Kindle News: More pics of 'new Kindle Fire' sent to Verve along with images of 'new eInk' model. Kindle Fire 2 to have mapping services via Nokia Oyji - UPDATE3

The Verge gets more "new Kindle Fire" pictures from the source also sending images said to be of a new "Kindle paperwhite" model complete with a welcome note from Jeff Bezos.

Here's one from the e-Ink model image batch that The Verve received.

  Included in their article on the e-Ink model is a page for more 'paperwhite' images

Are these for real and if so why were they sent?
What's interesting is they don't say these are from an Amazon source; yet they've now received a "large collection of additional images" of a new Fire and the 'Paperwhite.'  There's a small chance someone is having fun Photoshopping a pack to see the reaction -- one has to wonder why a source is sending all this when it could hurt any element of surprise on Sept. 6.

  One answer may be that text for the books in the images of the "paperwhite" display is in French.  Maybe it's someone in the chain outside the U.S. who's breaking a non-disclosure agreement or NDA.

Why are some display shots gray and some white?
  Another oddity is that two of the images of the e-Ink Kindle are screensavers that display the the usual medium-gray screens -- why send those too ? -- and could have been taken from the current Kindles and modified with a darkened bezel.  It's all very curious.

  My own impression of the sends is that the whiter ones look as if they were taken from elongated photos of a Nook, and this includes the home screen with the bottom-half headed "Recommended for You" which I've always considered B&N's ad-area equivalent.

Why is the latest Kindle Fire 2 image of a device with a longer form like the current Kindle Fire?
  Both the Kindle Fire and E-Ink models seem not to have changed much in form and button placement, but, wait -- wouldn't the Kindle Fire 2 be more squat at a 4:3 ratio than the original Kindle Fire? and isn't this double-image of a new Kindle Fire different in aspect ratio from the first Kindle Fire picture sent Verve?  Can't see the webcam lens on the long side of the latest image, but it could be obscured by the logo they use.

 Is this an image of a longer 7" model in portrait orientation along with one of a 10" or 8.9" model at 4:3 aspect ratio alongside it (without relative sizing?)?  What's that lighted dot at the short right side.  Note that this would be an example of an active Skype session.

Update
  (Both Kindle Fire images, if made brighter in a viewer, show artifacts above each side of the Skype image head, and the 'depth' of the inner side of the bezel is missing where the top of the head is, as if it were overlaid.  Artifacts are as if it has been terribly compressed (for what reason?) and the bottom area has some editing in the inside of the bezel meeting the Skype image also.  Now, since they used an image of a real person there, this should be interesting.
  The bezel of the Kindle Fire in portrait orientation has artifacts around text that would be overlaid.  The bezel seems to show editing strokes.  The rounded corners of each have bad artifacts too.  The whole thing is odd.  The oddly placed artifacts could just be editing (from Amazon France tester or developer) for sending and publication, or may be partially a result of The Verge's part in putting on their logo and compressing it again with another FileSave.  No idea, but the Skype image seems added to the tablet frame and is a sloppy looking jpg. [End of Update]

Update 2 - I've added a brightened and enlarged version of the new Kindle Fire double image sent to The Verve to show where the photo's artifacts exist in the photo and where they don't, to illustrate some of what I described.  I saved it at 95% which doesn't add very noticeable artifacts.  [End of Update2]

Update 3 - I'm putting into my updates for the first two The Verge stories, the following, which Chris Ziegler added about their source, at the bottom of their first story on the images after someone wrote them to say their first image was not of the new Kindle Fire that the writer had played with:

   ' Update: Though we know that this image originates with Amazon, another source adds the following:

"That picture you guys posted is not the new Kindle Fire. I know because I have held the new Kindle Fire in my hand and played with it for extensive periods of time... the bezel on the new Kindle Fire is wider. It has sloping sides like the old Motorola Xoom, so it sits nicely in the hand."

Whether the picture above is an unfinished prototype of the new model or one of several devices that will debut next week, we don't know yet, but we can confirm that it's authentic and is part of a larger set of images depicting a new Kindle device. '

 If these pictures are the real deal (still somewhat in question), those looking for small physical page-turn bars won't see them on the e-Ink device and I see no buttons at all on either device.  Any volume control would probably be a rocker-type.

 Now, if the whiter-look of the e-Ink model is due to a different kind of front-lighting done by the company they acquired some time ago, that would definitely be nice, but unless they say something more about the source, I do wonder about these images.


Kindle Fire 2 and location capabilities

Amazon is adding location capabilities to the next Kindle Fire, and as Reuter's Alistair Barr points out, this requires either a GPS chip or "WiFi triangulations."

---

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More

Kindle News: Verge receives an image of a new Kindle Fire? - Update2

VERGE receives an image of the new Amazon Kindle Fire

  Actually, The Verge's Chris Ziegler reports they received a second image too but they were asked not to show it.  Click on the picture to see the larger image and the full story at Verge, which mentions more on that.

  They were told that a 'pair' of Fires is likely, though it wasn't certain if they would come at the same time.  The virtual keyboard is huge here so they think it's the 7" that's being shown, but they don't know.

  Personally, I would miss the Widescreen movie aspect ratio that filled up the first Kindle Fire.  But I won't miss it in that I'd likely keep my original Kindle Fire just for that.

  You can see what would be a webcam lens at top center, and the icons are lined up on the side in this Landscape-mode picture.  Otherwise, there's nothing remarkable about the look of it yet.  No image of the back of it. (Why is Amazon sending images now? Just so that people like me will keep up the gab?)

Again, see the full Verge story for more details.

Update - The comments on The Verge board are so overwhelmingly negative to the plainness of the image and what some think are Photoshop artifacts, that many understandably think that The Verge may have received a 'fake.' We'll know soon enough.

Update2 - Verge added, to the first report, the following:

   ' Update: Though we know that this image originates with Amazon, another source adds the following:

"That picture you guys posted is not the new Kindle Fire. I know because I have held the new Kindle Fire in my hand and played with it for extensive periods of time... the bezel on the new Kindle Fire is wider. It has sloping sides like the old Motorola Xoom, so it sits nicely in the hand."

