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Kindle MatchBook

Amazon has announced an awesome new program called Kindle MatchBook that it's set to launch in October, bringing free and cheap eBooks to buyers of paper books. Basically, if you purchase a paper book from Amazon, you can buy the digital Kindle version for $.99, $1.99, $2.99, or download it for free, depending on the book. Most interesting? It's completely retroactive, going all the way back to 1995 when Amazon launched. Any participating purchase you've ever made on Amazon is eligible, as long as it is a part of the MatchBook selection, which will launch at about 10,000 titles next month. Amazon says that there will be some big-name authors taking part:

Kindle MatchBook will launch with books from Ray Bradbury, Michael Crichton, Blake Crouch, James Rollins, Jodi Picoult, Neil Gaiman, Marcus Sakey, Wally Lamb, Jo Nesbo, Neal Stephenson, and J.A. Jance, among others. In addition, Amazon Publishing will include all its titles in Kindle MatchBook.

Definitely a cool service, and one that makes Amazon an even more attractive purchasing destination when compared to Barnes & Noble and the Nook store, and Apple's iBookstore (which doesn't even sell paper books.)

Read More | Kindle MatchBook

Gallery: Amazon Kindle MatchBook gives paper book buyers cheap and free Kindle copies


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iPhone 5S 5C event invite

As anticipated, Apple has sent out press invites to its next iPhone event, scheduled for September 10th. As Apple typically does, hints of what's to come are foreshadowed in the invite graphic. This time around, it appears that Apple is focusing on the multi-hued iPhone 5C, which we've seen will be available in multiple plastic colors as the entry-level iPhone option. We recently gave you a look at what you can expect both new iPhone models to look like. Of course, we'll have all the details for you live as it happens a week from today.

It's rumored that the iPhone 5S and 5C will go on sale on September 20th, ten days after Apple introduces them.

Gallery: It’s official: Apple will introduce the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C on September 10


Google Nexus 4

With Apple expected to release the lower-cost iPhone 5C next month, Google has just cut the price of the Nexus 4, dropping it to $199 for the 8GB model without contract--that's $100 less than it cost just a day ago. If you prefer the 16GB version, you can get that one for $249. These prices are a steal for the Nexus 4, which is widely seen as the best current Android smartphone, even thought it lacks LTE. This is a much more inexpensive way to get the pure Google experience in a smartphone than it would be to buy the Google Play editions of the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4. The price cut is now live in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Korea, the United States, and the UK.

Read More | Google Nexus 4

Gallery: Google slashes price of Nexus 4, now $199 with no contract required


Nintendo 2DS

Nintendo is looking to go back to the well this holiday season with the introduction of the entry-level Nintendo 2DS handheld console. This is basically a Nintendo 3DS in a candybar form factor (no hinge so it doesn't close) that plays all 3DS games in 2D. At launch it will be available in red and blue hues, and is outfitted with the regular (not 2DS XL) sized dual screens, cameras, mono speaker, headphone port, and a 4 GB SD card. In other words, it's just like a Nintendo 3DS, except there is no 3D, and it doesn't close, and you get it all for $129 - $50 cheaper than the 3DS console. You'll be able to pick one up on October 12th.

Click to continue reading Nintendo 2DS plays 3DS games in two dimensions for $129.99

Gallery: Nintendo 2DS plays 3DS games in two dimensions for $129.99


Apple iPhone 5, 5S, 5C compared

It's widely expected that Apple will take the stage on September 10th to announce its fall smartphone update, including the iPhone 5S and lower-priced iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5S is expected to be available in a new champagne gold color, and we gave you a look at what the gold iPhone 5S should look like. Now, a video has surfaced that shows a black iPhone 5 alongside the rear shell of the white & gold iPhone 5S.

Additionally, a blue iPhone 5C rear casing is also compared, giving us a look at what Apple's iPhone for the budget-minded will look like when it launches next month. All signs are pointing to a September 20th release for Apple's updated fall smartphone line-up.

