Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sharp Galapagos media tablets will bring 3G and EPUB content to US e-reader market in 2011]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/sharp-galapagos-media-tablets-will-bring-3g-and-epub-content-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/sharp-galapagos-media-tablets-will-bring-3g-and-epub-content-to/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/30/sharp-galapagos-media-tablets-will-bring-3g-and-epub-content-to/#comments We like a bit of ambition around these parts and Sharp's plans for entering the US e-reader battlefield reek of the stuff. The Galapagos tablets that recently enjoyed their Japanese debut are going to be retooled, according to the Mainichi Daily News, to include new 3G radios for the internet-addicted US consumer, while the primary content format will also be switched from the proprietary XMDF in Japan to the almost universally compatible EPUB. Content partnerships are said to be brewing as we type, because, quite naturally, Sharp intends to have its own e-bookstore for Americans as well. After the Yanks, the company's said to be looking into bringing its 5.5- and 10.8-inch tablets to China, India, and Brazil. Highly ambitious indeed.

Sharp Galapagos media tablets will bring 3G and EPUB content to US e-reader market in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brazilchinae booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersepubgalapagosindiamedia tabletMediaTabletplansroadmapschedulesharpslatetabletususaThu, 30 Dec 2010 05:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Google eBooks is live: just in case Amazon, B&N, and Apple aren't enough]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/google-ebooks-is-live-just-in-case-amazon-bandn-and-apple-aren/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/google-ebooks-is-live-just-in-case-amazon-bandn-and-apple-aren/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/google-ebooks-is-live-just-in-case-amazon-bandn-and-apple-aren/#comments You hear about this whole e-books thing? We hear it's gonna be a pretty big deal. Google, always with its finger on the pulse of our ever-evolving digital lifestyles, has decided to take a wild stab at this nascent market, and is launching Google eBooks today. Formerly known as Google Editions, the Google eBooks ecosystem is actually a pretty grand gesture, and seems to combine most of the positives of the primary e-book contenders (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple, naturally), while skimping on the UI flourishes, in traditional Google fashion. Books you buy are stored in the cloud, with your progress synced Whispersync-style, and can be read on your choice of native Android, iPhone, or iPad apps; from your browser; or on any device that supports the Adobe Digital Editions DRM for PDF and ePub files, which includes the B&N Nook and the Sony Reader (and plenty of other devices). Google is also trading on its vast repository of public domain books, with 3 million free eBooks on offer at its Google eBookstore, in addition to traditional paid fare. It's certainly a crowded market, full of sharp elbows, but it seems Google is having no trouble adjusting.

Continue reading Google eBooks is live: just in case Amazon, B&N, and Apple aren't enough

Google eBooks is live: just in case Amazon, B&N, and Apple aren't enough originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobeadobe digital editionsAdobeDigitalEditionsandroidappse booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersepubgooglegoogle ebooksgoogle ebookstoregoogle editionsGoogleEbooksGoogleEbookstoreGoogleEditionsipadiphonenookpdfreadersony readerSonyReadervideoMon, 06 Dec 2010 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Borders enlists BookBrewer for its e-publishing portal, 'Time Cube' guy asks where to sign up]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/15/borders-enlists-bookbrewer-for-its-e-publishing-portal-time-cu/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/15/borders-enlists-bookbrewer-for-its-e-publishing-portal-time-cu/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/15/borders-enlists-bookbrewer-for-its-e-publishing-portal-time-cu/#comments
We guess that Barnes & Noble can't have all the fun, huh? You'll soon have another option for self-publishing your wildly fantastical (and wonderfully fact-free) rants: Borders has announced that it'll be using the BookBrewer platform for its new eBook publishing service. Beginning October 25, $90 will get you one ePUB format book, complete with ISBN and distribution to "all major eBook stores," including Borders and Amazon. Does that mean that your pamphlet, EARTH HAS 4 CORNER SIMULTANEOUS 4-DAY TIME CUBE IN ONLY 24 HOUR ROTATION will finally be taken seriously? Nah, probably not. PR after the break.

