Monthly Archives: May 2016

Daily Links and Deals: The looming threat to our book industry is bad for authors, publishers … but mostly for you

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daily_links_1Today, a look at proposed book industry changes in Australia. Also, the US House blocks Google and Yahoo services, consumers want Netflix to stop blocking VPNs and asking if the $300 for the Oasis is worth it. In deals, Amazon has a sale on the Fire HD tablet for Kids.

Daily Links for day, May 12, 2016:

The looming threat to our book industry is bad for authors, publishers … but mostly for you (The Guardian) Like Canada, Australia has mechanisms in place to put locals talent first. Is this really good for Australians? Here’s one point of view.

Report: U.S. House blocks access to Google services amid fears of ransomware attacks (9 to 5 Google) Congress is grounded off Google? And Yahoo too?

45,00 People Ask Netflix to stop VPN Crackdown (Torrent Freak) Group wants a meet with Netflix CEO to discuss privacy alternatives.

Should you spend nearly $300 on a new Kindle? (The Verge) Is your Kindle Paperwhite good enough or do you need the new Oasis?

1.8 Million Free Works of Art from World-Class Museums: A Meta List of Great Art Available Online (Open Culture) This is amazing and you can view it all without leaving home. 🙂

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes The Very Best of Kate Elliott by Kate Elliott for $1.99.

In Today’s Deals, you can save $50 on the Fire HD 6 Kids Edition Tablet.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital by Alexandra Robbins for $1.99. The Romance Daily Find is In the Fast Lane by Audra North for $1.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart for $2.99. The Extra Daily Deal is Love, Diamonds, and Spades
Cactus Creek (Book 2) by Violet Duke for $99 cents.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes The Last Clinic: A Darla Cavannah Mystery by Gary Gusick for $2.99.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Amazon Sells Kindle Audio Adapter separately

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kindle_audio_adapterYesterday,  Amazon  announced the Kindle Audio Adapter  and VoiceView for the Paperwhite. The dongle, which would help the visually impaired navigate menus and read via text-to-speech was only included in a special accessible Kindle Paperwhite bundle. As soon as the news came out about the new Kindle Audio Adapter yesterday, a flurry of posts started on Kboards, Mobileread and the Amazon forums with people saying they wanted one.  Well, it turns out Amazon didn’t keep us waiting too long! Today, the adapter is available for purchase separately for $19.99.

The adapter is compatible with VoiceView for Kindle on the Kindle Paperwhite – this is the 7th generation device.  It plugs into the micro-USB charging port on the Paperwhite. The device requires headphones which are not included with the dongle. It looks like you could also use a speaker with a 3.5mm jack for listening as well.

As I noted in my post yesterday, the battery life while using the adapter is only about 6 hours of continuous use and you will not be able to charge the Paperwhite while using the dongle.

Amazon notes that the adapter “Works with millions of Kindle books that are compatible with VoiceView.” It is not yet clear what that means – I have been spot checking and, while I find books with text-to-speech enabled, I haven’t yet seen any titles listed as VoiceView compatible. Amazon also note that the adapter “does not support music or audiobook playback.”

I ordered mine today to try it. Are you interested in trying the adapter? And have you seen any titles listed as VoiceView compatible?

Found via The Digital Reader

Daily Links and Deals: How Electronic Ink Was Invented

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daily_links_1Today, an interesting article on how Electronic Ink was invented. Also, Another Adobe Flash exploit, a stunning video of famous film scenes being remixed with classical art,  news on Google Translate and more. In deals, we have savings on TaoTronics desk lamps and a volume in Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series.

Daily Links for Wednesday, May 11, 2016:

Google Translate adds Tap to Translate chathead on Android, iOS gains offline mode (9 to 5 Google) Instant translate sounds like a fantastic idea!

Cable lobby group: Broadband competition is bad for customers (Ars Technica)

Computer remixes famous film scenes with classical art (Engadget) I want to be able to do this! Computer vision researchers in Germany can transform video clips into the style of famous paintings.

