e-reader

Breaking
January 27, 2010
by

Apple iPad recap

By on January 27, 2010 at 3:38 PM.

Apple iPad recap

If you were following this morning’s Apple announcement, it may have been quite overwhelming and your head could be spinning in confusion. We’re here to clear things up and give you additional details over what we posted this morning. What we know so far is that the device itself, in terms of hardware and software, doesn’t disappoint. Out of the box, it can support every single application available in the iTunes App Store right now. There is a new version of iWork available for the iPad — with each application going for $9.99 (which means $30 for the whole kaboodle). The Wi-Fi only version will be available in 60 days, and the 3G and Wi-Fi versions in 90 days. Hit the break as we break it down for you!

More →

254 Comments
eBooks
January 26, 2010
by

Acer jumps on board the e-Reader, app store, tablet and Chrome OS bandwagon

By on January 26, 2010 at 6:31 AM.

Acer jumps on board the e-Reader, app store, tablet and Chrome OS bandwagon

acer-handset-logo-closeup

Looking to diversify as it seeks to advance its position from the #2 to the #1 PC manufacturer in the world, Taiwanese manufacturer Acer has laid out a long list of ambitious products slated for launch in 2010. The list includes a new tablet device powered by Windows or Google’s Chrome OS, a netbook powered by Chrome OS, a six inch monochrome e-reader with European distribution as well as an application store for its Android and Windows Mobile-powered smartphones. Acer has a bit of a distance to make up if it wants to occupy the #1 slot as the worlds largest PC manufacturer — it currently has a worldwide PC market share of 13.5% and lags behind leader HP which commands a 19.8% market share. Though they’re hoping this expansion into diverse markets and, in particular, its tablet and netbook offerings will help to propel it forward as it seeks to overtake HP by 2013. Dream big, Acer, dream big. More →

6 Comments
Retail
December 21, 2009
by

Barnes & Noble offers $100 for late Nook orders

By on December 21, 2009 at 6:07 PM.

Barnes & Noble offers $100 for late Nook orders

We know how frantic things can get during this time of year: it’s almost Christmas and you’re wondering if you forgot anyone on your list, or whether everything you ordered will be arriving on time. For those who ordered the Barnes & Noble Nook in advance, units were promised to arrive on or before December 24. However, B&N is saying that there might be a very small percentage of customers who won’t be receiving their pre-ordered units in time. Those unlucky few will be receiving $100, almost 40% of the cost of the device, from the mega-bookseller for the inconvenience. It’s a nice gesture just in case things don’t work out, but we’re sure many of those customerss would be much happier watching their loved ones unwrap a new Nook under the tree on Christmas morning. More →

8 Comments
eBooks
February 24, 2009
by

Amazon Kindle 2 Unboxing

By on February 24, 2009 at 3:31 PM.

Amazon Kindle 2 Unboxing

Way, way back in October we broke the news of Amazon’s Kindle 2. Seems like forever ago, doesn’t it? Amazon snubbed us at the launch event, but we’ve taken matters into our own hands and got a Kindle 2 delivered. As we all have come to expect, the Kindle 2 arrived in its very own customized packaging. Occupying the size of a large hardcover book, the inside of the box and the Kindle 2 packaging was matte black with a slightly embossed Kindle logo and swirl of letters that typifies the Kindle brand. The contents of the box are meager — Kindle 2, power adapter, USB sync cable and brief getting started guide. Unlike the original Kindle, the Kindle 2 does not included any type of case or slipcover. All in all, much as you think it would, the unit doesn’t disappoint aesthetically. It has a nice rounded look and is amazingly thin, not clunky and awkward-looking like the original Kindle, and despite its diminutive size, it has a nice heft and feel to it. The only drawback from an appearance point of view is that the screen is eclipsed by the overall size of the reader. Unlike the Sony series of readers which have minimal casing, the Kindle 2 is dominated by the keyboard and large casing, making the screen appear smaller that it actually is. A small trade-off for including a physical QWERTY keyboard. We are waiting for this baby to charge before we dive into our first book but you can enjoy the pictures with us while we wait.

More →

13 Comments
General
February 6, 2009
by

Amazon Kindle 2 official photos, pricing and availability leaked

By on February 6, 2009 at 10:43 PM.

Amazon Kindle 2 official photos, pricing and availability leaked

Looks like those Kindle 2 photos we published back in October were spot on. Additional official-looking photos of the Kindle 2 have emerged and the new e-reader from Amazon looks sweet! If the pencil comparison is accurate, then the new Kindle appears to shed much of its width, coming in as thin as the Sony PRS-505 reader, and little bit longer than both the original Kindle and the Sony Reader. As we reported earlier, the Kindle 2 also appears to have a metal back with built-in speakers. Start putting those pennies aside as the Kindle 2 is expected to hit Amazon on the 24th of February for $359, the same price as the current Kindle. No apparent price increase, yay! This is still all unconfirmed but the information seems to jive with previous rumors and the source of the leak, MobileRead, is well-known in the e-book world. We will all get the skinny on this reader and its features on Monday, until then enjoy the photos after the jump.

More →

29 Comments
General
February 6, 2009
by

Google launches mobile Book Search for Android and iPhone

By on February 6, 2009 at 11:53 AM.

Google launches mobile Book Search for Android and iPhone

Just in time for the expected Kindle 2 announcement, Google is apparently trying to steal some of the pre-announcement hype by launching its own mobile book reading service. Previously available on for desktop computers, Google Book Search is now available via a new mobile web site, providing on-the-go access to nearly 1.5 million public domain books. Point your mobile browser to books.google.com/m where you can peruse its book list via category, find the poplar titles in the “Featured Books” list or search by author, title or subject. The web site is optimized for Android and the iPhone and they are currently the only supported mobile platforms with no indication as to whether or not mobile Book Search will be expanded to support Windows Mobile, S60, Palm or Blackberry. Most Google products end up being extended to those platforms so we assume that same principle will apply here but for the time being, G1 and iPhone owners can flaunt their ability to read the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes for free while riding the morning subway to work.

Read

12 Comments