Continue reading Borders enlists BookBrewer for its e-publishing portal, 'Time Cube' guy asks where to sign up

Borders enlists BookBrewer for its e-publishing portal, 'Time Cube' guy asks where to sign up originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookbook brewerBookBrewerbooksbordersdigital contentDigitalContente booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersEBookebooksepubEReaderEReadersnookPubItpublishsalesself publishself publishingFri, 15 Oct 2010 12:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Ebook publishers seek universal format, lament Apple and Amazon's closed ecosystems]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/ebook-publishers-seek-universal-format-lament-apple-and-amazon/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/ebook-publishers-seek-universal-format-lament-apple-and-amazon/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/ebook-publishers-seek-universal-format-lament-apple-and-amazon/#comments You don't need to sit down, we're not about to hit you with any shocking news, but a recent BookExpo America convention has given publishers the chance to air out their laundry list of complaints. Seriously, do these guys ever have anything positive to say? Now they've managed to pinpoint a flaw in the Kindle and iPad's resounding success, identifying the two ebook reading platforms as closed, and expressing a yearning for a universal and open format that all books can be published and consumed on. Of course, they wouldn't be publishers if they didn't also lust after robust DRM measures, which might explain why they're not roundly supporting the readily available EPUB format. It has DRM options, but perhaps they're not gnarly enough for the dudes responsible for bringing us the psychological horror of the Twilight series. We still don't like the suggestion that the people, Amazon primarily, who popularized this market should just open it up out of the goodness of their own hearts -- maybe we would if publishers ever showed themselves capable of doing similarly noble things.

Ebook publishers seek universal format, lament Apple and Amazon's closed ecosystems originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon kindleAmazonKindleappleapple ipadAppleIpadbookexpobookexpo americaBookexpoAmericabooksdrme booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersebook formatEbookFormatebooksepubformatharmonizationipadkindlepublisherspublishingpublishing formatPublishingFormatreadingstandardizationuniversal formatUniversalFormatTue, 01 Jun 2010 06:56:00 EST<![CDATA[UK iBookstore surprise: premium content appears]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/uk-ibookstore-surprise-premium-content-appears/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/uk-ibookstore-surprise-premium-content-appears/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/uk-ibookstore-surprise-premium-content-appears/#commentsUK's iBookstore gets some premium content, contrary to earlier statements The iPad has officially hit Europe today (though some lucky duckies got theirs a bit early), and contrary to earlier descriptions of the iBookstore as being "US only" it seems UK virtual bookshelves are now receiving some decidedly in-copyright texts to fill in the gaps between the dusty, out-of-copyright volumes previously available. Prices are displayed in the local currency, nice for those living in fear of the NWO, and purchases are made in just two taps. So, UK owners, download yourself a new book, find a comfy chair, pour a nice cuppa, and enjoy your weekend with your new toy.

UK iBookstore surprise: premium content appears originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadbookepubepublishingibookstoreipadukFri, 28 May 2010 07:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Editions said to have backing of 'almost all' US publishers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/google-editions-said-to-have-backing-of-almost-all-us-publishe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/google-editions-said-to-have-backing-of-almost-all-us-publishe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/google-editions-said-to-have-backing-of-almost-all-us-publishe/#comments
Well, it looks like Google will be kicking off its forthcoming Google Editions e-book service on a high note -- Japan Today is reporting that the company has managed to score the backing of "almost all" publishers in the United States. That apparently brings the total number of publishers and authors on board to over 25,000, and the total number of books set to be available to somewhere in the neighborhood of two million -- or over four million if you include the public domain books that Google already makes available for free. As far as we can tell, however, Google itself still isn't saying any more on the matter publicly than it did last week, when it confirmed that the service would be launching in late June or July.

[Thanks, Legendary1022]

Google Editions said to have backing of 'almost all' US publishers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 May 2010 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersebookebooksepubgooglegoogle booksgoogle editionsGoogleBooksGoogleEditionspublisherspublishingMon, 10 May 2010 17:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Bookeen's upgraded, colorful Cybook Opus to debut on May 7]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/bookeens-upgraded-colorful-cybook-opus-to-debut-on-may-7/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/bookeens-upgraded-colorful-cybook-opus-to-debut-on-may-7/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/bookeens-upgraded-colorful-cybook-opus-to-debut-on-may-7/#comments We were promised a color-loving version of the diminutive Cybook Opus and here's the delivery of said pledge. Coming in seven new shades to match its May 7 release date, the newly revised Cybook Opus boasts instant-on functionality, a new Boo Reader software that helps to optimize battery life, and a category-best 12 font sizes. It's still a monochrome E Ink display -- 800 x 600 pixels -- and memory hasn't budged up from the 1GB on its predecessor, but at least the opening price has dipped down to a £149 ($199 in USA) RRP. When you consider 150 books come preloaded on the device, it's almost like Bookeen is giving the hardware away for free. It's not, but that's as good a rationalization as any other. Full PR after the break.

