Do you recall the obituary I wrote for the Ebookwise-1150? The ereader  above next to the K3 is the Rocket eBook and it’s the grandaddy of the 1150. I thought it would be interesting to show you the oldest best ereader.

It was released in 1999 by a small company called Nuvomedia and sold through Barnes & Noble, and ebooks were only sold on the B&N website. It has a 5.4″ screen (320×240), which was huge for those days. You could load content over a serial (not USB) cable onto the 4MB or 16 MB of Flash storage. It did not have a card slot.

The Rocket eBook shipped in an odd shaped retail box, which I’m sure was a marketing decision (it appealed to my mother, an engineer/geek). The box came with a docking station, serial cable, power supply, stylus, screen cloth, and a very nice zipper case. it also had a driver CD and it referenced a support website (now defunct).

It read its own RB format, and in terms of features it was quite capable for the time. You could underline, bookmark, change font size, and add notes. A properly crafted TOC usually worked, too. The Rocket eBook could be oriented to all 4 directions and you could even calibrate the screen.

This ereader never amounted to much, but it did spawn the EBW-1150, which managed to hold on for 6 years.

P.S. Nuvomedia and another company called Softbook were bought in early 2000 by Gemstar. Gemstar used the design of the Rocket eBook to develop 2 of its ereaders, the GEB-1100 and the REB-1150 (later rebranded as the eBookwise 1150). The 1100 and 1150 look largely identical, and they bear a distinct family resemblance to the Rocket eBook. Softbook was acquired by Gemstar in 2000 so that its ereader, the SoftBook Reader, could be developed into a couple new ereader models.

So the Amazon Appstore has been up and running for a few weeks now, and I’ve managed to break something no less than 3 times.  Yes, I am embarrassed; I should have achieved a score of at least 6.

But I inadvertently learned some fascinating details about the Amazon Appstore, so it’s not a complete loss.

No refunds for apps

I accidentally bought an app while trying it on my PC last week. I’m still not sure how, exactly, but I do know that I didn’t click any buttons. The bad news is Amazon have a policy against refunding apps. Luckily for me, they made an exception.

But I think they only made the exception because I called in with other technical problems. The Appstore client kept insisting that the 3GB of space I had on my SD card wasn’t enough. (I had to reinstall the client.)

Did you know Amazon can remotely disable apps?

More out of curiosity that anything, I downloaded the refunded app. I wanted to see what Amazon would do. Today I tried to run it, and I got a message  saying that I didn’t own it and did I want more details. Yes, Amazon remotely killed the app.

Apps phone home

I left my Viewsonic gTablet sitting at home while I was at a conference last week. The battery died while I was gone, and when I charged again I noticed 2 interesting details. The first is that all the apps wanted to check with Amazon before I could open them. What’s truly curious is that I only have free apps. Some, like the Kindle app, have always been free and always will be free. But even the free Kindle app insisted on contacting Amazon before I could do anything with it.  (BTW, it seems like the apps want to do this on a weekly basis, but I’m not sure.)

Let me put it a different way. If you get the same app from the Android Market, it won’t be quite so crippled by DRM. For example, I’ve had an illicit copy of the Kindle app since forever, and I’ve never encountered this kind of block before.  This strikes me as a pretty damn good reason to abandon the Amazon Appstore.

I also discovered that if you don’t set the date, the apps can’t phone home. I know that that is a common Android design flaw, but it’s irritating nonetheless. It’s also laughable that it still exists in 2011.

—

So those are some of the quirks I’ve noticed with the Amazon Appstore. I haven’t seen any mention of problems elsewhere, so I thought this post was worthwhile. Have you had any trouble?

Fictionwise quietly retired the world’s longest running ereader some time in the last couple months. You can still buy ebooks, but the hardware is no longer listed. It’s a pity that they didn’t announce it because it truly deserved an obituary.

I was about to pull my EBW-1150 out of the  closet and do a post, but I guess it’s too late.

