Posts Tagged ebooks
Is It Time For A New Amazon Kindle?
Posted by 0845 Telephone Numbers in General on March 8th, 2010
There has been a lot of speculation as to when Amazon will release the next update of its hugely successful Kindle reader. The Kindle 2 reader launched in February 2009, a year and 3 months after the release, in November 2007, of the original Kindle. If we were to assume that gap between updates would stay pretty much the same, then the Kindle 2 – now just over a year old – is probably due for an upgrade sometime in the near future.
Since the Kindle launched in February 2009, a large number of new features by different manufacturers have hit the market, increasing the amount of user choice. Apart from other dedicated e-book readers like Sony’s Daily Edition and the Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple’s new iPad is also seen as a potential threat to the Kindle as it has, amongst its many functions, the capacity to be used to read e-books. In summary, looking at both the increased competition from new readers (many of which incorporate added features and functionality) and the age of the Kindle 2, it seems that an update may be due fairly soon.
Which begs the question – what new features might Amazon consider including in a new upgraded model? Amazon will almost certainly have a few surprises up their sleeve – but this acquisition gives a clear indication of at least one new feature that we may expect to see in future editions of the Kindle.
Amazon has bought the company by the name of Touchco, whose area of expertise is touch sensitive displays. The technology is somewhat different to other touch screen displays currently available. It uses interpolating force-sensitive resistance technology – which, unlike other touch screen technology, can be completely transparent. It can be used with e-ink displays and colour displays. It is also, according to the New York Times, considerably cheaper than the capacitive type of touch screen used in the iPod and the iPad
Touchco were a spin off from a project at New York University’s Media Research Lab. They are thought to have no more than 6 employees. Although the technology was well advanced, it was still very much a research project – at the time of Amazon’s takeover no commercial application had been developed.
The Touchco technology could possibly be used to produce Kindles with touch sensitive controls and colour screens. The possibility of a more versatile Amazon Kindle, with a variety of different uses – not unlike Apple’s iPad – very definitely exists. Of course, this may not be included with the next release of the Kindle – it may be an option for the future. Even so, this purchase by Amazon looks like a clear declaration of intent regarding the direction that the Kindle reader technology may take in future.
Why Everyone Needs A Handheld Ebook Reader
Posted by 0845 Telephone Numbers in General on December 24th, 2009
Anybody who loves books should have a handheld eBook reader. Books are heavy, something everyone has learned if they have ever moved. A small box of books can weigh more than larger boxes. Readers have had to deal with this problem for a long time. Now, they have the chance to carry their whole library in a half-pound device.
The arrival of ebooks is changing the world of words. Ebooks do not need paper, perhaps their most significant attribute. People in recent years have been concerned about preserving Earth’s natural resources. With ebooks, trees can sigh in relief. There are numerous benefits for our environment if we stop using so much paper.
There are currently three heavyweight options in the public market. All three companies have been revolutionizing the book industry while pleasing customers. The market is new, but the harsh competition has been good news to those who want quality products.
One of the greatest breakthroughs is that of e-ink displays. These amazing displays simulate the look of ink on paper. There is no back-light, like what is used for portable phones. This means that a reader will need a lamp or other source of light, just like with a real book.
Since e-ink is so comfortable for your eyes, ebooks have become easy to read. E-ink is just like real paper, but has big advantages. For example, text size can be adjusted on e-ink displays. A reader can decide if they would like smaller text or larger text, and can change it whenever they prefer.
The current market champion is Amazon’s Kindle reading device. The Kindle is available with two screen sizes. The Kindle uses a free wireless connection to connect to the Amazon store, and new books can be downloaded in seconds.
The Sony Reader is one of the Amazon’s Kindle biggest competitors. The Kindle costs more than the Reader, giving the Reader a small advantage. On the other hand, Sony does not have as many books available for its device as Amazon does.
Recently, Barnes and Noble released their new ebook reader, the Nook. Tech and book enthusiasts think the Nook could become more popular than the Kindle. One of the reasons for the Nook’s popularity is the massive book selection. However, the biggest appeal of the Nook is probably its color touch screen. The Nook is a very attractive and very sensible purchase for people who love books.
People who love to read have cause to be happy. Gone are the days of carrying heavy books from house to house. A handheld ebook reader can keep thousands of books in a small, easy to carry device.
