Free Kindle for Mac Download!

Amazon on Thursday announced the release of its Kindle e-book reader app for the Apple OS X. Kindle for Mac is available now as a free download from Amazon.com!

The app works with the U.S. Kindle store, featuring more than 450,000 downloadable titles. Users can also access their library of purchased books, view notes and highlights made on other Kindles, and read books in full color.

Amazon will soon add full text search and the ability to create and edit notes and highlights, the company said.

“Kindle for Mac is the perfect companion application for customers who own a Kindle or Kindle DX,” Jay Marine, Amazon’s Kindle director, said in a statement. “For those customers around the world who don’t yet have a Kindle, Kindle for Mac is a great way to instantly access and read the most popular new releases as well as their old favorites.”

Amazon also used the opportunity to mention upcoming iPad compatibility! More on this later!

Source credit: PCMagazine

IREX Now Shipping!

Here’s the latest from their press release:

IREX TECHNOLOGIES NOW SHIPPING DR800SG eREADER

Westlake Village, Calif., Feb. 17, 2010 – IREX Technologies’ DR800SG wireless eReader is officially available on BestBuy.com today.

The device combines an incomparable, paper-like reading experience and the perfect balance between readability and portability with an open approach to buying and transferring content. With 3G wireless capabilities, users can purchase and quickly download an eBook while on the go.

“Consumer awareness and adoption of eReaders is reaching a tipping point – devices were a hot seller this holiday season and the space is poised to explode in 2010,” said Kevin Hamilton, CEO, IREX North America, Inc. “This is a purpose-built device for people who love to read. IREX supports multiple file formats, provides access to hundreds of thousands of leading books and periodicals, and now offers a strong retail presence to help us stand out in this competitive market.”

Along with immediate availability on BestBuy.com, the device will appear on Best Buy shelves through a phased launch in coming months. Giving users access to the device through a retailer recognized for providing hands-on interaction with technology will drive increased awareness and understanding of eReaders, as potential buyers can see, touch and even test the product – a must do for consumers buying an eReader.

The IREX device includes the Barnes & Noble eBookstore from Barnes & Noble, the world’s largest bookseller, giving users access to more than 750,000 titles, including new releases and bestsellers at $9.99. Barnes & Noble expects its eBookstore (www.bn.com/ebooks) will increase to well over one million titles in 2010, inclusive of every available eBook and eBook originals from book publishers.

Agreements with NewspaperDirect and LibreDigital – two leading distributors of digital content – give IREX users access to the most comprehensive collection of newspapers and magazines available in the eReader market, up to 1,100 more titles than what is currently available on some competitive devices.

“A flurry of eReaders and tablets were announced at CES in January, but the reality is that many of these devices are not widely availability. Shoppers can head to BestBuy.com and purchase the DR800SG immediately, putting their favorite eBooks, newspapers and magazines just a few clicks away – not a few months away,” said Hamilton.

Key product specifications
· Purchase content on the go – wireless service for the IREX device is provided by Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network. Qualcomm’s Gobi™ multi-mode 3G embedded module drives connectivity to 3G networks around the world.

· Big screen, compact design – some competitive devices offer a similarly-sized device but with a much smaller display area. IREX’s 8.1-inch screen is ideal for books, magazines and newspapers with detailed graphics.

· Purpose-built device – the DR800SG features the latest electronic paper display technology, using E Ink’s Vizplex imaging film, to deliver an experience that is closer to reading ordinary paper than possible with a netbook or tablet device. It also has a longer battery life and is lightweight.

· Easy navigation – the device turns pages faster than competing products and navigation is easy with an interactive stylus-driven touch screen. Users can search their library or add a bookmark with the tap of a stylus or skim an eBook with the touch of a thumb.

· Customized reading – users can enlarge or reduce text size and margin widths, or select portrait or landscape mode to suit their preferences.

