If you want to protect your Amazon Kindle, or if you're looking for a great Kindle-themed Christmas present, you could do worse than M-Edge's range of Latitude cases for the device.

Available in a variety of bright colours, the Latitude "Kindle Jackets" are made of durable ripstop nylon and boast a double zip.

Inside there's a soft polar fleece for cushioning, while the case offers a built-in pocket for storing the charger and other small accessories.

MobileFun is offering the range now, priced at ?17.99 each.

Related links:

• Shop - MobileFun

Tags: Gadgets Kindle accessories Kindle eBook readers MobileFun Cases

Tough M-Edge Latitude Kindle cases available originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:38:15 +0000

Amazon.com has announced that its free software "Kindle for PC" is now available to download for Windows computers with a Mac version said to be "coming soon".

The application means Kindle-less readers around the world can pay to download the more than 360,000 Kindle ebooks to read on their PCs or laptops.

For those that do have a Kindle, the PC software offers the ability to read some of a book on a PC, read some on the Kindle, and always pick up right where the reader left off thanks to the Whispersync functionality.

The software is compatible with Windows XP SP2 and above, Windows Vista or Windows 7 - the latter of which gets touch functionality with compatible hardware including pinching fingers to zoom and coming soon - the ability to turn pages with the swipe of a finger.

Tags: Software Kindle Amazon PC software ebooks

Free "Kindle for PC" software available now originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:17:04 +0000

While PC-owning book worms wait for Amazon's release of its new "Kindle for PC" software, it seems Mac users have not been forgotten, confirming to the Fast Company magazine's blog that it will be offering a similar software solution for Macs.

With the short but sweet "Yes, we are working on a Kindle app for Mac" statement, an Amazon spokesperson has revealed Mac users won't be left out in the cold - just as well considering Amazon boss Jeff Bezos' plans to make the Kindle "the iPod of reading".

The Kindle for PC software is due next month as a free download for those with Windows-based PCs. It will mean Amazon customers without a Kindle device will be able to buy Kindle ebooks to read via their computers.

The move will mean Kindle books will soon be able to be read on the Kindle and the larger Kindle DX, on the iPhone and iPod touch, on PCs and laptops and (hopefully) soon - on Macs too.

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Tags: Software Mac software Kindle Amazon Amazon Kindle ebooks eBook readers

Amazon to offer Mac version of "Kindle for PC" software originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:40 +0000

Amazon.com has announced "Kindle for PC", describing the release as "a free application that lets readers around the world enjoy Kindle books on their personal computers".

The US Kindle Store currently offers over 360,000 books, including new releases and most of the New York Times Bestsellers, which the company says are typically $9.99 or less and is apparently the only place to find some books in the digital format, Amazon is opening the store up to those who haven't bought into the Kindle system.

This move means Kindle books can now be read on the Kindle and the larger Kindle DX, on the iPhone and iPod touch thanks to the Kindle iPhone app, and now on PCs and laptops.

For those that want to read ebooks on both mobile devices and their PC, the Kindle for PC features Amazon’s Whispersync technology that automatically saves and synchronises bookmarks and last page read across devices.

"Kindle for PC is the perfect companion application for folks who own a Kindle or Kindle DX", said Ian Freed, vice president, Amazon Kindle.

"Kindle for PC is also a great way for people around the world to read the most popular books of today even if they don't yet have a Kindle".

Amazon says Kindle for PC will be available to customers around the world as a free download next month.

Tags: Software Amazon Amazon Kindle Kindle ebooks eBook readers Gadgets

Amazon announces Kindle for PC originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:19:12 +0100

Amazon has quietly dropped the price of the Kindle international edition by $20 to bring it in line with the original Kindle price in the US.

UK customers wanting to sign up for the ebook reader that was announced just weeks ago, and only?just available this week, will now only have to pay $259 instead of the launch price of $279.

Amazon hasn't stated a reason for the drop in price, however the price drop could be down to the ebook market heating up in the run up to Christmas.

On Tuesday Barnes & Noble, Amazon's biggest competitor in the book selling market, launched the Nook, an ebook reader with a colour android-powered touch screen for navigation.

Amazon has confirmed that users who paid $279 will get a $20 refund.