Ebookwise, a subsidiary of Fictionwise, launched the EBW-1150 back in November 2004 (retail was $99.95), and continued to sell it until the end of 2010. It had a 5.5″ (320×480) grayscale LCD touchscreen, 64MB Flash storage, a Smart Media card slot, a USB port, and a modem.

What’s even more amazing is that the EBW-1150 was originally released in 2002 as the GEB-1150 (I have one), so this 8 year old hardware was still being sold in 2010. Impressive, no?

It is a little surprising that it lasted so long, but until Kobo started the price war last spring, the 1150 was a relatively cheap ereader. For much of its life it had the distinction of being the only bargain ereader on the US market.

This was a fun little gadget with a couple of surprises built in. Back in 2008, a couple hackers discovered that the 1150 had a (very basic) web browser.  With the help of an app running on your PC, you could actually use the 1150 to surf the web. It didn’t work very well, but it did work.  You know, with the growth of sites designed to work on the Kindle, the browser would probably work better today than it did 2 years ago.

It also was fairly capable as an ereader. It shipped with a dictionary and it supported bookmarks, typed notes, and scribbled notes.

Now that I look back, I have to say that I’m surprised it didn’t dominate the market in its early years. It was a decent value well into 2009. I know people who looked at the Kindle and then bought the 1150.

I wanted to share an elaborate April Fool’s day joke with you.

The folks at Android Police spent much of last week putting together a truly impressive practical joke. the combined plausible pictures, detailed tech specs, and even a faked handout from Amazon.

I nearly fell for it, it’s that good. i also know a bunch of people who should have known better. They fell for it.

The Blaze (Kindle-Blaze, get it?)  is an Android smartphone with a new 4.3″ Mirasol screen. It’s running v2.3 on a dual core CPU, and it has 32GB Flash, an 8GB microSD card, 2 cameras, Bluetooth, and it even has a solar panel on the battery cover.

That last bit was supposed to be the giveaway, but I thought the 32GB Flash was fishy. That seemed a little much if you also get an 8GB card, too.

Here’s the handout they faked. I swear it looks real.

Well done,guys.

via Android Police

Cartoonist Aaron Renier created a wonderful homage to Roald Dahl’s Matilda for the web comic Unshelved. Matilda’s evil, plaid suit sporting father gives the literature-loving Matilda an “iSwindle” and chastises her for wanting to use anything as low-tech as her imagination.

In this cartoon he cleverly skewers the idea of most of the enhanced ebook apps.  I don’t have permission yet to embed it here, and TBH it wouldn’t look very good at 80% of the width. I clipped the 2 most important scenes, and they’re after the break.

via Unshelved

If you’ve been using ebooks for any length of time then you’ve probably encountered DRM.

DRM is why you can’t convert an Epub ebook so you can read it on the Kindle. DRM is why you don’t actually own the ebooks you bought. DRM can restricts your access to movies, music, literature and software, indeed all forms of digital data. It is simply a prison in which users can be put to deprive them of the rights that the law would otherwise allow them.

Naturally, a lot of us aren’t happy about that.

The recent HarperCollins decision to restrict library ebooks has given new strength to the anti-DRM movement, and it inspired Nina Paley to draw these icons. They’re CC licensed, so feel free to use them wherever. You can find several other versions at readersbillofrights.info.

The big 6 publisher HarperCollins (owned by Rupert Murdoch, curiously enough) has recently announced a new policy for ebooks lent from libraries. Libraries will now only be allowed to lend an ebook 26 times before they are forced to buy another copy.

Apparently HarperCollins believes that’s when the electrons that make up an ebook are worn out and need to be replaced. This story broke today because of a letter sent  out by Steve Potash, the head of Overdrive. That letter was only sent out to member libraries, but it fairly quickly started being passed around. Here’s the important part:

We have been required to accept and accommodate new terms for eBook lending as established by certain publishers. Next week, OverDrive will communicate a licensing change from a publisher that, while still operating under the one-copy/one-user model, will include a checkout limit for each eBook licensed. Under this publisher’s requirement, for every new eBook licensed, the library (and the OverDrive platform) will make the eBook available to one customer at a time until the total number of permitted checkouts is reached.

