The Joy of Portable Books... and I Mean *Very* Portable

I've been a Kindle user for several years now. My original Kindle is big and klunky, but it still works well and I'm glad that I jumped on the Kindle bandwagon early (thanks Ben!)

One of the great things about that particular early adopter moment is that it got me on the electronic book train before it ever really left the station. By doing that, I was able to really be part of the swell of e-books before the first wave ever really formed.

For the record, I completely, totally, and madly love reading books electronically. The process is easy to use and easy on the eyes. I don't ever want to go back to paper again.

Now we're seeing what I consider to be the next generation of the ebook which is not to say the newest offerings from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, but instead, the development of apps that will allow for true "cross platform" reading.

What I'm seeing is that many of us who have been ebook readers for some time now no longer need to be convinced of the concept. No, what we need are the ways to grab our books wherever we need them. Example: I'll readily admit I'm hooked on the whole "Kindle Concept" even though I haven't picked up my Kindle in over a month. How can I be a KIndle diehard & not even use it? I'll explain that in a moment. First let me explain the "hooked on the concept" part.

The idea of a small device that holds all my books and goes anywhere with me is a tremendous idea. Amazon was the early winner in the category even though they were not the first to market. Their agreements with publishers gave them a huge library of books that were formatted to their device the day it went on sale. I have bought and read more books in the time that I've had my Kindle than in perhaps the 5 years previous combined.

Here's a prime example: Last year I was at a meeting and I was sitting pool side with one of my really good friends in dentistry, Dr. Bob Lowe. He and I travel quite a bit for our lecturing and as such we end up with time on our hands that can be often made less stressful by reading a good book. Bob mentioned 3 good mysteries he had read recently. I just flipped out my Kindle searched on the books, purchased, and downloaded while we sat by the pool. I had the books in a couple of minutes and I never even had to get out of my chair!

This scenario happens a lot with me where someone will mention a good book and I buy it right then and there. Amazon has sold me a lot of books that I would never have purchased if I had to go to a store or even go to a website and then wait for UPS to bring it. Having books available in almost real time is a huge advantage.

Now we get to the part of why I don't use my Kindle. To put it succinctly... I don't need it anymore. Amazon has done a wonderful job of designing & distributing apps that work on a variety of devices. I have an iPad, a Motorola Xoom Android tablet, and 2 Android phones. All of them have Kindle apps that allow me to do everything that I can do on the Kindle and the keep all of my books synchronized with each other!!! Open a book on my iPad and read a few pages then close it. Open the same book on my Xoom a few minutes later and the app asks me if I want to sync to the last page read on the iPad. Tap "Yes" and it automatically jumpst to that page while keeping all of my bookmarks, highlights, etc synced as well. Now Amazon has also introduced their Cloud Reader that keeps your books in the Cloud as well and allows you to read from any device that has an Internet connection.

While I don't read much on my phone, I can if I want to and it can be quite handy in a pinch.

I don't have much experience with the Nook from B&N but I've got to figure it's a similar experience. All said, I can't imagine going back to paper. The ebook experience is just too good. While I do enjoy the "feel" of a good book in my hands, I can't imagine giving up the convenience and the instant gratification that comes with "go anywhere" reading.k

ViewPad 7e Hopes to Challenge Amazon Fire

With the Amazon Fire dominating the press in the affordable tablet department, you knew it was only a matter of time before someone else came along and made a splash. That splash has now been made by none other than Viewsonic and their ViewPad 7e. It's looking more and more like the tablet market is going to split into a couple of segments with the categories being 'high end' and 'low end'. Now that doesn't mean quality, it means cost. Some folks are willing to shell out big dollars for all the bells & whistles while some are content to get good performance while saving a few dollars & not having every feature under the sun.

With the second category clearly in its sights, take a look at what the ViewSonic ViewPad 7e has to offer. The device is a 7" tablet running Android 2.3 on a 1Ghz processor. It has 4GB of internal storage and is expandable up to 32GB.

The device is clearly going after the Kindle Fire and personally I think competition is a good thing. ViewSonic is a stable company that's been around for a while now. They have good products I I feel that both Amazon and ViewSonic have done a good job of bring devices to the market that, while not going head to head with Apple, will give consumers viable alternatives.

