A Kindle World blog: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Kindle News: Plans to escape Apple's stern, over-protected grove

APPLE CLEANUP OF OTHER BOOKSTORE LINKS: WHAT NOW?

EBookMagazine in the UK
"Removal of in-app store links prompts anger, complaints and confusion" as a result of the Apple requirement that rival ebooksellers either 1) make a link to purchase at Apple's store, giving Apple 100% of the other bookstore's 30% revenue share of a book sale (the 30% share for a bookseller was Apple's idea in the first place, causing higher book pricing, or 2) remove any and all links to the other bookseller's stores.

One thing I had not expected to see:

' The Kindle app’s iTunes listing now has a majority of ‘one star’ reviews alongside negative reviews lamenting the loss of the store link." [How ironic.]
Users have described the updated, link-less app as “defunct” and “a big step backward”.

Other Kindle app users have made use of the reviews facility to denounce Apple’s policy and to insist that they won’t – as some suggest the iPad maker was hoping – defect to its iBooks store. '

Not surprisingly, though, many regular users were not aware that the link that led to opening the Safari browser to go to the bookstores was just the web-location of the online store. All that's needed is a bookmark on the device that will take the e-reader owner to amazon.com or to bn.com etc.

But the inconvenience of having to close the reading app first is not intuitive and has been annoying. EReader owners wind up irritated at both the app and the suddenly not so magical or revolutionary device.

Tight reins: "Staff employed by Kindle rival Kobo have complained that Apple’s rules even prevented them from explaining why store links have been removed from apps.

That is what happens when you become the richest company around, with $76 billion sitting there and apparently not growing fast enough for comfort.

WallSteetDaily: Is Apple About to Lose its Gatekeeper Status?
Juatin Fritz points out that the Financial Times decided to ignore Apple, withdrew its app and released a [web-based] HTML5 app last month, explaining, "There’s not a single thing we couldn’t do in HTML5 that we could do in our native app [for Apple]."

HTML5 allows coding language developers "to create rich, full-featured webpages" without requiring plug-ins like Adobe Flash.

Apple has been counting on increasing adoption of HTML5 to provide features that Flash currently does, since Apple doesn't recognize Adobe Flash.
But now, HTML5 may be helping other companies grow their extra features outside that walled garden tended by Apple's heavy thumb.

Fritz reminds us that "Mobile developers for the iPhone and iPad can use HTML5 to create applications, too. So instead of storing apps on a mobile device, developers can run them on the web." and adds:

' Tech publisher, VentureBeat, says, the “HTML5 movement has so much momentum that it could defeat the native app — an application that’s designed to run on a single platform — in as little as two years.” '

Developers won't need permission to upload their own apps online, and HTML5 programs can also be used offline, functioning in areas with no connection. They can run on any operating system. "So instead of customizing apps for each platform, developers only need to create one universal application."

The Google Books app doesn't seem to be back in the Apple store, Fritz says, and "starting in August, Google will start supporting all of its web apps, like Gmail and Docs, with HTML5." He adds that Microsoft announced in June that it was going to HTML5 in Windows 8, and Pandora is making the switch also.

So, we see a couple of escape routes, with apps for the fast-growing Android market and with HTML5

Amazon announced in December their coming Kindle for Web, which will allow full text of Kindle books to be read in your web browsers - no download or installation required. This will also allow the usual features - synchronizing of your libraries, last page read, bookmarks, notes & highlights, with your other devices.

And, Amazon adds, "bookstores, authors, retailers, bloggers and other website owners will be able to offer Kindle books from their own sites, let their readers start enjoying the full text of these books instantly, and earn affiliate fees for doing so."

Photo credit: Communicatrix

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) 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. Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Digitimes Adds Yet More to Rumors re Amazon TabletS

EVEN MORE FROM DIGITIMES ON YOU KNOW WHAT

Subtitle: Send in the Chips!

Can we take any more of these Android tablet rumors? Just launch them already! :-) But by everything that's said at Digitimes, they're not quite ready. Each time, the latest is whatever myriad of of companies are involved in getting orders or doing shipments for this or for that.

So far, we haven't read of units being assembled, tested, delivered, refined, etc. (though we can't expect that either), although Quanta was said at one point to have delivered some 7" tablets already but if true, they could have been samples or proposed prototypes.

On July 27, Digitimes's Cage Chao and Steve Shen reported that several Taiwan chip design houses may see their sales increasing 'vigorously' in 2011's 3rd quarter due to "their shipments of IC parts to the supply chain for Amazon's 7- and 10-inch tablet PCs to be launched in the quarter, according to industry sources." They add:

' With Amazon targeting to ship four million tablet PCs in 2011, IC [integrated circuit] orders from Amazon have become the second largest order from the tablet PC sector, trailing only the iPad, the sources indicated. '

So, this report has the 10" tablet in view for this year also, although that was a secondary target in other reports, with the basic expectation for early 2012 on those.

Their sources are almost certainly from those involved with a "number of Taiwan-based IC design houses", who are hoping to strengthen their presence in the tablet segment and be more competitive against international IC players.

The resourceful Digitimes adds an interesting table of suppliers:

Amazon tablets: Major suppliers for parts and components
Item	Vendor
Touch panels	Wintek, J Touch, Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT)
CPU	Nvidia
Touch controller ICs	ILI Technology (Ilitek)
LCD driver ICs	Novatek Microelectronics
Ambient light sensors	Capella Microsystems (Taiwan), Sitronix Technology
Power management ICs	Richtek Technology, Global Mixed-code Technology
Gravity sensors	Sitronix

Sources: Industry sources, compiled by Digitimes, July 2011

Also see the ongoing List of stronger Amazon tablet rumors with dates, titles and links to the Kindleworld blog articles and sources.

Old-fangled dedicated e-readers at lower prices:
Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Thursday, July 28, 2011

New active content for Kindle: Hidden Expedition: Amazon + Nonogames

NEW ACTIVE CONTENT FOR KINDLE

Hidden Expedition:
Amazon.

The image on the right caught my eye last night, and the game that it's from reminds me of the old text games with clues to be picked up and used except that this is more visual. The image was in color, and of course the Kindle readers (K2, KDX, K3) are not.

I liked the quality of the b&w images though, and the lead example is from that set.

It already has some good customer reviews (8 out of 9, with 5 stars). The Product Details section shows a July 12 release date, but I hadn't been taking note of games for Kindle recently because they're not yet available for international users. But this looked interesting.

