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SEATTLE, Apr 02, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced its Kindle App for iPad is now available in the App Store. The app lets users select from over 450,000 books from the Kindle Store on iPad and features Amazon Whispersync technology that saves and synchronizes customers' last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across their Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, iPad, and more.
"Kindle for iPad includes all the features customers love about Kindle for iPhone, including a massive selection of over 450,000 books, along with a beautiful new user interface tailored to the look and feel of iPad," said Jay Marine, director, Amazon Kindle. "Kindle for iPad is the perfect companion for the millions of customers who already own a Kindle or Kindle DX, and a way for customers around the world to download and enjoy books even if they don't yet have a Kindle."
With the Kindle App for iPad, readers can choose from over 450,000 books available in the Kindle Store, including new releases and New York Times Bestsellers, plus tens of thousands of the most popular classics for free including titles like "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," "Pride and Prejudice," and "Treasure Island." Bestsellers such as "Backlash" by Aaron Allston, "Big Girl" by Danielle Steel, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot, and "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown, and hundreds of thousands of other popular books are $9.99 or less in the Kindle Store. The Kindle Store is the only place to find tens of thousands of books added to the Kindle Store by authors and publishers using Kindle's self-service platform. Customers can search for a specific book or browse by genre or author, and can take advantage of all the features that customers enjoy in the Kindle Store, including Amazon.com customer reviews, personalized recommendations and editorial reviews.
Features of the Kindle App for iPad include:
* Automatically Syncs with Kindle and Kindle Compatible Devices: Amazon's Whispersync technology automatically syncs customers' last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across Kindle, Kindle DX, Kindle for iPhone, Kindle for Mac, Kindle for iPad, and more. Customers can read on their Kindle, read some on their iPad or Mac, and always pick up where they left off.
* Beautiful User Interface: The Kindle App user interface is tailored to the large size, look, and feel of iPad. The new user interface with bold colors, animation, and seamless user experience make Kindle on iPad a unique reading experience.
* Customizable Appearance: Customers can choose to dim iPad's screen within the app to make reading easier regardless of the ambient light or time of day. Readers can also choose from three different background colors and alter the font color and size to customize the reading experience and help ease the strain on their eyes.
* Page Turn Animation: Kindle App for iPad offers an interactive experience with page turn animation designed to replicate the look of a page turning in a book. Customers who prefer a simpler, unadorned reading experience can choose the "Basic Reading Mode" option and turn off animation.
Labels: amazon, apple, iPad, kindle
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 4/02/2010 10:03:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/22/2010 11:51:00 AM 0 comments
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Read Kindle Books on Your Mac
* Get the best reading experience available on your Mac. No Kindle required
* Access your Kindle books even if you don't have your Kindle with you
* Automatically synchronizes your last page read and annotations between devices with Whispersync
* Create bookmarks and view the annotations you created on your Kindle
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/18/2010 12:01:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Microsoft hasn't said what its plans are for the deal but acknowledged that the move would help it be "more creative and collaborative" and speed up the launch of "new and compelling products." Via Electronista .
Labels: amazon, kindle, microsoft
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/23/2010 08:51:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Students and faculty surveyed this month at the conclusion of the pilot expressed appreciation for the e-reader's portability -- and the fact that it almost eliminated the printing and photocopying they did for their pilot courses -- but they also said the ability to highlight directly on traditional text, to take notes and flip pages for ease in navigation suffers in the e-reader.
"With enhancements to their annotation capability, display of page numbers, and content organization, e-readers and related technologies may help contain and ultimately reduce the amount of printing done by students at Princeton and elsewhere," said Serge Goldstein, the University's associate chief information officer and director of Academic Services, who is one of the pilot project's managers.
"They may make it possible to eliminate paper as the primary medium for delivering textual materials to students," he said.
With hopes of assisting industry with the refinement of e-readers, and providing useful information to other academic institutions considering the devices, information and data from the one-time pilot have been compiled on an Office of Information Technology (OIT) website, www.princeton.edu/ereaderpilot.
Princeton launched its pilot in the fall to help determine if e-readers can reduce the use of paper at the University without adversely affecting the classroom experience. Fifty students in three courses agreed to participate in the voluntary project -- titled "Toward Print-Less and Paper-Less Courses: Pilot Amazon Kindle Program" -- managed by OIT and the Princeton University Library in cooperation with Amazon.
