Microsoft is expected to launch its new 'pad computer' in several months. What I have seen of it is very kewl. Basically, a two screen gizmo that allows you to add items and move them from one screen to the other. Like a real 'write with a pen' notepad, except better.
According to Jeremy Horwitz at ilounge.com, Apple's long-awaited tablet will be unveiled toward the end of January. The Apple tablet will apparently run on the iphone OS and will offer a 10.7 inch screen.
Apple is expected to lag behind Microsoft in terms of release dates, with folks like you and me being able to purchase the ipad sometime in the spring.
I'd like to see both-side-by side.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
E-books...what's the impact?
Came across another tree-conserver today. It is called 'Smashwords'.
Smashwords.com lets authors publish e-books in a variety of different formats.
You start with MS Word, and Smashwords converts the content into nine different formats (including PDF) that can be read by different e-book readers like Amazon's Kindle and the Sony Reader.
And it is the "authors and publishers retain full control over how their works are published, sampled, priced and sold. If an author wants to charge one dollar or ten thousand dollars, or give it away for free, they have that freedom," says the website.
The company is what...less than a year-old and already has three-thousand titles which may be purchased among a growing list of established companies, such as Barnes & Noble, where you can purchase Smashwords books online.
Okay, this all very kewl and everything. It means the publishers who won't/can't take a chance on 'new' authors are going to see their pile of unopened manuscripts diminish on their desks. Why send your manuscript to 'Shyster, Meister and Feister' when you can publish on your own? Lulu.com is another option that has been around for a while that provides the ability to self-publish in hard-print or e-books.
So if you are a book publisher, you really need to get on this e-book thang fast. Otherwise you will be consigned to selling your old old titles in ever small quantities while the market walks away.
All of that said, I like paper. I prefer it. BUT I will as a consumer only buy real books when the book is very very special. Otherwise, I will succumb to the e-book. Easier, faster, cheaper (or should be), but it also means I may want to figure out which portable reader option is best for me. Kindle or Sony Reader?
Christmas is approaching!
Smashwords.com lets authors publish e-books in a variety of different formats.
You start with MS Word, and Smashwords converts the content into nine different formats (including PDF) that can be read by different e-book readers like Amazon's Kindle and the Sony Reader.
And it is the "authors and publishers retain full control over how their works are published, sampled, priced and sold. If an author wants to charge one dollar or ten thousand dollars, or give it away for free, they have that freedom," says the website.
The company is what...less than a year-old and already has three-thousand titles which may be purchased among a growing list of established companies, such as Barnes & Noble, where you can purchase Smashwords books online.
Okay, this all very kewl and everything. It means the publishers who won't/can't take a chance on 'new' authors are going to see their pile of unopened manuscripts diminish on their desks. Why send your manuscript to 'Shyster, Meister and Feister' when you can publish on your own? Lulu.com is another option that has been around for a while that provides the ability to self-publish in hard-print or e-books.
So if you are a book publisher, you really need to get on this e-book thang fast. Otherwise you will be consigned to selling your old old titles in ever small quantities while the market walks away.
All of that said, I like paper. I prefer it. BUT I will as a consumer only buy real books when the book is very very special. Otherwise, I will succumb to the e-book. Easier, faster, cheaper (or should be), but it also means I may want to figure out which portable reader option is best for me. Kindle or Sony Reader?
Christmas is approaching!
Monday, September 28, 2009
What this Is About
As a communications guy, I've seen a lot of change. I'm old enough to remember having to explain what the Internet was. Fortunately, Al Gore was around to help out.
The big thing of course is now Social Media. Which is great, and a pain for communicators who are trying to hit ever more fragmented markets. Just how long is the long tail anyway? How long is a piece of string?
So I'll be posting about innovative new uses of strategy, tactics and technology---how we as communications specialists are spreading the good word(s).
I trust some of what I write will be of interest.
Thanks
Rich Fallis
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