Hidden Expedition®: Amazon™ has been popular in other editions, and Big Fish just announced the launch of the Kindle edition.

Businesswire's press release describes the game:

' ...players join the Hidden Expedition team as they search for a missing professor in the mystical world of the Amazon jungle. With a tattered passport as the only clue, players embark on an adventure deep into the rainforest, exploring cities, temples, and ruins while unlocking the secrets of an ancient yet advanced civilization. The game features 19 beautifully rendered hidden object levels and four puzzles to challenge the mind. '

VentureBeat's assessment:

' Hidden Expedition is a hidden object game, where the goal is to search through scenes to find items. The graphical detail on the Kindle — even though it is in black and white — looks pretty cool thanks to what Big Fish Games was able to do with the latest E-Ink Pearl technology behind the Kindle’s low-power screen. Each scene has been remastered for the E-Ink display. '

Also new, a Logic puzzle for Kindle

Nonograms is designed for logic and number puzzle lovers, per the Product Description, "simple yet challenging" with the goal of uncovering a hidden black and white pattern. It has three difficulty levels, for "beginners and experts alike."
Hints can be requested, and there's an optional time clock. The maker,
Metalgrass Software, says that those who like sudoku and similar number grid puzzles will especially enjoy these.

There are many new Kindle apps at the Active Content pages and you'll see them when you click on either of the above. These two were chosen as examples because they are so different and will attract different groups.

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Amazon's deals with CBS and NBC to Offer Streams of more TV Shows-Movies

On June 20, The L.A. Times's Meg James and Ben Fritz reported that Amazon reached a deal to offer streams of older CBS-owned tv shows, including "Frasier," "Cheers" and "Star Trek."

Financial terms and length of the deal were not known but analysts believe, the L.A. Times said, that the arrangement is for 18 months to two years.

' Beginning next month, customers who subscribe to the Amazon Prime streaming service will have access to episodes of 18 TV series owned by CBS, including Showtime's "The Tudors," and the complete "Star Trek" franchise [as well as "Frasier" and "Cheers"]...

With the deal, Amazon will have more than 8,000 movies and television episodes available through its Prime service plan. That's still significantly less than the estimated 20,000-plus available from Netflix, which doesn't disclose the exact number.
. . .
Wall Street appears slightly concerned about Amazon's upcoming expenditures as it amasses entertainment content that could be viewed on a variety of devices, including the online bookseller's anticipated competitor to Apple Inc.'s iPad.

"Amazon can potentially succeed in streaming, but not without material startup losses," Barclays Capital media analyst Anthony DiClemente said in a report. "Streaming media is likely to weigh on Amazon margins." '

That would match the news of expected huge expenses projected for the next quarter which some experts expect will be affected by the ramping up of activity in connection with the rumored tablet[s].

TODAY, Bloomberg's Lisa Rapaport reports that Amazon also reached an agreement with NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution, and this deal will include films such as “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Gosford Park,” and “Elizabeth.”

This adds another 1,000+ to the catalog of streaming video included at no extra cost with the Amazon Prime program, for a total of more than 9,000.

Kindle owners have expressed interest in Amazon's expected tablet and what will be offered for what would be a supplemental or complementary device.

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Latest Amazon Tablet Rumor - on a 7" model due end of September

MORE FROM DIGITIMES ON EXPECTED SCREEN DISPLAY

Another update from Digitimes, which is considered a somewhat more solid source of rumors than most, but they tend to give conflicting information.

Last time out, Quanta was already shipping 7" tablets to Amazon. This time, they say Quanta "will be solely responsible for assembling the tablet, the sources noted."

Yenting Chen and Adam Hwang write:

' Amazon has settled on a Taiwan-based supply chain for its tablets to be launched in the third quarter of 2011, with TFT-LCD panel maker Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) to supply touch sensors for use in 7-inch G/G (Glass on Glass) touch panels, according to supply chain makers.
...
While Wintek will be the major supplier of ITO touch modules for use in the G/G touch panel, CPT will provide touch sensors for J Touch to make such touch modules, the sources indicated. Based on Amazon's launch plans, 2.0-2.4 million touch panels should be shipped by the end of September and Wintek will account for 70-75% of the volume, the sources pointed out. '

E Ink Holdings is the liaison, and it seems E Ink will become a shareholder of CPT, making it possible for them to use CPT's 6G production capacity. In addition, the touch screen of Amazon tablets may involve use of E Ink's FFS (fringe field switching) technology.

See this blog's article on E Ink's FFS technology earlier.

Also see the ongoing List of stronger Amazon tablet rumors with dates, titles and links to the Kindleworld blog articles and sources.

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Business Insider's look at possible 'Dethroning' of Kindle e-reader

Business Insider's SAI: Tools looks at the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo.

As with other comparisons I've read, I've been interested in seeing which review sites note the lesser screen-contrast of the Nook Touch after being mesmerized by the touchscreen aspects. In this article, headlined "Can the Kindle be Dethroned? Here's Our Ultimate E-Reader Showdown," the photo slideshow comparison is marred by glare from lighting in the room, and you can see the pink-orange light and lack of detail where it falls, but you can still see what they're getting at.

The examples and header text below are straight from Business Insider's article, without the usual reduction, which would change the comparison properties:

Text on the Kindle has high contrast and looks the best. Blacks look the blackest on Kindle.

Text on the Nook looks good, but not great. There's noticeable jagginess on letters

They also note that with page turning, both the Nook and Kobo 'flash' black only every few pages, "which makes the reading experience more immersive" but they add that it sometimes "ends up being a distraction" because the screen flashes are more unpredictable and the screens can contain remnants of previous pages, so it's a "tradeoff."

The review of features with emphasis on touchscreen aspects doesn't go into the other features the way a Melissa Perenson would (PC World) nor with the thoroughness of Ars Tehnica, but they illustrate pretty well the pros and cons they mention.
To the left is a photo of a Kindle 3 and an iriver Story HD.

Here's an earlier article on Kindle 3 screen contrast vs the lesser screen-contrast in new touchscreen models. It includes the NY Times story by Nick Bilton about Amazon sources reporting noting less contrast while working with e-Ink touchcscreens in their labs. It also includes links to the earlier thorough comparisons.

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Monday, July 25, 2011

Kindle books still readable on Apple devices but Buy button removed -- 100 newspapers + magazines now readable via Kindle Apple app

KINDLE BUY BUTTON REMOVED FROM APPLE DEVICES

Amazon explained today (along with Barnes and Noble, Kobo and others) that offering books via a 'Buy' button within a app on an Apple device will no longer be done.

