The biggest reason I preordered the iPad last week was eBooks.  Not just for the iPad store, which I think looks amazing, but also the promise of alternate ebook stores, including the Kindle and Barnes and Noble eReader.  Toss in Stanza, and you have the four amazing eBook readers, as well as eBook stores all in one device.   Now that is pretty amazing.

So, I was pretty excited today when we saw a sneak peek at the soon-to-be Kindle App for the iPad, and boy does it look amazing.  From the looks of it, it will fit extremely well with the overall iPad design, including the bookshelf style main page (which reminds us of the iBook store, without mimicking it), and the page turning animation looks fantastic.  Basically, they have taken the Kindle and made it more…iPad-y. 

Of course, this comes hot on the heels of news that Barnes and Noble will be updating their eReader app for iPad as well.  No word on the release date for either of these, but we can hope that they will both be available on April 3 when the iPad arrives, or shortly thereafter.  Oh, and as for Stanza, all I can say is that we have heard nothing out of the Lexcycle camp yet, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can go four for four on this one.

[Kindle news and photo via Slashgear.  Barnes and Noble news and photo via Engadget]

Today (actually, I just realized it is now after midnight, so…yesterday), Amazon announced a firmware upgrade for Amazon Kindle 2 devices.  the new upgrade features some welcome changes, including improved battery life, better handling of pdf formatted documents, and auto-rotation of the screen.  Amazon will be pushing these updates out to Kindle users over its Whispernet, but if you are one of those people who absolutely, positively, must have it now, then Amazon also includes instructions to load the new firmware manually from your computer.  Read on for the full release from Amazon.

Kindle Software Update Version 2.3

The latest update brings several improvements to Kindle (Global Wireless), Kindle (U.S. Wireless), and Kindle DX devices.

Kindle (Global Wireless) and Kindle (U.S. Wireless)

• Longer battery life for Kindle (Global Wireless): You can now read for up to 1 week on a single charge with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks.
• Built-in PDF reader: Your Kindle can now display PDF documents without losing the formatting of the original file. Send PDF documents directly to your Kindle (via your @Kindle address) or drag and drop PDF files from your computer to your Kindle (when connected via USB). Learn more.
• Manual screen rotation: The Kindle screen can now manually rotate between portrait and landscape views so you can see the entire width of a web page or magnify the page of a PDF file. The page-turn buttons work the same in either orientation, and the 5-way controller movements are switched to match the orientation. Learn more.
• Option to convert PDF files to Kindle format. If you prefer to have your personal PDF documents converted to the Kindle format (so that they can reflow), type "Convert" in the subject of the e-mail when you submit your personal document to your @kindle.com address.

Kindle (U.S. Wireless) and Kindle (Global Wireless) users can go to Archived Items on their Kindle and download the Kindle User’s Guide, 4th Ed., which now documents all the features of Kindle Software 2.3.

Kindle DX

• Better cropping of PDF files: In landscape orientation, white margins of PDF documents are automatically cropped to maximize the amount of content shown on the screen.
• Option to convert PDF files to Kindle format. If you prefer to have your personal PDF documents converted to the Kindle format (so that they can reflow), type "Convert" in the subject of the e-mail when you submit your personal document to your @kindle.com address.
• View pages longer: We’ve extended the time before Kindle DX switches into screensaver mode — from 5 minutes to 20 minutes — giving you more time for reviewing your content.

Look below for information on how to get the update manually.

Automatic Wireless Updates

All Kindles are designed to automatically check for and download updates when one is available. If an update is available, your Kindle will download and install the update the next time the wireless connection is activated and Kindle goes into sleep mode.

During the update, you’ll see screens that show the update progress. The update should take less than 10 minutes and is complete when Kindle displays the Home screen. Do not power off or reset your Kindle until the update is complete.

If you want to get the update immediately, or if you don’t have wireless connectivity, you can download the software manually by following the steps below.

Applying Kindle Software Updates Manually

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. Determine which type of Kindle you have: Go to the Home screen, press the Menu key, and select "Settings." Look in the bottom right corner of the screen. The version number will correspond to the kind of device:
   • Kindle (U.S. Wireless) devices begin with: 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.0.3, and 2.0.4.
   • Kindle (Global Wireless) devices begin with: 2.2, 2.2.1, and 2.2.2.
   • Kindle DX devices begin with: 2.1 and 2.1.1.

   If your version number begins with 2.3, you’ve already received the update and don’t need to take any further action.

3. 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
     
4. Turn your Kindle on and connect it to your computer using the USB cable.
5. 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).
6. 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.
7. Disconnect the USB cable from Kindle and your computer.
8. Go to the Home screen, press the Menu key, and select "Settings."
9. 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.)
10. Select "Ok" when prompted if you want to perform an update.

[Via Amazon, with special thanks to everyone who posted this on Facebook.]

It feels really weird when new things come out and at times it feels like we are back in the early 1990’s.  Anyone remember the old GameBoys?  Or what about the older Palm Pilots?  The common link between these devices is the lack of a backlight which which caused some accessory manufacturers to build lights that shine on top of the LCD display.  As it was back then, so it  is again now with the Kindle.  As the point of Kindle is to have an LCD display that is paper-like in appearance and soft on the eyes, having a backlight would not seem proper.  But if you shine light on top it’s just like reading a book – and that is what Case-mate’s new Enlighten does.

Read More …

The Barnes & Noble’s reader is getting closer to reality.  Their new product recently received approval from the FCC.  That’s a good indication that the B&N reader will have wireless capabilities.  Honestly, to truly complete with the Kindle, I think wireless is a given.  Sony has installed wireless service in their latest reader.  No details about the reader were leaked.  However, I would be shocked if this product wasn’t available for the holiday season.  I am going to go out on the limb and say we will see it by November 1.  I can’t wait to see what they have created.

Via:  Brighthand.com

I have been trying to get my wife to try using eBooks for several months now.  One of the big hang-ups she has expressed, though is the loss of that “booky” feel.  The pages in her hands, the smell of the paper and binding, even the 20 pound weight she has to heft around.  Well, this may not get her all the way back to flipping ahead to the next chapter, “just to see what happens,” but it might be a good enough compromise to bring her into the 21st century in at least one area.

These cases from Busted Typewriter are made from real books.  The pages are sealed together, and then hollowed out in order to create a space for your Kindle.  Other variations include your ipod, ipod Touch, and standard calculator.  So, if you want to live in the 21st century, while projecting the illusion of holding true to your 18th century ideals, then you will want to head over to Broken Typewriter and drop $25 on one of these cases yourself.

Product Page, via Gizmodo