I have to admire some publishers; they work ceaselessly to make themselves only slightly less repugnant than pirates.

via Library Journal

That’s what I’ve heard through back channels. But I think the why is more important.

A software developer who used to work for Kobo has been causing a stir the past few days. He’s blogged this about Apple:

Their in-app purchasing system only allows 3000 or 3500 distinct items to be in your catalog (depending who you talk to). Kobo and Amazon each have around 2.5 million titles. Judging by the title of Kobo’s app, 1.8 million are public domain (or otherwise free), so some 700’000 are paid titles, which they are under obligation to the content owners to make available for sale to all their users.

Last night I got confirmation that he is correct. Apple’s in-app system can’t handle more than 3,000 items. This means that it simply won’t be possible for any of the ebookstores to use it.

I already knew they wouldn’t; they can’t afford it. But now we know it’s impossible. So what is Apple trying to accomplish here?

I’ve no clue, but I do know a couple other details. For example, this new rule about in-app purchases was only added to the developer agreement in September 2010. I’ve seen notes from a conversation with an Apple rep  that clearly indicated that out of app purchase was fine and that there was no requirement to have in-app purchases. This conversation took place in October, and it wasn’t until January that Apple changed the interpretation of the developer agreement. One of my sources also said that Apple changed the rule literally over night. Apple went from being friendly in late December to actively hostile in January. Another reported getting an app approved (under the old rule) as late as 20 December.

No one understands it (and that includes the big boys). At this point everyone is resigned to the fact that Apple will pull the apps come June.  Amazon, B&N, and Kobo are stuck.

And yes, I have off the record confirmation that they’re going to let Apple pull the apps. What else can they do?

One final note: What’s even worse is that this new rule will probably drive a number of smaller iOS devs out of business. A number of the smaller developers survive on making apps for the smaller ebookstores and other content providers. Those ebookstores can’t afford to pay Apple’s vig, so they won’t be hiring anyone to make an app.

I just came across a blog post by Wolfire Games, an app developer. They recently uploaded their first game to the Mac Store, and much to their surprise a pirated copy was already in the store.

You might have heard of this developer before. They’ve made a couple games and a while back they agreed to let one of their games, Lugaru HD be bundled into the Humble Indie Bundle, a charitable fundraiser. That’s the game that’s been pirated, and the pirate is claiming that because the Humble Indie Bundle was released under GPL, the pirate can do anything he wants.

Um, no. The code for the games were released under GPL, but not the actual games. The games have a lot of content that isn’t covered by the GPL (graphics, sound, etc).

Wolfire report that they’ve already complained to Apple, and Apple ignored them. I’m not surprised. Why should Apple care about the little people? They’re Apple.

Leaving aside the Apple bashing, this is not the first time we’ve heard of Apple selling pirated content. I’m surprised that Apple have continued to fail to fix the problem. They clearly have a flaw in their procedures, and ignoring the problem is a worrisome pattern of behavior.

Okay, it’s only fair that I point out this is only a few days old. You could argue that Apple haven’t had time to respond. I disagree. The pirated app should have been suspended within 24 hours, and then left down while Apple investigated.

image via Wolfire

I came across this interesting little tidbit the other day. Fnac are a French retail chain, and back in November they started selling their own ereader (alongside the ones they already carried). According to the magazine Challenges, Fnac have sold 12 thousand of the FnacBook since November.

That’s really not much, is it? I tried to come up with a way to convince you that this was a decent number of units sold, but really it’s not. Sales have been lackluster, and I don’t think they’ll improve. The ereader market in Europe is crowded, and it’s being encroached by tablets. (Why do you think Samsung pulled out?)

via Actualitte

My 9″ Pandigital Novel died in Las Vegas.  I didn’t break it or drop it, it just died. This was one of the many minor irritations that made the trip less than fun, but never mind that.  I’m here to complain about getting the gadget repaired.

Late last Sunday night I filled out the contact form on the Pandigital website. I told them that it had died and gave them all the info so they could deal with it under the warranty.

