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Sunday FUN Day… Book Trailers!

Misty — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:21:30 +0000

Afternoon Kindle-ites! Today I decided I would feature a few book trailers. All of them are YA books this time, and some of these books I have already reviewed, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I still enjoy their trailer. So kick back, push play, and find something new to read!

BOOK TRAILERS!!!

“You can’t touch me,” I whisper.

I’m lying, is what I don’t tell him.

He can touch me, is what I’ll never tell him.

But things happen when people touch me.

Strange things.

Bad things.

No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon.

But Juliette has plans on her own.

After a lifetime without freedom, she’s finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she’d lost forever.

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it’s taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He’s trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night’s experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden?

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine -despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she’s far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can’t control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she’s reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy’s motives aren’t quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

The Time Has Finally Come!

Misty — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:38:25 +0000

So I know most of you have already seen this, (since I was up at the ass-crack of dawn this morning bombing in on every social site on the planet) but I thought I should go ahead a feature it here as well. I don’t know about the rest of you out there, but I LOVE this series and have (hubby too) been waiting for MONTHS for this little glimpse at Panem, (and the actors…which for the record I was not all that happy with when casting was announced.) Anyways… here it is… the 2 minutes and 36 seconds several of us will play approximately 82o times before its March release. Happy Watching! Squeeeee!!!!!

The Hunger Games

Talking Trailers

Misty — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:08:16 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve posted book trailers so I decided… what the hey. Let ‘em have it. AND…since last time I posted 5 trade pubs I thought it was only fair that this time I share a little indie love. So, here are 5 indie trailers that I think meet their mark. Enjoy and more importantly, be sure to share your thoughts. (It might help the authors in the future.) – Misty

Amazon Tablet Announcement

Misty — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:56:13 +0000

Afternoon All,

I have had a few people ask me what I know about the Tablet that Amazon is manufacturing, so TADA here you go. Straight from my tech geek to your awaiting eyes. The dish. Happy Reading!

Misty

(P.S. I will have a review up later, and several up next week when I’m not so cracked out on steroids which…are making it VERY hard to focus.) (Ok..for the record, the steroids aren’t illegal. Just thought I should point out that I’m not actually a drug addict.) Cheers!

Amazon Media Event Set for September 28th, Tablet Announcement Expected

Friday September 23, 2011 10:53 am PDT by Eric Slivka

As noted by AllThingsD and This is my next, Amazon has just sent out invitations for a media event scheduled for next Wednesday, September 28th. The invitation is silent on what the topic of the event will be, but the company is widely expected to introduce its own low-cost Android tablet.

Reports from earlier this year indicated that Amazon was planning to launch a 9-inch Android tablet before October, but it appears that Amazon’s first offering may in fact be a 7-inch tablet. TechCrunch‘s MG Siegler spent some hands-on timewith the device, noting that Amazon has basically forked Android to create its own look tightly integrated with Kindle and other Amazon offerings.

Simply put: it looks nothing like the Android you’re used to seeing.

The interface is all Amazon and Kindle. It’s black, dark blue, and a bunch of orange. The main screen is a carousel that looks like Cover Flow in iTunes which displays all the content you have on the device. This includes books, apps, movies, etc.

[...]

But the key for Amazon is just how deeply integrated all of their services are. Amazon’s content store is always just one click away. The book reader is a Kindle app (which looks similar to how it does on Android and iOS now). The music player is Amazon’s Cloud Player. The movie player is Amazon’s Instant Video player. The app store is Amazon’s Android Appstore.

Perhaps most notably, Amazon is said to be targeting a $250 price point for the device, half that of Apple’s entry-level iPad.

Numerous iPad competitors have been introduced over the past 12-15 months, with a number of them being hailed as the biggest challenge to Apple’s dominance before failing to gain customer acceptance. But Amazon’s ability to integrate its extensive content offerings with a low-cost tablet device has sparked renewed speculation that Apple may finally face a strong challenge in the tablet market.

Netflix For Your Kindle?

Misty — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:29:38 +0000

Amazon readying Netflix-like service for eBooks, report claims

By: Zach Epstein | Sep 12th, 2011 at 08:01AM

As Amazon prepares to launch its first tablet offering this fall, the tech press seems to be in agreement that the device will give owners deeply integrated access to the company’s suite of digital services. It will download books from Amazon’s Kindle book store, stream music from the company’s Cloud Player service, pull down movies from Amazon Instant Video, and provide a window into Amazon’s numerous additional services. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Amazon is also working on a new service its tablet offering might take advantage of down the road: Netflix for books. Read on for more.

The subscription eBook service is currently in early development stages according to the report, so it may be some time before anything launches. If launched, Amazon’s service will allow users to pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to a collection of Kindle books, though the company is still trying to get publishers on board so it is unclear what kind of titles might be available.

