Showing posts with label kindle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindle. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Amazon's New Tablet Dubbed 'Kindle Fire'

0 comments
Looks as though Amazon's new tablet that has taken the news by storm will be called the 'Kindle Fire' and should retail for $199.  It will feature a 7 inch screen and will be Android based.  If you check the article over on CNEThttp://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20112714-94/amazon-unveils-kindle-fire-tablet-for-$199/?tag=mantle_skin;content

You may notice that the device seems to resemble the Nook Color by Barnes & Noble.  The release of the 'Kindle Fire' will be the first actual tablet offered directly by Amazon.  As the previous versions of the Kindle were strictly e-book readers sporting the e-ink screens (which are monochrome).  The device does not include a camera or microphone and will only connect to Wifi networks (sorry, no 3G this time around).
The Nook Color by Barnes & Noble

So, it looks like for $199 you will not be running Honeycomb on it, but for $200 bucks it doesn't look like a bad tablet.  And if you know someone who loves their Kindle e-book reader, than I would recommend the 'Fire' for them.  Essentially, you are getting the e-book reader everyone knows and loves along with a color screen and more tablet like features.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

This Week's News: The Cell Phone, Cisco, F2P Announcement, and Mortal Kombat!

0 comments
This week we have several newsworthy topics.

The first public mobile phone call was made by Mr. Martin Cooper.  Mr. Cooper worked for Motorola and the phone was a really large brick looking phone.  It's amazing to see the how far mobile phones have come.  If you've done your math, that would place this iconic phone call on April 3rd, 1973.  So try to wrap your head around this, if Mr. Cooper hadn't made this phone call (and if Motorola hadn't developed the tech) than we more than likely wouldn't have the same mobile capabilities we have now.  And how did we ever get along before cell phones became all the rage?  Just something to think about.


Looks as though Cisco is closing down their Flip Camera divisions as part of a restructuring process.  If you aren't sure what the Flip Camera's are; then they are small, cell phone sized video camera's that store video in it's onboard flash storage.  These small camera's were intended for easy filming and uploading to the web.  I have not personally used the camera's for more than a few minutes at Best Buy, but I have heard mixed reviews on the quality of the devices.  No doubt a huge factor in Cisco's decision was the fact that it seems almost everybody already has a camera with them built into their cell phone or smart phone.  Not to mention competing devices like the Sony Bloggie.  Unfortunately, this restructuring will eliminate around 550 jobs from Cisco's staff.  One the upside, if you're in the market for a cheap digital video camera for your pocket or purse.  Be on the lookout as no doubt stores like Best Buy and Walmart may be trying to move these devices (just my speculation).
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-12/cisco-to-close-flip-video-camera-business-as-part-of-consumer-unit-revamp.html

In gaming/F2P news, Hi-Rez Studios online shooter Global Agenda is going free to play later this month.  For those who may remember, Global Agenda has maintained some Free to Play (F2P) aspects.  The free to play transition will bring such things to the table for F2P players as: no level restrictions, ability to earn all of the in game items without buying them, and access to all current playable zones.  Global Agenda was the game that campaigned it's extreme distaste for Elves.



Amazon decided they are trying something new with their flagship e-reader: The Kindle.  They are offering the "Kindle with Special Offers".  It's basically the same monochrome Kindle the world knows and loves.  But they will be pushing ad's and special offers to the user's devices.  The Special Offers version of the device will retail at $114 from $139.  If you don't mind looking at screensaver ad's than jump on the savings.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004HFS6Z0/tmo-20

The Mortal Kombat Legacy web series launched today.  Check it out at Machinima YouTube Channel.  This series is more or less a reboot of the Mortal Kombat story.  It features the acting talents Michael Jai White and Jeri Ryan.  This series was teased in a short video released mysteriously on Youtube by the name of Mortal Kombat Rebirth.  This take on the MK Universe looks to set a real world story to the iconic characters from the series past.  And tt definitely looks promising.  So, check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s6UiEuCYXA

Until next time, happy surfing!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

App of The Week: Stanza

0 comments
Today during my lunch break I ended up going to Barnes & Noble with my wife.  And I finally got to see a demo of Barnes & Noble's 'Nook' e-book reader.  It's a pretty attractive device.  It's not large and bulky, pretty smooth and sleek.  The screen looks pretty nice, and it has wi-fi and 3G data connections for downloading books.  All for $259 USD.  Still a little steep for my tastes.

But after looking at it, really the e-book reader has nothing that my Ipod Touch already has.  I've been using the Kindle for Iphone now for a while.  Which is a free download from the Apple App Store.  It's nice because I get a lot of the features of the Kindle, but on a somewhat smaller screen.  But it suits me just fine.

Now let's look at an underdog which I have really come to like.  It's called Stanza.  When I first got my Ipod Touch I checked out the Stanza app.  It pretty much functions like Kindle for Iphone or any of the other ebook reading apps in the App Store.  I didn't really see anything special about it.

However, a few weeks ago I did the unthinkable (I jailbroke my Ipod Touch); mostly as an experiment and to be able to theme my Ipod's Home screen.  While playing with this, I stumbled back into the Stanza app when I found I could set up sources for books.  So I wasn't forced to using only the E-Book Store that Stanza offers by default.  You can't do this with the Kindle App (or any of the others I have tried).  Now I can upload my ebook collection to my local webserver and download my ebooks using my wifi connection instead of purchasing the same book again through their store (which wasn't going to happen).  Another feature I like is the ability (but not obligation) to use the Stanza Desktop client to share books between your Desktop and Ipod Touch.

Now I can read my ebook collection without being limited.  Power to the reader.  :)

The only things I can tell that I am missing out on is the battery life of a dedictaed ebook reader (which lasts significantly longer when compared with an Ipod Touch) and the screen size.  So at least for the near future, I have no plans to buy a dedicated ebook reader just for me.  My wife would like one, but they'll have to drop in price before I get one just for that.  However, for someone without an Ipod Touch and who is looking at an ereader.  Knock your socks off.

*Please note: At time of writing I noticed the most recent version of Stanza has disabled USB sharing of ebooks with the app.  Ebooks can still be shared via wifi, and it wasn't the developers reasons for removing this feature.  It was by Apple's decision. *

Stanza: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stanza/id284956128?mt=8
Kindle: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kindle-for-iphone/id302584613?mt=8