Kindle users can finally borrow library ebooks

Are Kindle users buying books? Image: Amazon.com

Kindle users in the US will soon be able to borrow books from their local libraries after Amazon announced a deal with Overdrive, the company which powers ebook lending services for many libraries in the US and Europe. Ebook lending is already available to users of rival ebook which support ePub files protected by … [Read more...]

Digital reading: Is it all about the iPad?

Apple's iPad was a major presence at the London Book Fair. Image: Apple

Wandering around the London Book Fair this week there were times I almost became convinced it was actually an Apple fan convention, or more specifically an iPad one. It seemed like every stall, kiosk and stand had an iPad on it - if they weren't being used to showcase content, demonstrate a technology or sign a deal … [Read more...]

Advert supported books and Kindles – why?

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After weeks of rumours about cut-price or even free Kindles, Amazon has confirmed that US customers will be able to save $25 on the price of Kindle in return for being subjected to adverts. By most people standards, $25 is a pretty small sum - if you're having to offer such a measly discount to sell units are the … [Read more...]

Amazon announces ad-supported Kindle

Amazon says Kindle sals continue to grow.  Photo: Amazon

US shoppers can now save themselves $25 off the price of Amazon's Kindle ebook reader by agreeing to be fed adverts for special offers and sponsored screensavers on the device. Available for $114 the 'Kindle with Special Offers' also includes 'AdMash' - an app and website where the online retailer hopes users will … [Read more...]

Gaps in ebook ranges – a huge disincentive to buying

Le Carre's The Secret Pilgrim is no longer listed in the Kindle or iBooks stores

One of the biggest annoyances with ebooks is gaps in series, what's even worse is when gaps appear in a series AFTER you've started buying one. Part way through my purchasing of John Le Carre's George Smiley books (nicely organised into a series with matching covers by Hodder & Stoughton), The Spy Who Came in from the … [Read more...]