Apr 26
Our days of sales-taxless, free-love internet revelry may be numbered. Thursday afternoon, the Senate voted to open the floor to a bill that could end tax-free online shopping once and for all. More »
Apr 26
Amazon has outed an updated for its Kindle app on Android, most notably bringing with it a new design and UI overhaul that mirrors the user interface of the company’s Kindle Fire tablet. The updated app includes a redesigned home screen, an improved Kindle Store layout for Android tablets, and navigation changes.
The update also incudes a section in the sidebar meant for users who are new to the Kindle platform. This section is called Popular Samples, in which users can browse a number of free samples of books to read, to get them acquainted with the Kindle app, as well as find interesting books that they might like.
The new tablet interface has definitely changed according to our experience, and the home screen features the same Cover Flow-esque navigation that’s on the Kindle Fire, allowing you to swipe through different books, newspapers, and magazines. The sidebar also gives you quick access to other sections of the app, including the Kindle Store and the aforementioned Samples.
The app also comes with a slew of the usual bugfixes and general performance enhancements that we see in every app update, so if you’re not a big fan of the new design, you’ll at least have a more rounded-out app that’s a bit quicker and snappier than before. The update is available now in the Google Play store.
Kindle for Android update brings Kindle Fire-like design is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Apr 26
We’ve all had it happen to us: order a small item from Amazon, only to have it arrive in what seems to be the world’s biggest box. What gives, Bezos? More »
Apr 26
Amazon is busy trying to gobble up all kinds of top-level domains—.book, .read, you name it—but it also has its eye on .amazon, too. Turns out that the Brazilian and Peruvian governments have something to say about that though, and would rather snag it for the famous river. More »
Apr 26
Earlier today, those who were using the Kindle app for Android might have noticed something new, especially since today is the day when Amazon rolled out an update for its native Kindle app for Android, with the main spotlight being centered on design. If you have yet to perform an update for your Kindle app, you are able to grab the latest version from Google Play.
This would be a major release, bumping up the app version to version 4.0. Obviously there are other changes apart from cosmetic ones, but the most noticeable one, at this point in time, would be a refreshed user interface where you can check out a sample of it above. First of all, the redesigned library would ditch the basic grid of book covers, adopting instead a carousel at the top that displays recent items. Other than that, there would also be an expanded navigation panel that has been updated to include quick access to your books, documents, and newsstand periodicals. Definitely a time saver if these are the segments that you tend to pore over on a regular basis.
Do you like what Amazon has done with their native Kindle app for Android?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Mailbox For iPad In The Works, Developers Considering Mac Version As Well, Dell Delivers 4G LTE Wireless Connectivity For Windows 8 Tablet, 
     |
Apr 25
Amazon released its Q1 2013 quarterly earnings today, and the company reported a 22% increase in revenue to $16 billion, compared to the same quarter last year where they scored $13.18 billion. As for net profit, the company saw a 37% drop year-over-year down to $82 million, compared to $130 million in Q1 2012.
The company met its revenue expectations, however, with a guidance of between $15 billion and $16.6 billion that they set back in January. As for a breakdown of where the retail giant’s money came from, the US remains to be Amazon’s largest market, with $9.4 billion of sales revenue being from the US, with the rest of world ringing in at $6.7 billion.
As for expectations for the next quarter, Amazon is predicting revenues somewhere in the $14.5 billion and $16.2 billion range, or to rise between 13% and 26% compared with the same quarter last year. As for their operating income, they’re expecting another loss in the range of -$340 million and $10 million, compared to $107 million a year ago.
Amazon recently debuted 14 pilots from original series that they’re planning on running. However, only a few will make it through. According to the company, the shows that make it through will be entirely picked by the viewers based of feedback. All of them are available now to stream for free.
Amazon profits drop to $82 million, revenue up 22% in Q1 2013 is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Apr 25
Amazon is rectifying the long wait for a Kindle for Android update today with a version 4.0 refresh that carries with it a major UI redesign. The library view looks very different: instead of a basic grid, recently read items are presented in a rotating carousel at the top of the home screen, while the navigation panel has been expanded to provide quicker access to books, documents and periodicals. The actual reading pane remains untouched, so whether you’re using a smartphone or a tablet, your e-copy of War and Peace should still look the same. To have a peek at the Kindle app makeover, Android users can go ahead and download the new version from the source.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Amazon
Via: The Next Web
Source: Kindle (Google Play)
Apr 25
Amazon’s Q1 for 2013 was a bit of a mixed bag. The company saw net income drop 37 percent year-over-year to $82 million, though its net sales were up 22 percent to $16.1 billion. The sequential drop in profits was small (from $97 million) considering Q4’s holiday inflation. Product sales accounted for the vast majority of that income, with its various branded services only pulling in $2.8 billion. The United States is still the company’s biggest market, with $9.4 billion of that sales revenue coming from here. The rest of the globe only accounted for $6.7 billion, though media was particularly strong in those markets. Media sales were $2.55 billion over seas and just $2.51 billion in the US. Looking over the numbers, its clear that Amazon has a steady stream of reliable income that is continuing to grow. In fact, the company expects another quarter of double-digit growth year-over-year for Q2. But, as we’ve learned, there are also huge expenses involved. And guidance for next quarter tops out at $10 million in net income — and a potential loss of up to $340 million (though such a steep fall seems unlikely). Unfortunately, there are no specific numbers for its various kindle products buried in the report (which you’ll find after the break), but hopefully the 5PM ET call will offer a comprehensive breakdown. Updates from which you’ll find after the break.
Source: Amazon
Apr 25
Satechi Dual Sonic Speakers
Posted in: Today's Chili
So, you have yet to adorn your desktop with a pair of decent speakers, simply because you are still in two minds over which particular make and model that you should settle for? Perhaps after reading this, you might be persuaded by Satechi, where the company has just announced the Satechi Dual Sonic Speakers. The Satechi Dual Sonic Speakers would arrive in a sleek form factor, sporting a compact design and runs off USB power, which means you have at least one more power socket available to plug in other devices at your work space.
The Satechi Dual Sonic Speakers would play nice with either Mac or PC computers, and while it is not going to bring down the house, the 3 watt speakers will boast of Acoustic Air Spring Technology which are said to be able to reproduce crystal clear audio without missing a beat, translating to incredible reproduction of bass, highs and mids. On the outside, you would find a modern, glossy finish, blue LED accent lights and padded feet for a scratch-free surface. Choose from black or silver shades for $24.99 a pop if you are interested.
[ Satechi Dual Sonic Speakers copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Apr 24
It looks like Amazon is getting ready to enter the set-top box market. If so, the online retailer needs to go big or go home, because the competition is simply too intense for anything less than amazing.
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.