Google continues to quietly develop its eBook sales and search capabilities. I say ‘quietly’ because for a giant, Google is relatively hushed as it rolls out its Google eBooks program compared to chief rivals Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, etc. (All known for fighting over the limelight.)
GalleyCat posted on Google’s recent launch of the Google Affiliate Network for U.S. retailers, bloggersĂ‚Â and book publishers that are open to selling Google eBooks online.
Jun 16
Is codename: Hollywood nearing launch?
XbitLaboratories reports on the persistent rumor that Amazon.com is developing a tablet bearing the codename “Hollywood” that will expand the online retailer’s digital content delivery system beyond its industry leading Kindle E Ink eReader.
I’ve got a feeling they’ll announce this device in the lead-up to the 2011 holiday season.
Jun 15
Read Kindle eBooks on your Nook!
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. We’ve long grumbled about the big eBook retailer’s insistence on proprietary formats, registration, memberships, etc. that force the consumer to read their eBook purchases on specific ‘tethered’ devices or platforms. One could buy an eBook, but had to read it where and how the retailer dictated.
Well, this geek.com post and video shows in no uncertain terms how old that concept has suddenly become.
Because the new Barnes and Noble E Ink Nook Simple Touch Reader runs on Android, a minor hack can root the drive, thus opening the door for you to read Amazon Kindle books on the device.
It’s really quite amazing, and about time. Doesn’t that also make it the first E Ink Tablet?
Good Reads
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