Pricing and availability
The IREX DR800SG has an MSRP of $399.99, which includes access to a variety of free content. Wireless access to downloaded content is included in the cost of the DR800SG and no contract is required

Coming Soon: LG eReader

LG reader“LG has shown off some innovative technology for e-readers like solar power, but hasn’t gotten a device to market yet. According to reports, they will join the e-reader marketplace with a new device due to arrive at the same time as Apple’s iPad.

The new e-reader is set to debut in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) in April. Their CEO for MEA KW Kim didn’t exactly say that the product is an e-reader. He only said that “[the product] will compete with Apple and Amazon.” The only other thing that Amazon makes besides the Kindle seems to be money.”

Read the rest of the article at: http://taintedgreen.com/green-gadgets/lg-jumps-into-the-ring-with-kindle-ipad-in-e-reader-melee/000543

Amazon stocks Macmillan ebooks again!

After a week-long absence, new copies of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and other books published by Macmillan are available for purchase on Amazon.com….read the full story here!

Kindle DX Goes Global

This just in from Amazon:

Amazon.com has introduced Kindle DX with Global Wireless – a new version of the 9.7-inch wireless reading device now with the convenience of wireless content delivery in over 100 countries. In addition to the features that have made the 6-inch Kindle the bestselling product across all of Amazon, the new Kindle DX with Global Wireless has a large 9.7-inch electronic paper display, auto-rotate capability and storage for up to 3,500 books. Kindle DX with Global Wireless is available for pre-order starting today for $489 and ships January 19.

Coming Soon – The eDGe!

entourage_systems_edgeToday, CNN Money reports that Virginia-based enTourage company will introduce an innovative, new dual screen eReader/Netbook computer combination called the eDGe in 2010.  The eDGe may give the Kindle serious competition in the coming year!

The eDGe will offer the consumer access to both ebooks and most notebook functions, including internet access.  The eDGe is an innovative  attempt at bringing live internet and everyday reading together.

Read the entire article at CNN.Money

The Skiff

Another exciting new eReader is about to hit the market!  

skiff1

Digital Trends is reporting that this year’s CED will debut the largest eReader on the market, The Skiff, with Sprint 3G capabilities.  The Skiff, a fully touchscreen capable device, features a large, hi-res display with 1200×1600 pixel resolution, and measures 11.5″ diagonally.  (It’s also the slimmest eReader on the market, and it features “Metal Foil” e-paper technology, which makes it unusually flexible!)

Featuring Sprint’s 3G connectivity, the Skiff service & store will allow customers to purchase and access newspapers, magazines, books, etc., from multiple sources. 

Here are the specs, as reported: 

  • Display:  11.5″ diagonal touchscreen, flexible e-Ink, 1200×1600 UXGA resolution
  • Thickness:  just over .25″
  • Weight:  under 16 ounces
  • Battery Life:  approximately one week
  • Wireless:  Sprint 3G, Wifi

The Skiff will be sold in Sprint retail stores.  More details to follow!  I can’t wait to get one this size!!!!!

eNewspapers?

Several media outlets are reporting today that The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post have exclusive subscription deals with Sony through their newest electronic readers.
The Reader Daily Edition, brand new & offered by Sony at around $400, will be the only eReader that carries the New York Post, and readers will pay $9.99 a month for the subscription.
The Wall Street Journal is already available on Amazon’s Kindle for $14.99 per month, and for an additional $5.00, Sony subscribers can subscribe to the after-market update.
The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post have joined Time, Cosmopolitan, and Sports Illustrated in working to improve their digital offerings….could eReaders be the saving grace for the failing newspaper industry?

eReader Sales are Hot!

The Sony Corp. in August had announced that its new eReader— the Daily Edition will hit the store shelves during the holiday season. Unfortunately, that may not be the case, after all.

Since Sony announced that it’s new “Daily Edition” eReader would hit stores during the holiday season, demand has exploded and Sony isn’t sure it can keep up with it’s pre-orders. Now, according to the reports, Sony said that it’s much awaited eReader—Daily Edition might not be available in December, after all.

It won’t be shipped until between December 18th through January 8, according to sources at Sony. And these dates are still not confirmed, and may still change…much to the disappointment of eager readers hoping to grab one during the holiday season.