08:36 PM by Nate the great in E-Book General | News

crossposted from The Digital Reader

Epub! Adobe! Oh my!

There is no official release yet, but a hacked version of B&N eReader (v1.0 for Windows Mobile) is now available. It was pulled from a working unit by David K of Mobility Digest. He created a cab file so it should be possible to install on any Windows Mobile device. I don't have a device running WinMo (no Hell hasn't frozen over ), so I'm going to need someone to test this for me and tell me how well it works. Would anyone like to review it?

via Mobility Digest

download from xda-developers (membership required)

09:03 AM by Nate the great in E-Book General | News

crossposted from The Digital Reader

Engadget is reporting from CTIA that Samsung and Skiff have announced a partnership to bring Skiff content to Samsung smartphones. There is no word yet on availability. Here is an excerpt:

Skiff’s mission is delivering the next generation of e-reading to consumers. So it’s fitting that we’re here today with Samsung, showcasing the next wave in smartphones.

When the Skiff Store and service launch later on this year, we’ll offer a comprehensive selection of content from leading magazines, newspapers, books and blogs.

As a preferred e-reading service partner across a range of Samsung devices, we’ll feature newspapers like The New York Times and Financial Times; magazines such as Forbes, Esquire and — for the one or two of you who might care about topics like technology and science — Popular Mechanics; as well as bestselling ebooks from publishers including Random House and Simon & Schuster.

The first thing I noticed is that there is no mention of the Samsung ebook readers, and I think I know why.

Do you recall when Samsung announced a couple weeks back that they would be selling the E6 in the USA? They only mentioned the one model, even though we know there were 4 models on display at CES, and we know that all 4 models will be sold in Europe and Australia. I followed up on the US announcement, and the PR firm has no information about the other models or why they weren’t mentioned. My best guess is that someone in Samsung (not the PR firm) has screwed up repeatedly.

I’m going to keep an eye on this, and I’ll report when I get more information.

09:01 AM by Nate the great in E-Book General | News

crossposted from The Digital Reader

The WSJ is reporting(it was more of a footnote, really):

The Journal plans to charge subscribers $17.99 a month for iPad subscriptions, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The WSJ is also offered on the Kindle, but for $15 you’re only getting the minimum; a lot of content doesn’t survive the conversion process. You can also get a paper subscription for $30, and it includes full web content. This brings to mind a couple questions.

Why would someone get an iPad subscription when the paper sub has such greater value? Yes, the iPad is mobile, but you can get most of that content from the web with the iPad’s browser.

Why does the WSJ expect me to pay twice (or even 3 times) for the same content? Wouldn’t it be better to have a free iPad app that works in concert with the paper sub? (Something simple, which only delivers the web content.) If not free, then why isn’t it really cheap? You already got my money. Why should I pay for it again?

12:01 PM by Nate the great in E-Book General | News

cross posted from The Digital Reader

From the press release:

Liquavista today announced the launch of System Development Kits aimed at enabling their core customers to work on developing products based on their innovative electrowetting display technology. Available for both LiquavistaBright 6” mono and LiquavistaColor 6” color electrowetting displays, customers will be able to create applications and therefore products that benefit from the features of Liquavista’s unique display technology.

08:56 AM by Nate the great in E-Book General | News

crossposted from The Digital Reader

Kobo Books just announced their first ebook reader. It has a 6″ E-ink screen, Bluetooth (but not Wifi), Adobe DE support, and is going to be on sale this summer for $149.

At first I was really excited, but then I recognized the hardware design. The case is new, but inside the case is hardware that was designed by Netronix. we’re looking at a device based on a 4 years old design, one that wasn’t very good to start with. How disappointing.

press release
product page

03:53 PM by Nate the great in E-Book General | General Discussions

We just posted a new review of the Delstar Openbook over on The Digital Reader. It's by MR member imaredr, who just joined TDR. Here's what she had to say:

I have been on the hunt for a small color dedicated ebook device for quite some time. When I saw a Sunday ad that Walgreens was selling a 5 inch color reader I immediately ordered one. The reader does not support DRM, but I don’t find that a deterrent.
...

My Opinion

I really believe that this reader has great potential, but I did return my device. The process was painless since returns can be made at any Walgreens. I will buy the device again when more of the bugs have been worked out. Hopefully that will be soon because I already miss the little reader. From what the Delstar Rep wrote, new shipments will come with upgrades already installed.

Delstar should have introduced the Openbook as a txt, pdf, and doc reader adding the statement that more formats such as epub were on the way. This would have kept expectations a bit more in check, preserved the company’s reputation, and given the company time to test the reader’s firmware more thoroughly. Even as a text/doc reader $100 isn’t a bad price. I do know that if the Openbook was presented that way I would not have returned it. I didn’t expect the reader to be the greatest; I just wanted it to support the files and features that the manufacturer claimed.

continued here

09:38 AM by pilotbob in E-Book General | News

"In particular, the Kindle application from Amazon was demonstrated to a Times reporter. It features the ability to slowly turn pages with fingers, much like Apple's own iBooks software."

We all knew this was coming but here is a bit more information on reading software for the iPad. It appears they are building it to rival the iBooks app that Apple will include on every iPad.

Is this good news... certainly for Kindle owners that also want to tote an iPad from the sofa to the pool side lounge chair (assuming you can use the iPad in the sun).

via: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...pple_ipad.html

You can also learn more about it here straight from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000490441

BOb

06:00 AM by Alexander Turcic in Miscellaneous | Week in Review

Been away? Fear not! Here is your chance to check out what appeared on our frontpage this week:

E-Book General - News

• Kindle for Mac now available
• Sony offers to re-upgrade PRS-500s with battery issues...

E-Book General - General Discussions

• Pocketbook 302 Review & Videos

E-Book General - Reading Recommendations

• April 2010 Book Club Nominations

E-Book Readers - More E-Book Readers

• Hands on with Alex Ereader

Miscellaneous - Announcements

• Forum Changes on the way
• Forum Changes in place