Three years ago the developers of Cyanogen formed their own corporation to focus on their own operating system and license it out to other phone manufactures. They signed a deal with OnePlus to have their OS on all of their smartphones, but that deal fell through. They also got an influx for cash from Microsoft to preload all of their office apps. The phones that employ the … [Read more...] about Cyanogen might shift from OS development to Apps
Archives for July 2016
Amazon Flex Drivers Will Deliver a Secret Release on July 31
Amazon has just sent an email to their Flex Drivers that let them know that there is a special midnight to 2 AM secret release on July 31st. Amazon was cagey and did not tell the drivers what the product was, which is leading to speculation that this is not the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Screenplay. Amazon Flex drivers are contracted drivers who deliver Amazon … [Read more...] about Amazon Flex Drivers Will Deliver a Secret Release on July 31
Indigo is Planning to Renovate Nearly Every Bookstore
Chapters Indigo are planning on renovating almost every single bookstore in Canada within the next two years. The bookseller is pleased with their new Sherway Gardens location in Toronto and it is basically billed as a cultural department store. Indigo now plans on adopting this model in almost every major market in Canada. The Sherway Gardens location is a new concept store … [Read more...] about Indigo is Planning to Renovate Nearly Every Bookstore
Canadian and US Bookstore Trends for 2017
The year is half over and we now have a sense on how bookstores, digital publishing and the book selling industry are faring. What are going to be the big trends for 2017? Barnes and Noble Barnes and Noble bookstore sales have remained flat this year, but the company may see more print sales in 2017 due to a few factors. Hastings books is closing 126 stores and Powell’s … [Read more...] about Canadian and US Bookstore Trends for 2017
Booktrack’s Days are Numbered
Booktrack is a company that develops soundtracks to books. It started in 2011 and has raised around three million dollars to stay in business. Their technology didn’t seem to take off with consumers and the only way to listen to them is with their proprietary app. I fear Booktrack's days are numbered. Booktrack took advantage of most of the hype surrounding the enhanced … [Read more...] about Booktrack’s Days are Numbered
Due to Competition Sony Discounted the DPT-S1 to $599
When Sony entered the market a couple of years ago with their DPT-S1 Digital Paper, they were the only game in town. Within a few short years there are numerous companies that offer a 13.3 inch e-reader with more features and they are starting to really takeoff in the market. Sony is trying to stay relevant with a series of price drops and the company has just discounted their … [Read more...] about Due to Competition Sony Discounted the DPT-S1 to $599
Corning Unveils Gorilla Glass 5
Gorilla Glass 5 might not make it to your new smartphone anytime soon, but if you are a total klutz you will want to pay attention. The new glass technology will survive drops 80% of the time when dropped face-down from 1.6 meters onto rough surfaces, far outperforming Gorilla Glass 4 which only will survive a drop from a meter high. Internal research done by Corning showed … [Read more...] about Corning Unveils Gorilla Glass 5
Amazon now offers student loans
Amazon has just partnered with Wells Fargo to offer student loans. Diligent young scholars will receive better terms if they subscribe to Amazon Prime for Students. Right now this program is only available online, but it will be only a matter of time before Amazon starts offering it in all of their drop centers and university bookstores. "Amazon's looking for increased … [Read more...] about Amazon now offers student loans
Audible is Focused on Audiobook Education
Audible has been running classes at some of the most prestigious schools in the United States. Their mandate is to teach the next generation how to narrate an audiobook and consider it as a viable career path. Recently, Audible has announced that they are going to be expanding on education with a series of webcasts to reach a wider audience. The Audiobook Creation … [Read more...] about Audible is Focused on Audiobook Education
Google Play Books Unveils Bubble Zoom
Google Play Books has just released a new feature to make digital comic reading more viable, it's called Bubble Zoom. It allows you to isolate specific frames that contain bubble text within a comic, without compromising the full-page experience. Google got into selling single issue and graphic novels directly in 2014 when it signed a deal with DC. It eventually ironed out … [Read more...] about Google Play Books Unveils Bubble Zoom