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/22/2010 11:51:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today introduced “Kindle for BlackBerry,” a new application available as a free download from Amazon.com that lets customers enjoy over 420,000 books, including 102 of 112 New York Times Bestsellers, on a range of BlackBerry devices. Amazon's Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes a customer's bookmarks across their Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, PC, BlackBerry and soon, Mac and iPad, so customers always have their reading material with them and never lose their place. Kindle is the most wished for, most gifted and #1 bestselling product on Amazon.com, and customers can now get the Kindle experience on their BlackBerry by downloading the free app at www.amazon.com/kindlebb.
“Since the launch of our popular Kindle for iPhone app last year, customers have been asking us to bring a similar experience to the BlackBerry, and we are thrilled to make it available today,” said Ian Freed, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “Kindle for BlackBerry is a great way for customers to continue reading their current book wherever they are – in between meetings, at the grocery store or waiting in the doctor’s office. We think customers are going to love how easy and fun it is to read their Kindle books on their BlackBerry.”
Customers using BlackBerry devices on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and other U.S. carriers can get easy wireless access to over 420,000 Kindle books, including New York Times Bestsellers and New Releases, most for $9.99 or less, by downloading the application for free.
Kindle for BlackBerry lets customers bring their Kindle books with them wherever they go. With the new Kindle for BlackBerry app, customers can:
* Search and browse more than 420,000 books, including 102 of 112 New York Times Bestsellers, directly from their BlackBerry
* Shop the in-app store for an optimized Kindle shopping experience – browse and download samples and full books without leaving the app
* Read the beginning of books for free before they buy
* Access their library of previously purchased Kindle books stored on Amazon’s servers
* Automatically synchronize the last page read between their Kindle-compatible devices
* Create bookmarks and view annotations they created on their Kindle, Kindle DX, or Kindle for iPhone and iPod touch
* Adjust the text size of books
* Read books in full color, including children’s books, cookbooks, travel books, textbooks and graphic novels
Labels: amazon, blackberry, kindle
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/18/2010 09:06:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
"One engineer with LCD experience. Do we mean color LCD experience? You won’t find out until you get here. If we make it clear in the listing, then everyone will know. We’re already under pressure from a certain fruit company, and half the tech world thinks our flagship product is DOA, and the other half is expecting us to come out swinging. We like to keep the mystery alive. Must be comfortable working for a vaguely sinister division called “Lab126″."
"One engineer with experience in WiFi, 3G connections, and other wireless protocols. Possibly telepathy. Must be comfortable with experimental features like “beaming” books directly into readers brains. We’re 80% sure that won’t be challenged by the publishers as a threat to audiobooks, but must be prepared to make arbitrary changes at their request if necessary."
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/09/2010 10:19:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
SEATTLE, Jan 21, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — (NASDAQ: AMZN)—For the past two years, Amazon has welcomed authors and publishers to directly upload and sell content in the Kindle Store through the self-service Kindle publishing platform. Today, Amazon announced that it is inviting software developers to build and upload active content that will be available in the Kindle Store later this year. The new Kindle Development Kit gives developers access to programming interfaces, tools and documentation to build active content for Kindle—the #1 bestselling, most wished for, and most gifted product across all categories on Amazon. Developers can learn more about the Kindle Development Kit today at http://www.amazon.com/kdk/ and sign up to be notified when the limited beta starts next month.
"We've heard from lots of developers over the past two years who are excited to build on top of Kindle," said Ian Freed, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. "The Kindle Development Kit opens many possibilities—we look forward to being surprised by what developers invent."
The Kindle Development Kit enables developers to build active content that leverages Kindle's unique combination of seamless and invisible 3G wireless delivery over Amazon Whispernet, high-resolution electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper, and long battery life of seven days with wireless activated. For example, Handmark is building an active Zagat guide featuring their trusted ratings, reviews and more for restaurants in cities around the world, and Sonic Boom is building word games and puzzles.
"As the leading worldwide publisher of mobile games, EA Mobile has had the privilege of collaborating with many dynamic and innovative companies in bringing exciting gaming experiences to new platforms," says Adam Sussman, Vice President of Worldwide Publishing, EA Mobile. "Working with Amazon, we look forward to bringing some of the world's most popular and fun games to Kindle and their users."