Whether the picture above is an unfinished prototype of the new model or one of several devices that will debut next week, we don't know yet, but we can confirm that it's authentic and is part of a larger set of images depicting a new Kindle device. '

Nothing added to the later story on added images, as of now.

---

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More

Kindle News: Amazon gets a new patent for a dual-screen tablet (thanks TheDigitalReader for the info)

Remember this image and story, based on Dave Zatz's story in July 2011?

On July 9, 2011, I tweeted the seemingly unlikely but colorfully intriguing story given him by a "friend of the site" who had shared a flight with a third party describing himself as a highly placed Amazon employee, but I didn't blog it until August 12, 2011, explaining that while it seemed 'highly implausible' and even Zatz had said he considered it "far fetched," he told us to remember what he'd written on "Zatz Not Funny!" if it turned out to be true.

So, on  August 12, 2011, I did blog it because, as I wrote:

' BYTE's Gina Smith reports today that

"... several sources independently confirmed" dual screen technology, glass-on-glass, that would allow switching between an e-reading mode using e-Ink and a back-lit touch display, Android 3.1-based.  "Several sources added" that "It will be optimized for video streaming." '

They are fairly serious about this report, offering more details and a discussion of this in the current week's episode of BYTE Wireless Radio, which is playable in the center of the page.  They have a rep to sustain, so this is pretty interesting.  I've no idea about the quality of their sources. '

In that article, I gave instructions for accessing the radio discussion and where that specific topic starts.

What AppleInsider's mentioned analyst got right for last year's announcements
BYTE was wrong about the 10.1" dual-screen model being "purportedly pushed up for release this year." [2011 - and we know a 10" did not materialize and may not this time either although some say it may.]

  But on September 27, 2011, the day before the big announcements Sept 28, 2011, AppleInsider's Josh Ong wrote that Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had detailed three new products expected to be announced the next day, and he was the only one to get the information on the two new Kindle Touch devices (w/ and w/o 3G) and even had the pricing very close.  So he did have good info.

Why is that particularly interesting at this point?
What interested me also was that besides saying the 10.1" device was expected in early 2012 (now it's late 2012 and it's not here yet), Kuo ALSO mentioned that Amazon was "also reported preparing an 8.9-inch tablet with an "amazing form factor"..." [and what would be an amazing form factor?] "for release in the second half of 2012, though suppliers are said to be having a tough time meeting Amazon's requirements for the device."

  Yes, the dual-screen would be an amazing form factor, but there's been NO HINT of this for this year in all the rumors we've read...

  Until today - when Nate Hoffelder reported that Amazon has received a new patent for a Dual Screen Tablet
That's right At his The Digital Reader site Nate reports that Amazon received a new patent for a dual screen tablet.

' MULTI-DISPLAY TYPE DEVICE INTERACTIONS
[Abstract]
An electronic device including two or more display elements can provide enhanced functionality with improved rates of power consumption.  A user can cause information that does not change rapidly to be provided or moved to a relatively static display element, such as an electronic ink display, which enables that information to be displayed for a period of time with little additional power consumption.  Similarly, content (e.g., video) that changes rapidly can be displayed on a relatively dynamic display element, such as and LCD or OLED display.

  Each display can be touch sensitive, such that a user can move content between the displays by pressing on, or making a motion in contact with, at least one of the displays. Various modes can be activated which cause certain types of content to be displayed on the dynamic and/or static display element. '

The first point or Claim of 25 in those docs:

' 1. A computer-implemented method of displaying content on an electronic device, comprising: under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions, determining a mode of operation for the electronic device, the electronic device including first and second display screens on opposing sides of the electronic device, the first display screen having a faster refresh rate than the second display screen, each display screen comprising a touch-sensitive material enabling input through contact applied to the touch-sensitive material; based at least in part upon the determined mode of operation, determining whether to display content on the first or the second display screen; and in response to a user contacting at least a portion of the content displayed according to a predetermined type of contact, causing at least the portion of the content to be displayed on the other of the first or second display screen, wherein the electronic device is configured to selectively display content on the first or second display screen, and wherein a user of the electronic device is able to move content between the first and second display screens. '

The graphics are linked in those docs via quicktime, but my Chrome and IE are not seeing them for some reason.

As Nate writes,
  "The thing about patents is that companies usually only receive them after the related device is on the market. Filing for a patent usually takes years (the average is 7+ years), and working the bugs out of a device can almost always be done faster.  Of course, that rule might not apply in this case; Amazon only applied for this patent last February and they got it today. That is exceptional turnaround."

  Now, no one wants to get expectations abnormally high, and we have received not one hint that a device like this is even nearly ready.  While I'd love a surprise like that, it's far more likely that we'll get an enhanced Kindle Fire 2, 7" and maybe even a larger Kindle Fire tablet, but I would not bet on anything more complex at this point.

  But Nate drew attention to it and I have too because this form factor was said to be an active project last year and we'd both drawn skeptical attention to it, and at least something like this may be closer (even early 2013 or very late 2012) than anyone could think except that no one except Dave Zatz was thinking about it !

And, yes, the first thing I think of is how heavy it might be.  Again, this is not a prediction for the press conference, but it's an interesting development with Amazon and something they've obviously given a good deal of thought and is certainly possible sometime in the (near? more likely far? ) future.

