All the latest UK technology news, reviews and analysis
|
|
30 Apr 2010
Amazon has announced that an upcoming software update will allow Kindle users to share their favourite book passages on Facebook and Twitter.
The Version 2.5 enhancement for Kindle and Kindle DX is currently being rolled out to a limited group of users, and a wider release is planned for late May.
Other new features include larger and sharper fonts, password protection, an ability to organise books and documents into separate collections, and a highlights feature that will allow a reader to see what the Kindle community thinks are the most interesting sections of a book.
The social networking updates may well be a sign that Amazon is looking to widen the appeal and use of Kindle following strong competition from Sony, Barnes & Noble and potentially Apple with the iPad.
Several major book and magazine publishers are said to be onboard with the iPad, threatening further competition to the Kindle, which only released its DX and Global Wireless versions in the UK in January.
Amazon announced earlier this month that global sales rose 46 per cent in the first quarter of this year, although the firm continues to withhold sales figures for the Kindle device, saying only that they "remain very strong".
The Kindle 2.5 update will be delivered to devices wirelessly, and users will not need to take any action to receive the enhancements.
Latest stories from Software
Related articles
Related jobs
Poll
What is the most important IT priority for your company this year?
Hands on with the highly anticipated Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich hybrid tablet
Connect with V3.co.uk
This paper focuses on a series of best practices and techniques for development teams looking to improve their software development processes
Why good data management at all levels is essential in the modern business (video, 6mins)
An Infrastructure Technical Architect is required to...
Managed Services Process's Manager, ITIL V3 Intermediate...
My client is an excellent company within the media industry...
ASP.NET MVC, C# Developer (.NET, C#.NET, dot NET, Web...
Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies. IThound.com brings you over 2,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.
Do you agree?
Too little, too late
They can add tweet links all they want, but as long as they charge $260 US for this thing, it's not going to make me buy it. It's been quickly outdated by the iPad. Drop the price to $100 U.S. and we'll talk.
Posted by: Atlantagreg 30 Apr 2010
Too Little Too Late
This all should have been tried long ago, But now they're playing catch up with Apple Ipad. Amazon needs to rethink the business model, they're not selling hardware,ie, Kindle, they're selling content which can be played on any number of platforms. that is where they need to focus, and not push the Kindle, as they are NO long the only game in town. A couple of years ago the additions they're rolling out would have been important, but now,, who cares?
Posted by: Kenneth Lawson 30 Apr 2010