Want a free Kindle? Eric shared this story of how an unscrupulous Amazon Marketplace buyer scored one from his friend through the use of lies and some attempted mail fraud. Here’s how the buyer did it. (Disclaimer: Do not actually do this.) [More]
kindle
Amazon, AT&T Team Up For Even Cheaper Ad-Supported Kindle 3G
A few months ago, Amazon unleashed its first version of a lower-priced, ad-supported Kindle, but if you wanted the 3G version it was still going to cost significantly more. Last month, they introduced a 3G Kindle with ads for $25 off the retail price, and today they announced a deal with AT&T that lops off another $25, taking the price down to $139. [More]
Writer Sells 1 Million Self-Published Kindle Books
The publishing industry may be struggling, but you wouldn’t know it from the success of some ebook writers, including one who has become the first self-published author to sell 1 million Kindle downloads. [More]
Are Publishers, Not Technology, To Blame For The Decline Of Books?
Ah, books, those paper-paged dinosaurs! Lovers of the non-electronic form of literature are already bemoaning the end of an era, as Kindles and other e-readers seem poised to replace physical books forever. But should we be blaming technology or publishers for the possibly imminent extinction of books? [More]
Is It Amazon's Fault They Still Have My $200, Or Mine?
David ordered a Kindle and cover from Amazon shortly after Christmas, but it disappeared in transit and was never heard from again. These things happen in commerce. What David doesn’t understand is why, after he was too busy to respond after an initial e-mail exchange, Amazon didn’t try to contact him or just automatically issue a refund or replacement for the missing Kindle. [More]
Library E-Books Finally Come To The Kindle
Kindle users, fire up your brains for even more delicious books. Amazon announced earlier today that the OverDrive ebook library lending system is coming to the Kindle platform. The technology is already available on competing book replacement devices, the Nook and Kobo. Kindle Library Lending will give Kindle users access through the 11,000 public and school/college libraries that are already part of OverDrive. [More]
Amazon's Kindle: Now Brought To You By Buick?
If $140 for an Amazon Kindle e-reader is still too rich for your blood, the online book-seller is starting to take pre-orders for a new $113 “Kindle with Special Offers.” What makes it cheaper (and “special”)? The new e-reader will display advertisements on the Kindle’s screensaver and at the bottom of the home page. [More]
Report: Apple Tells Sony It Can't Sell E-Books Through Its App
The battle over the e-book market has just gotten a little nastier. According to Sony, Apple is now telling some application developers that they can not create apps for the iPad and iPhone that would allow users to purchase content — or even be able to access content — that isn’t sold through its App Store. [More]
Best Buy Sold Me A Better Kindle Than What I Paid For — Should I Keep It?
William thought he had bought a WiFi-only Kindle from Best Buy, only to bring it home and discover he’d actually gotten the pricier version that accesses the 3G network. [More]
Author Claims To Manipulate Amazon Rankings By Buying Own Book Every Day
Authors, publishers and agents live and die inside — mostly die — by monitoring their product’s position on the Amazon charts, which are adjusted hourly. Thomas, an author who penned the Kindle book Wealth Hazards, says literary types should take a step back because the system is easily corrupted. He says he’s manipulated the system by buying his book 200 times and posting fake reviews hailing his self-described masterpiece. [More]
Reader Thinks He's Discovered Why Kindle Covers Screw Up Devices
David says he’s figured out the reason Amazon’s Kindle covers may be making devices lock up. He says metal parts are connecting ports on the device and causing the problems, and that he was able to get Amazon credit for his cover after he escalated his complaint. [More]
Are Amazon's Kindle Covers Making Devices Freeze?
Marc says Amazon’s Kindle covers cause the e-readers to freeze up, requiring owners to reboot or return them, only to see the problem recur with refurbished units. [More]
Virus Could Make Batteries Last 10 Times Longer
“Virus” and “tobacco” are not two words you usually think of in a positive light, but they could be the secret to making batteries last ten times as long. [More]
Google's eBooks Store Is Open For Business
After several months of delay and vague launch dates, Google has finally opened up its Google eBooks store (formerly known as Google Editions). [More]
Google Oh So Close To Launching E-Book Store
Back in May, it was being reported that Google was planning on having its new E-book store up and running by the end of summer. Obviously that didn’t happen. Now the Wall Street Journal says Google Editions is likely to be a reality by year’s end. [More]
Amazon Wants You To Read Mags on Kindles And Books Wherever You Want
In an effort to get more magazines and newspapers onto the Kindle platform, Amazon has begun offering publishers up to 70% of the revenue their periodicals bring in. To get the cash, publishers would have to make their rags available on not just Amazon’s hardware Kindle, but on the Kindle app on phones and computers. The deal could make it easier for consumers to read, say, the latest imponderable Malcolm Gladwell essay, and keep their place when moving from computer to phone to iPad. It could also undermine efforts by Apple to position the iPad as the best platform evar for periodicals. [More]