~Tech Angel~

Xbox 360 for Dummies

I know your first thought when you read this title was of the people bidding up to $10,000 for the Xbox 360 on eBay, but I'm actually referring to the book.  Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard of the "For Dummies" and now all you gaming fans will have one for your precious 360, Xbox 360 For Dummies.  Unfortunately, January 16, 2006 is listed under the product details, but let's hope it will be released before then.  The book (which happens to be 360 pages!) covers the following:

    *  Topics covered include hooking up Xbox 360, taking advantage of HDTV and Dolby capabilities, using built-in digital video recording and wireless functions, storing media files, playing music, and displaying photos
    * Shows how to have even more fun by taking an Xbox online for massively multiplayer gaming, instant messaging, and more
    * Discusses the social potential of the Xbox, which people can use to make new friends, join groups and teams, and even throw fantastic parties
    * Includes tips for securing the Xbox from online threats

You can order it from Amazon for $13.59.

Technorati Tags: books, gaming, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox for Dummies

Harry Potter makes Publishing History

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince made publishing history on Saturday, selling 6.9 million copies within its first 24 hours.  Over 5,000 midnight parties were held at stores across the country.  Scholastic also broke records by printing 10.8 million books, with a second printing of 2.7 million copies in stores already. 

 

The total number of Harry Potter books in print?  116 million copies.

Tags: Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, publishers, Scholastic, books, entertainment

Harry Potter reviews already appearing

I haven't read one word of my copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  Wanna know why?  Because USPS decided to just stick the slip in my mailbox instead of ringing my doorbell!  I didn't get my mail until 3:00 pm and my local post office was already closed.  I purposely made sure I was in the house all morning because of that book!  But that's another story.....

Even though I haven't been able to start my Potter journey, millions of others were able to and have already begun to post reviews.  So far, the consensus appears to be divided with some people calling the book "stale" and others stating the book "fulfilled all expectations".  You can even get plot summaries online in case you don't want to read the 600+ page book.

Color ebook reader from Panasonic

Engadget is reporting new competition for the Sony Librie.  Panasonic, maker of the Sigma Book, has a prototype that is full-color with a resolution of 210 ppi on a 5.6 inch screen. Panasonic plans to use a video reproduction function enabling users to view ebook specific content, such as picture books in which the pictures are moving.  It features USB to upload books and will use Li-ion batteries (with a supposed six hour lifespan).  It should be released in Japan July 2006, retailing for $360. 

Read more.

Tags: ebook, Panasonic, Sigma Book, books, Sony Librie, entertainment

New Harry Potter leaked in Canada

A Vancouver store briefly put the newest Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, on sale last week.  The book is set to release this Saturday, July 16th. A small amount of books were sold and Canadian distributor, Raincoast Books, Ltd. has won an injunction prohibiting any buyers from disclosing the plot. 

All copies of the book are to be returned to the distributor who has promised to give all the early buyers book plates autographed by J.K. Rowling.

~I wonder if any of these books will show up on Ebay.....I'm pretty sure some sucker fan would be willing to pay a couple of hundred just to have it before Saturday.~

Tags: Vancouver, Canada, Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, books, entertainment, Ebay

MobiPocket reader 4.9 released

One of my favorite ebook readers, MobiPocket, has released an upgrade. MobiPocket Reader v4.9 includes the following updates:

• Support of VGA screens and full compatibility with Windows Mobile 2003 SE
• More complete support of JavaScript and support for ASP and RW databases
  
• Auto-scrolling stops where you are instead of jumping to the next page
• Setup program for PalmOS devices is simpler (no need to specify resolution or colors)
• Rendering of frames in content is faster
• Various bug fixes

You can also download a beta version of v5.0 that has a number of changes and new features:

• Native Pocket PC look and feel
• Library management
• Book Display options
• New toolbar icon customization
• Enhanced annotations
• Hardware button mapping

Tags: MobiPocket, ebooks, pocket pc, pdas, technology, Windows Mobile

Sony Librie English GUI Firmware Patch

Want a Sony Librie, but need it in English and not its native Japanese?  Head on over to the Make:blog where there is an extensive how-to (complete with screenshots) on patching the device so the user interface will be in English.

