Google Play had a massive year when it came to digital downloads on e-readers, smartphones and tablets. There were over 116 billion app downloads on Google Play, which sets an all-time record. The other big thing that occured in 2019 was the release of Android 10, which was built around three important themes. First, Android 10 is shaping the leading edge of mobile innovation … [Read more...] about Google Play had 116 billion downloads in 2019
Archives for 2019
EU Court of Justice claims selling used ebooks is illegal
Publishers all over Europe have been fighting Tom Kabinet since 2014 and the European Court of Justice has issued a ruling, reselling used ebooks is illegal. It is basically a violation of copyright law. Tom Kabinet stated that the first sale doctrine should apply to ebooks and users should be able to do whatever they want with them, after they are legitimately purchased. … [Read more...] about EU Court of Justice claims selling used ebooks is illegal
Germany is lowering the VAT on ebooks to 7%
Germany plans on lowering the VAT on ebooks from 19% to 7% starting in January. This VAT reduction was made possible by the passing of the VAT Directive from 2018, which created the possibility of equal tax treatment for printed and digital publishing products. Germany is the second country to officially announce a change to the VAT policy for ebooks. The Netherlands was the … [Read more...] about Germany is lowering the VAT on ebooks to 7%
Hisense A5 is impossible to buy
The Hisense A5 is one of the most interesting E INK smartphones because it was going to retail for $150 and features 5.8 inches E Ink Carta display with a resolution of 640×720 and you will be able to adjust the screen brightness with the built in front-lit system, but it does not have amber LED lights. Underneath the hood is a Qualcomm 660 Octa-core processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB … [Read more...] about Hisense A5 is impossible to buy
Barnes and Noble discounts the Nook Glowlight Plus to $159
Barnes and Noble is running a sale on their latest generation Nook Glowlight Plus 7.8. They have slashed 20% off the regular price and is available in-store and online for $159. This discount is lower than their Black Friday promotion, so now is the time if you are thinking about buying this e-reader.The Nook features a E Ink Carta HD 7.8 inch display with a resolution of … [Read more...] about Barnes and Noble discounts the Nook Glowlight Plus to $159
Don Katz is no longer the CEO of Audible
Don Katz founded Audible in 1995 and turned it from a scrappy startup to the biggest audiobook retailer in the world. He sold the business to Amazon in 2008 for $300 million and remained the outspoken CEO, but it is time for a change. Starting on January the 2nd, media and publishing veteran Bob Carrigan will be the new CEO.Carrigan most recently was executive chairman of … [Read more...] about Don Katz is no longer the CEO of Audible
Onyx Boox MAX 3 and Note 2 receive new firmware update
The Onyx Boox Note 2 and the MAX 3 are receiving their first big firmware update and version 2.2.2 will allow users to take notes in digital comics and ebooks. They have also optimized the speech recognition interface, and add punctuation input. New features 1. Allow scribbles for flow documents. The pages with scribbles can be exported from TOC (do not support embedding … [Read more...] about Onyx Boox MAX 3 and Note 2 receive new firmware update
What is next for the Barnes and Noble Nook?
Barnes and Noble has been making Nook e-readers for a decade and they are one of the last ones from the early days still developing Nook products. This includes e-readers, tablets and accessories. The largest bookseller in the US is still going to compete in this segment, but what is next for the Nook?The Barnes and Noble Nook used to be a billion dollars business early in … [Read more...] about What is next for the Barnes and Noble Nook?
Overdrive Libby now has push notifications
Overdrive Libby is a relatively new app for Android and iOS that focuses on reading ebooks and listening to audiobooks. There is a new update that introduces push notifications, so you never have to worry about missing a hold or worrying about when a digital book is going to expire again.Push notifications can be enabled or disabled by the user and can some of the new … [Read more...] about Overdrive Libby now has push notifications
E-Book Benefits and Potential in Higher Education
Students nowadays rely on technology for almost everything because they can find it entangled in every part of our culture. They already know how important technology is and how can affect the way we play, learn, read and work. Given the mobiles and various wireless devices, students from all around the world rely on technology to satisfy their huge appetite for knowledge at … [Read more...] about E-Book Benefits and Potential in Higher Education
Kindle Kids Edition can now access audiobooks
Amazon has just pushed out a new firmware update for the Kindle Kids Edition that came out in October. This e-reader can now access Audible audiobooks from Kindle Freetime Unlimited, which is their subscription platform with kid friendly audiobooks, ebooks and other digital content. Parents can also add audiobooks to their kids profile, if they don't want the little ones buying … [Read more...] about Kindle Kids Edition can now access audiobooks
What’s next for the Kindle e-Reader?
The Amazon Kindle line of e-readers are in a good place. They have the Kindle Basic model with a front-lit display and a new E INK Carta screen. The Paperwhite 4 is now waterproof and the Oasis 3 has a new color temperature system to help mute the bright white screen, when reading at night. There is also the new Kindle for Kids edition, but they don't sell many of these. … [Read more...] about What’s next for the Kindle e-Reader?
Onyx is pushing out a great new update
Onyx has been slowly updating their entire line of e-notes and e-readers. The Note Pro and Nova Pro were the first two and many more will be updated in the ensuing weeks. You will be able to import images into your notes and protect the docs or your entire device with a password.There are plenty of note taking changes, aside from importing images. The screen will auto … [Read more...] about Onyx is pushing out a great new update
Amazon Echo devices can now play Apple and Spotify Podcasts
If you have an Amazon Echo product, you can already play audiobooks from Audible, but now you can play podcasts from Apple and Spotify. While you could ask Alexa to play a podcast, by default it would stream the latest episode of a show from TuneIn, and navigating beyond was abysmal and good luck trying to find a 3rd party skill.Apple currently has over 800,000 podcasts … [Read more...] about Amazon Echo devices can now play Apple and Spotify Podcasts