Amazon is reportedly trying to position the service in such a way that a catalog of older titles would be made available to Amazon Prime subscribers, but the hope is that Amazon isn’t stopping there. Access to new titles and best-sellers will likely be paramount to the success of the service, so the case will have to be made that such a service would create new revenue opportunities for popular titles as opposed to stripping sales of individual titles, as logic might dictate.

The report also notes that publishers are worried about Amazon’s proposed subscription eBook service as it may strain their relationships with other book vendors.

(Click HERE for a look at my source)

Words Come To Life

Misty — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:02:44 +0000

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I decided to post a book trailers today for a couple of reasons. 1. There are very few NEW samples out there this week, and I didn’t feel like repeating myself, and 2. I love them. Plain and simple they are fantastic way to advertise a book and the goodies that live between their pages. So…what I have for you are the 5 best book trailers I have come across in the last few weeks, and in case you were wondering…YES, I have purchased every single one of these BECAUSE of the trailer (authors…it might be wise to note that.) Anyways, I hope you like them as much as I do. Enjoy the show!

Talkin’ Trailers!

Misty — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 17:44:49 +0000

A few years ago Book Trailers were an after thought… something that publishing houses would throw together in some thinly veiled attempt to promote a book that wasn’t getting much notice. Since then, things have changed. Book trailers are the norm instead of the exception, and with good reason. They work. Just like movie trailers can entice you to get off your duff and see a movie, book trailers can lure you into the written word. Now.. all that said, I have been hitting nationally published books a little hard in the last 2 weeks (mostly because of my little blogging respite) and in and effort to assure you that I haven’t forgot about my “indie” audience I’ve decided to pick 5 book trailers I think make a great case as to why should fork over your hard earned cash and give them a chance. Happy…. uh… viewing?

Give Your Book Some Bling! – Top 5 Kindle Accessories

Misty — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 01:30:34 +0000

In my humble opinion there is nothing sadder than a neglected Kindle. One of things that attracts me to physical books is there beautiful covers, so why shouldn’t I expect the same from my eReader? Well, have no fear.. I am here to help you in your quest to pimp yours (or your loved ones) Kindle. Even better… it’s just in time for Christmas!

Below you’ll find 5 of my favorite and (of course) VERY different products. They boast a wide range of prices, from the hand crafted leather (and BEAUTIFUL) covers from Oberon, to the pocket change pictures of Gelaskins!

Happy shopping, MERRY CHRISTMAS, and remember, A naked Kindle is a sad Kindle… put some clothes on it!

(click images for additional details)

*5 Ways To Pimp Your Kindle*

Oberon Design – Art in Leather

Our E Reader covers are an inspired combination of beauty and functionality. Our corner strap system offers you the kind of security an electronic device requires in tandem with quality American leather craftsmanship. Our cover utilizes a hand cast Britannia pewter button and a marine grade bungee strap. The premium leather we use grows more supple and beautiful as time goes by.

Kate Spade New York Collection

Color, charm and playful sophistication are the hallmarks of kate spade new york — a brand recognizable the world over for classic shapes and modern graphic elements. This spirited aesthetic carries over into a new collection specially designed for the Kindle. Bold colors and clever designs dress up covers crafted in coated canvas and patent leather. A special hinge system attaches your device to the cover, keeping it secure so that your Kindle is protected in the utmost of style. Enjoy.

GelaSkins

Customize and protect your Amazon Kindle (3rd Gen) Our Kindle skins cover the front and back of the Kindle 3M technology for easy application and clean removal Super-thin (less than 1mm) tough scratch protection Avoid the bulk of other Kindle cases with GelaSkins Compatible with other Kindle covers and accessories

DuraGadget Leather Covers

DURAGADGET’s new leather case for the Amazon Kindle 3 protects your Kindle and enhances its use. The soft leather acts as a tactile barrier protecting from knocks and scratches whilst out and about. The in-built stand function allows you to place the book on a desk, table or any other surface you wish without the need to hold it. The adjustable arm allows a wide range of angles so you can achieve your perfect reading experience

Kindle Kandle LED Light

The perfect accessory for any eBook, the Kandle by Ozeri is designed for the Amazon Kindle 1, 2, and DX, Sony Reader Digital Books, and other eBook Readers. New 2011 edition features improved lighting and the award winning design that attaches to eBooks and printed books without blocking the screen or page. It also boasts double pivoting arms that allow for easy positioning and adjustment to tailor the screen illumination. The Main Pivoting Arm rotates 90 degrees from its closed position, and the Upper Pivoting Arm rotates another 70 degrees for complete customization. Unlike other eBook lights, the Kandle by Ozeri is powered by two lifetime x2 LEDs that are optimized to distribute light evenly without creating glare or eyestrain. Petite and light, the Kandle by Ozeri is ultra portable and folds into a closed position where the LEDs are fully protected from scratches or breakage. Ships with 2 CR2032 batteries installed, a bonus set of extra batteries, and a protective pouch included. Exclusively warrantied by Ozeri to original purchaser. There are no factory authorized resellers.