' The Amazon Kindle team says:
(AMAZON OFFICIAL)
Initial post: Jul 25, 2011 8:17:43 AM PDT

We wanted to let you know that we've updated our Kindle app for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. The big change is that you can now use the Kindle app to read over 100 Kindle newspapers and magazines including the Economist, as well as share favorite passages from your reading via Facebook and Twitter.

In order to comply with recent policy changes by Apple, we've also removed the "Kindle Store" link from within the app that opened Safari and took you to the Kindle Store.

You can still shop as you always have - just open Safari and go to www.amazon.com/kindlestore. If you want, you can bookmark that URL. Your Kindle books will be delivered automatically to your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, just as before.

Thank you,

The Kindle Team '

Apple did 'soften' its rules (or face the DOJ?) to nominally allow e-readers to allow apps to increase the product price by 30% to give Apple the entire profit margin of a book (it's assumed by all the articles that Apple wanted that full 30%).
But Amazon is not likely to want the customer to think Amazon is raising the price that high.

In the meantime, the 30% share that Apple wanted is exactly the entire profit Amazon, B&N, or Kobo would make from a sales of any of the Big6 publishers' books, by Apple's own 'Agency' model used (and which Steve Jobs encouraged the publishers to use in place of traditional wholesaler models).

So, Apple wanted 100% of the online-bookstores' take on books that would be bought from a link to an external site within the app -- or those vendors would have to offer the customer the option to buy a book at the same price from Apple instead and therefore make $0.00 profit from a sale after Apple's take.

In my February 24 blog article, I explained the title: Why Kindle books will be readable & sync'd on Apple devices no matter what.

Also, for the first time, Kindle users can do something on the Apple devices that they've been able to do on Android devices for months

' Read over 100 newspapers and magazines including The Economist and Reader's Digest with high resolution color images. Visit the Kindle Store to subscribe to a newspaper or magazine and have each edition automatically delivered, or purchase individual issues ... '

According to Cnet's David Carnoy, Kobo CEO Michael Serbinis said recently, during a visit to CNet offices:

' "Aside from not having any links to an e-bookstore," Serbinis said, "you can't even mention your Web site or explain to readers from within the app how to purchase books and get them onto the device. It's very simple to do, but some people downloading the app for the first time might not figure it out."

... But at least Apple has allowed e-reading apps from other companies to remain in the App Store. You can choose to see that as a magnanimous gesture--or not. '

For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books -
Non-classics - USA: by:
NEW: May June July 2011
Publication Date Late-listed
Bestselling High-ratings
UK: PubDate Popular
What is 3G? and "WiFi"? Battery Care
Highly-rated under $1, Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books
U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):
Top 100 free
UK-Only:
Top 100 free
USEFUL for your Kindle (U.S. only, currently):
99c Notepad 1.1, 99c Calculator,
99c Calendar, 99c Converter

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Back on Monday

Apologies! Have had to be gone most of this weekend and will catch up on Monday.

Friday, July 22, 2011

The KlearKase for Kindle 3 is now available.

THE KLEARKASE FOR KINDLE 3 IS HERE

The KlearKase for Kindle 3 (with the Kindle power slider at the bottom) is now available at Amazon. Their case for the Kindle 2 was popular with those who want the extra protection of a splash-proof, transparent protective case that can be left on for normal use.

Note that while this is splash-proof, it's not designed to be immersed in water (which requires more bulk and less flexibility), as it's not waterproof in that way. It's good protection if you're by the pool and people are splashing water your way.

The KlearKase for Kindle 2 (with the Kindle power slider at the top) was preferred by some (see customer reviews there) to another maker's fully waterproof model which can be immersed in water but which doesn't allow you to turn the Kindle back On (after it goes into sleep mode) without opening the case.
The KlearKase design does and also allows the Kindle to be charged in the case.

Some Technical details from the product page:

. Fits current generation Kindle 3 Only (power slider is on the bottom).
. Take your Kindle anywhere it may get wet, scratched, or dirty.
. Seamless access to the Kindle's controls (including power slider).
. Weighs only 6 ounces and includes free carrying bag.

The product page also mentions that the earlier case was featured on the Today Show, Budget Travel, Wired and more. It's definitely added protection and different from the usual. .
Today, CNet's David Carnoy writes about the new case and features the company's video of the Kindle on a hydroplane :-) He mentions that rubber seals cover the ports at the bottom of the Kindle but the seals can be lifted to access the ports, and the keyboard and buttons are usable through the case.

I don't have a KlearKase myself, as I'm not often near water, children with spillable drinks and more carefree handling of items, or pets, but I've watched the company's customer support on the various forums and they're unusually responsive.

What about a rumored Kindle 4?
While there are rumors about a smaller, touchscreen Kindle to be made available eventually, many on the Kindle forums report that they'll be staying with a non-touchscreen version on a 6" e-reader due to problems with precise highlighting on touchscreen models and somewhat error-prone virtual keyboards when making notes or editing them. Others are looking forward to a touchscreen Kindle, as that would be much better for web browsing. Ironically, competing e-readers using touchscreen technology don't have correctly-functioning web browsers and they're "hidden" for that reason, with workarounds discovered by some so that you can use them at all.

The Kindle 3 became a huge seller due mainly to the high contrast e-Ink Pearl screen, which, on other vendor models, seems to lose some of that contrast with even the "IR" type of touch screens. Earlier, I mentioned problems with the lighter shade of the font against the usual grayish background with the Nook Touch, which was also a serious issue for PC World's Melissa Perenson with the iriver Story HD e-reader.

Yesterday, Laptop Magazine's K.T. Bradford mentioned the relative font lightness also:

' Contrast on the Story HD is on a par with the Nook but not quite as deep as the Kindle. Still, it offers a good ePaper experience and won't wash out in sunlight. '

And, of the Nook Simple Touch, Bradford's review in June noted that:

' With the two eReaders sitting side by side, the Kindle has slightly more contrast, but overall the two are fairly evenly matched. Text stands out nicely against the background on the Nook, but it isn't as crisp as on the Kindle using the smallest font settings, making tiny text harder to read. This isn't an issue once you move up to medium sizes. '

For me, it was a matter of having to go to a large font on that e-reader, to get the good screen contrast I'm now used to on the Kindle 3. I prefer my LCD-screen NookColor for reading text, over the Nook Touch for that reason (though not in direct sunlight of course).