Here are all the details:

ViewPad 7e

• The Web You Want
  ViewPad 7e is optimized to give you the best web browsing experience in the palm of your hand. Built-in support for Adobe Flash 10.3 ensures that you can access all of your favorite web sites for streaming video, games, interactive online content and social networking.
• Your Digital Library
  Store all of your media files and e-books with a generous 4GB of internal storage. MicroSD card support offers expandable storage up to 32GB for all your favorite music, movies, photos and more. Built-in apps with cloud storage features give you even more space and anywhere access to your favorite files.
• Connect in More Ways
  Stay connected with a primary 3MP auto-focus camera for photography and 0.3MP camera for videoconferencing/ video chatting, HDMI output for sending 1080p video to an external display, and 802.11 g/b/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support.
• Loaded with Top Apps
  Listen to your favorite stations with TuneIn Radio, discover streaming audio and video content with MediaFly, take advantage of secure cloud storage for file backup and sharing with Dropbox, and much more. ViewPad 7e puts the best apps that the mobile world has to offer right at your fingertips, ready to go right out of the box.
• One Stop Shopping
  Read more than 1million free and premium e-books with Amazon Kindle for Android, download a free paid app each day with Amazon Appstore for Android*, and explore and shop more than 15 million songs and stream your music library directly to your ViewPad 7e with Amazon MP3 Store and Cloud Player. You will also enjoy access to the 1Mobile Market, offering a huge selection of free apps for instant download, available to users worldwide.
• ViewScene 3D
  Experience Android in a whole new way with ViewScene 3D, ViewSonic's exclusive user interface. Navigating your digital world has never been this much fun. ViewScene 3D puts a visually stunning and exciting new spin on the Android operating system. Let your imagination run wild as you create and customize your own digital landscape in a fully configurable, holographic environment. ViewScene 3D brings your home screen to life with interactive and animated elements you can arrange any way you like.

KIndle Update Brings Personal Document Synchronization to Users

This cloud thing is becoming bigger and bigger by the moment... don'tcha think? And I continue to be impressed with the way Amazon has embraced the concept of cloud computing and the way the company continues to make The Cloud part of its customer experience.

As regular readers know, i've devoted a fair number of electrons lately to blogging about Amazon and The Cloud. Now that's not because I own stock (I don't, but probably s should) or the fact that I"m a raving Amazon fanboy (I like the service but refuse to drink the Koolaide). No, I just think the management at AMazon is doing this the right way.

So, I was once again pleasantly surprised when I stumbled across the following:

In the latest update to the software the runs the Amazon Kindle, there are management systems built-in for your personal documents. One of the lesser known features of the Kindle, which has existed since the early days of the device, is the ability to store your personal documents. That's right, you can either connect your Kindle to your computer via USB and add documents to the device or you can email your documents directly to your Kindle. After doing that, the docs show up in the personal documents area in your Cloud Storage at Amazon. Once the documents are in your Cloud Storage they can be deleted or sent to any device linked to that account. In my case, that means documents can be on my Kindle, iPad, Xoom, iPod, and Samsung Galaxy S. Actually that's a bit of a fib. This only currently works on the Kindle, but the engineers at Amazon are hard at work to create updated Kindle apps that will allow the functions I just described on any device running a Kindle app.

This also means that, once the apps are done, reading your personal documents will be synced across the cloud just like things you have purchased and downloaded through the Kindle store.

It's just one more way to stay organized in both your reading for pleasure as well as your reading for your job!

Here are the details on the 3.3 update direct from Amazon:

Download Version 3.3 You can download the update below. All Kindle Keyboard users will receive this software update automatically via Wi-Fi. To see if your Kindle Keyboard has already been updated, from the Home screen press the Menu button and use the 5-way controller to select "Settings." If the Settings screen displays "Version: Kindle 3.3" (or later) at the bottom of the screen, your Kindle Keyboard already has the latest software installed. To update your Kindle Keyboard software, turn your wireless on and connect to an available Wi-Fi network. From the Home screen, press Menu and select "Sync and Check for Items." The software update will automatically download in the background and install when your Kindle Keyboard goes into sleep mode. Here's how to download the Kindle Keyboard software update version 3.3 and transfer it to your Kindle Keyboard via USB: Determine your software version: From Home, select Menu, then Settings. On the Settings screen you will see the Kindle version at the bottom of the screen. If you see "Version Kindle 3.1" or earlier (3.1.2, 3.0.3, 3.0.2, 3.0.1, or 3.0), please proceed with the steps below to update your Kindle Keyboard to the latest software. Download your software: Click on the appropriate link below to download the software update file directly to your computer: Kindle Keyboard Wi-Fi:Download 3.3 Your serial number will start with "B008" Kindle Keyboard 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi) - U.S. and Canadian Customers*: Download 3.3 Your serial number will start with "B006" Kindle Keyboard 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi) - European Customers*:Download 3.3 Your serial number will start with "B00A" Your Kindle Keyboard serial number is visible at the bottom of the Settings Screen. From Home, select Menu, then Settings. *We automatically ship your Kindle Keyboard with the best built-in wireless card based on the shipping country you select during checkout. If your country is not listed above, please check your serial number to determine which download to use. Transfer software to your Kindle Keyboard: Turn your Kindle Keyboard on and connect it to your computer using the USB cable. Drag and drop the new update file from your computer to the root Kindle drive. (The drive contains a number of folders - such as "audible," "documents," and "music" - and is typically displayed as a "device" icon). Monitor file transfer and disconnect: Check your file transfer progress to ensure file transfer to your Kindle Keyboard is complete before disconnecting. After the file has transferred successfully, eject the Kindle to safely disconnect Kindle Keyboard from your computer. Disconnect the USB cable from your Kindle Keyboard and your computer. Start the software update: Go to the Home screen, press the Menu key, and select "Settings." 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 or if the file transfer was not successful.) Select "Ok" when prompted if you want to perform an update. Your Kindle Keyboard will restart twice during the update. After the first restart, you will see "Your Kindle is Updating". Once the update is complete: Your Kindle Keyboard will automatically restart a second time. When you go to the Settings page, you should notice Version: Kindle 3.3 at the bottom of the screen. Once you see this, you know your update is complete. Free Access at AT&T Hotspots Enjoy free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S. to shop for and download Kindle content -- no AT&T registration, sign-in, or password required. You will need the Kindle Keyboard software update 3.1 or later to use free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots. Update your Kindle software for free. Troubleshooting Update Issues Symptom Cause Resolution "Update" menu option on the Settings page is grayed out. The update file is in the incorrect directory, or was not transferred successfully. Plug your Kindle Keyboard back into your computer and verify the update file is present in the root directory of your Kindle Keyboard, not in a folder. File download won't complete or doesn't appear to start. Your firewall software may be blocking the download. Verify that your firewall is setup to allow the file transfer. Internet Explorer may prevent downloads. Right-click the download link and select "save as" to save the file to your computer. If this method is unsuccessful, complete the following steps to download as an Administrator: From the Start menu, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon. Select "Run as Administrator." Return to this page and try the download again. Received an error message when selecting "Update Your Kindle." Incomplete download. Redownload the installer from the Download your software section of this page. The software update file was renamed. Delete the update file on your computer and Kindle Keyboard, and repeat the software update process above. Unsupported software modifications are present. Kindle Keyboard doesn't support software modification, and will be unable to update the Kindle software if it has been modified. Contact the original developer of the software modification for instructions on how to remove the modification. Unable to download when selecting "Sync and Check for Items." Not connected to a Wi-Fi network Kindle Keyboard software update 3.3 is only available for download over Wi-Fi or from this page. Connect to a Wi-Fi network and the update will download in the next few days, or download the correct file listed above. If you still cannot successfully update your Kindle Keyboard software using the instructions above or encounter any difficulty with your software update, please contact Kindle Support by clicking the "Contact Us" button in the right hand column of this page. 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Amazon Prime Brings Video on Demand to Users

I'm an Amazon Prime Member and have been for a few years now (thanks Ben!)

The service charges me $79 per year for membership and for that I get special pricing and free 2 day shipping. I also get a free unlimited Cloud Player Storage for my music (which is now totally in the cloud).

As an Amazon Prime Member I was thrilled with the following announcement that came out last week. Let the good times roll!

Dear Customer,

I have big news for Amazon Prime members � we�ve just signed a deal with FOX to add a broad selection of movies and TV shows to our unlimited instant streaming service later this fall. The new additions from the FOX library include 24, Arrested Development, The X-Files, Ally McBeal, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and � available on digital video for the first time � The Wonder Years. We now have deals with CBS, NBCUniversal, Sony, and Warner Bros, and adding FOX will bring the total to more than 11,000 movies and TV shows available for unlimited instant streaming.

Since launching earlier this year, we have now doubled the number of titles available in Prime instant videos, and there�s still more to come. Prime membership remains $79 a year, and of course features our unlimited free two-day shipping on millions of products. Prime is one of the best values anywhere.

Prime instant videos can be played on more than 300 HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and set-top boxes.

Amazon Announces Kindle Fire - Where There Is Smoke...

In the little over 18 months since its first announcement, the iPad has reigned supreme in the portable computing market. Oh sure, there have been competitors, but most haven't been able to go but a few rounds with the heavy weight champion iPad. HP fell away, Motorola released the Xoom and had lackluster sales, and Samsung has struggled as well.