Product Review – K3 Lighted Cover

Misty — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:13:18 +0000

Evening Kindle-ites~

Listening to most of y’all the last few weeks I realized something… I am behind the times. While before I was leaps and bounds ahead, sporting my pretty little Kindle, and clothing it in the newest fashions, I am now lagging in the back crowd not having purchased a K3. Am I sad about this? No, not really, I’m happy with my K2 and to be honest, I don’t even feel the urge to upgrade, but I didn’t want my reluctance to move forward to hold you back from available accessories, so… I asked my lovely friend Sophia over at fictionvixen.com to help ME out and give YOU the 411. Here is what she had to say about the:

Lighted Leather Cover for her Kindle 3

The cover:

I purchased the lighted cover in burgundy red. I was pleased to see that the color was represented well on Amazon and I didn’t end up with a color that looked significantly different from cover that is pictured. The leather is nice quality and the stitching is tight and even. The lining of the case is soft and I think it will wear well with normal use. What concerns me most about the construction of the case is the elastic strap that is used to hold the case closed when not in use. Even with average use I suspect it will eventually lose its elasticity and my cover will outlive the closure strap. I think Velcro closure might have been better but only time will tell. The new K3 is smaller and lighter than its predecessors and of course adding a cover to it will add some weight. However the cover is not overly bulky and I would estimate that the cover plus Kindle be slightly more than the weight of a paperback book. The added protection for the Kindle is worth a bit of extra weight for me. I like that the cover is flexible enough that I can fold it all the back for a more comfortable grip. You can use the elastic strap to secure the cover once it’s folded back but I don’t find it necessary.

The book light:

The book light is seated within the cover on the upper right-hand corner, tucked away when not in use. The Kindle is attached to the cover via two small brass hinges. This allows the light to be powered by the Kindle battery so no additional battery replacement is necessary. To use the book light, simply slide it out from the corner until you hear a click and the light will come on. If you forget and leave your light on, it will automatically turn off when your Kindle goes into sleep mode. Using the Kindle with the book light does drain the battery more than if you were not using the light; however I don’t think it’s so significant that I would prefer a book light powered by another source. I’ve read well into the night using the light starting at full charge and still had over 60% charge left the next morning. I read without Wifi and 3G being turned on though. If you leave WiFi and/or 3G turned on, you will need to recharge sooner. Since the light is located in the upper right hand corner of the Kindle you will get the brightest light there but the Kindle is still fully illuminated all the way down to the lower left corner. I don’t find this to be a problem, I think the coverage is still good overall. The light arm itself is

plastic and flexible. I’m certain it would snap if treated roughly however I think with normal usage it will be long lasting. The only problem I’m concerned with is bulb replacement. I don’t see any way to do it myself and there is no mention of it in the owner’s manual. The book light does have a one year limited warranty so I assume the light bulb would be covered however I am not totally sure on that. Something to consider before you purchase.

Price:

The lighted cover costs $59.00 USD as opposed to the non-lighted version that costs $39.00. At first I thought the lighted cover was a bit pricey but when you consider you’re getting a good quality leather cover for $39.00 and a convenient book light that does not require battery replacement for an additional $20.00 the price seems in line with what you’d expect to pay if you bought the items separately plus you get the added convenience of not having to pack the light separately. It goes where the case goes.

Overall:

I like the quality and convenience of the lighted case as well as the added protection for my Kindle. If weight is a big issue for you then you might want to consider a more lightweight cover perhaps made from a different material since this cover does add some weight. I don’t like a bulky cover and this cover and light work well for me. The screen illumination is good but not totally even. Again, this is not an issue for me since the entire screen is actually illuminated and I can easily read in the dark or near dark with it. I feel the lighted cover was well worth the purchase price and I’m happy with it overall.

Be sure to check out Sophia’s site and spread a little of the KO love.

Fiction Vixen Book Reviews is a book review blog that focuses on the romance and urban fantasy genres. Sophia founded Fiction Vixen Book Reviews in August 2009 as a way to connect with other romance readers and discuss the books that move and inspire her. Her main focus is to publish fair and honest books reviews for books in the genres she loves, and keep it fun and entertaining.

Kindle vs. Hardcover.. And The Winner Is…

Misty — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:09:31 +0000

Kindle’s Digital Sales Overtake Hardcover

The battle has been ragging for a while now, Kindle vs. Hardcover, but it was unclear until this morning who the winner would be. While Amazon boast a very vague “millions” of Kindle’s sold it was still unclear if the eBook would topple the well establish bound copies. Sure… Millions of people own a Kindle, but are they actually purchasing books or using it as a very fancy coaster? Well…the numbers are in! Since Amazon’s decision to drop the Kindle price from a whopping $259 to the more reasonable $189 they have been selling like hot cakes. What is “hot cakes” exactly? How about this…the sale of the Kindle hardware has TRIPLED! (Wowza!) In the last 3 months alone Amazon has sold 143 Kindle downloads to every 100 hardcovers, and that number does NOT include the number of FREE copies readers have been gobbling up! So…for those of you who are still on that “eBooks are just a phase” train, it’s time to grab your bags and get off at the next station. Remember: It’s still reading… it’s just reading in a brand new way!