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Big Deal: Over 900 Kindle Books on sale for $0.99, $1.99, etc thru' July 27

Click on today's Amazon header above or here to see what the more than 900 Kindle books are.

As the header says, they'll be on sale through July 27.

These include Editors' Picks and the usual genres.

By price: $0.99, $1.99, $2.99, and $3.99.

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Kindle Tips, Questions, Entertaining Forum Message Threads

TIPS AND INTERESTING MESSAGE TOPICS FROM VARIOUS COMMUNITIES

How to make your contact information more visible on the Kindle
This Guy Has My Kindle, an article by Matthew E. Lindner of the Cornell Law Review, at The Atlantic Monthly site.

Although it's about suffering a loss (his Kindle), it's a fun read, well-written. Mattthew does ask how his personal or contact information could be found when someone would have to know how to turn the Kindle on in the first place -- hit the Menu button, scroll down to Settings, select it, and then press Next page twice before being able to see it. A good question.

What I recommended:

' In the future, press Menu button and select Settings. Under "Device Name" you can personalize' your Kindle by giving it a name or other info that shows up at the top of the Home page.

There you can put a 'nickname' for the Kindle and your phone number, w/ area code [that's just one idea but it's what I do].

Gives you a chance at least, if it's picked up by an honest person.'

That way if the finder turns on the Kindle or wakes it from sleep by moving the power button, your contact info will be visible at the top.

Added tip: This won't work, though, if you don't CLOSE your book by pressing Home button. The finder would wind up on a page of a book and without a clue as to how to get to any main screen.

Added tip 2: ALWAYS close your book, by pressing the Home key, when you leave the Kindle. This is the only way your latest-page read will be logged and your highlights and notes recorded. That's done when you close the book by pressing "Home" key. If for some reason the Kindle were to freeze, you'd lose that data and any notes you made. When you're ready to start reading again, it'll open to the last-page read.

Added tip 3: I also push the lever/button to the right to put the Kindle to sleep when I've finished reading even for a short while (after pressing the Home key to record all the session data). That way I won't be accidentally changing pages or anything else unintended. when I pick it up.

Am Amazon rep told Lindner that they could deregister the Kindle and no one else would be able to use it. They'd have the serial number too in case someone sent the unit to them, but that's sort of unlikely.

Two of my friends lost their Kindles last Christmas, one Kindle just disappeared from the airport rolling pick-up area that receives your possessions after they're x-ray'd. Neither one had their personal contact info easily findable, but since one was left on a park bench and it was not turned in and the other was clearly stolen, it wouldn't have mattered. Not to bring anyone down, but it's a cold world out there sometimes.

OTHER INTERESTING WEB-READS
Highly Recommended Books that I Didn't Like - a very entertaining forum thread

Is Getting the Kindle with 3G really worth it? - one of the most-often asked questions in the forums

Books, version 2.0? - An amusing personal story that begins, "Although I love books and have spent a lot of years haunting libraries and bookstores, I have to confess that recently I betrayed the printed word. My wife talked me into buying an Amazon Kindle for my birthday...
... it is fairly worthless when it comes to killing spiders or propping up a bed frame..."

And, here's an old standby:
Creative or unique uses of the Kindle - by Amazon forum members.

For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Most Popular Free K-Books
U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):
Top 100 free
UK-Only:
Top 100 free
USEFUL for your Kindle (U.S. only, currently):
99c Notepad 1.1, 99c Calculator,
99c Calendar, 99c Converter

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Amazon's Kindle Textbook Rentals - Up to 80% off - UPDATE

AMAZON'S NEW KINDLE TEXTBOOK RENTAL PROGRAM

Business Insider's Ellis Hamburger has a tabloid-type headline about Amazon wanting to kill bookstores all over again. The earlier Google title for the page merely says,
"Amazon's New Kindle Textbook Rentals Will Save Students A TON Of Money‎."

That last part seems true. You can see the details at the Amazon page for the Kindle Textbook Rental page, which is headlined "Save up to 80%..." and then explains that this would be "off the list price of the print textbook."

TIME.com considers this "Good News, Students..."

How Renting Works
The shorter the rental, the less it costs. The minimum-length rental is typically 30 days, and with that the savings are 80% off the list price.

After that you pay for added days, and the Amazon page provides a calculator-box that shows you how much it would be for a date-range. The maximum number of days is 360.
Students can also choose to purchase the book they're renting at any time.

"Read Once, Read Everywhere" - The textbooks can be read on Kindle reading apps for PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android device, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry or, of course, on a Kindle.

Amazon adds that "Tens of thousands of textbooks are available for the 2011 school year from leading textbook publishers such as John Wiley & Sons, Elsevier and Taylor & Francis."

Annotations stay accessible - normally lost when a rented book is returned.

' "We've done a little something extra we think students will enjoy," continued [Dave Limp, vice president, Amazon Kindle]. "Normally, when you sell your print textbook at the end of the semester you lose all the margin notes and highlights you made as you were studying.

We're extending our Whispersync technology so that you get to keep and access all of your notes and highlighted content in the Amazon Cloud, available anytime, anywhere - even after a rental expires. If you choose to rent again or buy at a later time, your notes will be there just as you left them, perfectly Whispersynced." '

UPDATE
Here's the page for Finding textbooks, which I left off yesterday but which is in tiny print on the Textbook Rental information page.

I tried by entering 'chemistry' to see what they had. The search results included hardcovers and paperbacks; however, they also have "Format" at the top left and you can choose "Kindle edition" -- which gives you books about types of chemistry you probably wouldn't have in mind. But turn the page and there'll tend to be more relevant results

I had MUCH BETTER RESULTS by typing "chemistry textbooks" (it seems to me they should have search logic for 'textbook' in a textbook search but they don't, maybe because not all textbooks are identified with that key word (I don't know).

A good feature, by the way, in case you're assigned several textbooks, is the ability to enter at one time, one or more ISBN numbers, with dashes removed and ISBN numbers separated by a comma, space, or Return.

For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Most Popular Free K-Books
U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):
Top 100 free
UK-Only:
Top 100 free
USEFUL for your Kindle (U.S. only, currently):
99c Notepad 1.1, 99c Calculator,
99c Calendar, 99c Converter

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Monday, July 18, 2011

Amazon's Official Limited-Time Offers on Kindle Books have been Added to Ongoing Free and Discounted book Forum-Alerts

This is just a quick note to say that I added, to the blog article about ongoing free and discounted book forum-alerts, two new links, both of them to Amazon's own official listing of "Limited-Time Offers" or "promos" on Kindle books.

