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New Kindle Software Version 2.5 Coming End of May

According to Amazon, the 2.5 software update for Kindle and Kindle DX is coming late May.

Here's a list of the coming enhancements:

* Collections: Organize your books and documents into one or more collections.

* PDF Pan and Zoom: Zoom into PDFs and pan around to easily view small print and detailed tables or graphics.

* Password Protection: Password protect your Kindle when you're not using it.

* More Fonts & Improved Clarity: Enjoy two new larger font sizes and sharper fonts for an even more comfortable reading experience.

* Facebook & Twitter Posts: Share book passages with friends on Facebook and Twitter directly from your Kindle.

* Popular Highlights: See what the Kindle community thinks are the most interesting passages in the books you're reading.

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Video: eBooks in Action on iPad

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Is iPad Really Going To Kill Kindle? No, It's Not

The iPad has been announced. But does it mean Kindle will be dead? No, not at all. Remeber, iPad is still a multimedia device. You can do a lot of things including reading ebooks; but it's not focused on reading ebooks. Those who prefer to read a lot of fiction, and text-only non-fiction still need a reader like kindle. However, iPad might be more acceptable for technical ebooks and e-textbooks. It's for sure that young generations will prefer iPad to Kindle, and if the e-textbook market takes off through iPad it'll be widely acceptable. If amazon can sell ebooks on iPad as they are doing with iPhone/iPodTouch, there is no reason to believe that amazon's kindle store will be gone forever. Kindle as a reading device will still be there. However, I suspect the Kindle DX will no longer be a viable device, and it will be dead. Remeber, amazon has already tried to experiment with Kindle DX for universitites, and sadly, it failed. I think 6" kindle will still be sold, and it'll evolve to different level as a reading device as technology evolves.

The iPad is basically a larger screen iPodTouch with tweaks here and there. It doesn't have many more features than a iPodTouch except the integration of iWork. That basically make it a productivity device. In other words, it's a multimedia and productivity device. On the other hand, Kindle has many unique features as a reading device that you never heard of. I think, as long as, amazon try to keep Kindle as a reading device with some social networking capability (not facebook, rather book-related) it'll be alive for long. I would rather say, all other eInk devices other than Kindle will be dead pretty soon.

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Is Kindle Going To Be Dead? Some Videos To Watch While Waiting For iSlate/iTablet Announcement

From FOX News:

From CNBC:

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Amazon will be Releasing Kindle Developmeny Kit (KDK) for Applications

That's a big news. Amazon has decided to release SDK for Kindle so that people can contribute making applications for Kindle just like AApple's iPhone. It'll be available in February as beta-test. There are some news that Amazon already gave access to SDK to some companies like Handmark to develop active Zagat restaurant guides for the Kindle, while Sonic Boom is making word games and puzzles for the device.

Here is what you expect to get in February:

A limited beta test of the KDK  to download the kit

The KDK will include sample code, documentation, and the Kindle Simulator

Test the content on the Kindle Simulator

Simulates will be available for both the 6-inch Kindle or 9.7-inch Kindle DX on Mac, PC

You can see webpage for KDK on amazon here. You can also submit your email to be beta tester.

Here is more what the amazon KDK website details:

Revenue Share

User revenue will be split 70% to the developer and 30% to Amazon net of delivery fees of $0.15 / MB. Remember that unlike smart phones, the Kindle user does not pay a monthly wireless fee or enter into an annual wireless contract. Kindle active content must be priced to cover the costs of downloads and on-going usage.

Pricing Options

Active content will be available to customers in the Kindle Store later this year. Your active content can be priced three ways:

Free – Active content applications that are smaller than 1MB and use less than 100KB/user/month of wireless data may be offered at no charge to customers. Amazon will pay the wireless costs associated with delivery and maintenance.

One-time Purchase – Customers will be charged once when purchasing active content. Content must have nominal (less than 100KB/user/month) ongoing wireless usage.

Monthly Subscription – Customers will be charged once per month for active content.

Active content applications have an upper size limit of 100MB. Applications larger than 10MB will not be delivered wirelessly but can be downloaded from the Kindle Store to a computer and transferred to the user's Kindle via USB.

Developer Guidelines

Voice over IP functionality, advertising, offensive materials, collection of customer information without express customer knowledge and consent, or usage of the Amazon or Kindle brand in any way are not allowed. In addition, active content must meet all Amazon technical requirements, not be a generic reader, and not contain malicious code.

