Hasta La Gadget!

It was easy to get lost amidst all the attention surrounding the 3DS itself, but Nintendo also had an actual 3DS game cart on hand at E3 and, well, it looks pretty much like a regular DS cart (probably a good thing, since the two are compatible). About the only difference, it seems, is that small extra tab on the corner, and a slightly slimmer case that they’ll come packaged in. In other overshadowed-by-E3 news, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata has apparently told Nikkei that the 3DS’ wireless connection could be used to automatically download newspaper and magazine articles (and books, presumably) which, when combined with the 3DS’ ability to actively seek out and connect to any open WiFi network, could potentially turn into a Whispernet-like service from Nintendo — something that Iwata has, incidentally, publicly mused about in the past.

Nintendo 3DS game cart pictured, wireless ebook reader on tap? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon has finally stopped teasing and let the 2.5 Kindle firmware update loose for all and sundry. It had become available as a download for international users a few days ago, and as of today their American counterparts can partake in the same manual update. But only if they wish to be proactive. All Kindles that have their wireless connections turned on will be getting the drop over the next few weeks. So what’s all the fuss about? In version 2.5, you’ll be able to organize books into collections (or folders as most of us call them), share favored passages via Twitter and Facebook, zoom and pan around PDFs, lock down your Kindle with a password, and enjoy the benefits of two added large font sizes and improved sharpness all around. If that sounds too appealing to wait for, hit the source link to find the manual download and install instructions.

[Thanks, Jason]

Kindle 2.5 firmware now available for keepsies originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well what do you know, turns out the LB4400 was a harbinger of things to come. LG Display and iriver just announced a $5M joint venture to manufacture e-book readers. The new China-based company, L&I Electronic Technology (Dongguan) Ltd, sees iriver doing the platform development and product design (thank gawd) while LG provides the EPD displays. It’s interesting to note that the company will act as an OEM/ODM to anyone looking to slap their brand on an e-book reader… after iriver — the company’s first customer — takes the pick of the litter.

Continue reading LG Display and iriver enter joint venture to make e-book readers pretty, affordable

LG Display and iriver enter joint venture to make e-book readers pretty, affordable originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer LumiRead L600 shows up under glass at Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 06:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s almost never a good idea to predict how the tech world will look in five years, even if you’re an executive at one of the world’s largest electronics companies. Maybe especially if you’re an executive at one of the world’s largest electronics companies.

Here’s a new quote from Steve Haber, the president of Sony’s digital reading business division:”Within five years there will be more digital content sold than physical content. Three years ago, I said within ten years but I realised that was wrong–it’s within five.”

I suppose it’s telling that Haber moved the date up by a couple of years. Clearly he ‘s been emboldened by the success of the Kindle, iPad, and, of course, his own company’s slew of e-readers.

I’m not saying that Haber will necessarily be proven wrong: Look at how dominant electronic music distribution has become. But I wouldn’t be too surprised should he find himself adjusting his timeframe once again.