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Reading Upgraded: The Digital Ebook Reading Device
Posted by 0845 Telephone Numbers in General on December 24th, 2009
Reading has gotten an upgrade in the last few years, and it’s no surprise, what with digital cameras, digital picture frames, and of course, digital music. The next big thing is here: The EBook reading device.
When Amazon introduced it’s reader which offered several features and an App for Ipod Touch and Iphone, several other companies bought into the trend and created their own, less expensive versions. With all of the hype surrounding the Ebook, you have to think about where the future of books is headed.
Old fashioned readers and new readers a like have been carrying on a long, and continuous debate about the pros and cons of ebooks and the ebook reading device. Many like the ability to be able to carry around a great many more books than usual. They like like the read before you buy option that some ebook devices offer. That is, trying out a page or even a chapter, of a book before making a decision on whether or not to buy it. Most of all, they enjoy the wireless features.
Obsoleteness of the printed book is the argument given by others. They fear the explosion of the ebook and it’s accompanying devices will make it impossible in a few years to find the printed book anywhere. They find the Readers heavy and troublesome. They also cite not being able to curl up lose themselves in the story practical reasons not to get one. A more common problem is the battery life of most devices. Most do not last long enough to read for the full amount the time average reader will.
Authors take a different stance all together. The new digital phenomenon has them re-thinking their marketing strategy. They utilize the “try before you buy” feature on the Ebook readers to allow potential readers to scope out their books. And since it’s cheaper, those who self publish use Ebooks to distribute them, thus cutting productions costs.
Publishing houses are rising to the occasion boldly. They offer their books in both formats, and let the customers choose. Some even offer the aforementioned samples for review prior to purchase.
Whatever side you decide to take, the ebook reading device demand is growing at an astounding rate. It makes you wonder what is going to go digital next!
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Amazon Enjoys A Great Year -Thanks To The Kindle Reader
Posted by 0845 Telephone Numbers in General on December 12th, 2009
When Amazon’s management team get together to review the company’s annual results this year, they will have plenty justification to feel content – but not smug. It’s been a very good year for the internet retail giant – and a lot of the credit must go to the Amazon Kindle ebook reader.
Amazon released the Kindle 2 in February of 2009. It was widely perceived as a step in the right direction. Amazon had obviously paid close attention to customer feedback on the original Kindle, released in 2007. Wireless connectivity and the huge choice of Kindle books remained and faster pages changes, longer battery life and increased storage capacity were among the improvements which were introduced.
Best selling author, Stephen King wrote a special novella to mark the launch and the Kindle 2 rapidly became the “must have” gadget amid a blaze of publicity.
In June of 2009, just a few months later, Amazon launched the Kindle DX. The DX featured a larger display and was developed dpecifically for readers of magazines, newspapers and academic textbooks. Somewhat surprisingly perhaps, it was the staid world of academic publishing that helped to gain the DX a lot of publicity.
The academic community was quick to realise the potential benefits the Kindle offered. Not only would it be very much easier to update textbooks but interactive eduction – pop quizzes and tests for example – would be possible. As well as saving money by using electronic textbooks, academic bodies would also be more environmentally friendly – a very important factor for these institutions which have both financial budgets and environmental targets to meet today.
As well as establishing partnerships with a number of colleges and universities, Amazon benefited from a lot of publicity generated by political bodies such as the New Democratic Leadership Council and Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger – both of whom waxed lyrical on the educational potential of e-book readers in general and the Amazon Kindle in particular.
Nevertheless, although things were looking bright for Amazon, there were some early signs that trouble was looming. Competing manufacturers, having watched Amazon develop the e-book reader market, were now becoming aware of the huge potential of this nascent sector. A long list of competitors, including such names as Microsoft, Apple, Sony and Barnes and Noble, wanted their share – and suddenly they all had readers of their own under development.
In a way, it’s a huge compliment to Amazon that almost every ebook reader under development which shows the slightest promise is immediately given the title of the “Kindle Killer”. Nevertheless, right now, in spite of all the development work by other manufacturers, the Kindle is still pretty much the only show in town. The Nook reader from Barnes and Noble and Sony’s Daily Edition reader have both had their releases dates shifted back. To tell the truth, it begins looks increasingly probable that the most likely source of the long awaited Kindle Killer is, in fact, Amazon itself. The Kindle 4 is the most probable contender. Will we see it in 2010?