Amazon's been attuned to the needs of its vision-impaired customers for years, first rolling out text-to-speech technology on its original Kindle e-reader years ago. Today the company revealed plans to add to that feature set in its Kindle Fire and Fire HD (7-inch) tablets with Voice Guide and Explore by Touch technology. Voice Guide's an improvement upon regular text-to-speech tech that reads aloud any action performed by users -- things like announcing app names and book titles when they're selected. Explore by Touch lets folks swipe their fingers across their Fire's display and identifies each onscreen item as their phalanges pass over them. Once aware of what app or piece of content's being touched, a simple tap opens the item. Ready for the new assisted navigation experience right now? Well, all you anxious Fire owners will have to wait, the update doesn't land until early next year.Filed under: Tablets, Software, AmazonCommentsSource: Amazon Continue reading at 'Engadget'
[ Engadget | 2012-12-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In the rush to market in Brazil, three international ebook sellers staked their claim on the same day. Why? The reasons are clear, but perhaps a bit ephemeral. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2012-12-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Through the magic of pure coincidence (or not), Amazon and Google have spontaneously started offering ebooks in the land of Brazil. In addition, Amazon has also introduced its Kindle e-reader to the region (available over "the next few weeks") for the equivalent of $145. The Next Web notes that... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2012-12-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Agency Curtis Brown has launched a digital self-publishing programme through Kindle Direct... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2012-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's Jeff Belle announced in a letter to literary agents that Amazon Publishing will begin building a European publishing division in 2013. Hiring will begin in January. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2012-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon is giving its KDP self-publishing platform a further push before Christmas by putting an... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon has said that it is to open a European publishing wing headquartered in Luxembourg,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Google is fighting a proposal that would force it and other online aggregators to pay German newspaper and magazine publishers to display snippets of news in Web searches. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2012-11-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Advertising Standards Authority has told Amazon it must change the wording of its Prime offer... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's UK net sales were £2.91bn in 2011, according to information the retailer has... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tablets and other digital reading devices are expected to be big sellers this holiday season due in part to the growing number of devices available from a host of manufacturers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-11-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Booksellers across the UK have put up signs in their windows reading 'We pay our taxes' in response to a hearing by the Public Accounts Committee on Amazon's business practices. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zoe Lofgren wants Netizens to help craft laws that protect the future of the Net itself. Zoe Lofgren, Chair of the House Ethics Committee, has published a thought-provoking article about the legal tactic of seizing of domain names when the owners are accused of copyright infringement. She... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2012-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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James Daunt has said Waterstones booksellers must work harder to meet customers’ needs... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Newspapers have appealed to consumers to boycott Amazon this Christmas following its statements... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tim Godfray, chief executive of the Booksellers Association, has backed the stance taken by House... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A leading retail m.d. has said the government must "address the Amazon problem" in... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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France has demanded the repayment of £160 million in unpaid tax from Amazon it has been... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon was yesterday (12th November) accused by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee of... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2012-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At the end of June, Amazon’s Kindle family of reading devices was used to read ebooks by 55% of ebook buyers, according to figures compiled by Bowker Market Research. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-11-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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