You can now get the entire series of Twilight on your Kindle or Kindle DX (or any other electronic reading device which has the Kindle app) so that you can catch up with Stephanie Meyer’s popular series all at once.

Twilight, which has been a huge book and movie success, will retail for under $37 for all four books in the series. However it still might be a cheaper option to get them all separately in which you’ll save a few dollars rather than buying them altogether.

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For the first time in history, Amazon has reported that they are selling far more digital books than paperback books. Thanks to devices like the iPad, Nook, Kindle DX and Kindle 3G Wireless where users can read all their favourites on their electronic reading devices, getting the latest copy in electronic format is becoming THE thing to do.

Amazon reports that for every 100 physical books that they sell, they will sell 115 Kindle books. And that’s not all; Amazon is making records with sales of the Kindle itself with it becoming the company’s best selling product of all time helping tem reach $10 billion in sales overall in the last quarter of 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

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There seems to be some debate about whether bigger is better when it comes to ebook readers, but there is no doubt that trying to read a page of text from a little screen is very difficult (I tried reading a page on my partners iPhone 4 and it was frustrating), and it’s especially so if you have aging eyes like I do and want to make the text a decent size.

That is why the trend now is for larger screens – like the Amazon Kindle DX and the much hyped Apple iPad (which while technically isn’t an ebook reader is still used for one by many people).

So let’s have a closer look at why the Kindle DX is so popular and delve into why it works for so many people. If you’ve been considering getting one but want to learn a bit more about it then I encourage you to read our review. Read the rest of this entry »

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When the Amazon Kindle went Global and would finally work in Australia I was thrilled. I have wanted one for such a long time so you would think that I would have rushed out and purchased it as soon as it was released. But no I didn’t.

I had to make sure that I read every review and opinion first to make sure that it would be something that I would use first. And if you look at Amazon you’ll see that there are a lot of reviews to read – with most of them positive – in fact Amazon has said that the Kindle 3G WiFi has the most 5 star reviews than any other product on its site. So they are obviously doing something right.

But never fear. I did end up ordering one three months ago and it arrived super quick in only three days. Australia Post (local mail carrier) isn’t even that fast most of the time so I was super impressed with delivery time. Read the rest of this entry »

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Some of the best Kindle covers for a long time have been the sexy sleek designs from M-Edge, and if you are looking for a cover for your 3rd Generation Kindle then you won’t have long to wait, because M-Edge have said that they are currently working on their latest generation Kindle 3 cover’s now. We are particular excited to try out the bright colors of the Latitude Jacket or the GO! Jacket.

But if you don’t want to wait – and need a cover for your Kindle 3 now – then you have a few good options, some which include a light for better reading and some that don’t.

Before I show you my favourites, let’s discuss whether you really need a light in your Kindle cover or not because you’ll be paying around $30 extra for a cover with a light than without.

Do you need a light?

Have a think about where you’ll mostly be using your Kindle.  If it’s in bed at night and you don’t want to use a bedside lamp because it will either cast shadows on your reader or disturb your partner, then yes getting a light is a good idea.

However if you are only using your ebook reader on the train to and from work where there is plenty of sufficient light then you probably won’t need it.

Our current favourite Kindle 3 covers with lights are those from Amazon themselves – The Kindle Lighted Leather Cover. They have a retractable LED light that comes out of the side that you can use for reading and then tuck it back in when you’ve finished with it. The cover’s themselves come in seven different colors (Steel Blue is my favourite) in a pebble grain leather look to keep your reader safe from scratches and folds back so that you can hold it with just one hand.

These are the most popular, probably because they are offered by Amazon at the same time as when you buy your Kindle.

If you don’t care for the light as much and are just looking for a cool cover to keep your Kindle safe, then the Belkin Knit Kindle Sleeve covers are cool and funky and as a bonus can be washed easily if it get’s dirty.  They have some really nice designs.

Finally if you want to express your individuality and are looking for a cover that really stands out then you can’t ignore the very stylish LeSportsac Kindle Cover’s. These covers come in a range of really bold designs from stripes to plaid and flowers. And while they are probably a bit girly for the most part (although they do have plain black covers as well for the guys), they definitely will make a cool fashion statement.

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Up until now you might have thought that the eBook reader revolution was just a passing fad, but now more than ever people are turning to electronics to read their favourite novels. Even the humble newspaper is transformed into pixels onscreen as more and more book lovers embrace the new eBook reading devices while their beloved paper editions gather dust on the shelves.

Considered the king of eBook readers (and certainly the most widely known since Oprah endorsed it on her show last year) is the Kindle from Amazon. And now the third generation ‘new’ Kindle is here looking much slimmer and sleeker than it’s predecessors.

The new Kindle (or the Kindle 3 as many people are now calling it) has a improved e-ink screen, is lighter, comes in a choice of the standard white or new graphite (dark grey) color and now can hold up to 3,500 books – which is double the capacity that the 2nd generation versions had.

So why would you want one?

If you haven’t used an eBook reading device yet, then you probably don’t understand what the fuss is all about – after all it’s just a screen and doesn’t have the same feel as a real book with paper does right? Well while it might not have the same feel and smell as paper, many people agree that reading from the Kindle is very much like looking at the page from a book because of how it is displayed using special e-ink technology.

But the real advantage is the amount of books it can hold. You can take your entire library of books with you and always have it on hand. Imagine relaxing on the beach and finishing one novel, and then downloading the sequel then and there (downloading books using the built in Wi-Fi takes less than a minute) without leaving your deck chair.