Click to continue reading Apple iPhone 5, gold iPhone 5S, blue iPhone 5C shells compared [Video]

Gallery: Apple iPhone 5, gold iPhone 5S, blue iPhone 5C shells compared [Video]


Gold iPhone 5S color comparison

Apple will be releasing the iPhone 5S in black and slate, white and silver, and a new color: white and gold. Pictured above, you can see the coloring of the anodization, being a muted champagne gold color without the white glass plates installed. It's one way to create an external change in the S line of iPhone releases, which is generally all about under-the-hood changes and improvements, while the externals remain the same as the year before. We pretty much know that Apple will be announcing the new iPhone 5S on September 10, with the device launching 10 days later.

What do you think? You interested in the new gold color, or are you sticking with the more traditional variants? Me? I'm going with Anostyle again.

Read More | Weekly Ascii

Gallery: Here’s what the gold iPhone 5S will look like


HTC One Mini

The HTC One Mini has finally been given a release date, and you can get your hands on the 4.3-inch version of what we deemed the best current-generation Android smartphone in just four days on August 23rd. The HTC One Mini boasts a 720p display, 1.4GHz dual-core SnapDragon 400 processor, 1GB RAM, 4-megapixel UltraPixel camera, 1,800mAh battery, and runs Android 4.2 out of the box. You'll have to be an AT&T customer for the priviledge, and you'll need to be willing to drop $99 and sign a two-year contract to make it all happen.

Gallery: AT&T HTC One Mini available August 23rd for $99


iOS 7 beta 6 download

Apple has just released iOS 7 beta 6, which can be found in the Developer Portal right now. iOS 7 beta 6 build 11A4449d works with supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models, and is available as an over-the-air update to users already running a previous iOS 7 beta on their devices. If you're already running iOS 7, you can update over-the-air by going into Settings > General > Software Update. Or you can go and grab the necessary download at http://developer.apple.com. Apple originally showed off iOS 7, and released its first beta, at WWDC 2013. The full released will come in the fall.

If you are a paid members of Apple's iOS developer program, here are the links for iOS 7 beta 5 downloads:

iOS 7 beta 6 seems to specifically address an issues with iTunes in the Cloud where some purchases may download or play unexpected items, without much else changing.

Click to continue reading Apple releases iOS 7 beta 6 build 11A4449d to developers

Gallery: Apple releases iOS 7 beta 6 build 11A4449d to developers


iOS 7 beta 5 11A4449a download

Apple has just released iOS 7 beta 5, which can be found in the Developer Portal right now. iOS 7 beta 5 build 11A4449a works with supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models, and is available as an over-the-air update to users already running a previous iOS 7 beta on their devices. If you're already running iOS 7, you can update over-the-air by going into Settings > General > Software Update. Or you can go and grab the necessary download at http://developer.apple.com. Apple originally showed off iOS 7, and released its first beta, at WWDC 2013. The full released will come in the fall.

If you are a paid members of Apple's iOS developer program, here are the links for iOS 7 beta 5 downloads:

We've got a list of changes we've found so far in iOS 7 beta 5, which you can find after the break.

Click to continue reading Apple releases iOS 7 beta 5 build 11A4449a to developers, list of changes and improvements

Gallery: Apple releases iOS 7 beta 5 build 11A4449a to developers, list of changes and improvements


iOS 7 beta 4 11A4435d download

Apple has just released iOS 7 beta 4, which can be found in the Developer Portal right now. iOS 7 beta 4 build 11A4435d works with supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models, and is available as an over-the-air update to users already running a previous iOS 7 beta on their devices. If you're already running iOS 7, you can update over-the-air by going into Settings > General > Software Update. Or you can go and grab the necessary download at http://developer.apple.com. Apple originally showed off iOS 7, and released its first beta, at WWDC 2013. The full released will come in the fall.

We've got a list of changes we've found so far in iOS 7 beta 4, which you can find after the break.

Click to continue reading Apple releases iOS 7 beta 4 build 11A4435d to developers, list of changes and improvements

Gallery: Apple releases iOS 7 beta 4 build 11A4435d to developers, list of changes and improvements


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