Gallery: Bookeen's upgraded, colorful Cybook Opus to debut on May 7

Continue reading Bookeen's upgraded, colorful Cybook Opus to debut on May 7

Bookeen's upgraded, colorful Cybook Opus to debut on May 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booboo readerbookeenbookeen cybook opusBookeenCybookOpusBooReadercolorcolor optionsColorOptionscolorscybookcybook opusCybookOpuse booke bookse inke readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersEInkepubopuspdfThu, 29 Apr 2010 06:29:00 EST<![CDATA[iBooks app meets App Store, produces US-only iBookstore offspring]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/ibooks-app-meets-app-store-produces-us-only-ibookstore-offsprin/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/ibooks-app-meets-app-store-produces-us-only-ibookstore-offsprin/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/ibooks-app-meets-app-store-produces-us-only-ibookstore-offsprin/#comments Get ready to welcome some amazing wood grain effects into your lives, future iPad owners, for the iBooks app has just landed at the App Store. Proudly proclaimed as being "designed exclusively for the iPad," this app gives you direct access to the iBookstore, which will offer free samples of books ahead of purchase and a brand new way for you to channel money into Cupertino pockets. Built-in search, highlighting and bookmarking features are augmented by text-to-speech functionality and ePub format support. Funnily enough, iBooks will only support DRM-free ePub files sourced from outside the iBookstore, but no mention is made as to whether its own wares will be similarly unimpeded. Speaking of restrictions, the whole operation is still limited to the United States, leaving the Stephen Frys of this world sighing wistfully from across the pond.

[Thanks, Brian]

iBooks app meets App Store, produces US-only iBookstore offspring originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeappleapple app storeapple ipadAppleAppStoreAppleIpadapplicationappsAppStorebookstoree-bookse-readerebooksepubibooksibooks appIbooksAppibookstoreipadipad appIpadAppFri, 02 Apr 2010 04:11:00 EST<![CDATA[iPad mute switch magicked into a 'screen rotation lock' overnight, a flurry of other tidbits emerge]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/ipad-mute-switch-magicked-into-a-screen-rotation-lock-overnigh/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/ipad-mute-switch-magicked-into-a-screen-rotation-lock-overnigh/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/ipad-mute-switch-magicked-into-a-screen-rotation-lock-overnigh/#commentsApple's pushing out a few more scraps of info about the iPad in conjunction with the launch of pre-orders. One of the quirkier details is that what was previously known as the mute switch on the iPad -- similar to the one on the iPhone -- is now known as the "screen rotation lock" on Apple's website. We suppose it makes more sense for this sort of device, both due to the "hold it any way you feel like" marketing push, and since it's less likely to start ringing in the middle of a Remember Me screening than your iPhone is. In other news, it's been confirmed that iBooks will be able to sync free (non-DRM'd) ePub titles in from iTunes, which is good news for people who want to use an existing ePub stash of theirs with Apple's fancy page-flipping interface. Also on the books front, it was clarified today that the iPad can indeed use VoiceOver screen-reading for reading pages of books out loud -- we knew the screen reading tech was on the iPad, but now it sounds as if it will be more directly integrated into iBooks. Apple also clarified today that folks who sign up for the 250MB iPad data plan will receive pop-up alerts when they're running short on data, similar to battery warnings, at the 20 percent, 10 percent and zero marks. There's an account management pane that lets you sign up for or cancel service, add another 250MB, or swap to an unlimited plan. But wait, there's more! Apple's also confirming a few more iPhone OS 3.2 features, like the addition of Google's "Terrain" view in maps and a slightly revamped iPod app UI. 3.2 also brings some nice video tweaks like support for additional formats (AVI and MJPEG) and native uploads to Facebook -- further boosting the iPad's external camera friendliness.

iPad mute switch magicked into a 'screen rotation lock' overnight, a flurry of other tidbits emerge originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadepubipadscreen rotation lockScreenRotationLockvoiceoverFri, 12 Mar 2010 12:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple reveals iBook Store and app for the iPad]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-reveals-ibooks-store-and-app-for-the-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-reveals-ibooks-store-and-app-for-the-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-reveals-ibooks-store-and-app-for-the-ipad/#comments Put this down as something else rumored that's come to fruition today. Apple's just announced iBooks, an e-reader app and bookstore (called iBookstore) for the iPad, using the ePub format. We're seeing prices around $12.99 to $14.99 so far... looks pretty slick! We're sure Jeff Bezos and Co. are none too pleased to see this one, but we'll have to see for ourselves what reading's like on a non-E Ink screen. There's a gallery after the break.