---

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular  The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More

Kindle News: Amazon Appstore rolls out across the EU today and Kindle Fire "1" is sold out - Update

Amazon announced this morning that its Amazon Android Appstore is now open and available in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

ALSO,  Today's FREE APP OF THE DAY everywhere is Angry Birds (Ad-Free)

Their press release from Seattle and Luxombourg states:
  'In Germany, France and Italy, customers will find “App-Shop” available today; in Spain, customers will find “Tienda Apps;” and U.K. customers will find the “Amazon Appstore for Android-UK" '

The UK direct link (currently it's only a page for downloading the appstore app): http://bit.ly/android-appstore-uk

Direct Links to appstores (Getting Started) for each country:
In the non-US countries, these links are showing up today on various Amazon product pages.   I checked the websites (for what I can see from here), and here are direct links to the app-shops or appstore app in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and the UK

Amazon also adds a direct link for getting the appstore app:

' Customers can get the Amazon Appstore for their Android phones and tablets by visiting www.amazon.com/getappstore. '

The European appstores
Amazon's description of these:

' Amazon’s Appstore offers a great selection of games and apps, including local favorites like “Jamie Oliver’s 20 Minute Meals” and “Skyscanner,” established bestsellers like “Fruit Ninja” and “Cut the Rope,” and new apps from top-tier brands like Rovio and Glu Mobile.
  In addition to localized content and a localized mobile store for each specific country, European customers will have access to popular Amazon Appstore features like the “Free App of the Day,” which offers a paid app for free every day.

Today’s Free App of the Day is the ad-free version of “Angry Birds.” All Free Apps of the Day are specially-selected for the Free App of the Day program. Apps and games purchased from Amazon can be used across a customer’s Android devices, enabling them to buy an app or game once and enjoy it everywhere. '

Roxio has offered Angry Birds Rio and Angry Birds Seasons as free app of the day in the past year and today they're offering this one for free.

Amazon announces that (surprise) Kindle Fire is "Now Sold Out"
And we know why.  I'm glad they're saying this so we don't have to have more unofficial alerts that another current Kindle is no longer available, and in this case we can be sure why now.  They explain by saying they have "an exciting roadmap ahead" and Sept. 6 seems to be the magic date for getting a glimpse of that roadmap.

  I received a media invite and have decided to get a look closer up (I'm 500 miles away) at what they'll show that day.

The press release mentions that in 9 months, the Kindle Fire "captured 22% of tablet sales in the U.S."

Update   Earlier text about 22,000,000 movies mentioned shows currently that the 22,000,000 applied to ALL digital content.  Last week it was 18,000,000 of those, including apps, games, books, etc., while there are 22,000 movies said to be available for prime instant video (as part of free shipping program for $79/yr or $6.58/mo.)

---

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular  The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More

Kindle tips: Amazon's bargain books page and its less-known limited-time promos area for Kindle books

As a customer, I got a marketing email today from Amazon reminding us they're "always adding newly discounted titles" to their "Bargain Books Store." (Link: amzn.to/bargainbookspage )

  I'm writing this because it's not a product page I remember much as most blogs have focused on the top free books and also Amazon's more unusual monthly discounts

  The email focused at first on the Newly Discounted Titles ( also called "New Bargain Books" linked to from that main bargain books page), and then it mentioned in the same emailed paragraph "Browse bargain titles in all genres at 60% off, as well as other new events in books."

  NOT ALL of the new bargain books have Kindle versions though, and there's another section on the main page titled "Up to 60% Off Former Best Sellers."

With about 600+ books released each day as promo 'freebies' for a day or 5, I don't know what their audience is for the discounted books, but I've read some articles lately about some some deciding that the free promos are chancy, as far as use of time goes, to find the good ones.

The bargain book prices they alerted us to today are not as enticing as the $0.99 - $3.99 discounted books we see for other regular sales events, but if you're looking for certain authors or books that went off the Best Sellers list, these pages may be worth a look.

Amazon's less well-known limited time promo Kindle books area
Don't forget that Amazon has an ongoing area for its own Limited Time Free (or heavily discounted) Promo Kindle books also.
  My link automatically lists these by low to high cost books, so it starts with $0.00 books.

  Caution - For households that don't want to come across certain genres, it has some books with the word 'naughty' in the title and the covers indicate they probably are :-)

  I also ran the list from high to low price and, except for two books for $2.51, the current 216 results there were each $0.00

Read More

Kindle Tips: Doing Faster Web Gmail on Kindle Fire w/ Basic Html mode and Article View

Web Gmail (or any web email) can be read from virtually all tablets and smartphones with web access.

The trick is to choose the basic Gmail mode but not so basic (as with 'mobile' versions) that it doesn't resemble what we're used to doing with GMail.

For this, I use Gmail's Basic Html mode (Link: bit.ly/gmailbasichtml )
  Note that "http://" doesn't have to be typed on the Kindle Fire or most browsers anymore, as it's generally put in for us as a web browser feature.

Web Gmail text - Eyeglasses and Full Screen icons at bottom right ('folders' or labels at left)	Web Gmail text display after Full Screen icon was clicked
Web Gmail text after Eyeglasses icon was clicked and now in 'Article View'

Click on any image to get the larger, more readable version

The first screen shows the Kindle Fire bottom status line, which includes a Menu (rectangle looking like a washboard or air conditioner), a bookmark symbol, and -- when "Article View" is available for the content on the screen -- a pair of eyeglasses.
  At the right of that bottom status line, in the corner, is Amazon's web browser's full-screen icon, showing you can enlarge the display and get rid of fat status lines.

  Amazon's web browser is called "Silk" the way Mozilla's browser is called "Firefox"

WEB MENU SETTINGS
That Menu icon mentioned above -- Click on that and then Click on "Settings"
  My own web menu "Settings" (you may want something different) are:
  .  Text size: Normal is Checked
  .  Default zoom: Close is Checked.
  .  Auto-fit pages: Format web pages to fit the screen - Checked
  Advanced
  .  Desktop or mobile view: Desktop: Optimize for desktop view is Checked.
        (That's important for running youtube, too.)


The second screen shows the Kindle Fire text after the Full-Screen icon is clicked.  The Gmail "Basic Html" mode works very well with the most smaller-screen tablets and smartphones.

The third screen, still using the email newsletter from DVD Catalyst (an excellent mp4 converter for Kindle fire videos, and well worth the $10 - see user word-of-mouth on that) is now displayed in Amazon's "Article View" which is nicely sized and formatted.