And then I waited.

Final Update: This company has folded. It has been handed over to a liquidator to be sold off in order to pay creditors.

And I’m still waiting. It’s been 9 days now and I still haven’t heard back from Pandigital. What’s worse is that was only the first of 5 times I’ve contacted their service department on this. I’ve filled out that contact form twice (the second time was on Friday) and sent 3 emails and received no response whatsoever.

BTW, if you’re thinking that I could have just asked my contacts at Pandigital to swap my broken device, you’re right. In fact, I told them it was broken (and how). I’m doing this the hard way because I wanted to see how good their service department is.

Frankly, it sucks. I had heard complaints about Pandigital from a few people but I hadn’t realized quite how bad it is. Basically there is no tech support or warranty. Once you buy one of their gadgets you’re on your own.

I cannot recommend that anyone buy a device from Pandigital. It’s too big of an investment to throw it away.

(image via miss_ohara)

I’ve just been told that the Sony Reader app is now listed in the Android Market. It supports Epub and PDF ebooks purchased form the Sony Ebookstore, and it requires Android v2.2.

That last detail is kinda funny considering that all of Sony’s Android phones run v2.1 (according to my tipster). Here’s the description from AppBrain:

Carry your favorite eBooks on your iPhone or iPod touch with Reader™. The intuitive design is ideal for on-the-go reading, allowing you to make bookmarks and highlights – and adjust font size – as you read. Synchronize your reading position, bookmarks and highlights with the Reader Daily Edition™. Purchase books available from the online Reader™ Store.

Yes, I know that it says iPhone. Obviously someone goofed. And no it’s not in iTunes. I checked.

I’d appreciate hearing what you think of this app. My latest device runs v2.0, so I don’t think I can use this app.

AppBrain

Thanks, De!

Editor’s Note: Scroll down to the second update for the proof.

I just got a tip yesterday that Samsung bought the screen tech development company Liquavista. They have not announced the sale, but I did find this job listing from 20 December (translated from Dutch):

HR Manager
Compagnon Partner
EINDHOVEN
HR Manager The position As HR Manager you are contributing to the further development and growth of the organization. Ean of your main tasks in the initial phase is to establish a framework around employment such as pensions. The profile you have HBO / university working and thinking and at least 5 years experience in an all round HR function. You are used to operate in a "sales driven, dynamic and international organization. Also detects yourself the following skills: self pioneer Very flexible Proactive Pragmatic Visionary Energetic Excellent communication skills Excellent command of English spoken and written Willing to occasionally travel abroad Full time available (40 hours) The organization has a new Liquavista division of Samsung. The company is active in the field of display development. The offer Location: Eindhoven Salary: between, ¬ 3800, – and, ¬ 5000, – gross per month, excluding holiday and bonus. Contact Information Simon Onck 073-7511716 Reference number 5806 english home contact search login Compagnon Compagnon Jobs HR Manager vacancy

The translation doesn’t come through clear, but it does say that Liquavista are a new division of Samsung. I’ve also gotten confirmation from Natasja  of ereaders.nl that Samsung are now listed as a corporate parent of Liquavista on the Netherlands Chambre of Commerce website. It doesn’t say how much Samsung own, just that they’re involved.

Natasja has better contacts with the companies so she followed up on the rumor. She reported that Liquavista have denied the story, but her Samsung contact admitted to having heard this being discussed in the office. He didn’t know that it had already happened, just that it was being discussed.

Now I understand why Samsung closed their screen tech r&d division back in August. They had already decided to work with Liquavista and they’d probably already started discussing buying the company.

in collaboration with ereaders.nl

Update (Tuesday): here’s a screen shot from the CofC website. It shows Samsung listed as one of the owners of Liquavista.

Second Update (Wednesday): One of Liquavista’s investors just announced that they sold their share to Samsung:

Gimv sold its stake in Liquavista to Samsung Electronics Europe Holding Coöperatief U.A

…

The sale has a positive impact of EUR 4.6 million (EUR 0.20 per share) on Gimv’s last published equity value at 30 September 2010. Over the entire investment period, the shareholding’s return is in line with Gimv’s historic average. No further financial details on this transaction will be disclosed.

