Even More Wonderful Book News

I first have to begin with a correction. I stated last week that even after Barnes and Noble lowered their prices on the Nook that Best Buy was still giving out the 50 dollar gift cards with purchase...turns out that was an error at a specific Best Buy. However, I have confirmed that their service plan is cheaper then buying the extedned warranty from B and N.

Speaking of Barnes and Noble, Publisher's Weekly reports that they are doing very well despite these yough economic times, and that they plan to continue to invest heavily in e-publishing ventures. The full article can be read here.

Slate.com has an interesting article called "Bold Prediction: Why E-books will never Replace Real books," by Jan Swafford. The piece talks at length about the writings of Marshall Mcluhan and is a refreshing call for perspective in a discussion that is often rife with exaggerated conclusions and hyperbolic rhetoric.

The New York Times is reporting on a deal to hopefully breathe some new life into the declining world of independent book stores. Google, which is coming out with its own e-book store called Google Editions, is going to partner up with American book Sellers Association to be the distributor on indy book stores' websites. I hope deal works out for everyone. While I love the superbookstores like Barnes and Noble and Borders, there is nothing in the world like walking into a place like Powell's Books and I hope that this will keep stores like that open.

I'm still working on the review of the ipad but so far I give it high marks. I've downloaded ibooks, stanza, and the Kindle and Barne's and Noble applications. So far ibooks has the best look but doesn't have near the selection of its competitors.

Shortly the blog will have a guest writer review the nook. I'm also interested in any news on the Kobo currently being sold out of Borders. If anyone out there has a Kobo and would like to send me their thoughts please do so.

E-Reader News

It's been a busy week for e-reader news. Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com just announced simultaneous price reductions. The Nook is now 199. There is also a cheaper Nook that doesn't include the 3G internet service that is going for 149.99 (Incidentally, if you want to buy a Nook it would be better to go to Best Buy then Barnes and Noble. They currently have Nooks at the reduced price, which include a 50 B&N gift card, and a two year warranty for 20 dollars less then if you buy it at the book store). The Kindle has been lowered to 189.
Gigoam.com has an interesting article explaining Why Amazon's Kindle Will Eventually Win the E-Book Wars. The article breaks down the benefits of the Kindle, especially when used in conjunction with the Ipad, but I'm not ready to write Barnes and Noble out of the race just yet. B&N has hundreds of stores that allow them access to customers who may never find themselves checking out the Kindle.
Publisher's Weekly had an article talking a new reader, the wonderfully named Pfleeber.
Last week there was a digital conference on the future of publishing in New York. Here is a link to their page.

Stuff

Vacation is almost over. I've had a chance to play around with my Ipad and am very satisfied so far. I'll have a full review coming up soon. Also on the way is a review of the nook from the blog's first guest writer.
More coming soon. Until then check out this New York Times article about the future of comics in the digital era.

New Stuff

My ipad arrived two days ago. Thus far I am very pleased with my new toy. I haven't had too much time to mess around with the ibooks program but I'll have a full report asap. One thing I like about it is that it has apps for the kindle and Barnes and Noble.

Here is an article from the New York Times comparing various e-readers. The author is Joanna Stern, a technology journalist and an editor over at Engadget.

More Links

I'm on vacation right now but will have more than just links up very soon. Until then here is a great article from The Wall Street Journal on the potential for e-publishing for writers trying to break into the market. Melville House Publishing's blog, Mobylives, has an article discussing Amazon.com's potentially monopolistic policies in Europe's e-book market.

News and Updates

It looks like J.K. Rowling has changed her position on e versions of her book according to thebookseller.com.

Rowling is just one of several writers who have spoke out against e-readers and e-publilishing.