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Amazon holding major video launch event on April 2
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment,
This morning Amazon sent out invitations for an April 2nd event that invites us to "Please join us for an update on our video business." In the background is a couch, with a few pieces of popcorn spilled on it. It looks like the company may finally launch the long-rumored Amazon Video set-top box, a product that would compete with devices like the Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku products. Amazon's box may even differentiate itself by offering gaming right out of the gate, as we saw a prototype of an Amazon game controller leaked a couple of weeks ago. There are plenty of Android games that Amazon could see success with with game controller support built-in.
We'll know for sure on April 2, and we'll bring you the full details.
Update: It looks like Amazon may also launch a free video streaming service at this event as well!
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Amazon Prime cost raised to $99 per year starting April 17
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News,
Amazon has announced that the cost of Amazon Prime will be increasing to $99 per year this morning (up from $79 per year,) the first time the service has seen a price increase since it launched nine years ago. The company cites increased fuel and transportation costs, alongside increased usage by Prime members, as the reason for the price bump.
Despite the price increase, Amazon Prime is still a fantastic service, introduced back in 2005, that provided unlimited free two-day shipping for millions of items, alongside Prime Instant Video, and the Kindle Owners' Lending Library. When broken down, the monthly cost goes from about $6.58 up to $8.25 per month, making the cost 26 cents more than the price of a monthly Netflix streaming membership.
The price increase goes into effect on April 17th, so if you aren't yet a Prime member, you can lock in the lower rate now.
If you're an Amazon Prime member, does the price increase turn you off from keeping your subscription?
Amazon discounts Kindle & Kindle Paperwhite today only
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Hot Deals,
If you're looking to pick up an Amazon Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite, today is the day to do it. Amazon has discounted both models by $20 today in recognition of National Reading Month, making it our Deal of the Day. Head over to Amazon now to take advantage of the deal, which ends at the end of the day today.
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| Amazon
Bruce Springsteen’s New Album Leaks on Amazon
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Leaks, Upcoming Releases, Rock, Amazon MP3 Store,
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Bruce Springsteen's new album leaked on Amazon at the weekend.
The musical legend's upcoming LP High Hopes was briefly available on the online retailer's mobile website on Saturday for fans to download the tracks individually on MP3. The album originally wasn't due for release until January 13, and Amazon has since realized the error and taken down the album. However, it is believed fans have already placed the songs on a number of illegal file sharing sites.
High Hopes, which was recorded in New Jersey, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Australia and New York City, features Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello on numerous tracks, as well as a cover of Suicide's "Dream Baby Dream."
Meanwhile, the 64-year-old star recently admitted the record was put together in an abnormal manner, unlike other artists who have a structure. "The best way to describe this record is that it's a bit of an anomaly. But not much. I don't really work linearly, like a lot of people do," he previously said earlier this month.
Click to continue reading Bruce Springsteen’s New Album Leaks on Amazon
New Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is faster and brighter, ships September 30th
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds,
Amazon has released an all-new Kindle Paperwhite today, bringing a few improvements and optimizations to the front-lit e-reader. For starters, it packs in a processor that is 25% faster than its predecessor, a display with higher contrast and better reflectivity (brighter whites and darker blacks,) smoother touch technology, and a battery that is rated to last for over 2 hours. Goodreads integration will also be coming to the new device, along with Kindle FreeTime for Paperwhite, bringing subscription books for the little ones. The new Kindle Paperwhite will go nicely with the new Amazon Kindle MatchBook service, and will start shipping on September 30th, and you can order it now for $119.
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Amazon Kindle MatchBook gives paper book buyers cheap and free Kindle copies
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Handhelds, Hot Deals,
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
Amazon discounting Kindle Fire HD to $179 for Mother’s Day
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Hot Deals,
If you've been thinking about picking up a Kindle Fire HD for Mom (or even yourself!), now might be the time, as Amazon is offering a nice discount its 7-inch flagship models through May 12th. Using promo code FIRE4MOM during checkout, you'll save $20 on the tablet, bringing the price down to $179 for the 16 GB model, and $209 for the 32 GB version. We're sure that Mom wouldn't mind receiving one of these for Valentine's Day, especially with all the Amazon Prime benefits, and we'll keep the fact that you got it on sale between us, okay?
Read More | Kindle Fire HD
Xbox SmartGlass now available for Amazon Kindle Fire tablets
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Xbox 360,
This morning Xbox SmartGlass made its long-awaited debut on the Amazon Appstore. You can now download Microsoft's second-screen app for the Amazon Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD, fitting perfectly on the display of all Fire and Fire HD tablet models. With Xbox SmartGlass, which has been available for iOS, Windows, Windows Phone, and Android for the past six months, users can navigate and control their Xbox 360 consoles right from the tablet or smartphone.
Read More | Xbox SmartGlass for Kindle Fire
Why Google will stop developing Android
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Google, Software,
"It's important that Apple not be the developer for the world. We can't take all of our energy, and all of our care, and finish the painting and have someone else put their name on it." - Tim Cook, Apple CEO
The same statement rings true for Google. If others are reaping the rewards, and little to nothing is left for oneself, then what's the point? If a product does not meet the expectations set before it, then developing for it doesn't make much sense. If any given product is not self-sustainable, then it is not cost effective and eventually becomes a burden to the maker--even if users appear to enjoy using it. Make no mistake about it, Google is in the business of making money, and everything else is secondary (including good will.)
Google's co-founder and now recently-minted CEO, Larry Page, bought Android in 2005. He also brought along Andy Rubin, one of its creators, over to Google, who recently renounced his post as Senior Vice President of mobile Digital Content. Basically, the guy who was leading Android. It has been said that Sergey Brin, the other tandem co-founder, was not enthusiastic about the purchase. Former Google CEO at the time, Eric Schmidt, now Chairman at Google had a similar reaction. These somewhat pessimistic receptions were also shared by Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President of Engineering. However, he recanted these thoughts at Google I/O 2010.
Click to continue reading Why Google will stop developing Android
Amazon Cloud Drive now syncs between PC, Mac, Kindle, web
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Software, Storage,
Amazon has announced that it's Cloud Drive storage locker is now accessible from PC, Mac, Kindle Fire, and web browser, allowing you to sync your documents across all of your devices with the reliance of Amazon in the background. This puts the Amazon Cloud Drive, which gives users a free 5 GB of storage space, in direct competition with services like Dropbox.
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