Hackers are exploiting an unpatched Flash Player vulnerability, Adobe warns (PC World) Why aren’t we done with Adobe Flash yet? Are we not tired of exploits?

How Electronic Ink Was Invented (Science Friday) Your e-reader couldn’t exist without it! This month, the inventors of e-ink were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

83 years after public burning of Jewish books, WJC releases Spanish ebooks (JTA) These free ebooks are from the Jewish People’s Library’s series of paperbacks published by the South American Executive of the World Jewish Congress. (These seem to be online scans only.)

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes The Joey Song: A Mother’s Story of Her Son’s Addiction by Sandra Swenson for $2.99.

In Today’s Deals, you can save up to 65% on TaoTronics desk lamps.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find features over 60% off on the three books in the Chicago World’s Fair Mystery Series by bestselling author Shelley Gray. The Romance Daily Find is A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston Series #1) by Julie Lessman for $2.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital by Alexandra Robbins for $1.99. The extra Daily Deals is Romancing the Sass (A Romantic Comedy Bundle) by Nana Malone for $4.99.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams (Book 2 in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series) for $1.99.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Amazon introduces a hardware solution for accessibility

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access_pwIf you’ve still been hoping for Amazon to bring back the text-to-speech for the e-ink Kindles, you may be out of luck. The death knell for that sounded today when Amazon announced it’s new VoiceView For Kindle feature today.  The feature uses Amazon’s text-to-speech language system (Ivona) to help visually impaired customers navigate the Kindle Paperwhite.

Previous generations of e-ink Kindles offered by Amazon used speakers are or a 3.5mm jack to provide the sound for text-to-speech. This solution uses a separate USB dongle that requires the use of headphones. According to Amazon’s blog:

Visually impaired customers will be able to use VoiceView for Kindle with the new Kindle Audio Adapter—an Amazon-designed USB audio dongle—to connect headphones or speakers, which then allows the ability to listen to and navigate the user interface, in addition to listening to books. The Kindle Audio Adapter was designed specifically to be used with VoiceView for Kindle.

The new Kindle Audio Adapter is available now as part of the Kindle Paperwhite Blind and Visually Impaired Readers Bundle.  The bundle includes the Kindle Paperwhite with Wi-Fi and Special Offers and the Kindle Audio Adapter. According to Amazon, purchasers receive a $19.99 Account Credit back for the purchase of the adapter, “so they won’t have to pay extra for accessibility.”  The dongle is promised to be available at a future date for other Kindle e-readers.  Update: the adapter is now available separately for $19.99. New story here.

My reaction to this? I am seriously underwhelmed. IMHO, the hardware dongle is the wrong approach and one much too late in coming.

As a bit of background, I should note that I myself am vision impaired. In the past, I worked managing federal grants (which included monitoring ADA compliance issues) and had also represented my community at an Easter Seals Project Action Seminar. So this is an area that really interest me, personally and professionally.

Text-to-speech has been a thorny issue for Amazon since the feature was first introduced on the Kindle 2. The Authors Guild strenuously objected to the feature and claimed it was, in fact, illegal. Amazon finally backed off and let the publishers decide whether text-to-speech should be enabled on a title. While the Kindle Keyboard, the Kindle DX and the 2012 Kindle Touch were text-to-speech enabled, subsequent models have not included the feature.

The hardware USB dongle approach is problematic for several reasons. First, the dongle solutions limits independence. It means that, at least for right now, I have to buy a special Kindle bundle in order to have accessibility instead of all Kindles providing that accessibility. In order to use the dongle, I would also have to purchase or provide headphones or a speaker in order to make the device in order to use the disability features. (This is a barrier a sighted person would not have if using a Kindle Paperwhite.)

What about people who already own Paperwhites? The Kindle Audio Adapter is not available separately so that I could make one of the Paperwhites I already own accessible. From the product page: 

Kindle Audio Adapter [is] only compatible with VoiceView enabled Kindle e-readers (does not support music or audiobook playback)

Will there be a software update for current Paperwhites? It will be interesting to see how Amazon handles that issue (if at all). According to ADA regulations, Amazon can’t legally charge for the adapter,  so I really doubt that we will see the item available separately.