  I don't remember seeing the eyeglasses icon and 'Article View' available for GMail before, but maybe I just didn't notice it.

I prefer using web gmail instead of email that uses storage space on the Kindle Fire, because it's hard enough to keep track of email as it is, and this will just let you see and reply to any web Gmail from anywhere, using the web browser features available on any of your devices, with all web mail accessible and replyable in one place.

Hope this helps some.  The one thing I hear most about the Kindle Fire is that owners don't know you can double-tap on web pages to get the words at a nice medium size while wrapping the text at the edge of the display, and this often gets the ads and other links out of the way.  However, the "Article View" feature is a bonus feature, as it's considerably more readable.

---

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More

Kindle Tips: Today only (Sat. 8/25) - Up to 70% off 400 books for college students

An unusual Kindle Daily Deal + Gold Box Deal of the Day -
  70% Off 400+ Books for College Students

This is for *Saturday, August 25 Only* - As the Gold Box Deal of the Day is up for just the one day, I'm highlighting this one so that it won't be lost in one of my wordy blog articles but found when it's too late to take advantage of it.
  Note, though, that the wording of this deal is Up to 70% off.

Amazon's description: "From essential textbooks and classic dictionaries to study and lifestyle guides, today's Daily Deal offers a diverse selection of essential books for every college-bound student."

"Kindle Kids Daily Deal: 'The Worst-Case Scenario' Series"
Amazon has also started doing Kindle Daily Deals that include offerings for younger readers under the regular Kindle Daily Deal.

  Today's are three books from the series in the paragraph header and the description says that "each book features multiple endings, entertaining illustrations, and interesting facts: explore the Amazon's jungles, the glaciers of Mount Everest, or the barren terrain of Mars."

  I hadn't mentioned the new, 2nd Kindle Daily Deal earlier.  In the forum threads, people have often requested a way to find bargain books for the younger set.

Read More

Kindle News: Quite a bit more on the expected Amazon announcements

A bit more on the Amazon announcement

As a result of the raised expectations and Amazon's announcement Friday that the company has "expanded its licensing agreement with Comcast-owned NBCUniversal adding, to its Prime Instant Video feature, "hundreds of popular and award-winning TV episodes, including prior seasons of Parks and Recreation, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica and more..." Amazon's stock hit a record high ($246.87/share)

Rumors from Staples
At first (on July 23), it was Demos Parneros, president of U.S. Retail for Staples Inc, who was reported by Reuters' Alistair Barr (paraphrased -- not an actual quote) to have said, in Reuter's words:

' Amazon is to introduce up to five or six tablet SKUs, or stock-keeping units ... The tablets will be different sizes, including a 10-inch model, Parneros said. Amazon spokespeople declined to comment on the company's plans. '

And, with that, the news sites began reporting that there would be 5 or 6 tablets, when actually "stock keeping units" are more often variations on a basic model.

  That can mean, for example, that a Kindle Fire could be sold in configurations of 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and you'd have 4 to 6 "tablet SKUs" already.  Add that they might even add 3G capability as an option to one or two of those and you have more tablet SKUs.

  People are expecting they'll keep a basic Kindle Fire model with a configuration close to the one we have now (maybe at $149) and add an upgraded one with the heavier specs we've discussed for a few months.

  However, Barr also reported that Parneros mentioned there will be a 10-inch model.  We don't know exactly what he said though.   A 10" version had not generally been expected until closer to the holidays or even early Spring 2013, but they might announce the plans and timetable at the coming press conference.  Or they could surprise us with one.  Personally, I like the 7" or even 8.9" form factor but then I already have a 10" tablet (Samsung) that I don't use nearly as much as I use the Kindle Fire, though I do like it.  It's just not as practical for carrying outside and is not as comfortable to hold for extended reads.  The 7" one is more like carrying a book (and easier on the eyes when reading books).

More rumors from Staples
1.  While re-reading a CNet story I'd recommended the other day, I noticed a comment from someone identifying himself as a Staples employee.  This reminded me of having seen and reported a comment at Engadget.com in April 2010 from a Best Buy employee who reported seeing cases for Kindle on the truck, before there had been verification Best Buy was to be a seller and while it took those Kindles quite some time to show up at Best Buy they eventually did.  At that time, it seemed odd to think of Kindles selling there, for some reason.

  The CNet story commenter (ss5joshua) this week said the following:

' I work at Staples, and our store is getting a reset in two weeks.  Part of the reset is taking out the two endcaps that the Kindles are currently using (one for the standard E-Readers, the other for the Kindle Fire) and giving them a 20' display on the first aisle of the technology department.  I figured four devices wouldn't be able to take up that much space :P '

  A 20' display IS quite large, especially compared to the current two endcaps.  So there may well be quite a selection in store, so to speak, for us.  They may also have opted to stock up on much more in the way of accessories.

  That commenter's info does seems plausible though.

2.  Another one I noticed is just a wish and a question and probably has no basis in fact at this time, although many have wished we'd heard anything about a color e-Ink model.  We'd be lucky to get a front-lighted b&w model, and I think it's important they do that.  Users of the Nook Glowlight have shown they don't care that much about any resulting loss in contrast due to the added layer.  (I hope Amazon keeps at least one e-Ink model without the light, as I love the contrast of the Pearl screen the way it is.)

  But the commenter (paulej) links us to the Eink company's page on their Triton or Color Active Matrix technology.  The color is, as always with these e-Ink devices, very muted and not to be compared with LCD devices' vivid colors, but they may be good for understanding color charts, graphs, and other illustrations in textbooks that can also be read in bright daylight.

  HOWEVER, again, I've seen *zero* rumors credited to the usual chatty "supplier" sources when orders are involved) and then proudly described to reporters in Taiwan.  There's just been no inkling (pun intended) of that, and it's not something that could likely be hidden either  However, it might be possible for next year's batch.  In demos of this technology, which also involves a second layer, there has been a reported loss of contrast seen.  Imagine a third layer to shed front-light on a 2-layered color e-Ink device.

