e-Readers continue to be one of the most sought after gifts for the Christmas season for people who love books and want to carry an entire library in their pocket. The vast majority of these devices have really come down in price and make great gifts for yourself or a loved one. There is a severe lack of data when it comes to the most popular e-readers, until now.Over the … [Read more...] about Data – What e-reader are you buying for Christmas?
Archives for December 2016
Overdrive Releases New Android App Called Libby
The Overdrive research and development division have just released their first app and it is called Libby. It was designed to put the emphasis on audiobooks where patrons can stream them online or listen to them offline, it also has a solid e-book engine.Libby can do a few things that the main Overdrive app cannot. You can sign in to multiple libraries, with one or more … [Read more...] about Overdrive Releases New Android App Called Libby
Amazon Introduces Alexa for Video and Rapids to Fire OS
Amazon is in the process of pushing out a new firmware update for their Fire OS that brings a number of new features. This includes Alexa on Fire Tablets with Video support and the new Amazon Rapids app that is aimed at children and tells stories in a completely new way.  This update is available for the Fire HD 10, Fire HD 8, and the $50 Fire tablet.Alexa on Fire … [Read more...] about Amazon Introduces Alexa for Video and Rapids to Fire OS
Global Audiobook Trends and Statistics for 2017
Publishers have experienced an utterly deplorable year for e-book sales and most of them have seen declines by around 12%, things have gotten so bad that most of them do not even report how many units were sold. They speak in broad generalities, which does not bode well for the future of the format.Over the course of the past three years the highest growing segment of … [Read more...] about Global Audiobook Trends and Statistics for 2017
E Ink is now selling e-paper directly to developers
E Ink has just unveiled an online store where they are directly selling e-paper displays for e-readers  and also niche segments such as luggage tags, grocery labels and smartwatches. This marks the first occasion in which E Ink is getting involved in assisting startups and developers with providing the screens they need to be able create their own products.In the past, if … [Read more...] about E Ink is now selling e-paper directly to developers
Amazon Kindle Manga Model Review
Amazon released a new Kindle e-reader in Japan a few months ago and it was designed to give manga readers the best experience possible. The Kindle Manga Reader features 32 GB of internal memory and a new Ultra-Fast Skimming engine that dramatically enhances the page turn speed when reading manga and e-books.HardwareThe Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Manga Edition has an … [Read more...] about Amazon Kindle Manga Model Review
Kobo Writing Life Shutdown Notice
Kobo Writing Life manually vets the e-books submitted to their service to ensure that quality content is being submitted to their online store and sold worldwide. In a recent email to authors, Kobo has disclosed that over the upcoming Christmas season they are not going to be publishing anything, until the staff have returned. "Just a reminder that as the holiday season … [Read more...] about Kobo Writing Life Shutdown Notice
Kobo Issues New Firmware Update for Kobo Aura One and Edition 2
Kobo has just issued the second major firmware update for the Kobo Aura One and Kobo Aura Edition 2. The 4.2.8110 patch file is available to download via WIFI and it solves a number of lingering issues such as the battery drain problem on the Aura One.Wishlist added to the store. Battery drain improvements for Kobo Aura ONE. Auto Brightness improvements for Kobo … [Read more...] about Kobo Issues New Firmware Update for Kobo Aura One and Edition 2
The End of IndieReader
The publishing revolution has been a long and winding road, but through it all, there have been some powerhouse companies--both large and small--that have worked to bring books of every kind into the spotlight. One company, IndieReader, launched in 2009 with a very specific goal: the fan the flames of an indie book movement that had the same credibility and following of the … [Read more...] about The End of IndieReader
3 Old James Patterson Novels Will Soon Be Available as eBooks
The vast majority of James Patterson's novels have been available as e-books for a long time, but the first three Alex Cross can only be purchased at your local bookstore. This will change on January 1st when Arrow Publishing will be releasing Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls and Jack and Jill on Amazon.These three novels originally came out in 1993, 1995 and 1996. They … [Read more...] about 3 Old James Patterson Novels Will Soon Be Available as eBooks
Germany Boycotts Elsevier journals
60 major German research institutions are boycotting Elsevier journals and will no longer be paying the company for access starting January 1st 2017.  Göttingen University and many other top schools will unable to access  most archived issues of journals, and individual e-packages for the economic sciences in particular.The schools and research institutions have cancelled … [Read more...] about Germany Boycotts Elsevier journals
European Publishers Say E-Books Account for 6% of Total Sales in 2015
The European publishing industry generated significant revenue last year, but it took a very long time to tabulate all of the data.  575,000 new books were published and they generated over €22.3 billion worth sales from 28 member countries.The report also noted that four million titles are available in digital formats, a number which the report said “has been spiked by the … [Read more...] about European Publishers Say E-Books Account for 6% of Total Sales in 2015
Barnes and Noble Restaurants Suffer a Setback
Barnes and Noble has been heavily promoting their new concept stores that feature an extensive hot food menu and alcohol. Only one store has opened in New York, although there are a few under varying degrees of construction. Long-time Barnes & Noble executive Jaime Carey was in charge of this division since June and he has suddenly resigned from the company.Jaime … [Read more...] about Barnes and Noble Restaurants Suffer a Setback
Amazon Prime Video Now Available in Over 200 Countries
Amazon has just unveiled their global Prime Video program and is making all of their original content and other movies available. The company has just launched a new website at PrimeVideo.com where individuals living in regions without an official Amazon site can go to sign up. If you live in Belgium, Canada, France, India, Italy, and Spain you can download the Amazon Video app … [Read more...] about Amazon Prime Video Now Available in Over 200 Countries