Starting next month, participants in the limited beta will be able to download the Kindle Development Kit, access developer support, test content on Kindle, and submit finished content. Those wait-listed will be invited to participate as space becomes available. The Kindle Development Kit includes sample code, documentation, and the Kindle Simulator, which helps developers build and test their content by simulating the 6-inch Kindle and 9.7-inch Kindle DX on Mac, PC, and Linux desktops.
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 1/21/2010 11:12:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
"We are grateful to our customers for making Kindle the most gifted item ever in our history," said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. "On behalf of Amazon.com employees around the world, we wish everyone happy holidays and happy reading!"
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 12/26/2009 06:30:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
The analyst is also saying a Verizon iPhone is expected in 2010 as well.
Labels: amazon, apple, iphone, kindle, ors, verizon
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 12/09/2009 09:16:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 2009-- Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced that November is already the best sales month ever for Kindle, even before Cyber Monday. Kindle continues to be the most wished for, the most gifted, and the #1 bestselling product across all product categories on Amazon. The latest generation Kindle – just released in October – is $259 and available for immediate shipment today at www.amazon.com/kindle.
“Kindle is a great gift for anyone who loves to read and it’s flying off the shelves faster than any other product Amazon sells,” said Ian Freed, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “We’re seeing lots of people buying from one to a handful of Kindles as gifts for friends or family, as well as many busines
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/30/2009 08:25:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
If you have a software version prior to 2.3, you can download the latest Kindle software update to your computer and transfer it to your Kindle via USB. Here's how:
1. Visit Amazon.com and make sure you're logged into the Amazon.com account to which your Kindle is registered.
2. Visit the appropriate link below to download the Kindle software update file directly to your computer:
* Kindle (U.S. Wireless)
* Kindle (Global Wireless)
* Kindle DX
3. Turn your Kindle on and connect it to your computer using the USB cable.
4. Use your computer's file browser to copy the update file from your computer to the Kindle root directory. (The root directory contains a number of folders -- such as "audibles," "documents," and "music" -- and is typically denoted by a "device" icon).
5. Check your file browser's file transfer progress bar to ensure that file transfer to your Kindle is complete. When you're confident the file has transferred successfully, you can use your computer's unmount or eject function to safely disconnect Kindle from your computer.
6. Disconnect the USB cable from Kindle and your computer.
7. Go to the Home screen, press the Menu key, and select "Settings."
8. Press the Menu key again, and then select "Update Your Kindle." (This option will be grayed out if the most recent update has already been installed.)
9. Select "Ok" when prompted if you want to perform an update.
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/25/2009 01:48:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Kindle Now Lasts up to Seven Days on a Single Charge with Wireless on, up from Four Days, and Displays Native PDFs in Their Original Form
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 2009-- Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced two new enhancements to the latest generation Kindle—85 percent more battery life and a native PDF reader. Kindle now has battery life of up to seven days even with wireless turned on, a significant improvement from the previous battery life of four days. Battery life with wireless turned off remains at the previous level of up to two weeks. Battery power management for portable wireless devices is a complex technical area, and the battery life improvement announced today is the result of a six month firmware improvement and testing program.
Amazon also announced today that the 6-inch Kindle now has a built-in native PDF reader that enables Kindle customers to read professional and personal documents in their original PDF format without conversion. Kindle is in stock and available for immediate shipment today at www.amazon.com/kindle. “
Kindle, already the #1 bestselling, most wished for, and most gifted product on all of Amazon.com, is now even better—with 85 percent more battery life and a built-in PDF reader,” said Ian Freed, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “These two significant enhancements are available now.”
To read their personal or professional documents, Kindle customers simply email PDFs to their Kindle email address or move them over using a USB connection. Customers that prefer to have their PDF documents converted to the Kindle format simply type "Convert" in the subject of the e-mail when sending documents to their “@kindle.com” address.
Amazon also announced today that previous purchasers of the new Kindle will also receive the 85 percent battery life improvements with wireless on, and native PDF support via a firmware update automatically delivered via Whispernet wireless. Native PDF support will also be available for some earlier versions of Kindle via an automatic Whispernet wireless firmware update.
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/25/2009 12:25:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Just in time for the holidays (or the Barnes & Noble Nook), Amazon has started airing their first ever commercial for the Kindle.