Graphite Kindle DX? Snazzy!!

Misty — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:45:09 +0000

Amazon has always been known for it’s options… need socks, gummy bears and a good book? No problem, 1 stop shopping with lots of variations, but up until now their Kindle lineup has been 1 dimensional. Not anymore. Just 1 week after Amazon dropped the price of their Kindle 2 they are releasing a snazzy new DX. (Lets just pretend that this is the original DX’s hot girlfriend.)

With a sleek new graphite exterior and a stunning list of new features. (including social networking options) this little beauty is bound to turn some heads. (Especially since the price is a shocking $379 compared to the previous $489) And, although she won’t be leaving her comfy home in the Amazon warehouses until July 7th, you can pre-order her today, (weather you’re a domestic or international customer.)

Check out what she has to offer and you be the judge. Stick with old faithful or trade her in for a new model.

Features:

Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines

Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback

Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered wirelessly in less than 60 seconds; no PC required

3G Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle; no annual contracts, no monthly fees, and no hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots

Global Coverage: Enjoy 3G wireless coverage at home or abroad in over 100 countries.

Paper-Like Display: Reads like real paper without glare, even in bright sunlight

Carry Your Library: Holds up to 1,500 books

Long Battery Life: Read for up to one week on a single charge with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks.

Social Networks: Share your passion for reading with friends and family by posting favorite passages to Twitter and Facebook directly from your Kindle

Built-In PDF Reader: Carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go. Now with Zoom capability to easily view small print and detailed tables or graphics

Read-to-Me: With the experimental Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read content out loud to you, unless the rights holder made the feature unavailable

Large Selection: Over 620,000 books and the largest selection of the most popular books people want to read, including 109 of 112 New York Times® Best Sellers, plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs. For non-U.S. customers, content availability and pricing will vary.

Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases from $9.99

Out-of-Copyright, Pre-1923 Books: Over 1.8 million free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books are available to read on Kindle, including titles such as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Pride and Prejudice, and Treasure Island.

Free Book Samples: Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy

You can read More about the New Graphite Kindle DX at Amazon.com or click the image above

Kindle App Gets Audio & Video

Misty — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:32:06 +0000

Amazon’s Kindle App for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch Gets Embeddable Audio and Video

BY Dan NosowitzToday

Amazon doesn’t really care if the Kindle hardware dies. They’d rather it didn’t, of course, but Kindle is much more than a couple of e-ink e-book readers. Kindle is much more important (and more profitable) as a store, available from tons of different devices–so just because its Kindle 2 and Kindle DX can’t handle audio or video (or, um, color), that doesn’t mean Amazon can’t keep pushing the medium forward.

Amazon thus announced today that its Kindle app for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch is receiving a significant update, allowing the embedding of audio and video inside books. Says Dorothy Nicholls, director of the Kindle team, in a press release:

“Readers will already find some Kindle Editions with audio/video clips in the Kindle Store today–from Rose’s Heavenly Cakes with video tips on preparing the perfect cake to Bird Songs with audio clips that relate the songs and calls to the birds’ appearances. This is just the beginning–we look forward to seeing what authors and publishers create for Kindle customers using the new functionality of the Kindle apps.”

This has some pretty fantastic possible uses–Amazon also mentions that a guide of London will include embedded audio narration from the book’s author, which is a great idea. You could read the book on your iPad, then listen to the tour on your iPhone or iPod Touch as you walk around Olde London-Towne. Finally, a compelling reason to have an e-book reader app on a 3.5-inch screen!

No word on what other devices might be supported. Windows, Mac, and BlackBerry all have Kindle apps, and can all support video, but were not mentioned in the press release.

The newest update also includes higher resolution images for the iPhone 4′s eye-searingly sharp screen. It’s available in the App Store now.

Where For Art Thou Kindle 3

Misty — Mon, 31 May 2010 00:22:11 +0000

Where For Art Thou Kindle 3?

James Mulroy, PC World May 30, 2010 11:25 am

For those of you who think that the Kindle’s 1/3 of an inch thick architecture is just too thick, you may be able to check out a new slimmer Kindle come August this year. According to a Bloomberg.com article, Amazon.com plans to introduce the next version of the Kindle electronic-book reader.

The Kindle is a fashionably slim e-book reader that weighs in at only 10.2 onces, or lighter than your typical paperback book. It has 3G Wireless worldwide, and an impressive paper-like display that truly looks like paper, even in bright light.

Besides the book-sized Kindle, Amazon markets a magazine-size Kindle DX. But apparently another model is in the works.

According to Bloomberg via two people who wish to remain anonymous, “The device will be thinner and have a more responsive screen with a sharper picture” and “The new Kindle won’t include a touchscreen or color.”