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Amazon Offers 70-30 Split For Kindle eBook Authors Like AppStore With Conditions

Amazon has finally decided to offer 70% of the sales price of Kindle ebooks to the content providers. This is the similar model followed by Apple for AppStore. However, there is a catch. Amazon put some conditions to get that 70% share. The AppleInsider elaborates:

The author or publisher-supplied list price must be between $2.99 and $9.99

This list price must be at least 20 percent below the lowest physical list price for the physical book

The title is made available for sale in all geographies for which the author or publisher has rights

The title will be included in a broad set of features in the Kindle Store, such as text-to-speech. This list of features will grow over time as Amazon continues to add more functionality to Kindle and the Kindle Store.

Under this royalty option, books must be offered at or below price parity with competition, including physical book prices. Amazon will provide tools to automate that process, and the 70 percent royalty will be calculated off the sales price.

The speculation is that Amazon has decided to go with such plan fearing Apple will follow the similar plan for upcoming iSlate to be announced next week. There is still some debates on whether such move by amazon will benefit or attract big publishers if they are forced to follow the conditions. However, amazon's move will certainly help indie authors.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device (9.7" Display, U.S. Wireless)

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Nook Also Available From Amazon, But Not Sold By Amazon

Some people are selling Nook at Amazon.com. Nook is not currently available in B&N online store. If you order it now, you will probably get it after February 12. I found on the amazon store that some people are even selling it as high as $600. However, you can also find some rarely used ones at $275. If you're very much interested in Nook, you can probably afford that. Here is the link to amazon store.

Barnes and Noble NOOK ebook reader

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1400+ Newspapers & Magazines on Kindle From NewspaperDirect Aka PressDisplay

That's good news though comes at a cost since you've to pay for the content. For a long time PressDisplay is offerering newspapers and magazines in their original paper format displayed on your PC or laptop. They have also application for iPhone/iPodTouch. However, you can't download newspapers wirelessly on 3G network. Firsy you've to download the paper on your PC, and then transfer it through USB. I can definitely say this is a nice way to read newspaper and magazines since you can get a kind of feeling of  reading a paper version though screen isn't color. Here you can watch a demonstration video:

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Collection of eReader Videos from CES

Here is a collection of videos covering ereaders at CES. I'll add more as I get them.

CNNMoney contributor Jonathan Blum reports on the latest offerings in e-readers at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Plastic Logic's Que Reader:

Samsung's E6 ereader hands-on by Cruchgear:

Hands-on Que Reader by Engadget:

Alex eReader demo from Crunchgear:

Copia eraders from Engadget: enTourage’s eDGe:

Pixel Qi LCD screen:

Pixel Qi screen Demonstration

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Speculation: A Color-screen Kindle with Mirasol Display By Fall 2010

Those who believe that Kindle didn't evolve in last two years (I'm also one of them) would be happy to know that a lot speculation now that a color kindle will be available probably around Fall 2010. The color display would be Qualcomm's Mirasol. Engadget reports that

We spoke at length with executives, and they're currently predicting an ebook reader running Mirasol in Fall of this year. What we've heard "around" is that the device will actually be new Kindle running a Mirasol display -- we can't confirm it, but it sounds logical. What's interesting, though, is that this panel is not only color, but it can play back video when used with the right processor.

Fox News has published a scoop with the title: "Exclusive: Tech Behind Next-Gen Kindle Revealed?".

The Mirasol Display website also promotes the display for ereaders. You can see detail on this display from the website here.

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Kindle DX May Go Global Anytime

Engadget got an snapshoot of amazon website - on the right corner it says: "Kindle DX Now with Global Wireless." Not yet, really; but amazon is probably ready to ship Kindle DX globally like Kindle 2. There will be no Kindle DX (U.S. wireless) then. If you go to amazon website or it's kindle site, you don't see that anymore, rather you'll see something on free 2-day shipping.

Remember, Kindle DX is out of stock now. It'll take 2-3 weeks to get it if you order now. It seems that new supply of Kindle DX will come with global wireless service as it happened with kindle 2. That makes more sense now.

Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device (9.7" Display, U.S. Wireless, Latest Generation)Amazon Kindle DX Leather Cover (Fits 9.7" Display, Latest Generation Kindle DX)

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Details of Skiff Reader From Hearst Out

Skiff Reader from Hearst is coming soon as the company has just revealed the specifications, and a lot of pictures on its website.  The company will show it at the coming CES gathering next week. This is by far the largest e-paper (not e-ink like kindle, sony) device - 11"x9" dimension.  Display size is 11.5" measured diagonally. Full touch screen with fingers and also stylus support. Both 3G and Wi-Fi enabled. Internal memory 4 GB. Mini-USB and SD card support. Built-in spreaker.

So what's the special of this reader? Apparently it seems nothing that much except the touch screen with e-paper. But Sony has already done that. But you've to remember, it's primary focus is newspaper and magazines. That's why the bigger size screen. Everybody wants to keep the current layout of the newspaper and magazines as we're used to that, and in order to enjoy your favorite magazine you need a bigger screen. That's the way newspaper industry is trying to survive!!!!