They list these by bestsellers first.
That's Bestseller promos
For Kindle-edition subscribers: The link:
http://amzn.to/bestsellerpromos

I added a Sort by low to high price, so that free books show up first.
That's Low to Higher prices
For Kindle-edition subscribers: The link:
http://amzn.to/lowtohighpromos

Both of these will always be found near the top of the ongoing blog-listing of forum alerts to free and discounted books at http://bit.ly/kwfdisc.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

E-Ink Touchscreens and font darkness, and Carnoy on 7" tablet rumor

TOUCHCO AND THE CHALLENGES THEY'VE HAD TO MEET

Steve Bain, of the KindleZen website, whose @kindletoday Twitter posts of Kindle and other e-reader news from all sources and viewpoints are highly valued by many, sent a news alert to a story that explains why Amazon has been slow in coming up with a touch screen edition of their Kindle.

Nick Bilton, NY Times describes the challenges facing Amazon's Touchco company in making a touchscreen that retains the darkness and crispness that Kindle 3 users are used to.

TOUCHSCREENS AND SOMEWHAT GRAYER FONT/TEXT
During my blog article on "Nook Touch Screen contrast shots" from a Nook forum, in which a Nook owner attempted to demonstrate that the original Nook text was darker than the text viewed on the Nook Simple Touch (NST), I had wondered if the lighter fonts at normal reading size were an end-result of settings necessary for the new touch screen and then whether or not that was causing Amazon to delay releasing one, since the Kindle 3 has a reputation for high-contrast, dark, almost bold text, which can seem etched on the screen.

Nick Bilton talked with a person who "works with Amazon" but isn't authorized by the company to speak publicly, who mentioned a number of issues giving pause, during the last half year, on moving ahead with tablets and a touchscreen Kindle.

Among them was a side effect of the touchscreen technology that "it planned to use in the upcoming tablet." [But Bilton goes on to talk about its use in the Kindle, since touch panels for the tablets are being made in China.]

In February 2010, Amazon had purchased Touchco, a touchscreen company that uses a technology called "interpolating force-sensitive resistance" (IRSF), which uses embedded resistors sensitive to the force or pressure applied to touch points and is very inexpensive, but:

' ...engineers have had trouble integrating the technology into the Kindle e-readers because it can reduce the intensity and crispness of the screen. '

Since that is exactly what surprised me when I tried out the new Nook Simple Touch, I had wondered if some of the pictures of the new Google Books iriver Story HD e-reader were showing this reduction also. The screens reminded me of the nicely thin fonts of the Nook Simple Touch in that they seemed also somewhat grayish in the way you see when there are shades of gray rather than just black against a display background which is essentially a light gray already.

Then we saw the review of the iriver Story HD e-reader by Melissa Perenson for PC World and other publications, in which she said:

' ...but its black tones lack the contrast and punch of the Kindle (and the Barnes & Noble Nook, for that matter)... I routinely found the light text to be an issue while reading. Although the sans serif font -- the Story HD offers only one font choice -- rendered smoothly and lacked pixelation, the weak contrast meant that my eyes had to work harder to read. '

Nevertheless, I think most wouldn't find the somewhat lighter text a problem just as there are those who are able to distinguish between 6 or more different types of snow, and might prefer one type or another, and there are those for whom it all looks the same.

The photo that begins this blog article is from another thorough review of the iRiver Story HD e-reader, this time by Casey Johnston of ars technica, who uses the photo to show that the iRiver "packs text right up to the edge of the bezel, and the margin width can't be adjusted," -- but in that ars technica article, the caption for the preceding photo claims that the high resolution of the iRiver "makes the Kindle's display look sloppy." Yet, in the original-sized version of this photo, the text of the Kindle, at the left, is more readable. Although the reviewer chose a somewhat larger font for the Kindle, both are within normal reading size and the Kindle's text looks darker.

While the iRiver text's level of darkness against the background looks similar, in photos, to the Nook Simple Touch's, the touchscreen of that Nook has wow'd many reviewers and buyers, and the "weak contrast" that Perenson mentions more than once for the iRiver e-reader, which made it harder for her to read it, will not bother most buyers.

So, maybe Amazon's tech team will worry less about that aspect and release a touchscreen Kindle, having seen that the reduction "of intensity and crispness of the screen" that concerns them has not been a problem for the reviewers, for whom just being able to use Touch instead of a 5-way button is the key feature. While I think that avid readers who read serial text (novels) for more than 1/2 hr per day are more likely to note the difference if they've seen the higher-contrast displays before, I think that readers new to e-readers and most gadget reviewers won't.

THE RUMOR THAT AMAZON IS ALREADY RECEIVING 7" TABLETS FROM QUANTA

CNet's David Carnoy addressed this rumor yesterday, using the title: "Amazon's Nook Color killer shipping soon?" and writing (all emphases mine):

' ...But much less has been said about a smaller tablet, a 7-inch model, that the company has been rumored to have in the works.

Now Taiwan's DigiTimes, which we can't say is terribly reliable, is reporting that Foxconn will deliver the larger 10.1-inch Amazon tablet in early 2012 but that Quanta Computer has already begun shipping a 7-inch model to Amazon.

We've been hearing similar reports on that 7-inch model. A major app and content developer who wished to remain anonymous told CNET that Amazon was on the verge of announcing the 7-inch tablet "literally any day now" and that it would be designed to at least partially compete with the Nook Color. He added that he thought the 10.1-inch model would be released in time for the holiday season. '

Again, who knows? Many have been interested in the various rumors gaining steam, but a lot of this is often wishful thinking. Still, David Carnoy is the only writer who has been predicting a new, smaller, touchscreen Kindle in September or so, and now that particular rumor appears to have been true.
Since I'm one of those who is somewhat oversensitive to less-dark text fonts, I'm not sure I'd want one if that particular reduction in "intensity and crispness" is similar to what I've seen in current e-Ink touch-screens. As one who blogs about the Kindle, I'd likely get one despite my reservations over these screens, to be able to report on its functioning and the various pros and cons.

As regular readers are aware, this blog doesn't ignore what can be felt are less-than-ideal features of any Kindle. See the May 2009 blog entry on the situation of an Amazon customer who helped resolve the strongly-perceived problem, for some, of "too-faint fonts" relative to the earlier Kindle 1.

