Oct 18

eBooks to Dominate the Future?

Here’s a link to a CNN story and video where author Nicholas Negroponte, founder of One Laptop per Child suggests the end of the ‘physical’ book is nigh. He makes some excellent points about the practicality of loading an entire library into devices and taking them to remote locations, and I believe that the eBook’s portability and functionality will make it the dominant force in future publishing.

However, there will always be a market for ‘physical’ books–as long as it’s profitable, and as long as there are hard cover and paperback aficionados. I can imagine special editions and quality print runs for book lovers on your Christmas list. There is room for the new and the old.

Oct 17

Amazon Kindle DX Graphite Reviewed

GoodeReader.com offers an extensive review of the new Amazon Kindle DX Graphite. The large-sized wireless eReader comes with free 3G and 9.7″ display.

Amazon boasts the latest generation DX’s 3G operates globally which is good because this upgraded machine has to offer a lot of perks to justify the $379 price tag. (Original Kindle hit the market at that HIGH price…)

Read the review here.

Oct 16

Sony PRS-650 Touch Edition e-Reader Reviewed

Good e-Reader offers a review and photos of the new Sony PRS 650 Touch edition.

And it looks like good news for the device that features a 6 inch E Ink touch screen with 16 levels of gray scale. At $229 it’s at least within the neighborhood of some other high-end but cheaper eReaders on the market, though coming tethered with USB for eBook loading, it might find the competition an uphill battle.

This price-lag could be made up for in durability. I’ve handled some of these Sony machines and they feel tough, and up to a long service life. That might make all the difference for people shopping for a permanent reading partner.

Oct 15

eBook Sales Jump 172% in August!

Publishers Weekly reports on the numbers that are defining the eBook Revolution showing this sea-change shift  away from the traditional market towards explosive growth in digital publishing  sales. It’s something we all know is happening, but it’s exciting to have the statistics.

Oct 14

iPad Plans to Show off Multi-Function this Halloween

USA Today has a post announcing iPad’s plan to release a special edition of DRACULA for Halloween that includes video game features, music and more. It will be interesting to see how this multimedia experience plays out. Definitely, iPad has to justify it’s many fantastic functions and high price. (While it’s bound to be fun, it sounds like a website to me…)

Oct 13

Kindle ‘Singles’ Coming to an Amazon Near You!

I think this is a silly re-branding of an already existing literary form, but there is method in Amazon’s madness. Check out this Pocket-lint post declaring that the short story and novella have now been renamed “Kindle Singles.”

On paper, it’s a good idea since short and medium-range stories have traditionally been tough for writers to market. The evolution of the eBook Revolution has opened a door for these different narrative forms to be sold and enjoyed. (Good for writers, yah?) Previously shorter stories competed for the limited space in anthologies, magazines and periodicals.

So, on the one hand, yes it’s great that Kindle Singles (formerly known as short stories and novellas) are going to be available to the greater public at a lower price than traditional eBooks. But on the other, it is likely just another cash grab and attempt by publishers and distributors to justify overpricing longer eBooks and novels.

Oct 12

Borrow a Nook from the Library?

Tricities.com reports on an interesting development in the eBook Revolution where the Sullivan County Public Library System has allowed patrons to check out Nook eReaders to interface with thousands of available titles online.

This is a great idea! Now the companies that make the devices have to wake up and realize they need to place their eReaders in libraries where licensing will allow a captive readership to test the digital waters. Once the consumers try the devices, they’ll be asking for them for Christmas.

Oct 11

Some Holiday Weekend Reading…

Happy Thanksgiving to Canadian visitors. Enjoy the links.

Jorgen dropped by with a link to an excellent visualization of the eBook format download wars. Looks like the heat is on PDF. Check it out here at RadarOreilly.

The Sun News has a link to a post that offers solutions to all your eBook conversion needs.

And here’s a link to the Edmonton Journal and a story where American novelist Philip Roth has a good cry about the inevitable. (Though, I have to say it’s easy to defend the status quo when you’re part of it.)

Oct 10

eBooks Cost More than Hard Covers?

More screwy pricing news at Amazon from Mercury News that reports a couple of digital bestsellers hitting the Information Highway priced higher than their paperback equivalents.

Ken Follett’s Fall of Giants from Dutton was priced $19.99 for the eBook and $19.39 for the hard cover.

And publisher Little Brown & Co. marked their Don’t Blink title at $14.99 for the eBook and $14.00 for the hardcover.

Hard to understand where they’re going with this ridiculous trend. All they’re doing is slowing down the eBook Revolution and encouraging eBook Piracy.

Oct 09

PCMag.com Reviews Sharper Image Literati Reader

Here’s a link to a review of the Sharper Image Literati Reader at PCMag.com.  It’s competitively priced at $159, but it falls short of the reviewer’s expectations.