"Due to strong customer demand for the new Kindle with U.S. &?International Wireless, we are consolidating our family of 6-inch?Kindles. As part of this consolidation, we are lowering the price of?our Kindle with US & International wireless down to $259. The new?Kindle with 3G wireless that works in the U.S. and globally in over?100 countries is in-stock and available for immediate shipment.?Customers who purchased the device at $279 will be automatically?refunded the $20 difference in price. They don't need to do anything?to receive this refund, it's automatic and they will receive an email?from us confirming the refund". Amazon told Pocket-lint when asked.

The news comes as Amazon launches a free application that lets readers around the world enjoy Kindle books on their personal computers called Kindle for PC.

?

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Tags: Gadgets ebooks eBook readers Amazon Kindle

Amazon Kindle International edition gets price cut originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:17:11 +0100

The Amazon Kindle ebook reader is now available to be ordered by those residing in the UK.

Previously only available to consumers in the States, Amazon recently announced it would offer an "International Edition" of its popular eReader.

However, those in the UK, and the 200 other countries the device is now available to, will have to order the device through Amazon.com in US dollars, and stump up for the relevant import fees.

In addition to this, Amazon will be charging UK customers more for content for the Kindle, around $13.99 (?8.75) per book instead of the American price of $9.99 (?6.25).

And finally, UK consumers should note that the Kindle will ship with a US power charger, which, although the device can also charge up via USB, means if they want to wall charge their device, they'll need to buy an adaptor.

So, has this put off UK gadget-lovers from wanting a Kindle? In our most recent Pocket-lint reader poll, we asked "Do you plan to buy an International Edition Kindle?"

The results were fairly even with Pocket-lint readers' love of gadgetry coming in with 48% saying "yes" and 52% with a "no".

Were you a yes or are you sticking with a no? Have your say on Amazon's International Edition Kindle option in the comments box below...

Tags: Gadgets eBook readers Kindle Amazon Kindle Survey Statistics

Amazon Kindle UK import orders begin originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:37:14 +0100

Google has revealed plans to launch its own online ebook store, due to open its virtual doors in the first half of 2010.

Although the online giant is currently embroiled in legal wrangles over its Google Books book scanning project, it hasn't stopped it from announcing the new "Google Editions" scheme.

The store will initially offer around half a million ebooks in formats suitable for any device with a web browser.

While Google will host the ebooks and make them searchable, it's said consumers will be able to buy titles direct, or go through the likes of Amazon - a big player in the market thanks to its Kindle reader range, or Barnes & Noble which has ambitions to make it big.

Google has ruled out making hardware to go along with the launch of the content store - "We're not focused on a dedicated e-reader or device of any kind", Google's director of strategic partnerships told Reuters at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

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Tags: Software Websites Google ebooks Google Books Google Editions Amazon Kindle Barnes and Noble

Google Editions ebook store announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:34:02 +0100

Amazon has u-turned on its launch promise not to charge international Kindle users more than it does US consumers, in a rip-off Britain move familiar to UK-based gadget fans who often suffer from inflated pricing.

Despite Amazon stating that "there are no additional fees for international customers" when the Kindle was announced for the UK market, the Guardian has discovered that UK users will in fact be charged 40% more than those in the States.

From the paper: "An Amazon.co.uk spokesman revealed that foreign customers would be paying $13.99 (?8.75) per book instead of the American price of $9.99 (?6.25). That amounts to a 40% premium for the same title".

Although UK users won't be charged the $1.99 roaming fee that Americans will have to pay for using the device abroad, it seems this is how the etailer will recuperate the costs of data charges from AT&T's global partners for the OTA downloads.

Whether UK consumers will be happy to stump up almost half as much again as Americans pay for a digital product is yet to be seen - it certainly never hurt iTunes. Have your say on the matter in the comments box below.

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Related links:

• News - Amazon Kindle DX UK bound too
• Feature - Five good reasons to buy an Amazon Kindle

Tags: Gadgets Amazon Kindle ebooks eBook readers Biz Books

UK Kindle owners to be charged 40% more for content originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:04:18 +0100

Amazon in the US and UK has confirmed that it plans to take its other Kindle, the Kindle DX, international next year as well.