But the many possibilities will keep us guessing for the next 13 days.

That same Reuters article -- the section on Lab 126 growing
The Reuters article had a substantial section on what the Lab 126 staffing growth indicates.

They had 500 employees listed on Linkedin when Amazon launched the KFire and that's
up to 865 as of mid-July, including 792 of them in the San Francisco Bay Area.

An emphasis has been on hiring hardware and software engineers who have experience with cellular products and one post involved responsibility for "adhering to carrier requirements," so it's pretty obvious Amazon has been working on mobile technology involving cell/smartphones.

The postings of jobs is anything but private, and they quote this also: ""Prior wireless or related field test experience that covers smart phones or smart devices a plus..." The hiring of experienced managers in this field is telling also.

One (of two hired from Microsoft's Windows-Phone area) is, Reuters says, director of product management for Kindle Cross Platform and blogged his good luck in getting to work on a product he really loves, before and after joining Amazon, and adds:

' I can't really say much about some of the things on which I am working.  I can say that the goals of some of the teams are huge. Huge." '

  He also mentions something he was told by an Amazon senior VP during the recruitment process:

' He said, "the goal of Kindle was to enable a system to allow someone to buy any book ever published, and have it delivered anywhere in the world in 60 seconds.  It's time to think bigger." '

Maybe we'll get a hint of that.

---

Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

Check often: Temporarily-free recently published Kindle books
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published free books, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More

Kindle News: About time? Amazon finally announces a press conference for Sept 6 - Update

Amazon finally announces it will make announcements :-)

After yesterday's endless Kindle product-page changes with Buy boxes disappearing and then reappearing before disappearing again, it was time for something to be said.

See Update below.

I just got back here and a note from vigilant commenter Edward Boyhan said we probably know about the press conference announced for Sept 6 in Santa Monica. Last year, announcements were made in NY, so this time the West Coast gets the event, and it probably has something to do with all the recent streaming-video Agreements Amazon has been making.

Expectations
  I browsed the news and saw that most are expecting 'just' a Kindle Fire 2 (calling it Amazon's "e-reader" (which IS a key function for Kindlers) and maybe a Kindle Fire 10" announced for year-end or early Spring as mentioned before.  Some hope for a smartphone announcement too.  Very few mention e-Ink readers probably because they may seem passe for those interested only in tablets these days.  But it's the e-Ink Touch Kindles that have been noticeably missing from product pages recently and appearing "on hold" in a quiet way.

E-Ink Readers too
  This reminds me of something in last year's atmosphere. I remember that a key analyst for Apple Insider predicted two Touch e-readers along with a Kindle tablet would be introduced and he gave price points also, but he was almost alone in this, and the other press conference attendees were quite surprised with a fairly full lineup and some attractive pricing.

  A lot has happened in just the one year since.

What kind of Kindle device announcements are done (or not)  via press conference?
  In August 2010, there was no press conference when they released the Kindle 3 Keyboard model and the new Kindle DXG 9.7" - both with the Pearl 'Graphite' display which had considerably more contrast than previous Kindles. These more were more 'evolutionary' than something really new though.

  Last year we had the unveiling of the new family of Kindles, including the colorful latest member.

  It'll be definitely interesting to watch what's to be introduced with some fanfare this time.

Front-lighted e-Ink Kindle reader?
  I did see one columnist hoping that the front-lighted e-Ink Kindle is going to be ready, finally, although I'm hoping they really did take the time to work out kinks of the type we've seen with the Nook Glowlight's fragility and some relatively minor contrast loss due to a 2nd piece of glass over the display.

  I'm happy with my Beam N Read so will be more interested in what's happening with the follow-up tablet(s).

Tablet capabilities
  The tablet's capabitilities will be key, though I'm still enjoying mine, as I don't fill it with stuff but enjoy video streaming on it, including via the Wi-Drive external storage and simultaneous streaming (for up to 3 devices) of videos and documents from it and being able to read e-books and periodicals with photographs.

  A key factor with the conservatively spec'd Kindle Fire has been the ability to read DRM'd ePub on it because Amazon allows Kindle Fire owners to install apps on the tablet from "unknown sources"

Important for any new Kindle Fire
  What I personally want most from the next tablet will be  1) at least 16 gigs of storage so others don't have to worry about running out of space between richly featured apps and data,  2) 16 gigs of memory, and  3) an SD card slot, which the Google Nexus is lacking, and which I feel will be a key factor in the success of the next tablet.

  I haven't read any rumors of an SD slot being installed in coming Amazon tablets, but I feel it'll be an very strong plus for Amazon if it's there and quite a drawback if it's missing.  At least my Samsung 10" tablet and ipads have connector kits for USB and SD card adapters.

  If an SD card is not there they will have missed a large opportunity to pull ahead instead of playing catch-up.  Barnes and Noble put one on their Nook Tablets but they are far more restrictive than Amazon in that they don't allow non-company-store apps to be placed on the Nook while Amazon allows these on its Kindle Fire..  Most tablet owners who use tablets for entertainment don't want to depend on having to 'root' a tablet (with subsequent rooting updates necessary) to get basic functionality and flexibility out of it.


 So, in about two weeks, we'll finally hear what they're planning.

This time the global community will be watching with great interest, as Amazon has asked that developers provide Android apps outside the U.S. (finally) for whatever it plans.

CNet's David Carnoy has expanded their article on this.

If I read anything unusual on this today, I'll be adding it to this blog article.

Update - Forbes's Eric Savitz describes the venue a bit.

' The dramatic ceiling vaults to impressive 43-feet at the center, providing an arched steel truss over a 150- by 234-foot cement floor ... The 35,000 square foot hangar is one of the biggest and most versatile venues in Los Angeles '

And Savitz says Amazon must expect a good crowd.