As a matter of fact, Amazon states that while color prototypes are in the works, they are not ready for production. The two people who wish to remain anonymous are reportedly close to Amazon’s plans but do not wish to be public because the plans are not yet public.

For an added bonus, the Kindle uses its state of the art e-paper technology, giving the Kindle up to a week of battery life with the Wi-Fi on (much shorter than the Apple iPad LCD screen competitor) and the delay between page turns will also be shortened in the new version.

Kindle for Android!

Misty — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:58:34 +0000

Kindles Kindles EVERYWHERE. For those of you that have chosen to take the Android route… Have no fear, your day will come. Introducing Kindle for your Android phone!

Read Kindle books on your Android phone

Get the best reading experience available on your Android phone. No Kindle required
Access your Kindle books even if you don’t have your Kindle with you
Automatically synchronizes your last page read and annotations between devices with Whispersync
Adjust the text size, add bookmarks, and view the annotations you created on your Kindle, computer, or other Kindle-compatible device
Read in portrait or landscape mode
Tap on either side of the screen or flick to turn pages

Shop for books in the Kindle Store optimized for your Android phone

Buy a book from the Kindle Store optimized for your Android phone and get it auto-delivered wirelessly
Search and browse more than 500,000 books, including more than 96 of 110 New York Times bestsellers. If you are a non-U.S. customer, book availability may vary
Find New York Times® Best Sellers and new releases from $9.99
Get free book samples. Read the beginning of books for free before you decide to buy
Books you purchase can also be read on a Kindle, computer, or other Kindle-compatible mobile devices
Kindle newspapers, magazines and blogs are currently not available on Kindle for Android

Technical Details

Requires Android OS 1.6 or greater
Requires an SD card
Supports Droid Incredible, Google Nexus One, HTC MyTouch, Motorola CLIQ, Motorola Droid, and many more Android phones

Product Review – Speck Kindle 2 Cover

Misty — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 01:22:46 +0000

Evening All! I know that I promised to post a video review for this cover and I assure you that I will, but to cover all of my basis it is important that I actually WRITE a review as well. So for those of you who want to wait to see my goofy face… you will have your moment… for the rest of you (aka my Amazon subscribers) here is the low down.

Edith from Speck contacted me about a week ago and asked if I would like to review their new DustJacket for the Kindle 2. My first thought (of course) was “Hell Yeah!! Free loot” but after a few minutes (and a not so quiet moment of self lecturing) I decided I should actually take a look at what I was getting myself into. I hopped on the their website, did a little research and then waited (not so patiently) for the cover in the mail.

Here is the 1st thing I noticed.

IT IS BIG.

The cover I currently use (created by Amazon) is very thin and very sleek. Speck’s DustJacket is significantly bigger, but bigger does not necessarily mean bad.

The padding on the DustJacket leaves Amazon’s cover in the dust boasting not only thicker padding on the exterior of the cover but a micro fleece interior (to protect your screen from scratches.)

Now, I know what you are thinking…How exactly do I know that the padding is worth a dang? Well for starters I dropped it. (GASP!!!) yes… that’s right, I attached my Kindle, and commenced to purposely dropping it on the floor. End result? I pretty huge sigh of relief when I didn’t hear a crack and more importantly a scratch free Kindle!

Dropping my Kindle on the floor brought up another plus.

SECURE.

Yes, Amazon’s product securely attaches the Kindle to the case, but unfortunately the design (clasp) allows the Kindle to flop around.

Speck’s DustJacket has sort of a Kindle “cradle” that is permanently attached to the rear interior of the case allowing 0 movement, making it feel as though your Kindle is nice and snug.

The design of the cradle also allows easy access to all of your Kindle’s function buttons, as well as it’s charging port and speakers (which is important if you use the Text To Speech function – like me – in the car).

The only flaw I noticed is that the opening for the charge port should have been scooted up just a tad allowing more room for you to plug it in. It works, but it is snug.

BUILT IN STAND

One feature the DustJacket has that my current cover lacks is a built in stand. While most of you may think this feature insignificant, for some of you..this may actually be the clencher. With one quick flip of your wrist your cover instantly turns into a book stand.

Here is just a few benefits to having this feature:

1. If you read while eating lunch, having your book propped up not only allows you to see the screen easier, but it can actually open up your eating area, and deplete your fear of food splatter on your screen.
2. If you download cookbooks, propping your Kindle up will open up your workspace and make it easier for you to read your recipe.

Wow!! I sound a little like a pig after those examples, but you get my point.

And last…

PRICE & VARIETY

Speck’s DustJacket is priced at $34.95 and while some of you are gasping right now, I want you to stop and think about this for a second.

1. The case I currently have (that I would never willingly drop with my Kindle in it) is $39.99
2. You have 2 colors to choose from not just 1 (even though I love black)
3. You are getting more bang for your buck! (Case + Stand = happy camper)

Overall, I’m more than pleased, and trust me when I say… I’m keeping this case! My Kindle was not cheap, and if I can spend an extra $40 bucks and not have to worry about it cracking when my 1 year old throws it across the room I’m game.