As with everything else, people's sensitivities just vary quite a bit, but the one thing that has met with agreement over the last half year has been the punch and crispness of the Kindle 3 Pearl screen's non-touch display. I'll be very interested to see what the Kindle techical engineers are able to do with their touchscreen model.

See the ongoing List of stronger Amazon tablet rumors with dates, titles and links to the Kindleworld blog articles and sources.

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Friday, July 15, 2011

Now it's a 7" tablet that's due first and already being shipped to Amazon?

QUANTA SHIPPING 7" TABLETS TO AMAZON AND FOXCONN RECEIVING AMAZON ORDERS FOR A 10.1" SOMEWHAT LATER?

That's what everyone's favorite source these days (though it sometimes produces conflicting information) said yesterday.
Digitimes reported that "Quanta Computer has begun shipping a 7-inch model to Amazon" and that Foxconn "has reportedly landed orders for 10.1-inch tablet PCs from Amazon with shipments to begin in 2012."

While saying that Foxconn declined to comment, they write that "sources at the tablet supply chain" explain that they were able to "land tablet PC orders" because they've been producing the Kindles.

They go on to say that Foxconn "is also likely to produce 12 million units of Kindles for Amazon, and 38-40 million units of iPads as well as 80-85 million iPhones for Apple a year, the sources indicated."

' Amazon is outsourcing the production of touch sensors to Wintek, with total purchasing volume to top 1.8-2 million units before the end of September. Amazon also purchases touch modules from J Touch and Young Fast Optoelectronics, with industry sources indicating that Amazon may also add touch panel makers TPK Holding and Cando to its supply chain later. '

They conclude the report with "there is a possibility that Amazon may launch the 10.1-inch model in advance in late 2011 to meet the year-end holiday demand in the US and Europe. "

See the ongoing List of stronger Amazon tablet rumors with dates, titles and links to the Kindleworld blog articles and sources.

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Thursday, July 14, 2011

WSJ expands article considerably. WashPo-Techcrunch comments on it.

WALL STREET JOURNAL ADDS INFO TO SAME ARTICLE (LINK) NOW DATED JULY 14

The link to the WSJ article July 13 now leads to a largely-rewritten one putting even more emphasis on Amazon challenging the iPad (a dramatic angle), when, as the Washington Post/Bloomberg/Techcrunch article points out, the Amazon tablet is more of a 'threat' to Google for the reasons they give in their article.

Word changes are interesting. Yesterday, it was that the tablet would be 'introduced before October' and today it's that it'll be "released by October."

The article now goes extensively into the battlefield aspect of it all, and you can read that at the same link, as I'm not including much of the iPad angle here.

Newly worded paragraphs of more interest:

' Amazon's tablet will have a roughly nine-inch screen and will run on Google's Android platform, said people familiar with the device. Unlike the iPad, it won't have a camera, one of these people said. While the pricing and distribution of the device is unclear, the online retailer won't design the initial tablet itself. It also is outsourcing production to an Asian manufacturer, the people said.

One of the people said the company is working on another model, of its own design, that could be released next year. '

I actually mentioned yesterday that a more advanced model was said to be expected in 2012.

Then they mention (and the Washington Post does also) that an Amazon tablet might cannibalize sales of its Kindle. Despite all the current news stories that e-reader sales have been going through the roof while tablet sales have slowed, the idea of a Kindle killer persists.

More new material:

' A person familiar with Amazon's thinking said it [is] still figuring out how to market the tablet computer. One issue is whether customers will want to buy both the tablet and Kindle, which is viewed as a dedicated-reading device for bookworms. '

' Amazon spokespersons have said that surveys show that many who value reading books have chosen an e-ink reader AFTER buying a tablet. Some will want one or the other and some will want both. I have a Kindle and a NookColor (more of a tablet), as they complement each other.

WSJ writers Stu Woo and Yukari Iwatani Kane, with contributor Amir Efrati, mention that Sony unveiled, yesterday, prototypes of a tablet and a wallet-shaped dual-screen portable device to be available later this year. That should be interesting.

New wording re the two updated versions of its e-Ink Kindles now omits yesterday's description of an "improved and cheaper adaptation of the current Kindle," which has me hoping again that the second 'improved' Kindle is the 9.7" e-Ink Kindle DX Graphite rather than what they termed "the Kindle" yesterday, which is a term usually used by Amazon, since August, for the WiFi Kindle 3.

Here's the rewrite:

' Amazon plans to introduce two updated versions of its black-and-white Kindle in this year's third quarter, people familiar with the matter said. One of the new Kindles will have a touch screen, which current models don't have. '

The word "cheaper" for "the Kindle" is gone.

Forrester's "Ms. Epps" mentions that "Amazon is also in a position to offer a cheaper alternative to the iPad" and "could sell the tablet at a loss while hoping to make money on sales of movies, music and books" but says that Amazon lacks a natural brick-and-mortar outlet and that the tablet "may be less refined than the iPad."

The Washington Post/Bloomberg's Techcrunch.com article explains how the tablet could be very successful for Amazon. They consider the coming tablet a "sort of placeholder until Amazon's own version is ready."

When describing the threat of an Amazon tablet to Google, they point out that the Android appstore is complicated (Amazon's target crowd is one that doesn't want to depend on computers). Their take on this:

' Amazon needs devices they can ship with the store pre-installed. And more importantly, their stores pre-installed. As in, any device they ship is going to be filled with Amazon to the brim. That includes the ability to sign in to your Amazon Prime account [to] buy things with one click...When that happens, Amazon will have an Android tablet that is more compelling than any other Android tablet on the market on day one '

They also say that Amazon will be less dependent on Google 'carrots' (Google branding, Google apps) offered to partners and this will be interesting to watch. For sure.

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($164) DX Graphite

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

WSJ says Amazon tablet and 2 e-ink readers by October

WALL STREET JOURNAL WROTE:
AMAZON PLANS "TABLETS" BY OCTOBER.

That was the headline when I started writing this. It's been changed to: AMAZON PLANS IPAD RIVAL.

(Thanks to the ever-alert and connected Edward Boyhan for the heads-up.)

They also changed the opening paragraphs (while I was typing), the first one now saying, "Amazon.com Inc. plans to introduce a tablet computer before October, said people familiar with the matter, in a move that will heighten the online retailer's rivalry with Apple Inc." [Always make it mainly about an arch rival...sells better.]

Well, "before October" is what everyone else has been saying although it was more on the order of "August or September," but WSJ writers Stu Woo and Yukari Iwatani Kane have more info, from sources AKA leakers, probably with some permission.