One important thing about this reader is that it's display is  "rugged metal-foil e-paper, silicon thin-film-transistors (TFT) on flexible stainless-steel substrate, shatter-proof, crack-proff".  What does all these means? Probably, you can say that if you bend it it'll not going to crack as the picture shows. So it's flexible and unbreakable.  This display has been developed by LG.

According to the press release of the company:

Skiff has signed a multi-year agreement with Sprint (NYSE:S) to provide 3G connectivity for Skiff’s dedicated e-reading devices in the United States. Plans are underway to have the Skiff Reader available for purchase later this year in more than 1,000 Sprint retail locations across the U.S., as well as online at www.sprint.com. Availability, pricing, additional distribution channels and other details will be disclosed at a later date.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device (9.7" Display, U.S. Wireless, Latest Generation)

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How Can You Use Google Calendar On Kindle?

You can use Google Calendar on your kindle. Follow the steps:

Go to Kindle's Web browser

Type www.google.com/calendar/m. Yes, that's the mobile version.

You'll see  your appointments for today and tomorrow by default on mobile vertion. Choose an item to see details.

You can add an item using  Quick Add option.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

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iSlate: Another Dedicated eReader? Another DRMed Closed Door to Reading?

Recently I got so much tired of reading so many stories of Apple's iSlate anticipation I even didn't write anything on this lately. According to mainstream media and blogs, the coming year will be a hot market for ebooks and ereaders. However, all the stories are centered around on Apple. Even there are speculation now that iSlate will be a dedicated ebook reader.According to quickpwn:

Our sources have told us that the rumor about Apple launching a product with the iSlate name is true, but the product won’t be an Apple tablet, it will be an eBook reader. The iSlate will be a competitor to the Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook and other e-readers that are out there. Our sources have also told us that the iSlate eBook reader will run on Apple’s upcoming iPhone OS 4.0 software and will include a seperate App Store for eBooks. Apple will be announcing the iSlate eBook reader at WWDC 2010, which our sources says is being held on June 7.

There is some speculation that Apple's anticipated tablet will be named iGuide. If so,then we can definitely say we're going to stuck with another DRMed version of ebooks. How many ereades we can afford to buy? It seems we're getting into a critical zone where I can only read an ebook with a specific device, and if my device is broken or lost, all the ebooks I own also get lost. This is a false kind of ownership. If the digital content is intended to replace paper content it must provide something more that paper can't provide. Now it seems digital content is taking away my rights. The social aspect is even more critical. We're about to forget that reading has a social value. That's why I can borrow a paper book form a library if I can't afford to buy it. Now, with ebook DRMed with a dedicated device the social value is being compromised to such an extent that people who can't afford to buy a dedicated device are being prohibited to read a book.This is a serious issue that I want to address in detail in a future post.

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B&N Nook's EPUB DRM Hacked and Cracked

i♥cabbages who happens to crack the kindle DRM with the program litled "unswindle" has also recently been able to circumvent B&N's EPUB DRM. He writes, on his blog:

The basic idea behind the B&N EPUB scheme is the same as that used by the ill-fated eReader format B&N acquired – step 1: generate an encryption key from the book-purchaser’s name + credit card #; step 2: hope that they don’t like giving that information out to strangers. They like to call this a form of “social DRM,” although I believe a more appropriate term is “silly.”

He found that Windows version of the B&N's eReader (desktop reader) contains only generated encyption keys, not the CC number for all the ebooks purchased on B&N. And this key is stored in sqlite3 database in plain text. That helped him to find a way to circumvent so-called DRM. He came up with two programs:

A Windows-only key-retrieval script: ignoblekey

Book-decryption script: ignobleepub

You need both programs: one is for key retrieval, the other one is for decryption of the key, aka, DRMless. Both scripts are written in python.

Tamrac 3548 Express Pack 8 (Khaki)Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

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How Can You Read Your Favorite RSS Feed on Kindle?

Since kindle has a built-in web browser, you can use it to read your favorite blog RSS feeds without subscribing kindle blogs from amazon and without any expenses for data transfer to your kindle. It's better to use Google Reader. You need to follw the steps:

If you already have a gmail account you can subscribe Google Reader by going here from your PC or Mac or Linux machine.

Find your favorite blogs, and subscribe them on Google Reader.

Navigate to your Kindle built-in browser, and type www.google.com/reader/m on the web address bar on your kindle, login to your Google Reader account.

Now you'll see the most recent nine items for your feed.

Now read your feeds by selecting items, or use Kindle's navigation buttons to select "mark these items as read" if don't want to read some items.

You can use back button to return to previous page of feed list items to select new item.

Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)Cole Haan Hand-Stained Smooth Leather Kindle Cover with Hinge (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle), Dark BrownKindle 2 Scratch Proof

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