Schools Won't Use The Kindle Until It's Handicapped Accessible

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Two major universities, Syracuse and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have decided not to use the Kindle DX as a way of distributing textbooks to their students. This is a big blow to Amazon's hopes for their reader, and one that's been applauded by the National Federation of the Blind. They dislike the Kindle because it cannot be used by blind students. As long as that is the case, they say, universities should not adopt the device for widespread use.

The National Federation was careful to mention that they see a lot of promise in E-Reader technology for blind students. Text-to-speech functionality could easily create a reader that is useable by those with disabilities, but the Kindle DX was not manufactured in this way. While universities are still free to approve of the Kindle as one way to distribute books to students, the Americans With Disabilities Act makes it impossible for it to be the sole method.

Posted on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:37:18 CST | by Robert Evans

Kindle for PC Now Available As Free Download

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Today Amazon announced the availability of Kindle for PC, the free application that lets you read Kindle books on your PC.
The U.S. Kindle Store currently offers more than 360,000 books, including New Releases and 101 of 112 New York Times Bestsellers, which are typically $9.99 or less.
Kindle ebooks can now be read on the Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch and PC.

Kindle for PC features Amazon’s Whispersync technology that automatically saves and synchronizes bookmarks and last page read across devices. Whether you read Kindle books on a Kindle, Kindle DX, or one of the free Kindle applications, you can always have your reading with you and never lose your place. With Kindle for PC, you can read some on your PC, read some on your Kindle, and always pick up right where you left off.
Read more

Posted on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Kindle For PC: A Free Windows 7 App

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Just when I'd started to lose faith in Amazon's ability to innovate, they send out a press release like this (via Giz). Today, as part of the Windows 7 roll-out, Amazon announced the launch of "Kindle for PC", a free application for reading Kindle books. On a normal PC, it'll allow you to save and bookmark your place across devices. If you read ten pages on your desktop and switch over to your Kindle, you'll find your book has advanced to the spot you left off at just a few moments ago. Also; color photos.

Posted on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:09:14 CDT | by Robert Evans

Amazon Lowers Price of International Kindle, Gives $20 Refunds

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Amazon is lowering the price of the new U.S. & International Wireless Kindle to $259 (was $279). Amazon says because of the strong demand they are consolidating 6" Kindle line-up. Customers who already purchased an U.S. & International Wireless Kindle get a $20 refund.
This move makes a lot of sense and is a nice treat for the early adopters of Kindle abroad. I published yesterday a review of the International Kindle using it in Germany.
Read more

Posted on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:50:24 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Kindle Versus Nook: Who Will Win?

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Amazon's Kindle was the first successful E-Reader, and it remains the reader with the largest worldwide adoption. This is partially due to being one of the earliest products of its type, and partially due to the great selection in Amazon's E-book store. (The Kindle going international didn't hurt either.) Any company hoping to compete with Amazon's reader is in for an uphill battle. At least, that's what I thought until I saw Barnes & Noble's nook.

It's rare to see one product whup the everliving hell out of its competition so thoroughly, but B&N have done just that with the nook. Both the Kindle and the nook cost exactly the same amount; $259. Both the Kindle and the nook have 3G, but the nook also has WiFi on top of that. Both machines have a 6" screen, but the nook also has a 3.5" color LCD touch screen that runs Android.

Posted on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:05 CDT | by Robert Evans

International Amazon Kindle Reviewed While Using It In Deutschland

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I used to live in the U.S. for several years. Back then I also started this site you are reading right now - I4U News. Since a couple years I live in Germany again, but continue along with my U.S. based colleagues to cover hot gadgets and technology news for the mostly American technology fans. Some gadgets available in the United States I miss out on living here in Germany are for instance the TiVo (I miss it so much!) and also the Amazon Kindle.
When Amazon announced the Amazon Kindle U.S. & International I ordered it right away and I got it handed to me by my friendly UPS guy today.
I was excited to open the small box and start using the Kindle eBook reader to see how the future of reading feels.
Read more

Posted on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:58:15 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Amazon Kindle U.S. & International Wireless Ships Today

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The new Amazon Kindle U.S. & International Wireless is shipping today. Amazon announced the new International Kindle earlier this month. The new Kindle eBook can be ordered and used around the world in over 100 countries. Amazon ships the new Kindle directly from the U.S. store, which is an interesting approach to distribute a device globally.

