ebook technology

A catalog of Android reading apps

A catalog of Android reading apps

Everyday more and more folks are getting Android based phones and tablets. For readers these devices can be a great way to read both on the go and in a more relaxed setting. The problem comes when looking for reading apps. There are so many out there and searching the Android Market often dosn’t give [...]

Review: Kindle Touch

Review: Kindle Touch

When Amazon first announced the Kindle Touch line of readers I was pretty indifferent about it.  I mean they looked nice, but I was perfectly happy with my Kindle 3 (now the Kindle Keyboard) and my older eInk devices (Kindle 2, Cybook Opus & Sony PRS-505) and saw no real need for anything else.  So I [...]

Review: Kobo Vox

Review: Kobo Vox

A few weeks ago Kobo launched their $199 Android tablet for readers, the Vox.  The launch has gotten off to a shaky start with shipping delays and folks experiencing some glitches with charging and waking it from sleep mode.  Despite that Kobo has put out a nice device that many readers are sure to enjoy. [...]

How to install apps on an Android device with no access to the Android Market

How to install apps on an Android device with no access to the Android Market

There are tons of great Android devices out there now, with more on the way. While many of these devices have the official Android Market on them from Google, quite a few (such as the new Kobo Vox) do not since they don’t meet Google’s Compatibility Requirements.  So what’s an owner of one of these [...]

Reading with Android – Mantano Reader

Reading with Android – Mantano Reader

There are a lot of reading apps out there for Android and everybody has their favorite one be it Moon +, Cool Reader, one of the many store apps (Kindle, Nook, etc.) or the well known Aldiko.  A new app, called Mantano, has jumped into the fray with both feet and quickly become popular among [...]

Review: The Asus Eee Pad Transformer

Since its release on April 26th of this year the Asus Transformer has been one of the most popular Android tablets on the market.  It’s price ($399 for the 16GB version) combined with a very nice IPS screen and a fairly unique keyboard dock have ensured that this tablet sells out almost as soon as [...]

Nook Color: Tips, Tricks and Hints

Below are some of the questions I’m commonly asked by users about the Nook Color along with their answers.   How do I take a screenshot? Hold down the n (Home) button and then hold the volume down button for a very short time.  A little camera icon will appear in the bottom status bar [...]

Nook Color: The 1.2 Update

Nook Color: The 1.2 Update

On Monday Barnes & Noble released a much anticipated update for the Nook Color.  This adds some more tablet like features to the “Readers Tablet” and I’m sure will be well received by many. So what does this update add? The NOOK Color Ver1.2.0 update contains new features and enhancements, including: Access to shop a [...]

Should I Buy an Ebook Reader This Year?

Should I Buy an Ebook Reader This Year?

The nook, an electronic reader from Barnes and Noble, was announced on Tuesday. It is not likely another ebook reader will be released before the end of the year. Therefore it is safe to start contemplating whether it is worth buying an ebook reader this year. Author and reader Kay Sisk sent me this awesome [...]

To Buy or Not to Buy: The eReader Dilemma

More and more I am seeing people wonder which ebook Reader to buy. My suggestion, if possible, is to wait until September. In September, it is anticipated that the new Apple Tablet will be announced, the Sony Readers will be released into the wild and will be found at Costco, Sams, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, [...]

Sunday Tech Changes

There are going to be some slight changes at Dear Author (and some major ones) while we tweak our schedule.   Dear Author is three years old April 4, 2009, and in order to stay fresh and interesting, we’re going to be adding new content and paring down some old content. Sundays have always been about [...]

THE SONY PRS-505'S EBOOK READER VIRGIN

THE SONY PRS-505'S EBOOK READER VIRGIN

So, I was the lucky recipient of a shiny new Sony PRS-505, in a very lovely shade of red. I’ve never owned an ebook reader, and in fact my experience in reading ebooks has been fairly recent and rather limited. I have tried both reading on the computer (which is convenient sometimes, but obviously not [...]

Confessions of a Reluctant E-Reader Convert

Confessions of a Reluctant E-Reader Convert

Dear Sony, A couple months after I joined Dear Author, Jane asked me when I would get an ebook reader.   I don’t remember my exact response but I’m pretty sure it included the following: I love the tactile feel of paper. I don’t read a lot of ebooks. I can read on my laptop. E-readers [...]

Ode to the Sony Reader

Ode to the Sony Reader

On the evening of January 15, 2009, I got my Sony reader, a silver PRS-505. It is a thing of beauty. The case looks sleek and classy. I think the red ones are very pretty too, but the silver is gorgeous and one of the reasons I wanted it is that bright colors can strain [...]

Calibre:  The eBook Reader’s Best Friend, Part 1 of 2

Calibre: The eBook Reader’s Best Friend, Part 1 of 2

Calibre is a software program that is developed by a devoted reader and brilliant programmer, kovidgoyal. The program is free and open source, available for MAC, Windows PC, and Linux users. This week I’m going to address Calibre as the eBook management tool, a program I think is a must for every ebook reader regardless [...]