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/18/2009 02:14:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Engadget is reporting that Amazon is currently selling the Palm Pixi for $24.99.
Labels: amazon, palm, palm webos, pixi, sprint
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/18/2009 12:58:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Labels: amazon, culture, kindle
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 10/01/2009 10:11:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Hello,
On July 23, 2009, Jeff Bezos, our Founder and CEO, made the following apology to our customers:
“This is an apology for the way we previously handled illegally sold copies of 1984 and other novels on Kindle. Our “solution” to the problem was stupid, thoughtless, and painfully out of line with our principles It is wholly self-inflicted, and we deserve the criticism we’ve received. We will use the scar tissue from this painful mistake to help make better decisions going forward, ones that match our mission.
With deep apology to our customers,
Jeff Bezos
Founder & CEO Amazon.com”
As you were one of the customers impacted by the removal of "Nineteen Eighty-Four" from your Kindle device in July of this year, we would like to offer you the option to have us re-deliver this book to your Kindle along with any annotations you made You will not be charged for the book. If you do not wish to have us re-deliver the book to your Kindle, you can instead choose to receive an Amazon.com electronic gift certificate or check for $30.
Please email Kindle customer support at kindle-response@amazon.com to indicate your preference. If you prefer to receive a check, please also provide your mailing address.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
The Kindle Team
Since I already have 1984 on my bookshelf I'm taking the $30.00. Thanks Amazon!
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/03/2009 10:44:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
With deep apology to our customers,
Jeff Bezos
Founder & CEO
Amazon.com
Labels: amazon
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 7/23/2009 06:47:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Hello from Amazon.com.
We're writing to confirm that we have processed your refund for $0.99 for the above-referenced order.
The total refund amount will be credited to your credit card in 3-5 business days.
For more information about this refund, please visit
Your Account (http://www.amazon.com/ to view the above-referenced order.
The following is the breakdown of your refund: ---------------------------------------------------------------
Item(s) Returned:
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) by George Orwell. Published by MobileReference (mobi)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Item Refund $ 0.99
Item Tax Refund $ 0.00
Refund Total: $ 0.99 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Amazon has been taking heat for this. People are outraged that they have paid for a book, it's on their Kindle, but at any time Amazon can remove content you purchased. Very 1984-ish.
I just received the following email:
Subject: Amazon.com Order Update
Hello, We have recently refunded your purchase of Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) by George Orwell. This book was added to our catalog using our self-service platform by a third-party who did not have the rights to the books. When we were notified of this by the rights holder, we removed the illegal copies from our systems and refunded previous customers. We are working with the authorized rights holder to make this title available in our store very soon. We apologize for the inconvenience. Sincerely, Customer Service Department Amazon.com Please note: this e-mail was sent from a notification-only address that cannot accept incoming e-mail. Please do not reply to this message.
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 7/18/2009 02:34:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Amzon has announced the Kindle DX will ship June 10th . Amazon will ship the Kindle DX for $489.00 on a first come, first served basis
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 6/01/2009 12:53:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Kindle DX: Amazon's New Addition To The Kindle Family
Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines
Carry Your Library: Holds up to 3,500 books, periodicals, and documents
Beautiful Large Display: 9.7" diagonal e-ink screen reads like real paper; boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and sharp images
Auto-Rotating Screen: Display auto-rotates from portrait to landscape as you turn the device so you can view full-width maps, graphs, tables, and Web pages
Built-In PDF Reader: Native PDF support allows you to carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go
Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle DX, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, no annual contracts, and no hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots
Books In Under 60 Seconds: You get free wireless delivery of books in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
Long Battery Life: Read for days without recharging
Read-to-Me: With the text-to-speech feature, Kindle DX can read newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you, unless the book's rights holder made the feature unavailable
Big Selection, Low Prices: Over 275,000 books; New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases are only $9.99, unless marked otherwise
More Than Books: U.S. and international newspapers including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, magazines including The New Yorker and Time, plus popular blogs, all auto-delivered wirelessly
You can pre-order the Kindle DX now for $489.00
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 5/06/2009 10:50:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Engadget has posted pictures of what is believed to be the Kindle DX Amazon is expected to announce on Wednesday. The Kindle DX will have a 9.7 inch screen compared to the Kindle 2's 6 inch screen.
