Battle Continues; Google takes on eBooks and Amazon

Good news for eBook users and consumers in general – Google is stepping into the electronic literary ring, as it announced recently that it plans to launch an online store to deliver electronic books to any device with a Web browser.

The service is called “Google Editions” and is intended to launch in first half of 2010. See here for Yahoo news article.

Whatever the case, the consumer wins – as; competition is always good to keep prices down and the exposure and accessibility of eBook readers is increased.

Maybe now, people will finally start getting into this eBook reader thing?

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles by Zemanta

• Google to Launch E-Book Store in Early 2010 [Ebooks] (lifehacker.com)
• More Details Emerge on “Google Editions,” Google’s eBook Store (readwriteweb.com)

Ring Ring! Any Phone Recommendations?

Image by djwudi via Flickr

Im in the market for a new phone. Not that the current one has outlived its uses, but I have that yearning. That craving for a new gadget. It gets stuck in your gut and festers until that purchase is finally made. Its a cherry pit in your craw. So what am I not looking for?

Im not looking for a phone which doesnt have wi fi. Come on, data plans are good now days but nothing beats free and relatively convenient.

Im not looking for a phone that looks and feels toy like. I want heft and sophistication. I want a sturdy build and classic lines.

I’m ambivalent about whether the phone should have a touch interface. Both have nice features which shouldnt be discounted. Touch interfaces are more of an “experience”, – traditional interfaces tend to be quicker to access and call up menus (the difference between tap pause wait tap and tap tap tap)

The Web browser has to display the internet well. So far, I’ve only seen the iPhone do this successfully. Am looking forward to the LG BL40 and seeing how that displays. Though I am a bit worried about the size, as a phone does have to fit into a conventional pocket easily. If it can slide into a jean pocket, then its passed the test.

Price of course is a consideration. But I’m willing to spend for that coveted gadget. Not a luxury phone, but more likely a cost in the ball park figure of a smart phone.

Your recommendations are most welcome!

Im just Browsing, Thanks.

Mozilla Firefox hits 1 Billion downloads!

Mozilla’s Firefox Web Browser recently hit 1 Billion downloads as of Friday, 31 July, 2009. This wonderful statistic equates to 31% of the Brower Market with Microsofts Internet “Monopoly” Explorer sitting at a shaky 60% (and declining), and Google’s Chrome, Apple’s Safari and Opera all less than 5%.

This is great news! When you look behind the dubious statistics- What this really means is that Netizens are making the choice to enhance their internet experience through downloading Mozilla’s Firefox-a robust, user-friendly, secure and free web application. The 60% market share of Explorer is indicative of that fact that computers come bundled with Microsoft Explorer and the Windows Operating System pushes the application to Users desktops as a constant software update. Eerily cunning like a wily weasel. Does anyone remember how Explorer crushed Netscape into extinction? What about those dinosaurs?

So, congratulations to Mozilla and cheers to Netizens the world over for making the right choice in providing a platform for Information, Interaction, Innovation, Collaboration and Influence!

Besides, I like the little firefox mascot!

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/upgrade.html