The reason for these struggles? In my opinion it is because these other devices have been "me too" kinds of products. They are tablets trying to "be" the iPad and so try and do all the things that the iPad does. Because of this and their very similar price points, I think many consumers have said, "If it does the same stuff as the iPad and costs the same as the iPad, why not just by an iPad?" That's logic I can't argue with.

However, today Amazon entered the tablet market with the Kindle Fire. A competitor to the iPad with an interesting slant. The Kindle Fire is sort of iPad lite. And by that, I don't mean to speak badly about it. No, instead I think this may just be a piece of genius. Rather than compete directly with the iPad, the Kindle Fire is a scaled back tablet that will do the things that a lot of non-power users need.

The Fire has a touch screen that is 7 inches compared to the 9.7 inch iPad. A small screen means the device is smaller... but it also keeps the costs down. For some people the smaller, easier to carry footprint will be welcome. For others it will be a deal breaker.

There is no camera in the Fire, but for most folks who have taken a photo with a tablet they will tell you it's cumbersome and easier to take pictures with a small digital camera.

The Fire is WiFi only which may be a big deal for some folks, but I own a portable WiFi hotspot and have never owned a device with its own connection. I don't think it's that big of a deal with WiFi readily available almost everywhere.

The number one thing the Fire has going for it? Price! At $199 the device is much less than even the low end iPads. Add to that the fact that the device has only 8GB of storage but also has access to the unlimited storage of Amazon Cloud and you have a device that may have found a nice niche market and give the iPad a run for its money.

Amazon Introduces Cloud Reader

I've got to hand it to Amazon. They just keep pushing the limits.

They first shook things up with their Cloud Player, beating Apple & Google to the punch with online storage of your music collection. Because of that, a larger & larger portion of my music now sits on Amazon's servers.

Now they have done the same with their KIndle Store & eReader. The Amazon Cloud Reader stores your ebooks, allows you to read them, & remembers where you left off with them.

Why is this a big deal? It circumvents the Apple App stranglehold. Previously you needed an App to read & buy for your KIndle account if you had an iPod. That meant that any purchases had to go through Apple which resulted in a 30% charge that went straight to the iPad maker.

By making the Cloud Reader available through the browser, it makes the store & storage universally available through any browser whether the browser is on your iPad or your computer.

So Amazon has taught something to the brains at Cupertino. That deserves at least this blog post!

Amazon Takes Cloud Player to Unlimited Storage

As an Amazon customer, I purchase a lot of things through the online retailer. As I've blogged here before, when Amazon opened their music download service/store I was an immediate fan because the songs were sold in MP3 format & not in a proprietary and encrypted format. This was what I really wanted... not so I could share the songs illegally, but so I could play them anywhere on any device I own (and as a geek, I've got a few devices!)

Recently Amazon brought their Cloud Drive service to market so that you didn't even need to download the songs... you can just play them with any device that has an Internet connection. The only drawback was that storage was limited, but not anymore!

I received an email informing me that all paid Cloud Drive subscriptions have unlimited storage. Now you can truly take your music collection to the cloud!

Amazon First to Market with Cloud Storage of your Music Collection

For a while now techie types have been wondering who would be the first to offer cloud storage of your music collection. Apple, Google, and Amazon have all been rumored to be in the game. All of those companies currently offer some type of cloud storage, but just not the full on storage and access that music requires .

Well, this week Amazon made the first move. In an interesting gambit, Amazon will allow cloud storage & access to Blackberry, Palm, and Android devices, but not to any Apple devices. That's an interesting little tidbit.

The service provides 5GB of storage for free (that's about 1200 songs) and then offers more storage for a fee. The best part though is that you can access your music and play it on your device without it actually being on your device. This means that my new Motorola Xoom can have access to my entire 50GB music collection without having one song loaded on it. Cool huh?

When the service was announced, Amazon vice president of movies and music Bill Carr said: "Our customers have told us they don't want to download music to their work computers or phones because they find it hard to move music around to different devices." You know, that's true. As I get more and more devices, it's harder and harder to remember what I've loaded where. That's especially true for someone like me who has a music collection that is too large for all of my portable devices (except for my 60GB iPod).

I love the idea of being able to get my music anywhere I want it. In my opinion, that's the way it's supposed to be. The big music companies aren't too happy about that, but that's to be expected. At first the thought was that Amazon was trying to bypass them, but now come rumors that Amazon is actually in negotiation with the large music providers to get them on board with this.

Either way, the genie is out of the bottle & it's only a matter of time before this becomes the de facto standard.

The best part is that it will only get better as Google and Apple get involved.

For all the details, check out the info from Amazon.