Welcome to another Good e-Reader Week in Review. This week we have seen a few new e-readers and tablet computers released. We also take a look at Borders and BookBrewer’s new self publishing program ‘Get Published’.
Over the past week we have done a ton of video reviews and video comparisons. We reviewed the Barnes and Noble Nook WI-FI,S Sony PRS-650 and Sony PRS-350.
Of course, with Good E-Reader Week in Review, we always summarize the most noteworthy events of the week. If you want to read the full story or see the videos, click on the title of the article.
News Publishers Jumping on Tablet Bandwagon
Major Newspapers are trying to undergo a transitional change as they try and recoup some of the loses they are experiencing with the shift away from the traditional paper form format. With all of the current deals and news announced in the last few days, it looks like their will soon be a paradigm shift in the way news is more accessible and delivered.
Walmart will offer iPad starting next week
With competition slowly gaining in strength and is showing every signs of becoming even more fierce with each passing day, Apple too can be seen upping the ante and is doing all the right things that should be done to hold on to its turf. Like not only is the company raising the bar with regard to the technological aspects of the tablet, apart from trying to stretch its hold across different segments by developing iPads of different smaller sizes, Apple is also making sure the iPad is available to an even wider section of the people. Selling at Wallmart is a good idea, because most of Small Town America might not have a Bestbuy or Apple Store, but most have a Wallmart.
Verizon might launch the Galaxy Tab on Nov 1
With Sprint and T-Mobile already having spilled the beans with their launch schedules as well as the pricing structure of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, it’s now Verizon’s turn to come up with its part of the story. Rumor has it that the Galaxy Tab with the Verizon stamp on it might be coming on to the big scene on the 1st of November. This is interesting, for if this turns out to be true, it will be on the same day as the Galaxy Tab is pegged to break cover in the UK. Also, if the Galaxy Tab comes out on the 1st of November, it will be a good 2 weeks ahead of the Sprint or T-Mobile version of the Galaxy Tab.
Review of the Sony PRS-350 Pocket Edition e-Reader
We just got our hands on the new Sony PRS-350 Pocket Edition! They certainly got it right with this new model. Page turns are super fast, 16 shades of greyscale and a stylus to take notes. eBooks display really well, and have a ton of different font sizes. Although it not does have wi-fi, its a great portable e-reader. You can check out the unboxing video here and the video review here.
Shop e-Readers Store open for business
Out retail partner Shop e-Readers has opened for business! They are selling tons of different e-readers, such as the Amazon Kindle Graphite 3G and WI-FI model. They also are carrying both 3G and WI versions of the Barnes and Noble Nook. If you are looking for the Kobo Wireless that comes out Monday, or the original they have those as well.
Not only can you buy a ton of different e-readers, but you can buy cases, pouches, decals and other USB cables for your e-reader to mod it up. All E-Readers come with 100 free ebooks, and a DVD Video Tutorial that teaches you how to use your e-reader. This is great, for people that might not be tech savvy, or this is their first e-reader.They also ship internationally.
Check them out today at http://www.shopereaders.com
Notion ink final prototype revealed
We reported a few weeks ago that that Notion Ink CEO Rohan Shravan was going to be picking up the final versions of the Notion Ink Adam from the manufacturing factory in China. It now looks like we now have a clear indication on how the final version will look like.
Although this version is not the commercial release version, Notion Ink has a time line of Oct 22 for the colors picked by the community we reported on. Notion Ink is soliciting customers opinions on the different colors they want to see the Adam debut in. After that, in early November the final Production units will begin to roll out from the factory into our eagerly awaiting hands.
Introducing Amazon Kindle Singles
Amazon has released a new type of ebook dubbed “Kindle Singles.” It basically falls between a fall novel and a feature cover story in a magazine. They will have their own section in the Kindle store and is designed to appeal to people who are more into filler content between novels.
Amazon debuts Kindle for the Web
A few days ago Amazon quietly initiated a new beta program entitled “Kindle for the Web.” This new pilot program makes it even easier for customers to discover new books and authors by sampling Kindle books directly through web browsers–no installation or downloading required. Amazon is also inviting bloggers and website owners who are participants in the Amazon Associates Program to be part of Kindle for the Web by embedding samples of Kindle books on their websites. These website owners will earn referral fees from Amazon when customers complete book purchases using the links on their websites.
Kobo vs the Barnes and Noble Nook WiFI
We took a look over the last week about the Kobo and Nook WI-FI. We compare both e-readers side by side. We evaluate page turn speeds, menu functions, and features of both e-readers.
Rogers to launch Dell Streak early November
It looks like Canadians will be able to get their hands on the Dell Streak starting in November. UK and USA people got access to it in the summer, and it still is running Android 1.6, but should get the upgrade to 2.2 in a month or two.
Review of the Barnes and Noble Nook Wi-Fi
This week we took a look at the new Barnes and Noble Nook WI-FI! This is a pure video review, where we show off all the key features! We show you things like how to configure WI-FI and menu functions.
Borders and BookBrewer to release GET PUBLISHED
In a two part series we dive into the program by BookBrewer and Borders. It is a new self publishing program for authors to create their own e-books. On a two tier payment system you can get an ebook distributed to Borders, Amazon and more! On the higher tier option you can even distribute it yourself and get a full DRM Free copy of your ebook. Check out our expanded review with comments from the developers here
That about wraps it up for this weeks Week in Review! Of course you can check out our Review of the Sony PRS-650 HERE.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
