AMAZON'S BEEN BUSY - Here's another press release, and I'll quote most of it below. There had been talk this week of Amazon planning ahead for the ability to charge fees for additional previews someday, but it was felt by some that these reported moves could be just getting that capability firm IF ever needed. So, I left in the top-left portion of the new Amazon ad that red-letters the first word in "Free Kindle Reading Apps" title.
The Amazon Kindle Team had previously announced at the forums that they would soon be launching Web previews of books using HTML5, and this is apparently it. Here's the press release (minus already-familiar portions described in the introduction), since their choice of wording is more important for a new feature that's a departure from we we've known. Samples, we're able to read in a relaxed way on our Kindles, and the marketing push of the web version will emphasize blog ads for Kindle books as well as the sharing of content from a book, with quoting now easily more than a blurb. (Emphases below are mine)
' Amazon Launches Kindle for the WebFor a list of frequently asked questions and other information, Amazon's Kindle for the Web Beta Help page.
Readers can now read the first chapter of Kindle books for free through web browsers - no download or installation required.
Bloggers and website owners can embed Kindle book samples and earn referral fees on sales. [Some book-oriented blogs will become quite quite a bit fatter, but scroll-windows will help.]
SEATTLE, Sep 28, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Amazon...today introduced the beta version of "Kindle for the Web," making it even easier for customers to discover new books and authors by sampling Kindle books directly through web browsers ... More information about Kindle for the Web and how to embed Kindle book samples is available at www.amazon.com/kindlefortheweb.
Customers simply click the "Read first chapter FREE" button on a book product page on Amazon or on other websites, and the first chapter will open within the web page. Customers can change the font size and line spacing, adjust the background color, and share their favorite books with friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail--all without leaving the book in the browser.
"With Kindle for the Web, it's easier than ever for customers to sample Kindle books - there's no downloading or installation required," said Dorothy Nicholls, Director, Amazon Kindle. "Kindle for the Web is also a great way for bloggers and authors to promote books on their websites by letting visitors read a chapter without leaving their site."
To see examples of Kindle for the Web on authors' websites, go to the blog of author Karen McQuestion at www.mcquestionablemusings.blogspot.com and the free sample of her bestselling Kindle book "A Scattered Life," or the website of author John Miller at www.heymiller.com and the free sample of his book "The First Assassin." [That is heavy support for McQuestion and Miller.]
In the future, Kindle for the Web will include optimization for mobile browsers and other features. For more information about Kindle for the Web, including instructions on how to embed Kindle book samples, go to www.amazon.com/kindlefortheweb. '
Here are three of the questions and answers that may be of special interest:
' What is the difference between Kindle for the Web Beta and Search Inside the Book?
Search Inside the Book is a scanned copy of the physical book that gives you an impression of what the physical book look and feels like. Kindle for the Web Beta offers an enhanced online experience to give you an impression of the book as a digital Kindle edition.
Can I use Kindle for the Web without making a purchase?
Yes. It's free to view Kindle for the Web Beta samples, and share those samples or embed them on the web.
Why can't I view more pages from a specific book?
We help our customers discover and sample books to ensure that they'll be satisfied with their purchases. Our agreements with publishers and copyright holders currently limit how much of the book is available for preview. We continue to work with publishers to expand these limits (Emphasis mine) '
AMAZON ENCORE ANNOUNCES FALL AND SPRING PUBLISHING LISTS
AmazonEncore announces they'll introduce "eight exceptional new books" this spring:
' The list features compelling works of fiction including "Catcher, Caught" by Sarah Collins Honenberger; "Stalina" by Emily Rubin; "The Summer Son" by Craig Lancaster; "Regarding Ducks and Universes" by Neve Maslakovic; "Faking It" and "Ordinary World" by Elisa Lorello; and "Nickel Plated" by Aric Davis, as well as the physical edition debut of J.A. Konrath's "Shaken" (available first on Kindle in October 2010).
The spring 2011 list also marks the imprint's first diet book, "Get Real and Stop Dieting!" by Brett Blumenthal. AmazonEncore books are available in print format at www.amazon.com and as wireless digital downloads in less than 60 seconds from the Kindle Store (www.amazon.com/kindlestore) to Kindle devices and Kindle apps. For more information on AmazonEncore and upcoming titles, visit www.amazon.com/encore. '
Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's), DX Graphite
Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources. Top 100 free bestsellers.
Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.
A recent announcement of possible interest to Kindlers...
ReplyDelete"Rumor: An Amazon Android Tablet May Follow The Amazon Android App Store"
http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/27/amazon-android-tablet/
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYes, it's been all over Twitter, as is of course the even stronger rumor that TechCrunch is being swallowed by AOL though it's said that could fall through.
With Amazon's purchase of Touchco and the many hints from Qualcomm (on its Mirasol partnering), I can imagine a smaller one being worked on though I was thrown that Qualcomm's production factories won't be ramping up until late 2011 or something. There's always Pixel Qi as well. Amazon has been said to be hiring animation / video / games people so it would make sense eventually.
I was actually working on some Webkit webbrowser ideas but may post this rumor, as I have 4 tabs up with stories on TechCrunch and its rumors.
Thanks for making sure we saw it.
An Android based tablet to supplement the book-optimized Kindle would seem to be a good idea to protect their Amazon store front.
ReplyDeleteLike the generously priced Kindle, such a matching multi-media device could be conceivably marketed as a player for downloaded content (ie, from Amazon) and equipped with a slow 3G modem to limit the bandwidth thereby allowing an Amazon subsidized 3G connection (ala Kindle), or possibly at a greatly reduced rate compared to a carrier dataplan.
Amazon's gain in this case would be to put their storefront in more hands that might otherwise be holding iPads or otherPads.
All conjecture of course, but Amazon is in a unique position (as is Apple) to offset the cost of their gadget with the revenues gained by online store sales they can generate.