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 5/04/2009 10:44:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 4, 2009-- Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today introduced “Kindle for iPhone and iPod touch,” a new application available for free from Apple's App Store that lets customers enjoy over 240,000 books, including 104 of 112 New York Times Bestsellers, on the iPhone and iPod touch using Apple's Multi-Touch user interface. Amazon's new Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes a customer's bookmark across their original Kindle, Kindle 2, iPhone and iPod touch, so customers always have their reading with them and never lose their place. Kindle customers can read a few pages on their iPhone or iPod touch and pick up right where they left off on their Kindle or Kindle 2.
“We are excited to bring the new Kindle application to Apple's App Store and think customers are going to love how easy and fun it is to read their Kindle books on the iPhone and iPod touch,” said Ian Freed, vice president, Amazon Kindle. “Kindle for iPhone and iPod touch is a great way for customers to catch up on their current book wherever they are, like in line at the grocery store or between meetings.”
The Kindle application for iPhone and iPod touch lets customers bring their Kindle books with them wherever they go and takes full advantage of Apple's Multi-Touch user interface. With the new Kindle for iPhone and iPod touch application, customers can:
* Shop for hundreds of thousands of books on their Kindle or online at http://www.amazon.com/kindlestore, and wirelessly transfer the books to their iPhone or iPod touch
* Access their entire library of previously purchased Kindle books stored on Amazon’s servers
* Adjust the text size of books
* Add bookmarks and view notes and highlights Kindle for iPhone and iPod touch is available for free from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod touch.
Labels: amazon, iphone, iphone 3G, kindle, touch
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/04/2009 06:10:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener said Friday that the Seattle-based online retailer is working on making Kindle books available "on a range of mobile phones." The company is not yet saying when the books will be available, or on which phones.
Another e-book provider, Mobipocket, which is owned by Amazon, already sells titles that can be read on numerous smart phones. And on Thursday, Google Inc. announced that titles available from its Book Search service can now be read on Apple Inc.'s iPhone or a phone running its Android operating system. For now that would just be the G1, which is sold by T-Mobile.
Amazon is widely expected to unveil a new version of the Kindle device at a news conference Monday at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York.
The company has not released sales figures for the first version of the Kindle, which it rolled out in late 2007. Amazon said last fall it sold out of the $359 device after Oprah Winfrey endorsed it. The company has made 230,000 titles available on the Kindle, which can download books wirelessly.
Labels: amazon, cell phones, kindle
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/06/2009 04:37:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Starting today, to make it even easier for customers to decide whether they want to rent or purchase a title, the first two minutes of every movie and TV show automatically plays for free as soon as they visit the product detail page. At any time during the free viewing period, customers can choose to purchase or rent the title to watch it in its entirety. Once a customer orders a video, it is automatically added to Your Video Library. With the new Your Video Library, customers can access and stream their Amazon videos through popular web browsers on Macs and PCs. Customers can also access Your Video Library through the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link device on their compatible Sony BRAVIA televisions.
"We're continuing to create new, convenient ways for our customers to watch digital movies and TV shows. The ability to watch content instantly without downloading first was among the most requested features of our customers, and now it's live--customers can instantly watch the ad-free title of their choice on a Mac, PC or compatible Sony BRAVIA TV via Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Link device," said Roy Price, director of Amazon Video On Demand. "Amazon Video On Demand provides customers with the choice of how to watch their favorite movies and TV shows, be it on their PC or Mac, on the TV with TiVo or through Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Link device on compatible Sony BRAVIA TVs, or on the go with a portable video player."
Labels: amazon
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/04/2008 12:09:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Amazon has finally gotten their "Wireless Reading Device", aka the Kindle back in stock after completely selling out of the device its first day of release. Amazon is offering the Kindle for $399 and FREE two day shipping.
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 4/20/2008 05:36:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Audible.com is the leading online provider of premium digital spoken word audio content, specializing in digital audio editions of books, newspapers and magazines, television and radio programs and original programming. Through its web sites in the US and UK and alliances in Germany and France, Audible.com offers over 80,000 programs, including audiobooks from well-known authors such as Stephen King, Thomas Friedman, and Jane Austen, and spoken word audio content from sources including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Fresh Air and Charlie Rose.
"Audible.com offers the best customer experience, the widest content selection and the broadest device compatibility in the industry," said Steve Kessel, Amazon.com's senior vice president for worldwide digital media. "Working together, we can introduce more innovations and bring this format to an even wider audience."
