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Archive for kobo
E-Readers, PCs Facing the Heat from Tablet PCs
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Amazon had lit the Kindle Fire with the hopes of blazing into the booming tablet market. While it has been largely successful (the second largest selling tablet after the iPad and the best selling Android tablet so far), an unlikely victim of the raging Amazon Fire has been its very own stable mate, the Kindle Touch. In fact, Amazon is already reported to have scaled down on it Kindle Touch production plans in view of diminishing demands for the Kindle e-reader.
The trend though shouldn’t be too unexpected, for what you get from the Kindle Fire is a tablet device with a vibrant full color display. The Kindle Touch, with its rather drab e-ink display, seems to be running out of favor with the e-book reading section as well as Kindle loyalists, even though the Kindle Touch costs less than the Fire and also has a better battery life.
However, it’s not just the Kindle Touch that is feeling the heat from the new breed of low cost tablet devices (such as the Nook Color or the Kobo Vox). What these devices offer are most of the tablet market’s available features, if not all, and they won’t leave consumers’ pockets battered and bruised. Color e-ink displays are available, though LCD based displays that these tablet/e-readers sport still has an edge with better color reproduction qualities that color e-ink displays are not capable of right now. As such, the future may well belong to the LCD based low cost tablets and e-readers unless e-ink comes up with something more vibrant.
However, e-readers are not alone in seeing a reduction of sales compared to tablets; the traditional PC market seems to be shrinking as a fallout of the tablet effect. In raw figures, sales of PCs to tablet devices were a strong 20 to 1 in 2010. Just 2 years down the line, the gap has narrowed down to just 6 PCs sold to every tablet PC. While PC sales remain largely stagnant, the tablet market has grown by leaps and bounds. In fact, tablet could be seen marching ahead of PCs by 2013.
“Tablets are on fire, there’s no question about that,” said Brad Silverberg, former Microsoft executive, who is now a venture capitalist in Seattle.
Apple, the one company that has had the biggest gain in the tablet segment with its iPad though isn’t amused at the proceedings.
“From the first day it shipped, we thought — not just me, many of us thought at Apple — that the tablet market would become larger than the PC market, and it was just a matter of the time that it took for that to occur,” said current Apple CEO Tim Cook though his predecessor Steve Jobs too shared the same vision.
However, while tablets will continue to find favor among consumers, tablet still cannot be considered a replacement of the PC. Tablet devices may score on portability and ease of use, though it’s still focused more on content consumption than content creation. Until that changes, PCs will continue to be relevant even though they might not have the strength in numbers they once had.
Rumor: Samsung Developing a Cheap 7 Inch Tablet
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This is the aftermath of the success that the Amazon Kindle Fire has enjoyed. A whole new tablet segment is developing, where companies like Amazon, B&N, or Kobo will offer tablet devices that your wallets will love. The strategy seems to have been successful enough to entice Samsung to have a presence in this emerging segment with a new tablet device they are developing. Code named GT-P3100, the tablet device is still in a nebulous stage and betting on it might not be the wisest thing to do.
The tablet is believed to sport a 7 inch 1024 x 600 pixel display, which incidentally is the same as Samsung’s very first tablet device, the Galaxy Tab 7. Further, the tablet will likely have an ARM11 mobile processor, which would mean that Samsung plans to use the Samsung S3C6410 Application processor on the tablet. This would enable the tablet to go up to speeds of 800Mhz. The tablet is therefore expected to boast a good battery life, given the low power ARM Processor that it is expected to have. Other details of the tablet are not known, like whether a camera will be present, or what the OS will be (it is expected to be Android 2.3 Gingerbread).
We have already have a lot of tablet devices in both the 7 and 10 inch segments, most of which can’t be called cheap but usually have all the features loaded. While the segment currently led by the iPad seems to have settled down, the budget segment will take some more time to reach that stage. Until then, it’s not a bad idea to have many of the mainstream players develop a presence.
via pocketnow
BookBaby Brings New Services to Indie Authors
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Photo by GoodEReader
GoodEReader has covered news and interviews with BookBabyin the past because they have shown themselves to be a company to watch in self- and digital publishing. With both print and ebook packages, as well as several other branches of the company that work in music distribution, website hosting, and more, they seem to be quietly seeking to be an all-encompassing provider for what authors need.