They add that the sources said that Amazon will also release "two updated versions" of its Kindle e-readers "in the 3rd quarter," which leaves us with July-Sept also.

' One will be a touch-screen device. The other won't have a touch screen, but will be an improved and cheaper adaptation of the current Kindle, said people who have seen the device. '

It's mentioned that Amazon spokesman didn't return requests for comment, but they almost never do on future releases. However, Jeff Bezos' "Stay tuned." a couple of months ago said quite a bit with two words.

Woo and Kane add:

' The Amazon tablet will have a roughly nine-inch screen, people familiar with the product said, and will run on Google Inc.'s Android operating system. The online retailer isn't designing the device itself, but is outsourcing production to an Asian manufacturer, these people said.

The device will not have a camera, said one person familiar with it. '

These folks are very ...'familiar' with it. at least. :-) I'll refer to them now as PF's

The one surprise would be a 9" screen, as speculation had focused on 7", 8.9" and 10" choices, and the 8.9" seems a good compromise, EXCEPT that even the 9.7" Kindle DX has not seemed quite large enough for PDFs although it's FAR better than the 6" e-readers for those. Maybe the DXG will get the long-due PDF enhancements that the Kindle 3 has had since last August, with the same type of display technology.

I had written, before the later WSJ-changes, that the piece started out with "tablets" by October and ended up talking about only "The Amazon tablet." Someone else, in-house, noticed and they've changed the piece. It's been rumored Amazon has been planning a second, more advanced one in early 2012, so that may have been the mixup when the PFs described the Amazon plans.

On the two Kindle e-readers, they'll use the same e-Ink technology as before, the sources said.

MY guess? Spell that 'h-o-p-e'... The 'improved and cheaper' Kindle might be a new Kindle DX Graphite with WiFi, LONG awaited. Fingers crossed for enhanced PDF capabilities, at least. But they still have two versions, of the 6" model to think about, one of them with WiFi only.
And their wording was "the Kindle" which Amazon has used mainly for the 6" WiFi-Only model.

Note that their announcement about the AT&T-supported, lowered pricing of the Kindle 3G SO today emphasized, more heavily than they have before, the benefits of 3G.

WSJ probably is one of the news organization trusted most by Amazon, so this one is more credible than some. But there are so many possibilities. What do you think?

See the ongoing List of stronger Amazon tablet rumors with dates, titles and links to the Kindleworld blog articles, with linked sources. [This won't be one of them.]

For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Most Popular Free K-Books
U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):
Top 100 free
UK-Only:
Top 100 free
USEFUL for your Kindle (U.S. only, currently):
99c Notepad 1.1, 99c Calculator,
99c Calendar, 99c Converter

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Kindle 3G-WiFi -Special Offers model now $139 due to AT&T sponsorship

AT&T SPONSORS LOWER-COST KINDLE-3 3G/WIFI SPECIAL-OFFERS MODEL

Below are salient points from the Amazon press release today for the Kindle with 3G/WiFi, normally $164 with the Special-Offers feature (Kindle-SO), which has ads as screensavers and in one slot on the bottom of the Home Screen but which don't appear while you're reading.

The "Special Offers" that are a part of this "SO" model are discount deals that appear on the Kindle as ads, such as a gift certificate for $10, worth $20 at the Amazon store.

AT&T's sponsorship, Amazon's press release reports, is making it possible to offer the $164 Kindle-SO model for $139 now - the current cost of the Kindle WiFi-Only model. Will the latter drop also? I have no idea. It's odd that it's the same price at this time.

All bolded or italicized emphases are mine, and my add'l notes are within brackets.

' With Kindle 3G, there's no wireless set up, and no paying for or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots.

Kindle 3G's always-on global wireless connectivity means that wherever you are - at the beach, on the train, or stuck on the tarmac - no problem, you can download books and periodicals in less than 60 seconds and start reading instantly.

[My note: You can turn 3G Wireless off to conserve battery but the 3G connection is always available or "on" if an AT&T cellphone tower is nearby, and you can turn your 3G "on" to use it.]

Amazon pays for Kindle's 3G wireless connectivity, which means the convenience of 3G comes with no monthly fees, data plans, or annual contracts.

Today, Amazon.com announced that AT&T has agreed to sponsor Kindle 3G with Special Offers and that it is now available at a new price of $139. Kindle 3G with Special Offers is the same as the $189 Kindle 3G, plus money-saving special offers and sponsored screensavers.

"Kindle 3G is more convenient - customers never have to hunt for or pay for a Wi-Fi hotspot - they simply download and read books anytime, anywhere. Kindle 3G customers read 20 percent more books, and take advantage of twice as many special offers," said Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO, Amazon.com. "A big thank you to AT&T for helping to make the new $139 price possible."

"Kindle 3G is by far the fastest-growing connected device on the AT&T network. We consistently hear from customers how much they enjoy the freedom of not being tied to a Wi-Fi hotspot and instead being able to download and read new books anytime, anywhere on AT&T's fast, reliable network," said Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "We are excited to sponsor Amazon's best Kindle [most-capable Kindle] - Kindle 3G with Special Offers - at the new lower price of only $139." [Note that the Kindle 3G also has WiFi.]

Kindle 3G includes all the same features that helped make the third-generation Kindle the #1 bestselling e-reader in the world:

. Free 3G wireless, no annual contracts, no monthly fees
. Global 3G coverage means books in under 60 seconds in over 100 countries and territories
. Paper-like Pearl electronic ink display, no glare even in bright sunlight
. Lightweight body for hours of comfortable reading with one hand
. Kindle Store with over 950,000 books - largest selection of the most popular books
. Seamless integration with free "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" Kindle apps for iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Android, PC, Mac, BlackBerry and Windows Phone

Learn more at the Kindle 3G/WiFi-Special Offers page. '

At the Amazon Kindle Forums, there is an ongoing Special Offer Alerts thread, titled "Today's Ads and Special Offers " although it's added to only once a week or so.

Kindle-SO owners can press the Menu button on the Kindle Home Screen to select the listing of Special Offers currently available. But some like to follow that message thread too.

Yesterday, someone started another discussion thread on Special Offers - titled "For Kindlers with Special offers."

