Jul 22

Panasonic Raboo UT-PB1 e-reader gets official, acts more like a tablet

Posted in: 7-inch, Android, dual-core, DualCore, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, Japan, japanese, Panasonic, Today's Chili, video

Panasonic already took its UT-PB1 e-reader out for a step-and-repeat at the e-Book Expo Tokyo this year, but kept some important details under wraps. Now the tablet e-reader is ready for its official coming out party. The 7-inch, color touchscreen Raboo UT-PB1 is set to launch in Japan on August 10th, retailing at about ¥34,800 (that’s $444) and packing 600 plus “pre-viewable books.” There’s an Android OS running on an unspecified dual-core CPU under that book-mimicking surface with the company’s own UI slathered all over it — so there’ll be no tablet-esque shenanigans here, yet. The 400 gram (14 ounce) handheld also comes furnished with 8GB of storage, WiFi, Bluetooth, microSDHC, support for various video and audio files, and packs basic web and email apps. Sound like a dedicated reading device to you? Unfortunately, it only plays nice with the XMDF e-book format, so if you’re interested in picking one up, you’re gonna be tied to the Rakuten E-Book store. Check out the video below for a glimpse of the non-tab in action and maybe even a little dental training doll cameo.

Continue reading Panasonic Raboo UT-PB1 e-reader gets official, acts more like a tablet

Panasonic Raboo UT-PB1 e-reader gets official, acts more like a tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Akihabara News  |  sourcePanasonic (Translated)  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 21

J.K. Rowling, Google to bring Pottermania to your e-reader

Posted in: e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, Google, sony, Today's Chili

Having a hard time parting ways with a certain plucky, lightning-scarred orphan? J.K. Rowling feels your pain (as she counts her money) and has teamed up with Google to help you fall in love with the world of Hogwarts all over again — e-book style. The voluminous tomes will be making their exclusive electronic debut through Google’s eBooks platform as part of the Sony-backed Pottermore site launching this October. El Goog’s open format plays nicely with “more than 80 ereaders” — we’re looking at you iRiver Story HD — and can also be downloaded in app form for iOS and Android smartphones. But the integration doesn’t end there — under terms of the agreement, Google Checkout “will be the preferred third party payment platform” for all the site’s Harry Potter knick knacks your credit limit will allow. It’s ok, you don’t have to let go of the dream just yet. There’s still a little wizard inside us all.

J.K. Rowling, Google to bring Pottermania to your e-reader originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TG Daily  |  sourceGoogle Books Blog, Pottermore  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 19

iRiver Story HD review

Posted in: e ink, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, Google, review, Today's Chili

When it was unveiled back in January, the Story HD, iRiver’s first entry into the US e-reader market, boasted all manner of exciting technologies, including an “HD” display and a souped-up (in e-reader terms) processor. Things have changed in the past six months, thanks in part to new Nook and Kobo devices. The other week, however, iRiver pulled out a pre-release surprise that turned plenty of heads: a partnership with Google Books. Are these features enough to make the company competitive in an already crowded market dominated by the Kindle? Find out the answer to all that and more in the review below.

Gallery: iRiver Story HD review

iRiver Story HD hands-on

Continue reading iRiver Story HD review

iRiver Story HD review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 18

There’s a web browser hiding inside the iriver Story HD, but it’s pretty shy

Posted in: e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, Google, hack, navigation, Today's Chili, web, web browser, WebBrowser
Looking for a way to surf the web on your new iriver Story HD? The Digital Reader‘s got you covered, with a nifty, albeit not totally satisfying hack. As it turns out, the Story HD’s much-ballyhooed Google eBookstore operates as a mobile version, rather than an app, meaning you can use it to access other pages — if you know the trick. All you have to do is navigate to the first Help page within the eBookstore, where you’ll see a list of links running across the top. The Books link leads to books.google.com, from which you can jump to google.com, effectively putting the internet at your fingertips. The major downside, however, is that iriver’s hidden browser won’t give you an address bar, though it does offer basic refresh and page-flipping capabilities, located within the options menu. It’s certainly not as fluid as the WebKit-based browser you’ll find on Amazon’s third-generation Kindle, nor is it as straightforward as that experimental feature buried within the Nook WiFi — but at least it’s there. If you’re interested in digging it up, hit the source link for more details.

[Thanks, Nate]

There’s a web browser hiding inside the iriver Story HD, but it’s pretty shy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Digital Reader  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 18

Amazon rolls out textbook rentals for Kindle, promises discounts up to 80 percent

Posted in: amazon, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, ebooks, kindle, Today's Chili
Students can already save a few bucks by opting for a digital version of a textbook over a hardcover, and they can now save even more courtesy of Amazon if they aren’t too intent on hanging onto the book after they’re done with it. The company has just announced textbook rentals for Kindle, which promises to let students save “up to 80 percent” off the list price of those often pricey textbooks. That discount varies depending on the rental period — which can be anywhere from 30 to 360 days — and the option is already available on “tens of thousands” of textbooks from a number of publishers including John Wiley & Sons, Elsevier and Taylor & Francis. What’s more, you can also rest assured that all of your annotations will be saved even after the rental has expired, and be accessible at any time on the Kindle website (or in the book itself if you ever decide to rent it again for old time’s sake). Press release is after the break.