Be sure to hit up our hands-on right here!

Continue reading Apple reveals iBook Store and app for the iPad

Apple reveals iBook Store and app for the iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadapple tabletappleipadAppleTabletbreaking newsBreakingNewse booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readerE-readersebooksepubibooksibookstoreipadlatest creationLatestCreationmedia partnershipMediaPartnershipreadersreadingtabletWed, 27 Jan 2010 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Lenovo to launch Tianji iBook EB-605 e-reader?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/23/lenovo-to-launch-tianji-ibook-eb-605-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/23/lenovo-to-launch-tianji-ibook-eb-605-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/23/lenovo-to-launch-tianji-ibook-eb-605-e-reader/#comments Looks like everyone wants a slice of that steaming-hot e-reader action these days. Right in front of us here is the Tianji -- or in our language, Phecda, a distant star -- iBook EB-605, which is purported to be launched by Lenovo at some point this year (and we first heard about such plan back in December). Features include a 6-inch electronic ink display, Samsung ARM 400MHz processor, newspaper subscription, music player, picture browser and support for a variety of digital book formats including EPUB (hooray!) and MOBI. ZOL also spotted the SIM card-like icon at the top, which might suggest a thing or two about its wireless capabilities, and estimates a price tag of under ¥2,000 ($293). No word on international release yet, but hey, the more the merrier either way!

Update: eagle-eyed reader charlied spotted this e-reader in its no-frills form from Oaxis. The good news is that WiFi and SD card slot are featured as well, but no mention of a SIM card slot so ZOL's probably wrong about that icon. Shame.

Lenovo to launch Tianji iBook EB-605 e-reader? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e booke book readere readere-booke-book readerE-bookReadere-inke-readereb-605ebookEBookReaderepubeReaderlenovolenovo eb-605lenovo tianjilenovo tianji eb-605LenovoEb-605LenovoTianjiLenovoTianjiEb-605mobioaxistianjitianji eb-605TianjiEb-605Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Copia intros ereader devices and platform (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/copia-intros-ereader-devices-and-platform-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/copia-intros-ereader-devices-and-platform-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/copia-intros-ereader-devices-and-platform-video/#comments And just like that, the already rather crowded competition for a prevalent ebook platform grows by one. Copia, a subsidiary of DMC Worldwide, has introduced a number of ereader devices and its eponymous online store in a quest to conquer a share of the market. Focused on social networking, it integrates Facebook and Twitter accounts and allows you to share your library with friends, with cute little Venn diagrams representing how far your reading habits overlap. We've got video of the interface being demoed and shots of the own-brand devices, but Copia tells us it intends to support other companies' hardware too with its ePUB distribution service.

Gallery: Copia ereader at CES

Continue reading Copia intros ereader devices and platform (video)

Copia intros ereader devices and platform (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2010Ces2010copiadmc worldwideDmcWorldwideebook platformebook readerEbookPlatformEbookReaderepubereaderfacebooksocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwittervideoThu, 07 Jan 2010 19:11:00 EST<![CDATA[RCA Lexi e-reader sports Barnes and Noble software, Audiovox hardware]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/rca-lexi-e-reader-sports-barnes-and-noble-software-audiovox-har/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/rca-lexi-e-reader-sports-barnes-and-noble-software-audiovox-har/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/rca-lexi-e-reader-sports-barnes-and-noble-software-audiovox-har/#commentsQuite frankly, readers, it looks like Audiovox is out of control. It's already deluged us with RCA branded camcorders, digiframes, and iPod soundsystems, and now it looks like the company is entering the e-book game. The RCA-branded Lexi e-reader sports a 6-inch (800 x 600) 16-level grayscale display, 2GB storage, and a battery life of some 7,000 page turns. Other features include ezTurn functionality (for the south paw in your life) and something called Auto-Magic content synchronization. As for content, this bad boy ships with Barnes & Nobles Desktop Reader for purchasing, managing, and, yes, reading the latest Dan Brown bestseller (some sort of sinister conspiracy, we believe). But that ain't all! Adobe Reader Mobile is also included, making it interoperable and fully compatible with PDF and ePub formats. Look for it in May for $229.99. PR after the break.