In the US the comments come from Amazon.com spokesman Drew Herdener who when asked simply said: "sometime next year".

Meanwhile in the UK Amazon.co.uk PR man Ben Howes has also confirmed the move to gadget site Electricpig. Rather than the standard "no comment" the site was expecting, Howes said: "we expect to add a Kindle DX family member with international roaming sometime next year".

The Kindle DX, comes with a 9.7-inch electronic paper display, a new built-in PDF reader, auto-rotate capability, and 3.3GB storage for up to 3500 books, Amazon has upped the price tag for the new model by $100 to $379.?

Amazon has announced that it is launching the Amazon Kindle in the UK and around the world as we reported it would last week.

"We have millions of customers in countries all over the world who read English-language books", said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and CEO. "Kindle enables these customers to think of a book and download it wirelessly in less than 60 seconds".

Announced earlier in the week, the new 3G enabled Kindle International edition will sport a 6-inch screen, come in at just over a third of an inch thin (0.36 inches) and weigh just over 10 ounces according to Amazon. It will come with 2GB of memory allowing up to 1500 books to be stored on the internal drive.

Users will be able to access over 250,000 books to download over the air via the Kindle Store, including UK newspapers such as The Times and The Telegraph.

Kindle with U.S. & International Wireless edition will cost $279 and will be available for shipment to customers in over 100 countries around the world on 19 October, although currently users will have to purchase the Kindle from the US store and?import the Kindle into the UK.?

"In the future, we plan to introduce a UK-centric Kindle experience, enabling you to purchase Kindle and Kindle books in sterling from our Amazon.co.uk site", said Bezos in a letter to Amazon.co.uk customers published on the UK site.

Tags: Gadgets ebooks eBook readers Amazon Kindle

Amazon Kindle DX UK bound too originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:57 +0100

Amazon has confirmed to Pocket-lint that International customers won't have to pay for roaming charges on the new Kindle International edition.

"No they won’t", a spokesman for the company from the UK office told Pocket-lint after we asked if the company could confirm whether or not UK customers will have to pay the $1.99 download charge, before adding "Wireless delivery is included in the price of the book for international customers so there are no additional charges".

The confusion has arisen over how UK customers and those in other countries will be able to access books over the 3G connection Amazon is promising, as Amazon has confirmed that the Kindle will be roaming on the AT&T Global network.

However, UK users will still only be able to order the new Kindle via the US Amazon site and pay customs tax on the purchase.

At the moment the Kindle will be sold on an import basis to customers in the UK from Amazon.com. The price for the device is $279, and when import fees and shipping is added the total comes to $344.98, which works out at ?216.85 at today's rates.

Tags: Gadgets Kindle Amazon ebooks eBook readers

Amazon: International Kindle owners won't have to pay roaming charges originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:59:37 +0100

Huzzah! It's finally arrived. It's never fun to sit and drool while other cats in other countries get to play with all the best tech and, at last, we in the UK can get our clutches on the Amazon Kindle 2. So, it's here but so are one hell of a lot of eBook readers. The question is, do we still want it? See if this helps to make up your mind one way or the other.

Get it now

?

1. It's Cheap
As premium eBook readers go, the Kindle 2 is a bit of a bargain. There's a slew of budget models out there at the same ?200 mark but none of those have the connectivity and over the air book store access. You can argue that the hardware on the Sony readers and the recently released iRex is better, but the tops of their lines are only available in the US at the moment and they're $100 dearer anyway.

2. Epic Kindle Store
Probably the biggest advantage in opting for the Kindle is access to the epically large Amazon Kindle book store which currently houses 350,000 plus titles. Google is looking to redress the balance somewhat by scanning a million books for free into the public domain, but it still doesn't change the fact that currently it's only Amazon in the UK that allows users to access and download from a store over 3G direct to their reader. Very useful.

3. Good Storage
It may seem strange to big up the internal storage on the Kindle 2 when there's the elephant in the room, namely the fact that it doesn't have an SD card slot or any other kind of removable media unlike most other readers. But, what Amazon does do is offer 2GB of internal space which is double what most manufacturers have come up with. That gives you room for around 1500 books which should be enough to get from London Paddington to Calcutta several times over and without both the added expense and faff of SD cards.