This hardware solution also seems to dramatically affect battery life on the Kindle Paperwhite. According to the product page:

A single battery charge provides up to 6 hours of continuous reading while using Kindle Audio Adaptor [sic]

Notice the difference in battery power. Current Paperwhites are supposed to get 30 days use at a half an hour of use per day or the equivalent of approximately 15 hours. That’s two and a half times the battery life you will get when using the dongle.

That battery life becomes a real concern as the dongle is using the same port that the Kindle uses for recharging. That means that you cannot use accessibility features and charge the Kindle itself at the same time. I see that as an issue that is going to severely limit the usefulness of the connected Kindle.

I intend to be watching this feature very closely to see how this story develops. We will see how this new feature actually performs in practice. It will be interesting to see if Amazon opens this up to existing Kindles and just how quickly it rolls out to other Kindle models.

Found via KindleChronicles / Teleread

Daily Links and Deals: E-books, why so old-fashioned? Here’s a Web wakeup call

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daily_links_1Today, another look at the idea that ebooks should be more interactive. Also, OverDrive looks at making it easier to download library books on a Kobo and more on the role adblockers. In Deals, you can get an unlocked dual sim smartphone and savings of up to 50% off PC accessories.

Daily Links for Tuesday, May 10, 2016:

FTC, FCC want to know more about how carriers and manufacturers issue security updates (Android Central) Right now, it’s just a request for more information, but it is on their radar.

Easier downloads of OverDrive library books coming ‘relatively soon’ for Kobo e-readers and apps (Teleread) This is great news! Now, how soon is soon, LOL?

Why publishers are teaming up to explore time-based selling (Digiday) Will this approach change the way we view online ads?

Reddit’s Technology Subreddit Ponders Banning Wired & Forbes For Blocking Adblock Users (Techdirt) Can you have it both ways? Why should I share your content if you won’t let people see it?

E-books, why so old-fashioned? Here’s a Web wakeup call (CNET) Here we go again. Do you need your ebooks to be more dynamic and interactive? All I want to do is read….

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes Unsaid: A Novel by Neil Abramson for $2.99.

In Today’s Deals, there is a BLU Advance 5.0 – Unlocked Dual Sim Smartphone – US GSM and up to 50% off select Logitech PC accessories.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is The Sweet By and By: A Novel by Todd Johnson for $1.99. The Romance Daily Find is This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak for $1.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is Indebted Series 1-3 Boxed Set by Pepper Winters for  99 cents. The extra Daily Deals is Greenwash: A Katerina Carter Color of Money Mystery (Book 3) by Colleen Cross for $3.99.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr for $1.99. This is a fascinating sounding tale of the quest for a painting by Italian Baroque master Caravaggio.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Daily Links and Deals: Someone is pretending to be the IT guy at Hogwarts and it’s hilarious

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daily_links_1Did you ever imagine what it must be like for the poor guy trying to keep the WiFi going at Hogwarts? Also today, a look at a 911 chat bot, a new French privacy law that may have big implications for parents and more. In Deals, there is a solar-powered bluetooth speaker and an $50 unlocked Blu smartphone.

Daily Links for Monday, May 9, 2016:

Someone is pretending to be the IT guy at Hogwarts and it’s hilarious (Radio Times) This frazzled IT guy doesn’t need Harry Potter to tell him that magic and technology don’t mix.

911bot is a chat bot that could save your life (Techcrunch) This one actually sounds interesting because it includes instructions on what to do until help arrives. since many mobile emergency calls tend to get mis-directed, this could be a lifesafer.

Parents could get sued by their kids for putting baby photos on Facebook (The Next Web) Huh? The French may be carrying privacy just a bit too far.

I just watched an infringing video and it felt pretty bad (Torrent Freak) Interesting opinion piece from the point of view from a non-creator point of view.

Library’s cord cutting puts end to unofficial sports viewing events, spurs petition (Topeka CJOnline) This is a fascinating case study into how you interpret policies. What exactly does promote literacy?