More info on the Sony Librie.

Tags: Sony, Sony Librie, ebooks, books, e-ink, technology, gadgets, entertainment

Pre-orders of Harry Potter top 500,000

In more Harry Potter news, pre-orders of the newest book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, have surpassed over 500,000 according to Amazon.com.  The highly anticipated book will go on sale at midnight on July 16th.  An accompanying audiobook will be available the same day as well.

The last Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, was the fastest selling book in U.S. publishing history, selling over 5 million copies in the first 24 hours.

via| Yahoo

Technorati Tags : Harry Potter, books, Amazon.com, entertainment

No hope for Harry Potter on e-book

In different forums across the Internet, I have viewed numerous people requesting Harry Potter on ebooks.  Legally, it doesn't exist.  Illegally is a different story.  However, author J.K. Rowling has not permitted any of the six books to be released on ebooks.

 

Apparently, the lack of releases to ebooks is a trend in the youth book industry.  Adult bestsellers are available, but books by children's authors are not.  All of those young, hip children who love their cell phones, computers, and Sidekicks don't seem to like reading ebooks.  So until a device comes out that makes it interesting enough to read for children and the demand grows, we won't be seeing Harry Potter on ebooks.

 

~Even though Harry Potter is technically a "children's" book, millions of adults read them and I think that the ebook version would do just as well as any adult book.  Even though I own all of the books, I most likely would repurchase to have on my PDA.~

Technorati Tags : Harry Potter,  J.K. Rowling, Rowling, ebooks, books, technology, mobile, news

Harper Collins Connect

Remember yesterday when I talked about the changes in the average bookstore's customer?  Well, Harper Collins is now offering a service that should assist small, local bookstores in competing with larger chains.  The program is called Harper Collins Connect.  Publisher Harper Collins will turn any bookstore into a wireless hotspot....and they will do it for free.  All users will see is a splash screen when they connect that will promote the bookstore, Harper Collins, and some of Harper Collins select titles.

via|Untangled Wibrary

Tags: Harper Collins, bookstores, books, wireless, mobile, internet, technology, news

DVDs and Internet blamed again..

It looks like the Internet and DVDs are taking part of the blame once again this week...this time for the change in the type of consumer who visits bookstores.  Last week it was the decrease in the number of moviegoers.

Many bookstore owners are noticing that there are less and less customers who come in and browse around for their book purchases.  Customers are more likely to phone in their orders or double-park while they rush inside to make their purchase.  Simon & Schuster CEO Jack Romanos refers to this new "focused" consumer as an example of the "herding mentality".

E-books coming to PSP?

Are e-books coming to the PSP? Recently filed trademarks "PSP Comics", "PSP Books", and "PSP Magazine", plus a number of other trademarks may lead one to believe so. 

~Now if they would just go ahead and drop the price down to $200, I'd purchase one.  Consumer gadgets must do more than one thing and the PSP is becoming a rather versatile device with all the different hacks and now this e-book speculation~
Tags: PSP, Playstation, e-books, ebooks, Sony, trademarks, technology, mobile

The Sony Librie

Link: The Sony Librie (kottke.org).

$600 for an ebook reader?  Only 10 mb of storage capacity? Have to use Sony's MemorySticks?  The books self-destruct after 60 days? 

Can't wait for another company to do this technology justice and produce it at a reasonable price.

The Sony Librie

Link: The Sony Librie (kottke.org).

$600 for an ebook reader?  Only 10 mb of storage capacity? Have to use Sony's MemorySticks?  The books self-destruct after 60 days? 

Can't wait for another company to do this technology justice and produce it at a reasonable price.