4. Text to Speech
The use of the text to speech function for most people is debatable, but there's a huge population of partially sited users in the world who'll be able to plug their headphones into the Kindle and have the device read their books to them. Whether you use it or not, it's good to know that the company you've signed up for is trying to cater for as many people as it can.

5. The Apple Effect
Arguably one of Apple's greatest factors for success is that they make the devices and they make the software that goes with them. Amazon has a similar thing going on in with eBook readers in that they make the device and the sell the books too. Many readers rely on sideloading through online stores like Waterstones and, as good as they are, these stores simply can't be tailor made to fit one device and its software. Of course, the other side of it is that you're not tied into any one ecosystem but then there's no need for financial negotiations or deals of any sort in the background with the Amazon solution which tends to make for a smoother and often slightly cheaper end service.

Give it a miss

?

1. Screen Issues
Firstly, none of the Kindles has a touchscreen which is beginning to make gadgets look like they were built in the last century. One of its main rivals over here, the Sony Reader Touch edition, as its name suggests, does. The Kindle 2 does have a QWERTY if you don't mind getting old school - and indeed, some people prefer it - but there have also been some complaints with the quality of the contrast, and the 16 shade grey-scale has made some people feel so ill that they've switched back to the original Kindle.

2. Size Issues
Manufacturers like Sony and iRex are starting to offer readers in different sizes. Of course, Amazon offers the 10-inch DX but that has a fairly specific market and isn't the size that most people are after. A six-inch eBook reader may be the standard at the moment but it rules a section of the public out who'd rather choose from something more pocket size to the new wave of 8.1-inchers.

3. Limited File Support
Amazon has chosen a closed DRM file system for the Kindle, meaning that it only supports a very small number of strange sounding file types - .AZW, .MOBI, .AAX and .TXT plus MP3s as well. If the Google scan project does go ahead, which looks likely, the files offered by the internet giant will be PDFs and EPUBs, neither of which currently work on the Kindle 2. Amazon is looking to introduce PDFs and they do provide a file conversion service, but it can cost money and adds a certain pain-in-the-arse factor.

4. Too Specific
As Steve Jobs pointed out, in this age of convergence, something as specific as an eBook reader might not be worth your money even in the relatively short term. According to the Apple supremo, it's usually more general devices that are successful, with a possible hint towards the much rumoured and probably similar sized iTablet. One obvious reaction to his words are that it's the e-paper that makes readers what they are, but then perhaps that's a clue to just one of the features in the forthcoming Apple gadgets? Nobody's perfect but Jobs has made an immense career out of some well-judged calls. He may have a point.

5. Who needs a reader?
eBooks aren't just the preserve of readers. You can download them onto your phone or your handheld games console. They may not be so easy on the eye to read but it's an option. Another choice, of course, is to buy a paperback. There's still plenty to be said for hard copy books. They're cheaper than a reader, not such a problem if you loose them, harder to damage and they look pretty good on a shelf once you're done with them.

Related links:

• News - Amazon Kindle comes to UK
• Feature - The complete guide to eBook readers

Tags: Gadgets eBook readers Amazon Amazon Kindle 2 Features Kindle

Five good reasons to buy an Amazon Kindle... originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:35:00 +0100

Following the news from Amazon that it is to offer an "International Edition" of the Amazon Kindle in 200 countries, Amazon's UK homepage is promoting the pre-order of the device, due to launch 19 October, with a "letter" from the founder of the etail site, Jeff Bezos.

At the moment the Kindle will be sold on an import basis to customers in the UK from Amazon.com. The price for the device is $279, and when import fees and shipping is added the total comes to $344.98, which works out at ?216.85 at today's rates.

This compares favourably with Sony's rival Reader offerings purely on a price basis. The latest Readers to hit the UK are priced at around ?250 for the comparable 6-inch version and ?190 for the budget 5-incher.

It seems at present content will also have to be bought in dollars. In Bezos' homepage letter, he reveals a "UK-centric Kindle experience" is planned for the future, "enabling you to purchase Kindle and Kindle books in sterling from our Amazon.co.uk site", but for now purchases will be in US currency.

