ecoINSITE - Elevating Green IT

Kindle PC software: A stealth Amazon tablet

By Pedro Hernandez on November 10, 2009 6:43 PM

To be honest, I was less than wowed when I heard about Amazon's Kindle for PC software (Mac version available soon-ish). After reading BetaNews' take on it, it occurred to me that Amazon may have already established a toe-hold in the tablet market well before Apple ships its mythical slab (sub req'd) or Microsoft launches the Courier (if ever).

System requirements for the software are extremely modest: XP SP2, Vista, or Windows 7, at least a 500 MHz AMD/Intel processor and 128 MB of RAM, (800 x 600) screen resolution, and 100 MB storage. Conceivably, if it supported Linux-based operating systems or WinCE, such a lightweight app could actually run agreeably on recycled hardware; providing the foundation for a DIY Kindle actually running Kindle software.

There's nothing preventing an owner of a current Windows-based tablet PC like the Dell Latitude XT2 from loading it onto their machines now and sparing a few trees in the process. Just like that, you have an full e-book platform in a fairly portable package on a screen that handily beats most e-book readers in terms of size. Chances are you already carry your tablet PC around, anyway. Plus, there's nothing else to buy (the software is free too).

The whole selling point behind e-books, to me at least, is that you can come close to replicating the experience of reading print thanks to electronic paper. (I once tried to read "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" on a Palm and it fell several thousand leagues short.) But for the few people out there that invested in a tablet PC, your e-book tablet has arrived.

E-book reader fail (x2)

By Pedro Hernandez on October 24, 2009 12:10 PM

Oh no! Just when solid competition for the Kindle shows up in the form of Barnes & Noble's well-received Nook, it seems that e-book makers want the tiny market to implode.

Exhibit 1: IREX's "premium" $449 e-book reader. It's got a generous 8.1-inch screen, a svelte (if homely) look and some delicious functionality, but it's $449. Have we learned nothing?! Available (though backordered) at Best Buy if you're so inclined.

Exhibit 2: Nook's severely limited lending feature. Think long and hard about which fellow Nook-owning e-bookworm will get your 2-week loan of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" because it is the first, last and only time it will ever happen. So much for leveraging social networking(ish) capabilities to drive book sales.

Sony Announces Two New eReaders

By Pedro Hernandez on August 4, 2009 8:47 PM

Sony e-book reader

Sony has two new e-book models this summer, including a 5-inch, $199 Pocket Edition. Also going on sale this August is the Reader Touch Edition for $299, which as the name implies, has a touchscreen interface as well as SD and Memory Stick slots.

No wireless connectivity options for either model, however.

To coincide with the announcement, Sony has dropped the default price of e-books to $9.99, bringing them in parity with what Amazon charges.

Source

Amazon Cuts Kindle 2 Price

By Pedro Hernandez on July 8, 2009 10:32 PM

Kindle - Price Drop
Amazon's Kindle 2 e-book reader is cheaper today by $60. The online retailer knocked 17 percent off its $359 price tag for a consumer friendlier $299. Tempted now?

The larger Kindle DX's price remains unchanged at $489, in case you were wondering.

Elonex, Borders UK Enter E-book Fray

By Pedro Hernandez on July 1, 2009 3:16 PM

Elonex eBook
It's compact and sporting a style that I would generously call subdued, but Elonex deserves credit for teaming with Borders UK and launching the 6-inch eBook reader along with a service to rival Amazon's. Competition, yay!