Random Kindle Update

[temporus]

I just happened to get an email about new books available on the Kindle.  Which prompted me to take a peek at the Amazon site, and see what all else was new, since the new announced books seemed a bit generic to me.

What did I see?  New Magazines.

Asimov's and Analog!!!

Joy.

I picked up the Asimov's to see how it looks.   Generally speaking just fine.   I think the poetry is going to be an issue, since line formatting can be a bit more important to poetry than it would be to prose.  I'm glad to see these onboard.  (As with Hitchcock's and Ellery Queen too!)

Oh.  And apparently, as of today (I think) there's an announcement on the main Amazon site that they have finally ramped up production to the point where if you order a Kindle, you'll get one, without the long delays.  (Like I had to suffer through.)  That's good news for them.

On another point, I have discovered that my minor issue was due to the SD memory card, because I've been using a different card for over a month now, and it's been fine.  I will have to see how I can get that card swapped out.  Not sure if I can do that at the store, or if I'll have to go through the manufacturer.  I do note that my battery life is significantly better now that I've taken to turning it off during transport.   I suspect that despite the cover, when I carry it in my knapsack, one or more of the keys is getting pressed, and that might have been taxing on the battery.   With the device off, that's a non-issue.   

So we're closing in on almost 120,000 books available from their site.  Not bad for what, 6 months since they launched?  (That's just about 50% increase in titles carried.)   Magazines and newspapers are coming on, if at a slower rate.    We'll see if it can hold up.  I still just wish I could get a peek at the numbers.  How many units are out there?  I don't know if/when we'll ever get to know.  But so far, so good, I should think.   

Now I know I often get all rosy about the device, and that's the geek side of me talking.   But on the writer side, it's not all sweet smelling and perfect.   Just as a bit of counterpoint, you might want to go check out what SFWA's contract committee has to say about the standard Amazon contract as it regards to publication on their devices.  If you are an approaching it from the author or publisher side of things, then its worth your time to read through the annotated copy of the contract.  

I've no doubt that things are changing.  How much?  How fast?  How far?  These are questions that remain.  But ebooks aren't going away.   Will things change for the better, or worse?  I don't think either.  But it will be different.

Comments

[dqg-neal.livejournal.com]

Note the interesting thing that SFWA hasn't mentions about the contract. Amazon wants you to sign a contract if you have a product already with Mobipocket, which is where they are getting the majority of their files from. But they list the product and sell it on their site before they have the contract. They just tell you they have no means to pay you unless you sign their contract. This after they've gotten money for selling your products.