Now, BookBaby has added two new distribution platforms to its stream of retailers. Last week, BookBaby announced that authors who distribute via the site can have their ebooks listed through not only Amazon, Apple, Sony, and Barnes & Noble, but now Kobo and Copia as well.
BookBaby works on a rather different model than some of the other distributors out there. Rather than allowing authors to upload their manuscripts for free then taking a percentage of each sale—which is after the percentage the actual retailer will also take—BookBaby charges a one-time upload fee and then the remaining royalties belong to the author, other than what the catalogs like Amazon or Barnes and Noble charge.
GoodEReader interviewed BookBaby president Tony VanVeen and VP Steven Spatz at Digital Book World last month about their other new announcements, BookBaby’s print capabilities. The executives were on hand demonstrating the difference between a print-on-demand edition of a book from a mechanized source and having a low-run print edition. BookBaby operates on an updated version of an outdated model, namely, having authors pre-order and purchase up front a specific number of copies of their print editions, much like vanity presses. However, the two raised some interesting points in the interview about how they have taken that format and adapted it to today’s market with things like low order requirements (as little as fifty, compared to hundreds of copies through older vanity presses), the ability to return unsold titles for a refund, and more.
In many regards, BookBaby seems to have taken an alternate course from the mainstream indie publishing alternatives, and they’re making it work. After all, the reason authors went indie was to have a choice in how their books got to market, and BookBaby provides the self-publishing world with the ability to choose.
Good e-Reader Week In Review: Tablet News
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Reflecting on the happenings in the tablet field this past week, what comes to the fore is that there has been no major tablet launches during the period though the usual doses of rumors and speculation had its share of limelight all along. The biggest news of the past week has of course been the way the Apple iPad almost steamrolled the competition by announcing total sales for the last quarter to a staggering 15.43 million units. That’s not only more than all the Android tablets put together but also eclipses the sales total PC sales of bigwigs such as Dell, HP or Lenovo.
In other iPad news from the past week, the tablet will soon be provided to the students of Wisconsin Schools which in turn are being bought with money that the state got out of a court settlement with Microsoft. However, while all that is good news for Apple and its all conquering tablet device, the company though is finding itself on an increasingly slippery track in its court battles with Samsung. In the latest blow to Apple, Dutch court has ruled the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 does not infringe upon Apple iPad’s design patents. This is in lieu to a similar court ruling in Australia where the Samsung tablet has already been allowed to hit markets there. Vodafone Australia will be the first to offer the Galaxy Tab 10.1 there post the ban. Also while still on Samsung tablets, the Korean giant is rumored to be readying a new tablet device at the upcoming MCW event which many believe is the next gen version of the current Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Further continuing with rumors, Nokia too is touted to be readying a tablet that would run Windows 8.
The other big story from last week is the good showing of Android tablets like Amamzon Kindle Fire, B&N Nook Tablet or the Kobo Vox. Unfortunately, there is no way to make out just how good (or how bad) their sales were in the absence of any official sales figures. Market analysts though point out the tablets may have made up 40 percent of the total 10.5 million units of all Android tablet that found takers in the last quarter. Impressive figures it should be for Amazon, B&N or Kobo even if that has been achieved by pricing the tablets low. Also, all of that is certainly a lot better than the 1 million tablet sales figure reported by Motorola which has been achieved all of last year. Motorola has also stated it is ready to offer the Xyboard tablets.
For RIM and its PlayBook, this past week has been of mixed results. Like while Sprint is being shown to be ready to give up on the PlayBook, RIM, on its part, has already stated they have started work on the new upgraded PlayBook sequel.
As for news pertaining to Android 4.0, both Sony and HTC has stated they would be releasing the update to the latest Android version for the Tablet S/Tablet P and Flyer respectively in the coming months. Asus too will launch the ICS update for its first gen Transformer during mid February. Asus will also release the Transformer Prime Bootloader Unlock Tool next month. So that’s plenty of action coming up in the next few weeks.