Continue reading RCA Lexi e-reader sports Barnes and Noble software, Audiovox hardware

RCA Lexi e-reader sports Barnes and Noble software, Audiovox hardware originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiovoxauto-magicbarnes and nobleBarnesAndNoblecesces 2010Ces2010e-booke-book readerE-bookReadere-readerepublexipdfrcarca lexiRcaLexiThu, 07 Jan 2010 10:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Reader Store goes 100% EPUB on Friday]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/sony-reader-store-goes-100-epub-on-friday/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/sony-reader-store-goes-100-epub-on-friday/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/sony-reader-store-goes-100-epub-on-friday/#comments Listen up Sony Reader owners: you've got three days to change your ways. On December 11th, the eBook Store from Sony will be renamed the Reader Store with a new URL to prove it. In addition to a new store layout, the change also extends the open EPUB format to Sony's entire inventory of eBooks. In fact, any new electronic books will only be available in EPUB which helps explain the motivation for Sony's PRS-500 trade-in program. As such, we can say goodbye to Sony's proprietary BBeB ("BroadBand eBook") format which goes the way of ATRAC (outside of Japan, anyway). Sony's also making its Reader Library 3.1 software for Mac and PC available on the same day with support for the imminent Reader Daily Edition launch and compatibility with Windows 7 and OS X Snow Leopard -- how timely.

[Thanks, Ben]

Sony Reader Store goes 100% EPUB on Friday originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily editionDailyEditione-booke-readerebookelectronic bookElectronicBookepubereaderreaderreader storeReaderStoresonyTue, 08 Dec 2009 01:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony offering ePub upgrade / trade-in program for PRS-500 e-reader]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/sony-offering-epub-upgrade-trade-in-program-for-prs-500-e-read/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/sony-offering-epub-upgrade-trade-in-program-for-prs-500-e-read/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/sony-offering-epub-upgrade-trade-in-program-for-prs-500-e-read/#comments
Sony's already made its commitment to the ePub e-book format fairly clear, but it does still have a lingering problem with some older e-book readers that don't support the format. While some of those are beyond hope, the company does now have an upgrade available for the PRS-500, although it's not quite as simple as you may hope. Turns out you actually have to send your reader in to Sony to receive the firmware update, which is completely free of charge and should take less than 14 days. For those looking to make a clean break with the past, however, Sony is also offering a trade-in program for the PRS-500, which will give you either $50 or $75 off the new Reader Pocket or Touch editions. Hit up the link below for complete details on both options.

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Sony offering ePub upgrade / trade-in program for PRS-500 e-reader originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-booke-book readerE-bookReadere-readerebookepubereaderfirmwarefirmware updateFirmwareUpdateprs-500sonysony prs-500SonyPrs-500trade-inupgradeMon, 16 Nov 2009 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Foxit's eSlick ereader now supports EPUB, puts Kindle to shame]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/foxits-eslick-ereader-now-supports-epub-puts-kindle-to-shame/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/foxits-eslick-ereader-now-supports-epub-puts-kindle-to-shame/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/foxits-eslick-ereader-now-supports-epub-puts-kindle-to-shame/#comments
Foxit's eSlick isn't exactly the most exciting ereader of all time, but now things have changed slightly with the addition of EPUB support, making this $259.99 device a more affordable (although less pretty) alternative to the Sony Reader, and a more flexible option than the Kindle. We looked around and have yet to spot the new firmware's download link, but chances are devices shipped this month will come preloaded with the new code. Still, Barnes & Noble's identical price tag will easily overshadow this in a few weeks -- hello Nook, goodbye eSlick.