Will The iPad Kill Ebooks?

Misty — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:17:41 +0000

Will The iPad iBooks Kill The Ebook Reader?

by Ebook Doctor on April 1, 2010

In typical Apple fashion, the iPad has generated a huge amount of interest. Steve Jobs has described the device as “magical”, “extraordinary” and sees the device as redefining the personal computer.

This tablet type device launches on the 3^rd of April in the US, and will hit the UK at the end of April. Featuring a glossy 9.7” LED, touch screen, the device which resembles a large Iphone will support email, web browsing, all the main features (except the phone bit) of the Iphone as well as an eBook reader built in.

But is it an eBook reader killer?

Lets first look at what makes eBook readers so popular:

The ability to carry a near unlimited amount of books around
The sharp E-Ink screen, which reads like a real book (so you don’t get eye fatigue and you can read under any environment)
The long battery life (most eBook readers can get over 2 weeks of use)
The ability to purchase books from the device (available on the Kindle, Nook, Bebook Neo for example)
The ability to load up any pdf, pre purchased eBook, or document into the device for reading later
The compact form factor
Varying price points (you can pick up an ebook reader for as little as $100, and as much as $500)

Add to these the fact that you can use your eBook reader as a note taking device, you can annotate text, and on some readers actually listen to music or audio books on the go.

How does the iPad compare?

The iPad has a huge memory capacity (starting at 16GB)
The iPad features a high resolution glossy colour screen, but this is the same as what you will find on most laptops. Which means you won’t be able to read as comfortably as on an E-Ink device (think about it as reading text from a laptop screen)
The iPad has 10 hours of battery life which is great, but simply cannot compare to 2+ weeks of use on standard ebook readers. If you travel a lot this will be a huge issue.
The iPad comes with an improved Itunes which will include an ebook store. Although you won’t get as many ebooks as say on Amazon or Borders, you will be able to purchase eBooks on the go.
You can import any unlocked (non DRM) epub ebooks into your iPad through Itunes but you can’t read your ibooks from any other device then the iPad.
The device will be bigger than most eBook readers, but definitely compact: (height: 9.56-inches, width: 7.47-inches, depth: 0.5-inches, weight: 1.5 pounds (1.6 for the 3G model).)
Price wise, the iPad will start at $499, which is much more expensive than most ebook readers out there, but in line witht the pricing of the Kindle DX.

The iPad also innovates by providing interactive magazine content and tailored news content which mixes text and multimedia.

The verdict?

So is the iPad the next eBook reader? We don’t think so yet, but its definitely going to be a key player, and Amazon definitely acknowledges that by releasing a Kindle App for the iPad.

If you are a keen book reader, and you like having your books with you when travelling there is no better device than an E-Ink eBook reader. You won’t get eye fatigue, you will be able to read indoors and outdoors and you will be able to read for weeks without having to recharge the device.

But the iPad will change the landscape of eBook readers.

The start of a revolution?

So the iPad isn’t yet an EBook Reader Killer, but it is an impressive device which will force many eBook reader companies to push more innovative features.

What we will start to see in the next 3 to 12 months is:

The introduction of colour E-Ink screens
Faster refresh rates on E-ink screens
Downloadable & purchasable eBooks available from the eBook reader as standard
More magazine content becoming available for eBook readers
More news based content becoming available for eBook readers
Larger screens (more 8”+ devices to compete with the Ipad)

BookChatter Interview!

Misty — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:16:33 +0000

In case you missed it…here is my brilliant panelist debut on BookChatter…. Disclaimer: My Texas accent is thick. (I had NO IDEA how bad it is until I listened to myself.)

Enjoy! Misty

BookChatter

Battle Of The E-readers!

Misty — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:48:48 +0000

After scrambling to finish my book today…and being unsuccessful, I thought I would let y’all ponder an article I read today. Just 1 more reason to be in love with my Kindle. Happy Reading!

Battle of e-readers shows Kindle books much cheaper than Nook, Sony

Tom Barlow

Mar 1st 2010 at 3:00PM

After reviewing various e-readers recently in one of our savings experiments, I thought I would compare the cost of a variety of books currently sold by the three dominant forces in the e-book field, Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), and the Reader Store, which sells books for the Sony Reader.

For this study, I chose the New York Times selection of the 10 best books of 2009; five fiction, five non-fiction. I avoided current bestsellers, since they are often subject to price wars and loss-leader pricing.

The results of my survey were startling. Since Amazon recently came to an agreement with major publishers, agreeing to sell e-books in Kindle format at a price closer to that of of the printed versions (a sop to the brick and mortar book business), I wasn’t surprised the prices had risen on Amazon above what had been $9.99.