Because of the weak Dollar the new Kindle eBook reader is actually not a bad deal in most countries despite shipping and custom fees. Read more

Posted on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:33:20 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Amazon Kindle Jackets Unveiled By M-Edge

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Amazon slashed the Kindle eReader price yesterday to $259 and introduced a new International Kindle for $279.
If you want to protect and carry your Kindle in style M-Edge offers for instance a broad line of different Kindle bags and jackets.

M-Edge’s Professional line of Kindle jackets is aimed at the classic and stylish consumer. This comprehensive line includes the Prodigy, GO!, and Platform jackets in a variety of genuine and synthetic leather colors and are the ideal solution for sophisticated users with a professional, active, on-the-go lifestyle.
Read more

Posted on Thu, 8 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Amazon International Kindle Availability Plotted On World Map

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Amazon did two big things today. They lowered the price for the 6-inch Kindle eBook Reader to $259 and launched the new Kindle U.S. & International Wireless.
Amazon is selling the new International Kindle directly from the U.S. site to consumers in countries around the world. Since the Dollar is weak this is still quite a good deal despite shipping cost and customs fees.

BlogKindle published a great overview where the new International Kindle is available and what is supported in these countries. Read more

Posted on Wed, 7 Oct 2009 10:34:21 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Amazon Kindle International A Bargain Because Of Weak Dollar

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Amazon announced today the new Kindle U.S. & International Wireless which can be ordered and used around the world in over 100 countries.
Amazon takes an interesting approach and ships the new international Kindle eBook reader from the US Amazon store. This way requires higher shipping costs and also import fees (customs fees).
The price of the Kindle U.S. & International Wireless is $279. Having it shipped to Germany brings the total cost up to $356.98, which includes shipping and an Import Fee Deposit.

With the deposit the shipping company is supposed to clear the Kindle for you through customs. Sounds very convenient. Let's see if this works. Because of the weak Dollar the price in Euro for the new Kindle eBook reader is about €243. Read more

Posted on Wed, 7 Oct 2009 01:17:59 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Amazon Kindle On Sale Now For Only $259

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Amazon introduced a new version of the Kindle eBook reader and reduced the price of the Kindle for the U.S. to $259 down from $299.

The new Kindle U.S. & International Wireless is supporting new content downloads in over 100 countries and can be ordered internationally. The good news for U.S. customers that do not want to download content while traveling they can now buy the 6" Amazon Kindle for the new low price of $259. Read more

Posted on Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Amazon Kindle U.S. & International Wireless Unveiled

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Amazon announced today a new version of the Kindle eBook reader. The new Amazon Kindle U.S. & International Wireless is selling for only $279 on Amazon.com and can be used in over 100 countries and territories.

The Kindle with U.S. & International Wireless will be available for shipment to customers in over 100 countries around the world on October 19th. That is right the Kindle eBook reader is going to be available outside the U.S. for the first time. Read more

Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2009 23:32:23 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New iPod touch 32GB Only Outsold By Kindle On Amazon

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Apple unveiled the new faster and cheaper iPod touch 3G about two weeks ago. Amazon is selling the iPod touch 32GB for $20 less and than the Apple store and ships it for free of course.
This sales price helped catapult the new iPod touch 32GB to the #2 spot on the Bestsellers in Electronics list.
Only the new 6-inch Kindle sells better. The Kindle owns this spot, but Amazon also does everything to promote it. The Amazon homepage has had a huge placement for the Kindle for the longest time. Read more

Posted on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Kindle Version of Dan Brown's

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Today we have what could be a watershed event for the entire e-reader industry. It appears that, as of yesterday, the Kindle version of Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" was outselling the Amazon hardcover. Steve from Kindle Nation Daily predicted the occurrence, and he appears to have been right.

