In early December Google announced a new initiative that would be available to publishers. It would convert ebooks to audiobooks using a combination of text-to-speech and WaveNet-based natural voices that can handle complex names, dates, times, and other text authentically. Customizations that range from pitch to speaking rate and volume gain are available in the Cloud TTS … [Read more...] about Google has released some free audiobooks using new TTS system
Archives for 2020
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Android tablet with SD 730G chipset, 11.5-inch display now available for $500
The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is finally available to buy months after it was announced back in August. Also, at $499.99 for the base model, it makes a strong case for itself given the specs it comes with, which makes it quite a premium offering in the mid-range Android tablet segment.The 11.5-inch OLED display offers exceptional clarity and is lit up by 2,560 x 1600 pixels. On … [Read more...] about Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Android tablet with SD 730G chipset, 11.5-inch display now available for $500
The Best AudioBooks to Enjoy on Your Kindle this Year
Since the advent of the Kindle, it was geared towards reading ebooks. This all changed a couple of years ago when the latest generation models shipped with Bluetooth support for wireless headphones. Amazon then added an Audible selection to the Kindle Store, so it is now possible to buy and listen to audiobooks right on the Kindle, instead of relying on smartphone apps. Here … [Read more...] about The Best AudioBooks to Enjoy on Your Kindle this Year
Staedtler Noris EMR Classic and Jumbo Stylus Review
Staedtler is a great company out of Germany that produces pens, pencils, markers and now digital EMR styluses. They have two different variants that are made of real wood, the classic and jumbo. These have plastic nibs and when you purchase one, it comes with 5 replacement nibs and a removal tool. The great thing about these, is that they work with virtually any e-reader or … [Read more...] about Staedtler Noris EMR Classic and Jumbo Stylus Review
You can now root the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 4
There have been various rooting methods for the Kindle Paperwhite 4, but most need to be on very old firmware and modern Kindles have a higher version when you buy it for the first time or have owned it for a number of years. Amazon tends to push out a new update once every couple of months, which close loopholes and introduce new features. There is a new rooting method that … [Read more...] about You can now root the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 4
Overdrive discontinues the Libby app for Windows
Overdrive has been distributing their Libby app via the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 since the OS launched. People were able to listen to audiobooks and read ebooks on their computer or tablet, such as the Microsoft Surface. Overdrive has discontinued their Windows app and it is no longer available to download. People who already had the app installed, are getting a popup … [Read more...] about Overdrive discontinues the Libby app for Windows
Padmu Single and Dual Screen Lumi models available in January
Padmu is a great company that exclusively focuses on musicians. They developed their own operating system for Android that allows users to sideload or purchase sheet music in PDF. You can edit or make annotations with them via an accompanied stylus. Page turns can be done with virtually any Bluetooth enabled foot pedal or other type of device, it can even be plugged into the … [Read more...] about Padmu Single and Dual Screen Lumi models available in January
What is next for e-readers and e-notes in 2021?
There were more new e-readers and digital note taking devices with E INK screens released this year, than any other year. This shows you how strong the segment is becoming. Where once all we had to choose from where 6 inch e-readers, we now have more choice than ever before with screen size. Devices now have companion apps, where you can easily sync over your entire collection … [Read more...] about What is next for e-readers and e-notes in 2021?
Xiaomi Mi Book Reader Pro is now avaialble
The Xiaomi Mi BooK Reader Pro is now available for around $289 USD and is primary geared towards a Chinese audience. The first generation e-reader was 6 inches and this one has a much larger 7.8 inch display. The specs on the new model absolutely trounces the original model and is a worthy upgrade for those of you that want to read on a much larger screen.The new Mi EBook … [Read more...] about Xiaomi Mi Book Reader Pro is now avaialble
Supernote A5X is now available for pre-order
Supernote has been rumored to be developing a second generation A5 10.3 inch digital note taking device for the past six months. It looks like the company has attained all of the regulatory certifications and the A5X is now available for pre-order from Good e-Reader for $449 and it ships in the middle of January 2021.The brand new Supernote A5X is running Google Android 8.1 … [Read more...] about Supernote A5X is now available for pre-order
ebook sales in the US were up 20.4% in October
Digital book revenues were up 20.4% for the month as compared to October of 2019 for a total of $96.9 million. On a year-to-date basis, ebook sales were up 16.5%, generating $956.3 million for the first ten months of 2020. This format has seen tremendous growth this year, as thousands of bookstores were closed during the global pandemic and people started to buy ebooks online. … [Read more...] about ebook sales in the US were up 20.4% in October
Funimation purchases Crunchyroll for $1.2 Billion
Funimation and Crunchyroll are two of the largest subscription based anime and manga streaming platforms. They tend to post anime the day it airs in Japan, allowing people access to material and helping curb piracy. Last Week, Sony Pictures announced that AT&T and Warner Media agreed to sell Crunchyroll to Funimation. The deal was in the works for the past couple of months … [Read more...] about Funimation purchases Crunchyroll for $1.2 Billion
Goodreads disables their API program
GoodReads has an API program that they have been running since 2010. Developers could get access to metadata, cover art, book descriptions and a host of other data. The company has quietly suspended the ability for new keys to access the API and has already been emailing developers, telling them their API access has been shut off.Some developers have taken to the API … [Read more...] about Goodreads disables their API program