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Foxit's eSlick ereader now supports EPUB, puts Kindle to shame originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e booke readere-booke-readerEBookebook readerEbookReaderepubEReadereSlickfirmwareformatFoxitopenopen formatOpenFormatupdateFri, 06 Nov 2009 00:09:00 EST<![CDATA[QUE proReader hitting Barnes & Noble retail stores in 2010]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/que-proreader-hitting-barnes-and-noble-retail-stores-in-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/que-proreader-hitting-barnes-and-noble-retail-stores-in-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/que-proreader-hitting-barnes-and-noble-retail-stores-in-2010/#comments In a rather odd unfolding of events, it seems as if Barnes & Noble is finally clearing up the mystery behind that Plastic Logic e-reader slated to hit its retail locations by Spring of 2010. After making said announcement, the book seller then went out and introduced an e-book reader of its very own in the Nook, and only now are we learning that the Plastic Logic-built QUE proReader will also be splashing down at the outfit sometime next year. In a brief release posted today, we're told that the recently teased big-screen reader (8.5- x 11-inches) 10.5-inch will be sold throughout B&N's retail footprint and on its website; makes sense given that B&N is powering the proReader's online e-book store, but the fact that it'll be placed prominently near the outfit's own (somewhat competing) device is certainly interesting. We're expecting to see more come CES 2010, and seriously, with the rate at which these readers are hitting brick-and-mortar locations, Amazon might want to consider implementing some kind of physical trial in order to not go overlooked in its corner of the web.

Update: Plastic Logic rather dubiously lists "large 8-1/2 x 11-inch shatterproof display" on its specsheet. A bit of digging into the Barnes and Noble listing, however, reveals the following spec "Display (viewable area): 10.5-inch diagonal, 944 x 1264 pixels at 150ppi, 8 gray levels." Sneaky.

Continue reading QUE proReader hitting Barnes & Noble retail stores in 2010

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QUE proReader hitting Barnes & Noble retail stores in 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b and nBAndNbarnes and noblebarnes nobleBarnesAndNobleBarnesNoblecesces 2010Ces2010e booke book readere-booke-book readerE-bookReadere-readerEBookEBookReaderepubon saleOnSaleplastic logicPlasticLogicproReaderQUEQUE proReaderQueProreaderTue, 27 Oct 2009 09:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Switched On: Making book with ePUB]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/25/switched-on-making-book-with-epub/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/25/switched-on-making-book-with-epub/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/25/switched-on-making-book-with-epub/#commentsRoss Rubin (@rossrubin) contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
The ePUB standard, developed by Adobe, allows consumers to purchase books at a variety of digital stores and use them on a wide range of compatible devices without the manufacturer having to explicitly support them. That may sound a bit like the PlaysForSure initiative that Microsoft tried mounting to challenge the iPod but ultimately shifted away from (at least for MP3 players) in favor of the Zune, but ePUB has a better shot than PlaysForSure did.

First, unlike PlaysForSure, which was playing catch-up to the already dominant iPod, ePUB is appearing relatively early in the market; it need not break anyone's "stranglehold." Second, after attracting the support of Sony, the format achieved a significant coup with the support of Barnes & Noble, which noted last week that it was "excited" to be supporting the format in its forthcoming Nook e-reader.

Continue reading Switched On: Making book with ePUB

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Switched On: Making book with ePUB originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobeamazonbarnes and noblebarnes nobleBarnesAndNobleBarnesNoblecolumncolumnsdrmebookebook readerEbookReaderepubfeaturedfeautureskindlereadersonyswitched onSwitchedOnSun, 25 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bookeen now shipping $280 Cybook Opus e-reader]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/23/bookeen-now-shipping-280-cybook-opus-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/23/bookeen-now-shipping-280-cybook-opus-e-reader/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/23/bookeen-now-shipping-280-cybook-opus-e-reader/#comments
We admire Bookeen's resilience here, we really do. After last hearing about this e-book reader in May, we sort of assumed it had just given up on the matter. After all, it's WiFi-less and yet still as pricey as many of its rivals. That said, the Cybook Opus certainly looks different than most every other reader out there, so surely that counts for something. We're not saying it counts for $280, but if you are, you're approximately 1.389 clicks away from having one shipped to your domicile.

[Via GizmoScene]

Gallery: Bookeen now shipping $280 Cybook Opus e-reader

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Bookeen now shipping $280 Cybook Opus e-reader originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bookeenbookeen cybook opusBookeenCybookOpuscybookcybook opusCybookOpuse booke inke readere-book readerE-bookReadere-inke-readerEBookEInkepubEReaderon saleOnSaleWed, 23 Sep 2009 00:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Google makes over a million public domain books available in EPUB format]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/google-makes-over-a-million-public-domain-books-available-in-epu/#comments
The deal may have first been announced somewhat quietly last month, but now that Sony's come out with what's arguably its most attractive e-reader to date, the availability of over a million public domain books in the Sony-friendly EPUB format is sure to garner a fair bit more attention. As Google announced on its Inside Google Books blog, those books are now all available for download starting today and are, of course, completely free and able to be used on the EPUB-supporting device of your choice. The move also takes on a particular prominence in light of Google's recent fight with Microsoft, Yahoo, Amazon and the Open Book Alliance, who have taken issue with Google's settlement with book publishers and authors that would give it the right to digitize orphan works and make the now out-of-print (but non-public domain) books widely available.

