Aug 19

Sony Reader and Harry Potter linking up?

A rumor at GoodeReader suggests that Sony is about to re-establish itself in the eBook marketplace by releasing a pair of new eReaders that will come with the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling bundled and installed. The post also suggests an ongoing relationship between Sony and the author’s new Harry Potter website Pottermore.

If there’s any truth to the ‘strategic relationship’ mentioned in the story, it is guaranteed to boost Sony’s lagging position in the device-crazy competition that drives the eBook Revolution.

Aug 18

eBook Reader sales triple every year…

Now here’s a company I wish I’d invested in.

A VentureBeat post says E Ink Holdings, the creators of the E Ink display used in eBook Readers, reported $650-million in sales in 2010 with expectations of surpassing $1-billion in revenue in 2011. Since 2006, eBook Reader sales have tripled annually.

With the 2010 release of a color E Ink display, the future is looking bright for the roughly 15-year-old company. More about E Ink and the eBook Revolution at the link.

Aug 17

Fake eBooks on Amazon’s hit list.

GoodeReader has a story about the growing number of fake eBooks out there, and Amazon’s attempts to take them out of their Kindle store.

Aug 16

Microsoft Reader eBook software on the way out…

I thought I’d mention this because I’m going to miss the Microsoft Reader software and .LIT format. I read some of my first eBooks in .LIT on my PC and always found it a supreme experience: diamond-sharp display and easy-to-read fonts, text-to-speech function, etc.

Mobiputing says the software is going to be retired.

I’d always hoped they’d find a compatible eBook Reading device and give the rest of the market a run for the money.

Aug 15

A future for book trailers.

TheStar offers a post on the impact of video trailers on book and eBook sales. Digital video is a perfect fit for the eBook Revolution.

Aug 13

Check out the Amazon Kindle Cloud Reader

InformationWeek has a hands-on review of the Amazon Kindle Cloud Reader. I’ve downloaded it for a test drive and can see how this App is an excellent offering for the swelling tablet and hand-held market.

It’s still early, and the Kindle Cloud Reader only supports Google Chrome browser, the Apple Safari desktop browser, and the iOS Safari browser for iPhones and iPads. Amazon has promised support for a wider selection of browsers like Internet Explorer and Firefox, etc. but has not set a timetable.

If you’ve got the supported browser then search out read.amazon.com.

Aug 12

Apple Inc. named ringleader in Agency eBook Pricing Scam

The Financial Post reports on a lawsuit against Simon & Schuster Inc., HarperCollins Publishers, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers and Penguin Group Inc. as parties to a price fixing scheme cloaked in the adoption of the Agency Pricing model.

The Agency Pricing model leaves the pricing of eBooks in the hands of the publisher rather than the retailer. The suit by Seattle-based firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro says Apple Inc. conspired with the publishers to push eBook prices up (sometimes higher than their hard cover versions) in an attempt to take the wind from eBook retail leader Amazon.com’s sails.

The publishers jumped on board to fix higher prices because the profits were vast, and it cooled off the eBook market to prop up sales of paper and hard cover titles.

Aug 10

Amazon books on the Barnes and Noble Nook?

Indeed, Amazon has inked a deal with its enemy Barnes and Noble to allow titles published under the Amazon Publishing imprint to be available for sale and compatible with the B&N Nook.  GoodeReader has the story where Amazon gets its footing in the biggest remaining bricks and mortar bookstore chain in the U.S.

Aug 09

Kindle drops to $99!

CNet reports that minus any fanfare, Amazon has dropped the price of its Kindle to $99. That development goes along with its 3G, ad-free Kindle now priced at $129. With the cheaper refurbished Kindle (plus one year warranty) now clocking in at $99, this is starting to look like a $79 eBook Reader Christmas.

Aug 08

PCWorld reviews the $190 Bookeen Cybook Opus eReader

PCWorld reviews the Bookeen Cybook Opus eReader. I remember previous versions of this sleek little ride hitting the market in the early days of the eBook Revolution.

Looks like they’ve kept the machine’s trim lines, and continue to deliver a highly workable single-purpose eBook reader. However, with a market that is hot for integrated book stores, wireless connectivity and lower prices, the Opus eReader will have to deliver in the performance department to stay competitive.

I’ve always liked the idea of untethered eBook readers, since the integrated eBook stores take away some of the flexibility inherent in digital publishing. But it’s still early in the eBook Revolution, and with Google eBooks finally kicking into full swing with its own eReader, we’re bound to see some rapid changes across the board. (Could that also mean untethered, DRM-free eBooks?)