Plus it’s much lighter than carrying around tons of books at only 8.5 ounces and slim enough to pop into your handbag when you are done. (If you are going to carry it around in your handbag though I suggest getting a cover to protect it from bumping against your cell phone and getting scratched – or is that just me?)

And of course I’ve left the best feature until last. It’s cheaper! Yes indeed, the new Kindle’s are now under $200 which compared to the earlier versions which were nearly a hundred dollars more it’s now becoming more affordable for the everyday reader to own one.

Check out the new generation Kindle at Amazon.

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You might be thinking of upgrading your book reader to the iPad but are wondering what it is like and whether you should get a traditional eBook reader like the Sony Touch or Kindle instead. Well hopefully that decision will be a little easier as we look at the best and worse features of all of these devices.

Cost

Price will be a major consideration for most people, so let’s start with that. With the Apple iPad at over $600 and the ebook readers at close to $200 each, then while it might look cool, if all you want to do with your iPad is read books then it is an expensive way to go. If you are just looking for a good ebook reader then the Kindle would probably be a better choice as it is now under $200 and is backed by Amazon who has made it very easy to download books.

And of course ongoing costs are that Apple makes you pay for your data with monthly plans whereas the Kindle is free.

Screen

The screen of the iPad is bigger at 9.7 inches (as opposed to 6 inches for the Kindle and most of the Sony Touch readers) although to be fair the Kindle DX is also that large in size. However in terms of resolution, the Kindle 2 does have a higher pixel density of 167 compared to the iPad’s 132.

Because the traditional ebook readers from Sony and Amazon are meant for mainly reading books, the e-ink technology and screens help to reduce glare considerable so that they are easy on your eyes. The iPad screen doesn’t have that, and can be hard to read in certain lighting (especially outside in the sun).

But of course the iPad wasn’t specifically meant for just reading ebooks, it has many more features.

Features

There is no doubt that the iPad has more features and apps than the other readers, it’s actually just like an iPhone that way (except without the actual phone).

Its full colour and the ability to play games, watch movies and browse online makes it very much like a laptop in that respect.

Overall we believe that if you are just looking for a good ebook reader then you should stick with either the Sony Touch Reader’s or the Amazon Kindle as you can’t beat them for ease of use, book availability and price. If you want all the bells and whistles and want to look cool for your neighbours then shell out for an iPad.

So which one are you going to choose? The Sony book reader or the Kindle eBook Reader? Read our reviews to help decide.

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In the latest Amazon commercial about the Kindle, it is the mellow folky song that is getting customers in a buzz. What is the song?

The Song is ‘Fly Me Away’ by Annie Little, produced and directed by Angela Kohler and Ithyle Griffiths. It was entered into the Amazon Kindle video contest under the name “Kindlicious”. (Annie Little also stars in the ad)

You can get the mp3 free at Amazon here.

And here is the video:

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November is almost over and as predicted by us, there was no release of a Kindle 3 ebook reader this month. Instead we saw Amazon bring out the Kindle for PC app which has boosted the Kindle ebook sales this Christmas substantially. It seems that everyone who has downloaded the app wants to purchase a Kindle book just to see how it all works.

But since it’s the Christmas season and I’m feeling festive and jolly (or is that just the ‘grape juice’ I just had?) I thought you’d like to see this funny video about the Kindle 3 that CollegeHumor did around 6 months ago.

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With the Nook eReader and the Kindle 2 now battling it out in the marketplace, it’s time for a Kindle vs. Nook review.

Anyone who wants a Christmas Nook will have to wait: they’re sold out and won’t ship until Jan. 4. If you need instant gratification, buy a Kindle or use the just-released Kindle for PC.

Kindle vs. Nook: The Nook Advantages

Lending Books with LendMe is a great concept, but it’s not the most practical choice. The Nook ebook has a two-week loan limit to friends and family, who will need to use an iPhone, computer or Nook to read it.

And here’s an important update: Barnes & Noble has reported that publishers are canceling this option for some of their books, which now are permitted a one-time loan only.

The Nook to Nook lending feature is one of the greatest advantages here, allowing you and one other Nook owner to share material. Again, you get a one-time-only ebook lending option.

This is much easier to handle with a touchscreen, even though some people don’t like the dual-screen set-up.

There’s no browser, but it does use WiFi 802.11 b/g and the free WiFi available in Barnes & Noble.

Other features are the Micro SD memory expansion slot, the built-in PDF, ePub, and compatibility with Blackberries and Macs.

It also allows you to add other personal touches, like back covers, and to custom-design screensavers.

Kindle vs. Nook: The 50/50 Split

Kindle and Nook have some identical advantages: the same e-ink screen, comparable prices, and competitive eBook prices.

Kindle vs. Nook: Kindle Takes the Lead

With the Kindle you get free Internet service; with the Nook you don’t even get a browser.

Kindle has worldwide Wikipedia access, as well as a Read To Me/Text To Speech function.

The Kindle’s e-book purchases can be returned within 30 days for no extra cost; Nook’s return deadline is two weeks, and you are charged a 10% fee.

Global shipping is available for the Kindle (176 countries), and the Nook is available only in the U.S. The International Kindle allows readers outside the U.S. to buy books. The Nook ebooks are unavailable outside the U.S. However, if you can get WiFi access for your Nook, you can get newspapers and magazines delivered to you for free.

The Nook is currently sold out, which means that this will be a Kindle Christmas — quite a nice gift for Amazon.

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