AT&T will start selling Kindle 3G e-reader in its retail stores from March 6th

AT&T is adding the first e-reader to its catalog of connected devices and, unsurprisingly, it’s the 3G version of Amazon’s latest-generation Kindle. There’s nothing peculiar about this agreement, the 3G Kindle will cost $189, the same as it does on Amazon’s online portal, and there are no special content or add-on deals in place. It’s just another locale where you’ll be able to “test drive” and purchase Amazon’s all-time best-selling product. Stock should be arriving shortly for a March 6th launch, though if you’re looking for the WiFi-only Kindle, you’ll have to look elsewhere, AT&T will only be selling the 3G-equipped 6-incher.

Continue reading AT&T will start selling Kindle 3G e-reader in its retail stores from March 6th

AT&T will start selling Kindle 3G e-reader in its retail stores from March 6th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barnes & Noble updates Nook Android app, promises a Honeycomb version this spring

On the heels of the announcement that it’s grabbed 25 percent of the US e-reader market, Barnes & Noble has decided to give the world a heap of details on its Android developments. First up, we’ve got an updated Android app, and while it’s not exactly a drastic upgrade, version 2.5 has been refreshed with a new library grid view (apparently optimized for 7-inch tablets), a book download progress bar, and a wish list feature. We told you they were rather minor updates, but our guess is that the Nook Honeycomb app that’s being promised for some time this spring will be far more exciting. Yep, it’s a lot of B&N Android, but while we’re on the topic, we’ve got to admit we’re wondering about the whereabouts of that Nook Color app store, which was announced back in October. Look not everyone has taken to rooting, okay? Alright, we’ve totally digressed — hit the gallery below for some screens of the new app or the source link to try it out on your own.

Barnes & Noble updates Nook Android app, promises a Honeycomb version this spring originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barnes & Noble says Nook owns one quarter of US e-book market, we don’t doubt it

Barnes & Noble says Nook owns one quarter of US e-book market, we don't doubt it

There are many players in the e-reader world, but few have managed to gain any sort of traction. Though it hasn’t achieved Kindle levels of success Barnes & Noble is taking pride in saying that its Nook series of readers has conquered 25 percent of the US e-book market. The company doesn’t cite any specific sales figures to back up that number, but we’ll go with it. Sadly, though, there’s another 25 percent number that is detailed and isn’t nearly so positive: that’s how much the company’s profits dropped from this period last year. That was said to be due to heavy investments in the Nook but, despite that, B&N managed to post a $60.6 million profit — certainly better than some of the competition.

Barnes & Noble says Nook owns one quarter of US e-book market, we don’t doubt it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spring Design Alex dies, forever remembered as the one that looked like the Nook

The Spring Design Alex, introduced in late 2009, died today. The causes aren’t exactly known, but it is said that the company’s investor “stopped the money.” We surmise its $399 price point at least put it on life support. The Alex lived a rather short life, in which it battled Barnes & Noble’s Nook on shelves as well as in courts. The E-ink and LCD e-reader did, however, live to be rooted and sideloaded with apps. We’ll always remember the Spring Design Alex as a brave Android, dual-screen e-reader willing to venture into tablet territories. Spring Design has confirmed the passing, but hasn’t said if it plans to bring more children into the world. We wish them the best in this tough time.

Spring Design Alex dies, forever remembered as the one that looked like the Nook originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NoteSlate teased with new product shots, moves one step away from vaporware status

Look, you can’t say no to a $99 electronic ink drawing tablet, but to believe that that his here NoteSlate has any chance of retailing at that price you’d also need the naiveté of a child who accepts free candies from strangers. While we remain skeptical, said tablet’s website has just been updated with a new stash of product shots and an in-depth walkthrough, which are kinda convincing if you ignore the price tag. The mono-color models are here to stay as well, though we should point out that there’s a $30 alternative, already available, from Improv Electronics for those who need nothing more than just doodling. Otherwise, keep an eye out for the NoteSlate come June.