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes Rescue Road: One Man, Thirty Thousand Dogs, and a Million Miles on the Last Hope Highway by Peter Zheutlin for $1.99.

In Today’s Deals, there is a Eton Rugged Rukus solar-powered, Bluetooth-ready, smartphone-charging speaker and a $50 BLU Advance 4.0 Unlocked Dual SIM Cellphone, 4GB, White.

There is still a promotion on the Fire HD 6 (8GB and 16 GB versions). Right now, you can also get a fie payment option. There are also still deals on pre-owned Fire tablets.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is The Witch of Painted Sorrows (Daughters of La Lune Series #1) for $1.99. The Romance Daily Find is Sweetest Scoundrel (Maiden Lane Series #9) by Elizabeth Hoyt for $1.99.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie for $1.99.

The Kobo also has a monthly special 3 for 2 deal features books by  Grace Burrowes. The special runs until the end of month of May.:)

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes A Box of Matches by Nicholson Baker for $1.99.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Daily Deals for Sunday, May 8, 2016

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happy-mothers-day_640Deals of the Day for Sunday, May 8, 2016:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes What My Mother Gave Me: Thirty-one Women on the Gifts That Mattered Most by Elizabeth Benedict for  $1.99 ( just in time for Mother’s Day!)

In Today’s Deals, a Silicon Power 32GB MicroSDHC Class10, Elite Flash Memory Card with Adaptor.

There is still a promotion on the Fire HD 6 (8GB and 16 GB versions). There are also still deals on pre-owned Fire tablets.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is The Shipping News by Annie Proulx for $1.99. The Romance Daily Find is The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber for $1.99.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Soundtrack  is a B & N exclusive until May 20. You can also pre-order Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Soundtrack (vinyl) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens Soundtrack Laser-Etched Edition!  (also vinyl)  See the site for details and release dates.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is The Heist – Fox and O’Hare (Book 1) by Janet Evanovich, Lee Goldberg for $1.99.

And, you can still get $20 off the Kobo Glo HD.  Free shipping is included.

The Kobo also has a monthly special 3 for 2 deal features books by  Grace Burrowes. The special runs until the end of month of May.:)

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes Brownies and Broomsticks: A Magical Bakery Mystery by Bailey Cates for $1.99.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.

Last Minute Mother’s Day Ebook Gifts

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mom_tattooHappy Mother’s Day!

If you still need an last minute e-book gift for your mom, here’s a few ideas:

Send an ebook as a gift

Has mom been talking about a new book she just can’t wait to read? Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks all let you buy a specific ebook as a gift. Look for the “Buy as a Gift” button on the book detail page.

Give a subscription

You can give an all-you-can-read subscription to Kindle Unlimited as a gift. It costs $9.99 and is available for gifting in 6,12,and 24 month membership terms.

The Scribd service also offers a gift subscription option.  You can select from three terms: 3 months for $25, 6 months for $50, or 1 year for $99. Scribd lets you an print out the e-card and hand-deliver it yourself.

For audiobook fans, what about a subscription to Audible?  The service features over 180,000 audio titles. Gifts are available in 3,6 and 12 month memberships. And, if there is a specific book you have in mind that you’d like to give, you can also choose to gift an individual book.

Give a gift card

If you are not sure what mom really wants, gift cards make an awesome choice. I always ask for these so I can buy books! 🙂 These are great because they work for buying both print and ebooks. So where does your mom like to shop?

If Mom has a Kindle, how about an Amazon gift card? You can send them via email or print it out an home and present to mom in person. You can even put your baby picture on it – she’ll love it.

If mom loves her Nook, a Barnes and Noble  gift card is a great gift. The cards can be redeemed online for ebooks and web order in the store.

Itunes Gift Cards make a fantastic gift if you are centered in the Apple Universe. You can get them in a range of denominations, they are available at retailers  almost everywhere or you can buy them online. And, they work for everything: apps, music, books, TV and movies or Apple music.