If you look at the sales rankings for the "Mysteries and Thrillers" section of the Amazon store, you'll find both types of sale listed separately. Yesterday at 10:30 A.M., the Kindle was in first place. Today, the same is true. The Kindle edition has spent the last two days in the top 100, and it shows no signs of slowing. This is a very impressive achievement for the Kindle, Dan Brown is one of the best selling authors in the country.

Posted on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:32:48 CDT | by Robert Evans

Pressmart Offers Newspapers on Kindle and Sony Reader

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Pressmart has announced that it will be providing digital editions of some of the leading newspapers around the world to Amazon kindle and Sony eReader users. The company hopes that the new offering will attract more customers to its digital newspaper service.

The company offers many digital newspapers including Philadelphia Inquirer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, Birmingham Post, Bangkok Post, the Sun, Hindustan Times, Deccan Chronicle, and Indian Express. The company's platform makes it easy for newspaper publishers to take their content online. Read more

Posted on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

New Dan Brown The Lost Symbol For Kindle Is On Pre-Order

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This is kind of neat, if you own a Kindle eBook Reader. When you pre-order the new highly anticipated new Dan Brown book The Lost Symbol, it will appear automatically on your Kindle on Launch day September 15th.

This is one of the advantages of Amazon's Whispernet infrastructure for the Kindle. Read more

Posted on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:04:35 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

McGraw-Hill Education and Amazon Form Alliance for Kindle

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One of the things I remember most about my last year of college were the three massive books I had to carry from one end of campus to the other. I felt like I was in boot camp trying to make the trek with all that weight in time for class to start.

College students may soon no longer have to schlep books around if they opt for the Kindle and their college uses McGraw-Hill textbooks. The two companies announced an alliance that will introduce the higher education textbooks to the Kindle market. Read more

Posted on Fri, 7 Aug 2009 11:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Apple Tablet: The Kindle-Killer?

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The big news today is that Apple's much-anticipated new tablet PC, previously rumored to be hitting stores early 2010, could be coming out as soon as September of this year. Apple's 10” tablet has created a lot of media buzz, and now the question on everyone's mind seems to be just what niche the gadget is going to fill. Many feel that the new device will be a Kindle killer.

Most e-readers, including the Kindle DX, fall into the $300 and under price bracket. Apple's tablet, on the other hand, has been predicted by an Oppenheimer & Co analyst to run between $600-$1000. The tablet's role in the marketplace will be determined partially by capability, but primarily by price.

Posted on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:20:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

Sheet Music Available on Kindle

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A company called FreeHand systems has announced that its full Novato Music Press catalog of 20,000 classical, traditional, and other music genre sheet music catalog is now available on the Amazon Kindle. This is the first time according to the company that a sheet music library has been available on the Kindle.

The digital sheet music catalog has over 130,000 titles and is the largest sheet music catalog online. The goal according to the company is to offer its entire sheet music catalog on the Kindle. Read more

Posted on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Amazon Cuts Kindle 2 Price

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The E-Reader market is heating up, and Amazon is starting to look at the competition with actual concern. That's the most likely reason I can think of for today's surprise announcement of a substantial price cut for the Kindle 2. After 5 months on the market, Amazon is cutting $60 off of the price tag.

This brings the Kindle 2 down to $299. Engadget thinks that $300 looks to be the 'magic number' for E-Readers, and I tend to agree. When a device like the Kindle 2 costs more than some netbooks (which have much more functionality) customers are going to be less likely to buy it. I think it's likely we'll see most of the next-generation E-Readers introduced at or under $300.

Posted on Wed, 8 Jul 2009 15:00:00 CDT | by Robert Evans

M-Edge Kindle DX Accessories Unveiled

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Amazon.com wasted no time launching its larger screen Kindle DX with it coming shortly on the heels of the previous Kindle 2 launch. The larger screen device now gets new accessories from M-Edge to keep it shiny and new looking.

The company has announced a new line of protective covers for the DX that are offered in real and synthetic leather. The Executive Jacket for Kindle DX sells for $59.99 and keeps the Kindle in place with a four point mounting system. The case is held closed by a wrap around strap. Read more

Posted on Mon, 8 Jun 2009 06:19:04 CDT | by Shane McGlaun