In other tablet news for the past week, the Pantech Element is now available for $300, the Acer Iconia Tab A510, A700 will be hitting markets towards April while the ZTE Light Tab 2 and Optik tablets will reach the UK and US in February respectively.
Keep watching for more tablet news. Also remember to check Good e-Reader Android App Store to take care of all your app needs.
Kobo Explains Global Expansion, Looking Forward with Rakuten
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Kobo executive Michael Tamblyn was at Digital Book World speaking about the importance of ebook pricing to authors and publishers, as well as participating in a panel discussion on global adoption. He took a few moments to speak with GoodEReader about some issues facing the company as a whole.
The following video interview gives Tamblyn an opportunity to focus on some major issues, such as the recent expansion into the Netherlands and the deal with Rakuten. He touched on the possibility of Kobo reaching out to further Asian markets, as well as paid great attention to the viability of their self-publishing platform becoming a major distributor, especially in some untapped markets like Africa and South Asia.
Kobo Expands e-Readers to the Netherlands with Libris BLZ
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Kobo has now opened up shop officially in the Netherlands today in conjunction with their new business partner—Dutch retailer Libris Blz. Starting January 30th, you will be able to walk into one of their stores or order online and get free shipping. The only product the company is stocking right now is the Kobo Touch Reader, but we were told the Kobo Vox should be available next month.
“Through our new partnership with Libris Blz., we’re confident our expansion into the Netherlands will be a huge success,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo. “Kobo’s focus has always been to bring eReading and eBooks to people everywhere around the world. By launching in the Netherlands, and bringing eReading to the passionate Dutch reading community – we are one more country closer to delivering on that promise.”
“Libris Blz. and Kobo are a perfect fit, as we are driven by a strong passion for reading and books, and both organizations see great potential in eReading,” stated Caroline Damwijk, Managing Director of Libris Blz. B.V.
The deal between Kobo and Libris Blz marks the latest chapter in the European domination strategy that was outlined at last year’s London Book Fair. Since then, the company has expanded into the UK, France, Spain, and Germany.
How to load Android Apps on your Kobo Vox
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The Kobo Vox e-reader is the companies first Android tablet and with that operating systems comes a ton of flexibility. You can install your own alternative reading apps like Kindle, Nook, and Sony to read books via other companies. You can also install your own 3rd party applications like FBReader, Aldiko, and Moon+ Reader. With these programs you have the ability to load in your own books that you downloaded from the internet. The default Kobo Android Market via Getjar is sparsely populated and you will be hard-pressed to find quality apps through it.
We recently started our own web-based Google Android Market for e-Readers and this gives you a great alternative to the default one that comes on the Kobo. You now have the freedom to install many additional reading apps, games, kids apps, productivity and essential apps. Our video below documents the exact steps you need to take in order to prepare your e-reader to install 3rd party apps and then do it via our website.
Kobo Introduces Reading Life Integration with Facebook Timeline
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If you have a Kobo E-Reader by now you are aware of the deep social media imprint via Twitter and Facebook. With Reading Life you can earn rewards and achivements by reading books under different conditions. You have the unique ability to let your friends know all about your progress and even form virtual book-clubs. The company announced today that their apps and e-readers will have a new ability to provide Kobo readers with a more social and engaging reading experience as users can now share their Reading Life with Facebook Friends directly in their Timelines.
Starting today, people on Facebook can download the Kobo iOS app, and add Kobo Reading Life to their timeline. With Kobo Reading Life they can share their latest eBook activity with friends, from showing off their current read to staying atop of the hottest eBooks. Building upon the free downloadable Reading Life app launched in 2010, this new Reading Life feature for timeline adds a new dimension in Kobo’s commitment to making reading a more engaging social experience.
Right now it all starts on their iOS app, which is in effect their testing ground for new enhancements. The company has informed us that they are working on upcoming firmware updates for the Kobo Vox and Kobo Touch readers to give you the same ability.