[Thanks, Eddie]

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NoteSlate teased with new product shots, moves one step away from vaporware status originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Reader Android app gets updated with unread count widget and more

Lookie here, digital bookworms — Google has just refreshed its Google Reader app for Android, adding a couple of “your most-requested features” along the way. Things like a unread count widget and news ticker widget are coming to those with Android 2.2+, while a ‘Mark Previous As Read’ is making its way back to all users with v1.6 or higher. Oh, and if you’re into reading Russian feeds, there’s now official support for Russian translation. Head on down to the Market below to get the install going, and do your best not to be ashamed when the number in your unread count stretches three home screen panels.

Google Reader Android app gets updated with unread count widget and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bookeen shows off FMV on a standard E Ink Pearl display (video)

Bookeen shows off FMV on a standard E Ink Pearl display (video)

The details are few with this one but really it’s the highlights that matter here: Bookeen has managed to get smooth full-motion video to play on an E Ink Pearl display. Yes, the same sort that delivers agonizingly slow refreshes on the latest Kindles and such. It’s a simple H.264-encoded clip (the same one with the chubby rabbit you’ve probably seen a dozen times before) played on a TI OMAP3621 processor. Power consumption in this mode is said to be no more than a non-backlit LCD, which is quite frugal indeed. No word on which actual readers this will debuting in, but according to E-Ink-Info.com it will be “available on the next-gen e-readers to appear soon.” Check out the demo embedded below.

Continue reading Bookeen shows off FMV on a standard E Ink Pearl display (video)

Bookeen shows off FMV on a standard E Ink Pearl display (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Borders files for bankruptcy, plans to keep operating but close 30 percent of its stores

We heard the news was coming, and now it’s official — Borders, the second-biggest bookstore chain the U.S., has filed for bankruptcy. As expected, the company will continue to operate while it restructures, but it will hardly be the same company it once was. It’s being forced to close around 200 (or 30 percent) of its stores, and it may need to close another 75 if it’s not able to gain some concessions from landlords, according to Bloomberg. This is news on Engadget, of course, because Borders has also been trying to compete with Amazon and Barnes & Noble beyond its core brick-and-mortar bookselling business in recent years (and not exactly succeeding). While the company hasn’t produced its own e-book reader, it has partnered with Kobo to sell its device, and it has established its own e-book store that’s also used by its various e-reader apps for smartphones and tablets. There’s no indication as of yet that the bankruptcy will affect those endeavors.

Update: Kobo has now commented on the situation on its blog, saying that Borders’ bankruptcy means “nothing” for Kobo customers, and that it is an “independent, financially secure company.”

Borders files for bankruptcy, plans to keep operating but close 30 percent of its stores originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How would you change Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color?

Now that you’ve had ample time to get through a few novellas, we’re keenly interested in finding out how you’d change Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color if given the opportunity. For an e-reader, it’s deliciously hackable, giving you a way to blow off steam after a hard day’s night… of soaking up information, that is. We found it to be amongst the top of its class when we reviewed it back in November, but this space is all about you. Would you overhaul the user interface? Ship it with a fancier build of Android? Boost the battery life? Go on and get opinionated in comments below — we promise we won’t judge.

How would you change Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP TouchPad to boast Skype calling, Kindle app

HP didn’t exactly show off a ton of apps for the TouchPad at its event today, but did at least reveal a couple of key ones. That includes a new tablet-friendly Kindle app for webOS, which will naturally let you “buy once, read everywhere,” and give you access to all of the more than 810,000 books that are available in the Kindle Store — as always, it’ll be completely free. What’s more, while details are still a bit light, HP also confirmed that it’s working with Skype on video calling, which will presumably be included with the tablet at launch. Head on past the break for Amazon’s press release.

For more on all of HP’s webOS announcements today, click here!

Continue reading HP TouchPad to boast Skype calling, Kindle app

HP TouchPad to boast Skype calling, Kindle app originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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