That would depend on your definition of success, but I think they’re doing quite well.

Paper.li is a 5 month old news aggregation site driven by social media. It helps you publish a daily (digital) newspaper with content drawn from sources you follow on Twitter or Facebook. It doesn’t use the tweets, though; instead it uses excerpts from articles linked to in a tweet. The process is largely automated is largely automated and the result looks something like a newspaper.

It’s been a while since I last looked at paper.li, and I can tell that they’ve improved their layout system. I have to say that I find it a lot more visually appealing now than when I saw it last back in September.

My interest in paper.li is twofold. I look at it as a possible way to gain readers, and I also look at it as a way to find new information for my readers. It’s not very good at either task yet, but that doesn’t mean this won’t change in the future.

Right now I’m seeing about 5 times as many visitors from Twitter as I am from paper.li. I’d say that’s good; paper.li is probably less than a fifth the size of Twitter. It’s also less than 5 months old. But neither site is a major source of traffic so it doesn’t really matter.

On the other hand, I’ve spot checked the more popular newspapers on paper.li. They’re really not getting all that many page views. It’s hard to measure the daily traffic but the lifetime traffic for the popular newspapers isn’t all that high considering some have been running for 4 or 5 months.

My other interest in paper.li is as a source of info. But at this point it is still less useful than Twitter or my RSS feeds. Yes, I really am looking to replace RSS feeds; RSS is a slow way to get news. A post might show up in a feed 6 or more hours after it was published. Snicker if you want, but a link to that post will show up on Twitter within a minute of publication. Also, the news in the post often shows up on Twitter before the post is published. Seriously, in spite of it’s many technical failings Twitter really is the best real time source for news. Paper.li, on the other hand, is only published once a day so any news it has might be as much as 24 hours old. That’s simply not fast enough to suit me.

But that "daily newspaper" aspect is still useful. I wish I’d thought to use paper.li while in Las Vegas for CES. I didn’t have time t check my Twitter feed but I might have had time to glance through the aggregated content.

I actually have a third reason to watch paper.li, but it’s a little odd. I track all the new content sharing platforms (like paper.li) because I want to be ready when a replacement for WordPress comes along. I like WordPress and it’s a very good platform, but there are a lot of smart people out there messing around with platforms. If a better tool comes along I want to be ready for it.

It’s a little early to say yet, but this really could be the next big thing. Before it can do that, though, paper.li will need to find a way to break away from Twitter and Facebook. It needs to stand on its own; otherwise it will stay an appendage of the bigger sites.

P.S. I have a paper.li newspaper based on my Twiiter account: paper.li/thDigitalReader#

I wrote a post a few days ago about First One Digital Publishing, a new publisher who plan to focus on ebooks (yes, another one). I wish I’d taken a closer look at them at the time, because I’ve now learned of their rather questionable business practices.

They’re going to have a writing contest next month. First One are planning to use this as a promotional tool to draw in potential authors and to draw attention to the company. (Actually, this contest has brought them a lot of attention – just not the kind they wanted.) I have  no problem with the contest, but I do have an issue with the contest’s rules. Did you know that they’re charging a submission fee? basically this means you’re paying for the privilege of

7.  FEES: There will be a $149.00 entrance fee for each submission. The fee must be paid online before the manuscript will be accepted.

It actually gets worse from there. Any work you submit immediately becomes the property of First Digital.

All submissions become sole property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. By submitting an entry, all entrants grant Sponsor the absolute and unconditional right and authority to copy, edit, publish, promote, broadcast, or otherwise use, in whole or in part, their entries, in perpetuity, in any manner without further permission, notice or compensation.

If you’re like me the t&c boggled your mind and you think you read it wrong. No, you didn’t. If you enter this contest you’re giving away your work and paying them for the privilege.

WTF?

I know that a lot of people are going to fall for it, but did they really think they wouldn’t get bad publicity? Did they really think no one would notice that this is a scam?