For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Most Popular Free K-Books
U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):
Top 100 free
UK-Only:
Top 100 free
USEFUL for your Kindle (U.S. only, currently):
99c Notepad 1.1, 99c Calculator,
99c Calendar, 99c Converter

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Google Books iriver e-reader - some early reports

EARLY ASSESSMENTS
The picture accompanying this was from an AOL Tech photo-set in an Engadget.com story in January, in which settings tended to be out of focus or differently lit for one or the other, but this photos shows the two e-readers at about equal size and perspective and you can see what is described in the review by Melissa J. Perenson for PCWorld yesterday.

I've selected the points that jumped out at me, but it's her usual longer, balanced review, and it'll be much better to read the full piece.

Today PCWorld added the overall rating of 3 stars out of 5, with the heading summary of:
Pro's: "Clean interface ... High-Resolution XGA E-Ink display and
Con's: "Buttons are stiff, and poorly placed ... Sometimes sluggish navigation"

"Bottom Line: This e-reader offers a crisp, high-resolution display, but its chintzy design leaves much to be desired."

The Title of the review is: "First E-Reader Tied to Google's Ebookstore Sometimes Frustrates."

Reason? In her trials with the iriver e-reader, "I found myself frustrated by the Story HD's cheap design, poky performance, and Google Books interface.

Details of the Perenson review for PC World
Now, I had wondered, when I saw photos of it the last two days, whether or not the text would look dark (as I mentioned in yesterday's first look), because although the Nook Simple Touch (NST) e-reader has the same screen technology as the Kindle 3, the NST fonts are much lighter to me, almost as if they were going for designer looks rather than taking advantage of the text to background contrast. I also wondered if the touchscreen technology, even if there is no layer over the basic screen, somehow affected the darkness of the fonts. For one thing, Nook Forum customers have pointed out that their Nook 1 or 'Classic' has darker text than the Nook Simple Touch. The lightness of the NST text actually was hard on my eyes when I used it.

So I was particularly interested in what Perenson says about this:

' Text looks sharp and clear, with smooth rendering and no pixelation or artifacts. The display supports 16-level grayscale. Text appears finer on the Story HD than on the third-generation Amazon Kindle, but its black tones lack the contrast and punch of the Kindle (and the Barnes & Noble Nook, for that matter).

The lower contrast may be, in part, an optical illusion caused by the Story HD's beige bezel; the Kindle and Nook each use a dark gray, borderline black bezel. Personally, I prefer the dark bezel to the cream-colored texture of the Story HD.

I routinely found the light text to be an issue while reading. Although the sans serif font--the Story HD offers only one font choice--rendered smoothly and lacked pixelation, the weak contrast meant that my eyes had to work harder to read. Contrast improved dramatically when I bumped up the font size from the default third option to the larger sixth option (you get eight in total). '

She also points out that there are no page-turn buttons on the side of the device, despite the fact this is not a touch screen device. iriver put the page turn controls in the centered bar (2 inches long) above the keys and just below the screen. That is apparently a 4-way navigation bar, and is also called a 'button' in the review. That bar or button does 4 directions but no click-in as is done with the Kindle 5-way button, which uses the center area in the way a left-mouse-click is used.
With the iriver, you press the dedicated Enter button at the right for that. I actually like that, fewer accidents. As mentioned in the summary, she "disliked how stiff the buttons are."

Perenson was very positive about the Nook Touch and the Kindle 3 in earlier reviews, but says here:

' The keyboard is not conducive to typing at all: The buttons pushed uncomfortably into the pads of my fingers, and made crunching noises as I pressed them. My fingers actually hurt just from the typing involved in the setup process. In fact, when I realized that I had to set up my Google Checkout for the account I used with the Story HD, I elected to do so on my PC rather than suffer typing all of my information in on the Story HD's keyboard. '

Positive points: "the iriver supports PDFs and EPub files (including protected Adobe Digital Editions), as well as text files, FB2, and DJVU formats. It also can read Microsoft Office Excel, Word, and PowerPoint documents.

The Kindle indirectly supports (via email conversion) only Microsoft Word from that office suite. At some point, I imagine you can put your own documents up in your Google library or 'Cloud' though they've not said so yet.

A feature of the dedicated Google Books reader is that you can store your documents on the Cloud instead of on your device and then read them 'there' from any of your devices that can read Google books. And each would go to the last-read page.

Downside: You have to have access to WiFi access to do that on the iriver e-reader itself. Being on a subway or bus during a commute, you'd do better to have the book on the e-reader.

Perenson goes through many of the menu levels and talks about the functions, which I wish more reviewers would do. She also takes you with her through a session at the Google Books store, describing what works well for her and what doesn't. Some of the processes are cumbersome and she mentions 'annoyance' at a couple of points.

I had also wondered yesterday about highlighting and note-taking. Perenson says, "there's no way to make annotations - something that the e-readers from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo all do." But she adds that Google has said they plan to add annotations "later this year through an over-the-air update."

OTHER ASSESSMENTS SEEN
TopTechNews reports that Phil Leigh, a senior analyst at Inside Digital Media, finds the shopping experience "not nearly as easy as it is at Amazon" and ends, "I don't think this e-reader will be competitive."

Bear in mind that Google is going to have agreements with several other e-readers to have full access to and direct downloads from the Google Books store. This is just the first one.

Charlie Sorrel at Wired delivered the unkindest cut of all, and it's in the title: "Google and Iriver Make World’s Ugliest E-Reader" :-) Well, it does look like the Kindle, but the gold-plated portions are not my ideal either.

He goes on a bit more about this, and I have to admit it's pretty funny.
Then he points out that it also supports zipped image files (for reading comic books). Others have said the Kindle quietly does also, but I've never tried it myself.

His ending thought: "But it’ll come down to the software, and the range of available titles. Currently, the leaders here are Amazon and Barnes & Noble."

Google does have over 3 million books, although only a few hundred thousand are contemporary pay-titles. Yesterday's first-look at this included my having seen (coincidentally) last week that a book costing 99 cents at Amazon costs $14.72 at Google. I have a feeling that Google does so much, that the bookstore probably doesn't get the attention that the other online bookstore vendors give theirs.

Kindle 3's (UK: Kindle 3's) K3 Special ($114) K3-3G Special ($139) DX Graphite

Special Pages - Reports

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Friday, July 29, 2011

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Text on the Kindle has high contrast and looks the best. Blacks look the blackest on Kindle.

Text on the Nook looks good, but not great. There's noticeable jagginess on letters

Monday, July 25, 2011

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Friday, July 22, 2011

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Monday, July 18, 2011

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Friday, July 15, 2011

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Wednesday, July 13, 2011