Related links:

• News - Amazon Kindle comes to UK

Tags: Gadgets Kindle Amazon ebooks eBook readers

International Kindle will cost £217 to import originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:29:17 +0100

Amazon has announced that it is launching the Amazon Kindle in the UK and around the world as we reported it would last week.

"We have millions of customers in countries all over the world who read English-language books", said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. "Kindle enables these customers to think of a book and download it wirelessly in less than 60 seconds".

The new 3G enabled Kindle International edition will sport a 6-inch screen and come in at just over a third of an inch thin (0.36 inches) and weigh just over 10 ounces according to Amazon. It will come with 2GB of memory allowing up to 1500 books to be stored on the internal drive

Users will be able to access over 250,000 books to download over the air via the Kindle Store?including UK newspapers such as The Times and The Telegraph.

Kindle with U.S. & International Wireless edition will cost $279 and will be available for shipment to customers in over 100 countries around the world on 19 October, although currently users will have to purchase the Kindle from the US store and import it into the UK.?

"In the future, we plan to introduce a UK-centric Kindle experience, enabling you to purchase Kindle and Kindle books in sterling from our Amazon.co.uk site", said Bezos in a letter to Amazon.co.uk customers published on the UK site.

The decision to do so means that legally, UK customers will have to pay import tax on the Kindle as it is over the ?145 price threshold bringing the price after current exchange rates to around ?200.?

Additionally, it is not yet sure whether UK customers will have to pay a wireless roaming fee of $1.99 per book as stated in the small print on the product page on Amazon.com. It says:

"When travelling abroad, you can download books wirelessly from the Kindle Store or your Archived Items for a fee of $1.99".

Amazon has also announced that it will be dropping the price of its US only Kindle model to $259.

The news adds to the growing ebook market, that has seen plenty of activity in the last couple of weeks from company's such as iRex, Sony with it's Sony Reader and Cool-er.

We will keep you posted.

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Tags: Gadgets eBook readers Amazon Kindle ebooks

Amazon Kindle comes to UK originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:33:14 +0100

Amazon's decision to remotely delete digital copies of George Orwell's 1984 from customer's Kindles has cost it $150,000.

The figure - a settlement amount reached between Amazon and a high school student - is in addition to the $30 compensation it offered each affected customer.

The lawsuit was filed by a 17-year-old high school student in the States in July. As well as losing the digital copy of the book, the student lost electronic notes he had made for an assignment.

Amazon had deleted 1984, and Animal Farm, as it found out the correct rights had not been obtained. In an apology Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos called the move "stupid".

The $150,000 is to be donated to "a charitable organization that promotes literacy, children's issues, secondary or post- secondary education, health or job placement".

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Related links:

• News - Amazon pulls 1984 from Kindle
• News - Student sues Amazon over Kindle deletion

Tags: Gadgets Amazon Kindle Lawsuits Biz

Amazon settles for $150,000 over Kindle deletion originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:19:30 +0100

The Kindle's UK launch has been a much talked-up affair, but "authoritative sources" are now backing up previous whispers that the device will debut in October.

Those sources, speaking to The Bookseller, suggest the Kindle's arrival to the UK market will be announced next week, ahead of the Frankfurt book fair, with consumer availability during October.

The Bookseller reports a source stating: "The key things they needed to tie up have been tied up", suggesting a wireless operator deal has been done in the UK after Qualcomm has developed a wireless solution that would work over here.

Whether Amazon will launch both the Kindle 2 and the larger and more expensive Kindle DX is yet to be seen. In the States the 6-inch Kindle 2 is priced at $299 which works out as around ?187, which could mean a ?199 price tag is likely here.

Amazon has not revealed sales figures for the Kindle, but it appears to be a popular product and partly responsible for the surge of the new ebook readers hitting the market.

Although the Kindle was far from the first - and some would argue far from the best - such device around, it's thought Amazon's Apple-like bundled offering of hardware and content has seen greater consumer interest in ebook readers in the US.

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Related links:

• News - Amazon Kindle 2 launches

Tags: Gadgets Kindle eBook readers Amazon Rumours

Amazon to make UK Kindle announcement next week originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:20:45 +0100