"This deal brings together two pioneering companies that share a long history of ceaseless focus on improving the customer experience," said Donald Katz, founder and chief executive of Audible.com. "We are very excited to be joining a company as innovative as Amazon.com."
In recent months, Amazon has announced a number of innovations in the digital space, including Amazon Kindle, a revolutionary wireless portable reader that provides instant wireless downloads of more than 90,000 books, blogs, magazines and newspapers to a crisp, high-resolution electronic paper display.
Under the terms of the agreement, Amazon.com will commence a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Audible.com for $11.50 per share and will assume Audible.com's outstanding stock-based awards, for an aggregate transaction value of approximately $300 million which includes Audible.com's cash and short-term investments at closing.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close by the second quarter of 2008.
Labels: amazon
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 1/31/2008 09:14:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
"Three years ago, we set out to design and build an entirely new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. The result is Amazon Kindle.
We designed Kindle to provide an exceptional reading experience. Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot and is designed for ambidextrous use so both "lefties" and "righties" can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time.
We wanted Kindle to be completely mobile and simple to use for everyone, so we made it wireless. No PC and no syncing needed. Using the same 3G network as advanced cell phones, we deliver your content using our own wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet. Unlike WiFi, you’ll never need to locate a hotspot. There are no confusing service plans, yearly contracts, or monthly wireless bills—we take care of the hassles so you can just read.
With Whispernet, you can be anywhere, think of a book, and get it in one minute. Similarly, your content automatically comes to you, wherever you are. Newspaper subscriptions are delivered wirelessly each morning. Most magazines arrive before they hit newsstands. Haven’t read the book for tomorrow night’s book club? Get it in a minute. Finished your book in the airport? Download the sequel while you board the plane. Whether you’re in the mood for something serious or hilarious, lighthearted or studious, Kindle delivers your spontaneous reading choices on demand.
And because we know you can't judge a book by its cover, Kindle lets you download and read the beginning of books for free. This way, you can try it out—if you like it, simply buy and download with 1-Click, right from your Kindle, and continue reading. Want to try a newspaper as well? All newspaper subscriptions start with a risk-free two-week trial.
Kindle’s paperback size and expandable memory let you travel light with your library. With the freedom to download what you want, when you want, we hope you’ll never again find yourself stuck without a great read."
The Amazon Kindle is available now for $399 .
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/19/2007 10:04:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
"Retailer Amazon.com Inc. on Tuesday launched a public beta of a new digital music download store.
Amazon MP3 includes a selection of a la carte MP3 music downloads with more than 2 million songs from more than 180,000 artists. The digital rights management-free service means customers can use any hardware device for the music, organize their songs with any music management application and burn music to CDs.
Most songs are priced between 89 cents and 99 cents, with more than 1 million songs priced at 89 cents, the company said. Most albums are priced between $5.99 and $9.99.
The service has already been through an extensive private beta, Bill Carr, Amazon.com vice president for digital music, said in a statement."
Since Amazon's music is DRM-free you can use it with your iPod/iPhone without any issues. Apple probably isn't too happy about this news.
Labels: amazon, mp3 player
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/25/2007 12:43:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Tivo and Amazon have announced "Buy on TV" feature for Tivo Series 2 and Series 3 set top boxes. Prior to this you had to log on to Amazon to rent or buy programs, you'll now be able to do this right through Tivo:) I've used Amazon Unbox a few times and am very impressed.
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 7/10/2007 11:39:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
"Amazon's got a nifty little FAQ up about the TiVo and Amazon Unboxed love fest. Here's what they're starting us off with, but since we're starved for information on the subject, it's better than nothing. What do you want to know about this holy union?
When will I be able to use the Amazon Unbox on TiVo service?
We are currently beta testing our new service with a select group of TiVo subscribers. If you'd like to be notified when the service becomes available, sign up at TiVo.com. Which TiVos will be able to play videos from Amazon Unbox?
Any broadband connected TiVo Series2 and Series3 DVR will be able to download and play Unbox videos. Sorry, the service won't be available for DirecTV TiVo subscribers or TiVo subscribers who use a telephone phone line to access the service." For more information check out Gizmodo .
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/07/2007 06:43:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Contact Jimmie Geddes here: gadgetsonthego at gmail dot com.