Whimsically, I'll add that the Department of State's e-documents distribution needs as described in its latest Request for Information, requires centralized management of multiple Kindle e-reader models and also tablets but that a key requirement is that the devices must be capable of 3G delivery of documents via 3G wireless to its staff and to schools worldwide.

The Kindle Fire would need to have 3G cellular phone access capability if it is used eventually in any Agreement made with the DoS, not necessarily in the coming model but eventually.
  3G wireless is turned 'off' by going into 'airplane' mode on many devices, so having the announcement in an airport hanger would be somewhat humorous (and far-fetched but I enjoyed the idea momentarily today).

 Also, Savitz mentions that "Google’s Motorola unit and Verizon are also holding a product launch event in New York on the 5th" and that this will be annoying to those wanting to catch both events 3,000 miles apart.  Apple's own planned announcements may take place on the 12th of Sept. in San Francisco.

---

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More

Things we've recently learned about any coming additional Kindle Fire tablet and e-readers

Back in July, All Things Digital's John Paczkowski mentioned that Amazon had been "approaching developers to bring them up to speed on the new hardware."

1. From "talking to sources who have been briefed" (these would be fairly good sources), they heard what we've heard from others so far, repeated endlessly -- but of interest to me was that the developers mentioned they'd "been instructed to build their apps for a display with a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, which is a bit different" from "the 1024 x 600 display of the current Kindle Fire."

We'd heard this already and also read reports of the change in aspect ratio (the vertical mode would be not as long -- although the length had been good for wide-screen movies w/o letterboxing bars) but we'd not heard, generally, that this info came from instructions to developers.

2. I mentioned, in the blog article on the US State Department Request for Information on E-Readers and centralized management that may be needed for these in connection with their global needs, that the State Dept is now requesting this vendor/manager information from all and Amazon would not now be the sole source as had been planned.

 However,
  a. The vendor must be able to manage "multiple Kindle models" which would include replacing any broken ones (whether accidental or not) and providing free shipping and would require a 24/7 HelpDesk globally and a separate cloud-based documents store.

  b. 3G wireless for these is a requirement. (No one else is including that on current e-readers.)

  c. The required document formats include Mobi and Prc files -- these are Amazon Kindle formats, and ePub is not included in the list of formats.

  d. New wrinkle -- the battery life was to be fairly substantial and a matter of weeks had been mentioned.  Now the preference is that the battery life shall be no less than 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback.  And the light, compact portable device should be no more than 15 ounces and could be 8" x 5" by 0.5" (larger than current e-Ink devices).

    Since no one else can support multiple Kindle devices with a 24/7 helpdesk internationally and replace the Kindles as needed -- no questions asked -- we are talking about a future Kindle Fire tablet.  Again, the file formats for the documents will include Kindle formats but not ePub.
"DOC(X)" format files will also need to be supported, something Amazon's done for some time.

  d. While the Request for Information (RFI) does not mean a contract will take place, because they are just taking information here, they asked for this almost immediately after cancelling the earlier contract proposal, which had focused on e-Ink type devices.


What the new Kindle Fire would have to include to meet the proposed requirements
  .  Text to Speech. This is included in e-Ink Kindles but not in the current Kindle Fire.
  .  3G Wireless capability.

  Also, the information disseminated world-wide requires downloads via 3G in many of those areas (known to be expensive)  This kind of thing is already done by Amazon but not by others, internationally.

  So, we are seeing a new set of requirements that would include a device that has less battery life than e-Ink readers and can do video playback.

While the coming Kindle Fire 2 might not include these two features needed for that contract -- eventually, it would have to include them if this contract is negotiated successfully.

Other indications
I mentioned that Nate Hoffelder's articles on FCC papers from front companies for Amazon point to a new Kindle Fire and possibly to another e-Ink device though none of this is that clear.  But they'd be for new devices.

  In addition to that, he discovered something else:
  For some time, there has been an expensive 'dock' made by a third party for the Kindle Fire: the Grace Digital MatchStick Charging Speaker Dock for Kindle Fire.
  The maker named it FireDock when Nate reported on it in late March.  It's fairly expensive but has been getting good reviews and this week has more good word of mouth in the Amazon Kindle forums.

  Since that time, Nate reports, Grace Digital Audio doesn't use that name and Amazon owns the trademark for "Firedock" which might get some bonus attention if they announce one when launching the coming Kindle Fire 2.  "Kindle Fire 2" is not necessarily a name for a new device but one that describes what it would be, essentially, with the hope it would be a Kindle Fire on steroids.  It would almost have to be at this point.

The new filing was in addition to one which seemed to be for a larger tablet, reported by Nate earlier last week, and may describe a new e-Ink model.  There's no testing of a front light but maybe testing would not be needed for the filing.

We've seen that Amazon is currently out of Kindle Touch models and won't be able to ship any, per their current product pages for 1 to 2 weeks (the info on which could change entirely at any time, the way it's been going!), which indicates a lack of sufficient energy to keep either the Touch WiFi-Only or the Touch 3G in stock.

I was most intrigued by the constantly shifting status reports and missing sales-boxes last night and today though, and then the re-appearance of one on the 3G model, twice today.

I think it's hard to conclude nothing's coming down the pike, and most of us hope it's sooner than later, as it's all too confusing at this point.


In connection with all this, Amazon is still running the 40% off select devices and accessories when using their Amazon Rewards Visa Card.  This normally precedes changes in or additions to the current lineup.

---

Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

Check often: Temporarily-free recently published Kindle books
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published free books, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More

Amazon and its continually-changing Kindle Product displays - UPDATED often

Two minutes ago, while I was taking screen captures to show what Amazon was displaying for both Kindle Touch devices, I confirmed they were both showing NO selling-box, only 3rd party ones.

Here's the WiFi only KTouch, at 9:41 AM PDT


At their Amazon pages will be whatever they're showing at the moment (as they keep changing these, which is of course not how it's usually done)

---

WHILE I was taking the 3G Touch's screen capture after doing the Kindle Touch's WiFi Only one, Amazon changed the display again (after showing no selling-box last night and early morning except for 3rd party sellers).