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Google makes over a million public domain books available in EPUB format originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookse-booke-bookse-readerepubgooglegoogle booksGoogleBookssonysony readerSonyReaderWed, 26 Aug 2009 17:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony takes Reader openness one step further, will offer EPUB titles only]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/13/sony-takes-reader-openness-one-step-further-will-offer-epub-tit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/13/sony-takes-reader-openness-one-step-further-will-offer-epub-tit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/13/sony-takes-reader-openness-one-step-further-will-offer-epub-tit/#comments
Slowly but surely, the mega-corp who has historically clung tight to its own formats while the world opts for others is finally seeing the light. Just over a year after Sony pushed out an update that enabled its Reader to use purchased books in the open EPUB format, the outfit is now promising to sell digital books only in that format by the year's end. Moreover, Sony is aiming to nix its "proprietary anti-copying software in favor of technology from the software maker Adobe that restricts how often e-books can be shared or copied." Once the switchover takes place, books purchased in Sony's online store will be readable on any device that supports EPUB, one of which will be Plastic Logic's forthcoming e-reader. And to think -- if only this change of heart would've happened prior to the introduction of ATRAC...

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Sony takes Reader openness one step further, will offer EPUB titles only originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobebookse inke readere-book readerE-bookReadere-readerEInkePUBEReaderopenopen sourceOpenSourcerandom houseRandomHousereaderreadingsonysony readerSonyReaderThu, 13 Aug 2009 07:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Bookeen Cybook Opus ebook reader gets handled and adored]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/07/video-bookeen-cybook-opus-ebook-reader-gets-handled-and-adored/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/07/video-bookeen-cybook-opus-ebook-reader-gets-handled-and-adored/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/07/video-bookeen-cybook-opus-ebook-reader-gets-handled-and-adored/#comments
The guys and gals at MobileRead have scored hands-on time with the Cybook Opus and early impressions are good. They were smitten with the ergonomics of the device and its "gorgeous" 5-inch e-ink display, but oddly neglected to point out any weaknesses. Equipped with an accelerometer, 1GB of storage, microSD expansion slot, and a user-replaceable battery, the Opus is able to read PDF and ePUB files -- with or without DRM -- and organize them into folders. There are rumors of a €250 ($349) asking price, but the exact details of when and where it will be available remain unknown. Click through for a video of the reader doing its thing or hit the read links for more extensive coverage.

[Via Slashgear]

Read - MobileRead exclusive : sneak preview of the Bookeen Opus
Read - Cybook Opus: Discovering the reader, video

Continue reading Video: Bookeen Cybook Opus ebook reader gets handled and adored

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Video: Bookeen Cybook Opus ebook reader gets handled and adored originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometerbookeencybook opusCybookOpusdrm-freee booke-booke-book readerE-bookReadere-inkebookebook readerEbookReaderePUBmicrosdpdfreaderTue, 07 Jul 2009 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Reader goes open, will be able to work with other booksellers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/24/sony-reader-goes-open-will-be-able-to-work-with-other-bookselle/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/24/sony-reader-goes-open-will-be-able-to-work-with-other-bookselle/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/24/sony-reader-goes-open-will-be-able-to-work-with-other-bookselle/#comments
While Sony's Reader has never received the enormous press or enjoyed the supposed whirlwind sales of Amazon's Kindle e-book, and is certainly lacking in, erm, EV-DOness, the Reader is about to get one trick the Kindle doesn't have yet: openness. Sony will be shooting out an update on Thursday to allow the Reader to use purchased books in the protected EPUB format from whoever is peddling them, instead of being tied to the Sony's e-book store, or just DRM-free text and PDF documents. That openness should help Sony beef up its selection -- which is lagging behind Amazon's -- and will hopefully mark a bit of a turning point in the e-book market to more standards and, more importantly, more books.

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Sony Reader goes open, will be able to work with other booksellers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-bookebookepubopenreadersonysony readerSonyReaderThu, 24 Jul 2008 08:54:00 EST