Top Items:
Steven Levy / Newsweek.com:
The Future of Reading — Amazon's Jeff Bezos already built a better bookstore. Now he believes he can improve upon one of humankind's most divine creations: the book itself. — "Technology," computer pioneer Alan Kay once said, "is anything that was invented after you were born."
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Rafat Ali / paidContent.org:
Amazon.com's Kindle Book Reader: The Details And The Devil — So it is a bit ridiculous that Amazon.com (NSDQ: AMZN) has been trying to keep us from disclosing the details on its Kindle e-book device, while giving Newsweek a cover story two days before the launch.
David Rothman / TeleRead:
Huh? The Kindle e-reader ISN'T ugly? So says Steve Levy, author of Newsweek puff piece—in response to my Publishers Weekly blog — So, gang, is Amazon's Kindle e-reader really a thing of beauty? The overwhelming reaction online is a big fat No. "Same fugly hot mess we've been seeing for months," says Jane at Dear Author.
Mathew / mathewingram.com/work:
Amazon's Kindle: pay to read blogs? WTF? — So lots of people probably know by now (at least if they read Techmeme) that Amazon is launching an electronic book-reading gizmo called the Kindle on Monday, and there's a gigantic cover story about it in the latest issue of Newsweek magazine.
Steven / StevenLevy.com:
Is the Kindle Ugly? — I did this week's Newsweek's cover story on The Future of Reading, using Amazon's Kindle e-reading device as a peg to discuss some profound changes that will take place in reading over the next few decades. — If you go to Newsweek's site linked to above, you'll see plenty about it.
Discussion:
TechCrunch
Robert Scoble / Scobleizer:
Amazon does yet another thing Microsoft wanted to do (my April Fools turns out to be true) — Newsweek has the scoop. I'm held by NDA until tomorrow. — But, I know that the Sony Reader was an object of Bill Gates' attention. He wanted to do one of his own.
Discussion:
Jeremy Toeman's LIVEdigitally
Anne Zelenka / GigaOM:
How Amazon Could Kindle Some Interest in E-books — Wouldn't it have been cool if Amazon built an e-book reader so inexpensive they could almost give it away for free, then make money by selling e-books for people to read on it (or selling upscale versions of the reader later)?
David Rothman / TeleRead:PDF capabilities in Kindle: Newsweek puff job reveals more details
Discussion:
PalmAddicts
Duncan Riley / TechCrunch:
Facebook Offers $85 Million To Acquire Chinese Social Networking Site Zhanzuo.com — Facebook is said to have offered $85 million to acquire Zhanzuo.com, a Chinese social networking site with seven million users. — According to The Times, Jack Zhang, Zhanzuo's chief executive …
Discussion:
Global Neighbourhoods
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Jeremy Clarkson / Times of London:
Facebook's hopes to enter the tangled web of China gain momentum — Facebook appears to have decided on acquisition as its preferred method of entering the booming Chinese market, after months of speculation about how the social networking website would tap the country's rapid growth and avoid …
David Kaplan / paidContent.org:
Yahoo Adds 17 New Members To Newspaper Consortium — Although the Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) Newspaper Consortium is facing growing challenges, local papers are still finding its ad partnership offering attractive. The AP reports that Yahoo has added 17 new members to the consortium, including The Columbus Dispatch.
Discussion:
TechCrunch
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Seth Sutel / Associated Press:
17 More Newspapers Join Yahoo Group — NEW YORK (AP) — Yahoo Inc. has added 17 more newspapers to its group of online publishing partners, giving the group added heft as it approaches its one-year anniversary. — Yahoo executives told The Associated Press that The Columbus Dispatch …
Discussion:
Lost Remote
Associated Press:
Destination of 'recycled' electronics may surprise you — SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) — Most Americans think they're helping the earth when they recycle their old computers, televisions and cell phones. But chances are they're contributing to a global trade in electronic trash …
Martin Fackler / New York Times:
In Korea, a Boot Camp Cure for Web Obsession — MOKCHEON, South Korea — The compound — part boot camp, part rehab center — resembles programs around the world for troubled youths. Drill instructors drive young men through military-style obstacle courses, counselors lead group sessions …
Mark Hendrickson / TechCrunch:
PollDaddy Expands Widget Suite, Upgrades System — The hype around widgetizing the web may have died down a bit, but PollDaddy - a company obviously focused on polls - will be pushing that widgetizing process further along with its version 2.0 release today.