  Here's their new display of the Kindle Touch 3G after an overnight display of no Amazon selling box.


  So, NOW it shows the Kindle Touch 3G back again, this time "In stock on August 24, 2012" - which is two days from now.  They also more aggressively draw notice to a box stating "Certified Refurbished" ones with a savings of $20.

More later ...

---

Back again ...
  Well, yes. What kind of chaos is going on at the Kindle Touch pages?  NOW it's back to no sales box, at 10:04am.



  Who knows what it'll show when you see the product page next?

One thing we know for sure -- Amazon is very busy trying to fix those pages to show the right status, whatever it might be at any time.


  Addendum - later checks, text-only results
    .  11:33 AM - The KTouch 3G page now says: "Expected to ship in 1 to 2 weeks."
    .  11:33 AM - The KTouch WiFi-only page still shows no sales box.

Read More

Kindle news: Amazon launches India Kindle Store + No Kindle Touch models available as new in U.S. today

Amazon unveiled its India Kindle Store today

According to Ajit Joshi, CEO and Managing Director of Croma stores, the first retailer in India to offer the current Kindle, the basic Kindle (the 6" Not Touch/No physical keyboard E-Ink model) will be sold exclusively in all Croma stores across India at the introductory price of 6,999 INR.

  In the press release, I see no mention of the Kindle being sold at the Amazon online store in India, but at least one news writer in India believes it will.  It definitely will be sold on the Croma website, which states the "product ships within 2 working days." And, it is still available along with other Kindles for shipment to India from the US Amazon store.

  I suspect that the availability, in India, of just the one e-Ink model is affected by what is certainly a change in the Kindle Touch models soon (neither one shows as available from Amazon today).

  Tech Radar's Kate Soloman mentions today that "A new Kindle has shown up at the FCC suggesting that Amazon may have a regular Kindle ready to rock alongside the oft-rumoured Kindle Fire 2."  She got this information from Nate Hoffelder's The Digital Reader column yesterday.

"May have" is too weak an assessment at this point.  Today Amazon is not even pretending to have any Touch models remaining for sale. on their site.

  Over one million Kindle books at Amazon's newly launched India Kindle Store (Link: amzn.to/indiakindlestore ) will be in Indian Rupees (INR), "including 70 of 100 Nielsen Bestsellers."

The press release says that Amazon's India Kindle Store (Link: amzn.to/indiakindlestore ) is opening "with the largest selection, including the most bestsellers, and lowest prices of any e-bookstore in India"... from a range of Indian authors, including Chetan Bhagat, Ashwin Sanghi, Ravinder Singh and Amish Tripathi.

The India Kindle Store link above, if you are not accessing from Indian and are registered as being in another country (in my case, the U.S.), will redirect you to the Kindlestore page for your own country.

Amazon has also launched Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) "for independent authors and publishers in India... New features for authors and publishers in India include the ability to set prices specific for India, as well as receive royalty payments in rupees."
  See the full press release for more details.

All available Kindle Models are also still purchaseable for India from the U.S.
The release states that:
  "Customers can also continue to purchase Kindle, Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G from Amazon.com with shipment to India."

---

Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

Check often: Temporarily-free recently published Kindle books
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published free books, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More

Why the new State Department RFI for management of its reader devices and comprehensive and continuous content management and distribution platform is still Amazon-centric and what it may mean for coming Kindle devices

We saw last week that the U.S. State Dept had formally withdrawn and cancelled its announced plan to sole source a contract to Amazon for Kindle devices and centralized management of a global project for the State dept..

I saw Paul Biba's tweet today about InfoDocket's detailed report by Gary Price, Aug 18, on the U.S. State Department's issuing, this week, a Request for Information (RFI ) on vendors who can "provide e-reader devices and a secure, comprehensive and continuous content management and distribution platform.”

Price links us to the complete RFI, which has a Sept. 21, 2012 deadline for responding to the RFI.

After reading just the highlights quoted on the Infodocket page, it's pretty clear to me that the State Dept's withdrawal and new RFI are partially in response to many who had wondered aloud why (despite the DOS documents that detailed how far-ranging and unique the requirements were) they had chosen Amazon for sole negotiations before the sudden cancellation.

  But it seems to me they are now also focusing on tablet e-readers rather than only e-Ink readers, which would definitely require a cancellation or withdrawal of the previous proposal.

  The requirements of that proposed contract have changed in a few ways.  A minor one that looks new (or I didn't notice it earlier) is  that the DoS (Department of State) be guaranteed any specific lower pricing granted the vendor by third-party content providers for distribution to the DoS's "Deployment Locations" and that the vendor should "also reduce its commission charged to the third party content providers by an equitable percentage."

   Also, it's still clear that other e-reader vendors can't supply what the State demands per this RFI.

KEY differences between the earlier contract requirements and the new one.  (Bracketed text is added by me.]
  The new RFI states that the device should be equal to or less than 15 oz and the display can be larger than 6", but most interesting is that the battery requirement has been lowered to fit in LCD e-readers, which give only 8 hours~ of continuous reading instead of the 3 weeks earlier expected.  The key paragraph:

' The device shall be light, compact, portable, durable with reinforced screens, and have extended battery life.  Preferred [not required] specifications:  weight equal to or less than 15 ounces, and approximate dimensions of  8" by 5" by 0.5". The battery life shall be no less than 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback. '

This would now fit 7" to 8" tablets.

  Note the Key difference that would knock out e-Ink devices at this point 
    -  Video playback.

  E-Ink devices don't play video.  At least not the current e-Ink readers.

  I'd think that the rumored Apple Mini 7 to 8" tablet would be a contender, but the book format requirements include Mobi/Prc files.  (That means Amazon, yes - Apple, no) and they don't mention ePub format.)

So, is it that the DoS is now looking at the coming Kindle Fire 2 rather than the e-Ink devices they seemed to be concentrating on earlier?  Dollar-wise, there'd be not that much difference -- well, double the cost of an e-Ink device but not 4 times the cost;  however, definitely more flexible and in today's world that's important.

