Those of you with a Pinterest addiction that rivals mine will be delighted to hear that the Android version of the app has received an overhaul that includes a move vibrant and intuitive user interface (iPhone users have been enjoying this major update for a few weeks now, so it's about time). In addition to the new look and feel, loading the app is also opening faster than … [Read more...] about Pinterest App Receives Makeover for Android Devices
Archives for November 2014
Skype Update Lets You Multitask During Calls
In a major update to Skype, you can continue your video call without interruption if you leave the app with picture-in-picture support. This means the person you are calling won't know if you've left the app to check your email (or browse Facebook), with Skype now maintaining a clear video picture all the while (in a re-positionable window that runs on top of whatever you are … [Read more...] about Skype Update Lets You Multitask During Calls
Sony Cuts Back Smartphone Lineup
It wasn't very long ago that Samsung announced their plans to cut back their smartphone line-up --this time, it's Sony doing the same thing. Where once it seemed like Sony was on top of the tech world and could do no wrong, now they are struggling to carve out a competitive piece of the mobile market. Reducing their smartphone lineup by as much as 30% should help return … [Read more...] about Sony Cuts Back Smartphone Lineup
Moscow Metro Riders Get Free eBooks
The Moscow Metro has unveiled an ambitious new plan to give free eBooks away to riders. This pilot project is only starting at a handful of subway stations and once all of the kinks have been worked out will expand to over 195. Riders will be able to get free access to Nikolai Gogol’s Nose, Alexander Pushkin’s Egyptian Nights, Anton Chekhov’s About Love, and Fyodor … [Read more...] about Moscow Metro Riders Get Free eBooks
Can e-Books Ever Overtake Print?
A number of analysts have been proclaiming that within a few years digital eBooks will overtake print. PricewaterhouseCoopers is one of the most notorious, who recently said this will occur in 2018. Is this possible? In the United States and Britain, sales of eBooks represent between a quarter and a third of the consumer book market. According to a recent survey by Nielsen … [Read more...] about Can e-Books Ever Overtake Print?
The Best e-Readers and Tablets for the 2014 Holidays
Welcome to another Video Installment of the Good e-Reader Gift Giving Guide! Last month we did one on the best e-readers of 2014 and today we are basically looking back on 2014 and giving our advice for the best devices to buy yourself or a loved one. Peter and myself have very different views on technology, so you can get a sense on what we loved the most. … [Read more...] about The Best e-Readers and Tablets for the 2014 Holidays
JetBlue to Provide eBooks as in-flight Entertainment
If you are a seasoned airline traveler, likely you will be familiar with the quintessential in-flight entertainment system. It provides an animated map with the location of your flight and also a host of movies, television shows, music and children's content. You can now add eBooks to the list to keep the literary minded entertained. Starting November 26, HarperCollins will … [Read more...] about JetBlue to Provide eBooks as in-flight Entertainment
Gates Foundation Mandates Research it Funds Must Provide Free Digital Access
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funds thousands of health and research scientists to solve many of the worlds most dire issues. Until this point, the reports and data the foundation funded were sometimes published in magazines, sold online and generally out of reach for the general public. This is set to change. The Gates Foundation has announced that starting in 2017 … [Read more...] about Gates Foundation Mandates Research it Funds Must Provide Free Digital Access
Amazon Prepares for Free Video Service
In many ways, Netflix has enjoyed being the de facto standard in the video streaming game --but that is all starting to change. Other services are gaining ground, particularly Amazon, and especially with their plans for a free video service (where currently you must have a $99/year Prime membership). Some of you might recall that this isn't the first time that the rumour … [Read more...] about Amazon Prepares for Free Video Service
Readers who Borrow e-Books from the Library Don’t Buy More Books
Sometimes we get spoiled in North America with the sheer of amount of options available to borrow eBooks from the library. Statistically over 90% of all libraries in North America have a digital collection and patrons can access all of the content remotely. Things are different in the United Kingdom where only a few major libraries have bothered with a modern eBook … [Read more...] about Readers who Borrow e-Books from the Library Don’t Buy More Books
Never got an Autograph from your Favorite Author? B&N Has you Covered
Serious readers have their favorite fiction or non-fiction authors and getting their autograph can be tremendously fulfilling. If you don't live in a major urban center the prospects of getting something signed is challenging to say the least. Barnes and Noble, the largest bookseller in the US is undertaking a massive new initiative this upcoming Black Friday, by offering over … [Read more...] about Never got an Autograph from your Favorite Author? B&N Has you Covered
Digimarc Explains the Evolution of Social DRM in eBooks
The European publishing industry has firmly embraced social DRM or digital watermark technology to protect and secure their eBook content. Many of the leading online bookstores in the Netherlands and Poland have been distributing books in this fashion for over five years. Social DRM or Digital Watermarks basically are basically alternatives to Adobe Digital Editions. Unlike … [Read more...] about Digimarc Explains the Evolution of Social DRM in eBooks
The Philippines Starts to Combat Book Piracy
The Philippines has become rather serious at combating book piracy in schools and on the consumer level. They are doing this to attract major publishers from Europe and the United States. US based publishers have been unable to market their textbooks and print books to the Philippines because of sanctions imposed by the United States Trade Representatives 301 Report. This … [Read more...] about The Philippines Starts to Combat Book Piracy
Digital Magazine Consumption Rises 50% in Canada
Digital magazine consumption has risen 50% in the last twelve months in Canada according to new figures from The Print Measurement Bureau’s Fall report. The Print Measurement Bureau is not exactly a household name, but they have been chronicling the rise of digital reading habits since 2013. One of the most interesting figures is the fact that only 2.9 million Canadians are … [Read more...] about Digital Magazine Consumption Rises 50% in Canada
Google Sets Sights on App Store in China
Android users in China (now numbering in the ten of millions) will be happy to know that many of them will have access to Google's app store (hopefully, at least). Though a specific launch date has yet to be discussed, Google is working with a legal team to get plans together (many of the core Google Play services, like Gmail and Maps, are currently being blocked in China). … [Read more...] about Google Sets Sights on App Store in China
Will Apple Start Paying out $400 Million in eBook Credits Soon?
Apple has just received the green light from a court in New York that will finally begin offering iBooks customers refunds from a pool of prospective pool of $400 million dollars. This specific amount is dependent on the court upholding a 2013 verdict where an appeal brought the figure down to a paltry $50 million. The final number that Apple will have to pay consumers will … [Read more...] about Will Apple Start Paying out $400 Million in eBook Credits Soon?