Kobo Launches New Indie Reads Program
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Kobo is starting a new initiative focused on independent Canadian writers called Indie Reads. The promotion is running right now until January 22nd, and you can find huge deals on many lesser known authors. There are many genres under this new program, such as literary fiction to memoirs, mysteries, young adult reads, and more.
You can check out what books fall under this promotion and buy them instantly at http://www.kobobooks.com/indiereads
Rakuten Completes the Acquisition of Kobo
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Japanese E-Commence giant Rakuten has now officially completed their acquisition of Canadian based Kobo for $315 million dollars. 100% of the e-reader companies assets now belong to Rakuten and the future is uncertain for the future of their e-book store and e-book reader lineup. During the holiday season, Kobo saw record sales in terms of books and peddling devices such as the Kobo Vox and Kobo Touch.
I have been following Kobo since the company first launched its bookstore and started making its branded e-readers. The selling price really undervalued the company and I feel that if they would have waited a year, they would have made almost double the money. The only real benefit is the expansion into the Asian Market where e-readers have not really taken off into the mainstream like they have in North America. Kobo will continue to operate out of its Toronto, Ontario Canada headquarters, even though Rakuten is based out of Japan. Now that the deal is completed, it will be interesting to see whether the Kobo CEO and his management team will jump ship and start a new project. I have a feeling that Michael will stay in charge for the interim until he is replaced or chooses a successor, and then takes the upper echelon of the company and starts something new.
Kobo Experiences Record Growth During the Last Six Weeks
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Kobo announced today they have experienced record sales during the Christmas holidays. The company proclaimed today that they now have over five million registered users and that the user population has doubled during the last six weeks. They also saw sales dramatically increase by almost 5X, and the gifting of ebooks by 500%.
“This holiday season broke every foreseeable record for Kobo, and we have exceeded our expectations driving several ebook downloads per second through the holidays,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo. “I would like to thank our customers for choosing Kobo to start building their digital library – our success this holiday season is a precursor to a New Year with people reading more than ever thanks to eReaders, eBooks, and Kobo.”
Check out the Press Release for the full scoop.
Rate your experiences with Kobo Customer Service
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Kobo Customer Service is a wicked and harsh mistress! You only have to look as far as a few of our posts HERE and HERE with thousands of comments to see peoples utter disdain on the entire Kobo customer service experience. The company outsources all of its support to India and most of the call center representatives have never had a Kobo in their hands, in their life. This insures that most common questions and concerns are read from notes. Many people have sold us first hand experiences with waiting weeks to hear anything back from elevated support and most of the time they just bring their device back to the place of origin for a refund.
Kobo recognizes that many people are unhappy with the level of customer support they receive via email or telephone calls. A few months ago the company issued a press release to us and mentioned they are revising their technical support and customer service departments. This may have something to do with the Japanese company that purchased them a few months ago. There has been zero news or movement on what the company is actually doing to fix the many problems people are facing.
New Kobo Touch Firmware 1.9.16 Released
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The Kobo Touch is one of the most updated e-readers on the market and is constantly refined to give users the best experience. Today Kobo has released new firmware that provides a number of enhancements. Firstly the speed is dramatically increased for page turning and searching. The books themselves now have higher resolution fonts that make the text appear more crisp.
One of the biggest changes packed into this update is the way the home screen has changed. It has been made to be more simplified and only has Library, Store, and Reading Life as your main options. If you are looking for books that are much akin to the ones you purchased or loaded into your device, you are in luck! “Recommended for You,” is a new feature that will give you personalized options based on the books you own. If you dig a particular author, genre or book series, you can get new options to expand your literary horizons.
Finally, a number of new syncing options have been introduced into this firmware update. Icons for Settings, Sync and Help are now also available under the HOME menu. Sync anytime, anywhere by touching the cloud icon in the status bar. Sync progress is now shown as a progress bar at the top of the screen.
In order to run this update you want to download the newest edition of the Kobo Desktop Manager and then plug your device into your computer via the USB cable. Alternatively you can get the update pushed to you via WIFI.