For Android lovers, Google Play Gift Certificates are a very versatile gift. They can be used for apps, music, books and movies from the Play store. They are available in denominations from $10. Plus, you can buy them online or pick them up a local store when you are on your way to take mom to brunch. 🙂

(Sorry Kobo fans! Kobo US does not seem to be offering the option to send a book or buy a gift card on their website.)

Free Digital Comics and Graphic Novels

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walking_deadLooking for digital comics and graphic novels that you can read in an ebook format or online? There is actually a lot of free content available, particularly if you like older comics. Here’s a look at a few of the options out there:

Your Library

This is the first place to look! Most libraries offer some digital comics as part of the digital collections. The collection will vary from library to library and depend on the delivery service your library uses (Overdrive, Hoopla, etc).

Free

Newer comics:

Dark Horse Comics: Retailer Dark Horse offers a selection of over a hundred digital comics that can be downloaded for free. (App for Web, iOS, Android)

DriveThruComics: Retailer DriveThruComics offers a large selection of free and pay-what-you-want comics along with their regular paid selections.

ComiXology:  ComiXology (owned by Amazon) has a selection of curated free comics that includes Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and more.

Amazon: Since Amazon bought out Comixology, they have a whole category of Comics and Graphic novels on the site. You can search by price from low to high and find a large number of free comics.

Older comics:

ComicBookPlus: Comicbookplus has a huge collection of Silver and Golden age comics, as well as comic strips, non-English comics and pulp fiction graphic novels.

Digital Comic Museum:  The Digital Comics Museum offers over 15.000 free comics. All were published before 1959 and are in the public domain.

The Internet Archive:  The Internet Archive is a treasure trove of works in the public domain. Includes manga and Ace comics and so much more. They are always adding new items to their collection.

The Pulp Fiction Archive: The Pulp Fiction Archive has also some comics in its collection.

Included with Books Subscriptions

Kindle Unlimited: Over 6,000 comics are available in the Kindle Unlimited all-you-can read subscription service.

Scribd: Scribd has a number of comic in their catalog, including Marvel, Dynamite and other publishers. How much content is available

Comic Subscriptions

If you are a heavy comics reader, there are several services that do all-comic subscription services.

Marvel Unlimited: Marvel Unlimited is a $9.99 per month subscription service that offers only comics from the Marvel comic universe.

Comicblitz (iOS comaptibilty only) Comicblitz is a comic subscription service that offers an all-you-can-read selection of thousands of comics and graphic novels from various publishers. $9.99 per month. (You get 5 free issues on signup.)

(This is a updated and expanded version of  a previous post, Free Comic Books. )

Daily Deals for Saturday May 7, 2016

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kindle-381242_1280In Today’s Deals for Saturday May 7, 2016:

Amazon’s selection of Kindle Daily Deals includes five books in J. R. Rain’s Vampire for Hire series.

In Today’s Deals, Amazon is still offering-ink Kindles at $20 off regular prices on the Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle for Kids bundle.  This deal was supposed to end yesterday, May 6, 2016, but it is still going. 🙂

The are also still running the promotions on Fire tablets. The 7″ Fire (normally $49.99) is only still only $39.99. Amazon is also offering savings on the Fire HD 6 (8GB and 16 GB versions) and the Fire HD 10 is $50 off for a limited time. There are also still deals on pre-owned Fire tablets.

And, yes, I am also still seeing the option for 5 payments of $58 for the Kindle Oasis pre-order. Current delivery date is June 1, 2016.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is A Paris Affair by Tatiana de Rosnay for $2.99. The Romance Daily Find is Cries in the Night: A Denver Heroes Novel by Kathy Clark for 99 cents.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Soundtrack  is a B & N exclusive until May 20. You can also pre-order Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Soundtrack (vinyl) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens Soundtrack Laser-Etched Edition!  (also vinyl)  See the site for details and release dates.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is The Ice Limit by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child for $2.99.

And, you can still get $20 off the Kobo Glo HD.  Free shipping is included.

The Kobo also has a monthly special 3 for 2 deal features books by  Grace Burrowes. The special runs until the end of month of May.:)

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes Breaking a Legend: A Kavenagh Legends novel by Sarah Robinson for $2.99.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)