Hasta La Gadget!

Still waiting to see a Kindle in the wild before you pull the trigger? Hate shopping online? Need to pick up some toilet paper and a huge barrel of pretzels? You’re in luck, because Amazon’s finally going to be spreading Kindles out in retail nationwide through Target stores. After a trial run in April that got the e-reader into Target’s flagship store and 102 brightly lit retail paradises in south Florida, the $259 e-ink device will be available all over as of June 6th. The press release points out that the Kindle is still Amazon’s bestselling product, and we can’t see a retail push like this hurting its prospects — though with rumors flying about an imminent Kindle update, it might not be the absolute best time to buy. PR is after the break.

Continue reading Kindle going nationwide in Target stores on June 6

Kindle going nationwide in Target stores on June 6 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Apple may be a despot of its own walled garden, but that doesn’t mean it’s not benevolent. The iPad’s international launch on May 28 has prompted the company to open Stores an hour early, at 8AM local time, in order to give its devotees a reprieve from hours of queuing outside. Then again, that little asterix up there points us to an ominous “while supplies last” note at the bottom, which together with current pre-orders being fulfilled at some unidentified point in June, might force the most impatient to just get to the Store even earlier. UK buyers will get an alternative option thanks to Dixons Group stocking Apple’s slate in Currys and PC World outlets, an arrangement that we keep hearing might be exclusive for the first sixty days after launch. Either way, you’ve been warned, don’t be tardy if you wanna be trendy.

P.S. The iBooks app has also made its debut outside of the US today, though at present it’s limited to just freebie titles, and the iBookstore is still described as “US only.”

Update: The latest we’re hearing is that at least some Apple Premium Resellers will also be getting stock of the iPad in the UK — worth checking out if other options sell out.

Apple will open international Stores early for iPad launch this Friday, iBooks app available now originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 May 2010 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink 9to5Mac  |  Apple  | Email this | Comments

While you’re stocking up on socks, body wash and gigantic boxes of cereal at Walmart, you might soon be able to grab an iPad from the electronics aisle.

The Arkansas-based company expects to carry the iPad sometime this year, according to Gary Severson, senior vice president of entertainment for Walmart.

“We anticipate being able to have the iPad later this year,” Severson told Bloomberg. He said the company was not prepared to provide specifics on timing and pricing.

Both Walmart and Best Buy have carried Apple’s iPhone since late 2008. Best Buy already began selling iPads when the device launched April 3, and it’s reasonable to expect that Walmart will soon receive the tablet as well.

We shouldn’t expect Walmart to give any heavy discounts on iPads, however. The iPhone 3GS being sold through Walmart starts at $197, which is $2 less than Apple’s retail pricing.

See Also:

• Walmart iPhone Details Leaked. Surprise: It’s Not $99
• IPhone Coming to Best Buy
• Best Buy to Sell iPad in Reportedly Limited Quantity

Photo: Brian Derballa/Wired.com

McDonald’s recently opened its first chic concept stores, offering a new fast food experience for consumers seeking “luxury” fast food meals.

[Image via blogger bamboo.]

Well, if you spot your competitor marketing themselves in an interesting way then it’s logical that you will want to get in on the act too. And this is exactly what KFC is doing from July, reports J-Cast.

Keeping with the chain’s trademark red theme, customers will be able to enjoy their KFC cuisine in new designer branches. The inside of the store features digital monitors and the exterior will have LCD screens. KFC is aiming especially for young female consumers and, starting with three stores in this quarter, will expand to one hundred outlets in three years.

Basically this is offering the typical (and very familiar) fast food experience but with luxury surroundings. Even the usual menu will be there at the usual price, plus some original (and no doubt more expensive) items.

The first designer 80-seat KFC will open in Shibuya on July 4, open eight till eight.

As if launching another web feature, Utweet, specifically for its UT t-shirt range wasn’t enough, Uniqlo recently announced a new giant Shanghai store amidst fanfare and media attention. This being Uniqlo, though, it was only to be expected that they put their heads together for an online campaign too.

The store doesn’t open till May 15 but you can enjoy Chinese ladies in bright Uniqlo clothes online right now! Much like the eternally popular Uniqlock, the 88 Colors site features, well, eighty-eight girls prancing around. Of course, this isn’t just web self-indulgence on Uniqlo’s part, but advertising for its polo shirts range, available in, you’ve guessed it, 88 different colors.

The new Shanghai branch will be the largest ever for the chain, spanning 3,600 sq. meters and using 320 mannequins!

[Via Kokukaigi.]