Book	Amazon for Kindle	Barnes & Noble for Nook	Reader Store for Sony
Chronic City by Jonathan Letham	$15.37	$20.76	$9.99
Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It by Maile Meloy	$14.27	$18.53	$18.16
A Gate At The Stairs by Lorrie Moore	$14.27	$19.27	$9.99
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls	$9.99	$9.99	$9.99
A Short History Of Women by Kate Walbert	$9.99	$17.82	$9.99
The Age Of Wonder by Richard Holmes	$23.76	$29.71	$40.00
The Good Soldiers by David Finkel	$9.99	$18.57	$9.99
Lit: A Memoir by Mary Karr	$9.99	$22.27	$9.99
Lords Of Finance by Liaquat Ahamed	$9.99	$9.99	$9.99
Raymond Carver: A Writer’s Life by Carol Sklenicka	$19.25	$26.00	$24.50
Total	$136.87	$192.91	$152.5

What did surprise me was how many books remained at that low price, and the shocking difference in price between Amazon, the Reader Store and Barnes & Noble. In just these 10 books, books for the Sony Reader were 11.5% more expensive, while the Nook cost 41% more.

I asked Mary Ellen Keating, senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs for Barnes & Noble, about this price disparity. She replied via e-mail “eBooks are an emerging category and many pricing models are being tested by both publishers and retailers. What’s important is that we are committed to providing our customers with the widest catalog of digital books and eperiodicals, that they can read and take with them on their computers and most (or mobile) devices. We are not focused on any one device, rather we’re about giving consumers choices as to where they want to read their digital content. We are also committed to offering these ebooks and periodicals at a very competitive price.” Take from that what you will.

Is Amazon continuing to sell these books at a loss to build its Kindle business? That would be my guess. In the meantime, those of us who read books on another platform, Blackberry in my case, have a choice between versions of the Nook and Kindle readers. Guess which one I’ll be using.

Amazon Launches Kindle For BlackBerry

Misty — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:34:14 +0000

Amazon Launches Kindle For BlackBerry

The retailer said user demand spurred them to develop the e-book reader software for BlackBerry smartphones.

By Antone Gonsalves – InformationWeek

Amazon on Thursday launched its Kindle application for the BlackBerry, making it possible for users of the smartphone to read digital books purchased from the online retailer and synchronize bookmarks with the Kindle electronic reader and other supported devices.

The Research In Motion smartphone joins Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch with a Kindle app, which is also available for Windows PCs. Amazon also plans to release applications for the Mac and Apple iPad, a tablet computer set to be released at the end of March.

Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin wow the crowd at the New York City intro of T-Mobile’s G1 Android Google phone. Video by InformationWeek’s Alex Wolfe.

E-books purchased from Amazon can be downloaded to the Kindle using its Whispersync wireless technology or to any other device with the Kindle application. E-books purchased on one device can also be accessed by other devices through Amazon.

In releasing Kindle applications, Amazon does not tie customers to its own e-reader or hamper the reseller from selling as many e-books as possible. Amazon said it chose to support the BlackBerry because of user demand.

“Since the launch of our popular Kindle for iPhone app last year, customers have been asking us to bring a similar experience to the BlackBerry, and we are thrilled to make it available today,” Ian Freed, VP of Amazon Kindle, said in a statement.

Customers using BlackBerry devices on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and other U.S. carriers will be able to use the Kindle application. Amazon has 420,000 e-books available, including 102 of the 112 New York Times bestsellers. However, because Amazon uses proprietary copyright protection technology, the retailer has fewer than half the e-books available from competitors, such as Sony and Barnes & Noble, which support an open e-book standard in their e-readers, the Reader and Nook, respectively.

Nevertheless, the Kindle leads the e-reader market, with Sony’s Reader a distant second. In releasing fourth-quarter financial results last month, Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos said the retailer sells six books for the Kindle for every 10 physical books with the same titles. The total number of Kindle books downloaded would be higher, if Amazon counted free books.

5 Must Have Kindle Accessories

Misty — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:41:54 +0000

Rapid Car / Auto Charger

Product Description

Custom designed to safely meet the needs of any nomadic professional; Gomadic Rapid Charger provides a versatile solution to the confusing mass of cords taking up space in your glove compartment; allowing you to safely focus on the road. In addition; this product; like all Gomadic products; is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Technical Details

- High output Rapid Charging adapter fits cigarette lighters in both foreign and domestic vehicles

- 12 – 24 VDC; 1000 mA high output current for faster charging

- Advanced internal circuitry prevents device from power surges; overcharging and short-circuiting

- Charging adapter works with both foreign and domestic car lighter port

- Lifetime Warranty on Gomadic Brand products

Kradle

KA-222S in Sand

For Kindle (6″ Display, Global Wireless)

Key Product Features

- Holds Kindle at “15 degrees from vertical”, “15 degrees from flat”, or 45 degrees when Positioned with the Kindle Cover

- Low-profile of less than 1 inch high, shorter and narrower than your Kindle, makes it highly-portable

