Amazon wants you to start sharing previews and samples of e-books you like with your friends via Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or texting. Your buddies who receive a share can instantly start reading right from their phone without having to make an Amazon account or install any software.I think there are a few obvious benefits to this new initiative by Amazon. If you just … [Read more...] about Amazon Wants you to Share e-book Previews with your Friends
Would you Visit London for a Harry Potter Stage Play?
On the 18th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, author J.K. Rowling has announced a new stage play to open next year. It is entitled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and will only be playing in London at the Palace Theater.Details are scant when it comes to the overall plot of the first stage play adaption of Harry Potter. Likely, it has something to … [Read more...] about Would you Visit London for a Harry Potter Stage Play?
Barnes and Noble Launching New Website Next Week
Barnes and Noble has announced that they are redesigning their website that sells e-books, e-readers and consumer products. It will launch next week and this is the primary reason why people have been reporting various issues, such as  pages not loading or certain functionality that is missing.During the financial quarterly results released yesterday the bookseller reported … [Read more...] about Barnes and Noble Launching New Website Next Week
Qualcomm is not giving up on Mirasol
Qualcomm Mirasol technology was originally developed for the next generation of color e-readers. The company has spent over two billion dollars trying to make it work but only a handful of devices ever employed it, such as the Kyobo and Koobe Jin Yong Reader. Since they failed to make a meaningful impact in the digital reader space they pivoted and started to optimize it for … [Read more...] about Qualcomm is not giving up on Mirasol
Barnes and Noble Nook Sales Decrease by 40%
Barnes and Noble has announced that they have had a dramatic decrease in Nook sales and sales have plummeted 40% in their last quarter. Â The Bookseller has also scraped their plans to spin the Nook division into its own company and has decided to keep the business in-house.Barnes and Noble just issued a press release that breaks down the 4th quarter results, but also gives … [Read more...] about Barnes and Noble Nook Sales Decrease by 40%
Amazon has become the next Great Library of Alexandria
The Great Library of Alexandria would be the subject of an epic Hollywood movie. It was the grandest institution of learning in the ancient world and comprised of 700,000 scrolls, the equivalent of more than 100,000 modern printed books. When it famously burned down, its destruction has become a symbol for the loss of cultural knowledge. It took thousands of years but we now … [Read more...] about Amazon has become the next Great Library of Alexandria
CBC Interviews Michael Kozlowski on Library e-books
Libraries all over Canada are disheartened because of the high cost associated with e-books. This has prompted a new coalition to be formed that is trying to bring public awareness to just how bad it is getting.The Toronto Public Library, Canadian Library Council, Ontario Library Association and the Canadian Library Association want to bring awareness to the super high … [Read more...] about CBC Interviews Michael Kozlowski on Library e-books
EL James Grey Sells 1.1 Million Copies in 4 Days
E.L. James has just released a new book that is entitled Grey. It retells the original 50 Shades of Grey from the prospective of Christian Grey and it looks to be a smash for the book selling industry. The title has sold over 1.1 million copies in the first four days.Vintage Books has confirmed that 1.1 million copies of Grey have been sold in audiobook, e-book and print in … [Read more...] about EL James Grey Sells 1.1 Million Copies in 4 Days
Harlequin Launches Innovative Rewards Program
Harlequin has just launched a new rewards program in Canada and the United States. Readers can get Skype conversations with their favorite authors, gift basket or autographed books.A new website has been established called Harlequin My Rewards and readers can earn points by leaving online book reviews, buying books and participating in fun mini surveys.Now I know … [Read more...] about Harlequin Launches Innovative Rewards Program
Dark Horse Digital Comics now on ComiXology
Dark Horse has finally made the decision to make their entire library of digital comics available on ComiXology. The publisher was the last major holdout from signing a deal and they now join Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Dynamite, BOOM! Studios, IDW, Archie, Top Cow and Image Comics -- along with a slew of smaller publishers.More than 800 Dark Horse Comics titles have become … [Read more...] about Dark Horse Digital Comics now on ComiXology
Australia Passes New Law to Stem the Tide of e-Book Piracy
Australia has just passed a new law that would require internet service providers to block websites that show pirated material, such as e-books. The websites are not up to the internet companies, instead publishers and rights holders have to make a case to the Federal government and demand sites whose "primary purpose" is the illegal sharing of copyrighted material be … [Read more...] about Australia Passes New Law to Stem the Tide of e-Book Piracy
English Bookstores are Thriving in China
There has been a steady tide of new bookstores opening in China in the last few years and English titles are selling at a rapid pace. This is primarily attributed to foreignness and the rising middle class looking to learn the language.Research data shows that there are ten million English-language speakers in China, and three hundred million English-language learners. This … [Read more...] about English Bookstores are Thriving in China
Amazon is Changing Product Reviews
Amazon has taken the first steps to augment product reviews, one of the largest initiatives the company has taken in their 20 year history. Â Amazon reviews have proved to be critical for people looking to buy a product and have come to trust Amazon more than any other website.A new in-house machine learning program will be putting more weight on verified purchases, new … [Read more...] about Amazon is Changing Product Reviews