  What is KEY also is that the contract mentions managing "multiple Kindle models."  That stands out.

 The current Kindle Fire doesn't have text to speech as the e-Ink Kindles do.  Will this feature finally, then, be included in the new Kindle Fire expected any edition?  It would have to be.

  Would all of this have something to do with delays of new Kindle devices?

  The current Kindle Fire also does not have 3G capability and that would be required.  Something else we may see?

  I'm also not that sure that Amazon would necessarily want to provide all this without some kind of cap on the expenses Amazon would need to pay to run such a labor-intensive project with open-ended requirements, internationally.

  The latter will include quite-costly 3G wireless to be provided "to download content globally, including all costs associated with content delivery via 3G services globally."  Currently that content does not include, in most countries outside the U.S., the many photos for newspapers or even any informational blogs that are included in U.S. deliveries, due to the overseas cost of downloading material with heavy graphics involved.  Textbooks or even newsletter-style documents today can be very photo-intensive, for instance.

Larger files for some (free) K12 textbooks on Amazon, as an example (tangential)
  For instance, there are still free books that most Amazon Kindle owners aren't aware of unless we mention it often, which are by the CK-12 Foundation and are "customizable, standards-aligned, free digital textbooks for K-12" on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics."

Some of the books are very photo-intensive and result in files about 30 times larger than your average Kindle novel, so this type of book will incur heavier 3G wireless costs for Amazon outside the U.S. and of course take more room on a device.

 I downloaded the ones on Earth Sciences and also Biology, and when you don't want them taking up room on your Kindle device, you can remove books from the Kindle but they remain available to you on your Kindle management page at Amazon (UK mgmt page here) for download as wanted at any time.

  (CK-12’s FlexBooks earned perfect scores in Phase Two of  former California Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Free Digital Textbook Initiative.)

  While this is tangential, this kind of information should be useful for readers of the blog who are new to the various Amazon features.  To read how to get these free K12 textbooks and some tips on those, see my earlier article on them.  In that article, also, is information on the useful free eBookMaps.

Back to the State Dept Request for Information on the e-Reader Initiative
This involves providing all this for 190 countries and at "over 800 embassies, consulates, American spaces and schools overseas."  (The initial proposed contract was to be for a "Mobile Learning Initiative.")

Note the actual wording in the 'Content Distribution' portion of the Request for Information:
  "The vendor must provide a cloud-based secure distribution and management platform to centrally manage content across a variety and limitless number of e-readers and tablet devices located in over 190 countries"

For Kindle Blog subscribers especially, I'll add some of Infodocket's highlights (Under Content Requirements) here, but to see the rest of it, follow the links above to infodocket and, most of all, to the actual complete RFI.  Again, bracketed comments are by me.

' ... the DoS has produced, procured and/or curated increasing amounts of digital content to meet the changing consumption patterns of citizens around the world.
...
This platform must provide the ability to centrally manage, procure, and wirelessly distribute USG and 3rd party content across a multitude of devices located in over 190 countries. The platform must support the registration of new devices as well as provide continuing support for existing DoS devices, which number over 6,000.  The more than 6,000 existing devices include multiple Amazon Kindle models, multiple Apple iPad models, and a variety of Android devices currently in use at over 800 embassies, consulates, American Spaces and schools overseas.

[ Notice the mention of all those Kindle models?]

The vendor must provide 3G services to download content globally, including all costs associated with content delivery via 3G services globally.   [ No e-reader but Amazon's currently provides 3G services for download of content...and especially globally.]

The vendor must provide a large and comprehensive public-facing, online bookstore of third party content.  [Also, Amazon has set up an unusually flexible structure with "personal documents" for its Kindle owners and gives them annotation and sync'g features that Kindle books have.]
...
The vendor must wirelessly disseminate content to the DoS’s existing devices, including Amazon Kindles, Apple iOS, Android, PC, and MAC.

  The vendor must provide centralized content purchases, management and dissemination for all numbers of or subsets of DoS devices (e.g., Apple iOS, Android, Amazon Kindle, PC, and MAC) deployed around the world.

The vendor shall deliver devices meeting the following specifications: must provide at least a 6″ diagonal display... [could be larger] ... must include a front light feature or include backlight technology.

  [That last was a clue when they sole-sourced Amazon, based on their requirements, that they felt or, more likely, had been told Amazon was going to provide this on e-Ink devices at the time.]

The device shall have a text-to-speech capability in English so that users are able to listen to content on the device.

The device shall support the display of a variety of file formats, including PDF, TXT, MOBI, PRC, HTML, DOC(X), JPEG, PNG, GIF, and BMP.

  [That last is glaring also.  Among American-based "name" e-readers, only the Kindle e-reader supports MOBI/PRC format, as that is the basic format for the Kindle (Amazon acquired Mobipocket years ago), AND DOC(X).
  There's nothing said about ePub in the formats specification.]  '

  And while Amazon supports Apple and Android devices involving Kindle content, Apple does not support Kindle devices and so would not likely be interested in providing support for them globally.

As before,

' The vendor must provide a dedicated 24/7 help desk to support inquires from DoS embassies, American Spaces and its partner organizations located in countries specified '

Does another e-reader vendor provide anything resembling this direct international support?


Why the DoS RFI requirements can be important enough for Kindle or prospective Kindle owners to know .
The DoS requirements actually highlight the kind of support behind the Kindles as well as many of the features provided, globally --  in fact, not found with the other e-reader models -- and are reasons not often seen in gadget site e-reader reviews which often focus on only one feature which appeals to the reviewer and the habit of just focusing on one device "killing" another, based on 'coolest' look and feel, which is not always the best way to decide.

  Functionality and the ability to provide good customer support can be key with new technology that changes quickly.

  I welcome any thoughts on this, as I found the new RFI requirements very intriguing.

---

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Read More