- Read hands-free at breakfast, the cafe or at work

- Feather-light at just 4 ounces, the one-piece design is made of resilient ABS plastic

- When reading for long periods of time, vary your handgrip by holding the E-Reader in the reading stand in the “15 degrees from flat” position

- You choose between provided felt and rubber pads so your reading stand either easily slides on table surfaces (use the felt pads) or stays put (use the rubber pads)

- A cord slot in the “15 degrees from flat” position allows you to charge your Kindle while in the stand

- Keep your Kindle and Cover safely above accidental spills when reading while eating

- Handsomely displays your Kindle when not in use

- Reflective surfaces of the reading stand enhance sound clarity

Neoprene Kindle Sleeve

Product Description

Built’s Kindle Compatible Neoprene Sleeve in Nolita Stripe is the ideal case for your 6″ Display, latest generation Kindle. This sleeve features Built’s propritary hourglass shape and form to hold your Kindle tight, with a soft inner lining to protect your Kindle screen from scratches. Your Kindle slides in and out of the top for easy access, but is snug within the neoprene and will not fall out. Perfect for when you are traveling with your Kindle anywhere and everywhere. When you are using your Kindle, this Built sleeve lays flat for easy storage. Machine washable (air dry). Design and function from Built. LOVE YOUR STUFF!

Technical Details

- Soft inner lining will not scratch screen; form fitting design

- Keep your 6″ display, latest generation Kindle secure in this hip yet protective neoprene sleeve; designed for readers on the go

- Proprietary hourglass shape provides an instant, built-in bumper system for extra protection; Certified Kindle Compatable

- Sleeve lays flat when not in use; Machine wash cold; air dry

2-Year Extended Warranty for Kindle

(6″ Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

From the Manufacturer

Every Kindle comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. With the 2-Year Extended Warranty for Kindle, you will receive protection against accidental damage such as drops or spills for the entire two years. In the 2nd year, your coverage extends to protect against failures that occur during normal operation. This helps avoid the inconvenience and costs associated with a broken device. The warranty stays with the device even if it is gifted or sold to another party.

What is Covered

- Two years of coverage (limited to a single claim) for accidental drops or damage such as spills that affect the functionality of your covered device.

- One additional year of coverage (after the end of the manufacturer’s warranty) for failures that occur during normal operation.

- One time claim for battery malfunction during second year of coverage

- Available to U.S. customers only

How it Works

- Purchase 2-Year Extended Warranty for Kindle (6″ Display, Latest Generation) for your qualifying Kindle (you will receive an information packet in the mail)

- Contact Service Net customer service at (877) 441-3836 if your Kindle fails

- For covered failures, receive a replacement Kindle and return your damaged device to Service Net

About Service Net

Service Net is an industry-leading service management company focused on delivering a full range of service solutions including warranty management administration, extended service programs, customer service support, service network management, claims processing services, and service contract underwriting. The warranty stays with the device even if it is gifted or sold to another party.

e-Luminator2 Booklight for Amazon Kindle

Overview

The M-Edge e-Luminator2 booklight (patent pending) is the ultimate accessory for the Amazon Kindle. Based on the input of loyal M-Edge customers, this custom designed booklight has been developed to work seamlessly with most of M-Edge’s jackets for the Amazon Kindle (2nd Generation). The powerful light features a super-bright LED light bulb which provides ample illumination for the Reader’s screen while a mirrored reflector and optical quality lens disperses the light uniformly.The light is powered by a standard AAA battery (not included) with endurance enough for more than 20 hours of operation without dimming.The light is operated by a three position switch with two light intensity settings.A flexible and resilient steel neck allows the user to position the light in the desired direction.Perhaps the most impressive feature of this light is that it is designed to be stored via a slim support arm sized to match a pocket sewn into the back of many of M-Edge Jackets for the Amazon Kindle. The light pocket is conveniently located behind the Kindle and does not interfere with the use of the eReader. When in the storage position, the light is located conveniently in the jacket so you can easily bring your light while on the go (for our Platform, Prodigy and Halsea for M-Edge jackets). For our Latitude Jacket, there is a storage pocket to easily place your e-Luminator2 when not in use.

Features

- Lightweight and compact booklight works seamlessly with most of M-Edge’s Jackets for Amazon Kindle (2nd Generation)

- Light stows in many M-Edge covers and easily pivots up to allow for optimal light positioning. Fully adjustable flexible steel neck allows for fine tuning light position.

- Powered with 1 AAA battery that provides more than 20 hours of use without dimming (battery not included; alkaline recommended)

- Optical lens spreads light evenly over Kindle screen, and Super Bright LED light bulb never needs replacing

- High and low light intensity settings allow for tailored screen illumination

Specifications

- Compatibility: Amazon Kindle (Fits 6″ Display, Latest Generation Kindle)

- Weight: 0.9oz (without battery); 1.3oz (with battery installed)

- Dimensions: 4.75in x 7.5in x .5in