Continue reading Amazon rolls out textbook rentals for Kindle, promises discounts up to 80 percent

Amazon rolls out textbook rentals for Kindle, promises discounts up to 80 percent originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 15

Sony not giving up on Readers, new models expected in August

Posted in: e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, reader, rumor, rumors, sony, Today's Chili
Sony Readers

Word has come, straight from the mouth of Sony’s vice president of digital reading, Phil Lubell, that the company has some new Reader models in the pipeline. According to Bloomberg the latest Kindle competitors will probably land in August, just ahead of the launch of the S1 and S2 tablets. Beyond that, it’s all just a guessing game, but it’s probably safe to assume the touchscreens and pleasantly hefty aluminum bodies will remain. Let’s just hope, for the sake of Sony, the new models also come sporting a new low price. With the company’s entry-level Pocket Edition starting at $180, it’s had a hard time keeping up with the Nook and Kindle which start at $139 (without ads).

Sony not giving up on Readers, new models expected in August originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 15

Zinio adds full Froyo and Gingerbread support, now available for all Android devices

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, application, AppStore, content, e reader, froyo, gingerbread, Google, reader, Today's Chili


Earlier this summer, Zinio released its reader app for a small handful of Android tablets, bringing more than 20,000 full-format magazine titles to the Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and a half dozen other slates. Now, the app is available for all current Android 2.2 Froyo and 2.3 Gingerbread devices, including tablets and smartphones. At launch, you’ll have access to a dozen free current issues, including ESPN The Magazine, Maxim, and Robb Report. You’ll be back to paying full rates after downloading those 12 single issues, however, so prepare for a bit of sticker shock when you’re ready to hit the subscription page.

Continue reading Zinio adds full Froyo and Gingerbread support, now available for all Android devices

Zinio adds full Froyo and Gingerbread support, now available for all Android devices originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Market, Zinio  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 13

IDC: Barnes & Noble charges ahead of the e-reader pack, people like a little color with their books

Posted in: barnes and noble, BarnesAndNoble, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, nook, tablets, Today's Chili

Consumers, it seems, aren’t quite ready to declare the devoted e-reader market dead just yet — according to IDC, the space is set to grow by 24 percent globally in 2011. That’s especially good news for Barnes & Noble, as the company pushed to the top of the e-reader race for Q1, edging out Amazon’s industry-defining Kindle. The bookseller’s lead came thanks to its multiple devices, including the recently introduced touchscreen Nook and the tablet-esque Nook Color. The research firm credits the latter with Barnes & Noble’s surge in the standings, explaining that the Kindle’s colorless state has negatively impacted sales. Check out the sadly uncolorful press release below.

Continue reading IDC: Barnes & Noble charges ahead of the e-reader pack, people like a little color with their books

IDC: Barnes & Noble charges ahead of the e-reader pack, people like a little color with their books originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 13

Amazon Android tablet coming before October?

Posted in: amazon, android tablet, AndroidTablet, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, kindle, rumor, rumors, slate, Today's Chili

We’ve heard an awful lot about a forthcoming Android tablet rocking an Amazon logo, including a little teasing from CEO Jeff Bezos back in May, and now The Wall Street Journal’s adding flames to the slate fire saying the hotly anticipated tab could be on its way before October. According to those oh so familiar “people familiar with the matter,” the Android-based slate would rock a nine-inch screen and, surprisingly, lack a camera, making it ill-suited as an iPad competitor — the tablet would apparently be focused on offering media purchased from the online retailer. What’s more, those sources are also spreading word of two new Kindles coming in Q3 — one with a touchscreen, the other a budget version of the current e-reader. Of course, it’s all just rumor for now, but that’s a whole lot of rumor.

Amazon Android tablet coming before October? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 13

Amazon Kindle 3G gets AT&T-sponsored ad-supported option priced at $139

Posted in: ad, ads, advertising, amazon, att, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, kindle, Today's Chili

Good news: now you can pick up an Amazon Kindle 3G for the same price as the Kindle WiFi. Naturally, there’s a catch here: ads, ads, ads — but you’ve gotten pretty good at tuning those things out anyway, right? The online retail giant announced today the availability of the Kindle 3G with Special Offers, priced at $139 (down from $189 for the ad-free version) — best of all, that price includes the 3G subscription, which won’t cost you a thing, if you’re willing to wade through “money saving offers” and some adtastic screensavers. The new option joins the already announced ad-support WiFi model, which will run you $114 and replaces the $164 non-AT&T-sponsored 3G version. Press after the break.

Update: As Ahecht pointed out in comments, this new, cheaper Kindle is actually a replacement for the older ad-supported 3G model.

Continue reading Amazon Kindle 3G gets AT&T-sponsored ad-supported option priced at $139

Amazon Kindle 3G gets AT&T-sponsored ad-supported option priced at $139 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Techland  |   | Email this | Comments

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