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Barnes & Noble introduces Nook, the advanced Kindle killer?

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barnes-and-noble-nookAs expected, online book retailer Barnes & Noble has launched what it surely hopes will be an Amazon Kindle killer — the Nook — which it claims is the world’s most advanced eBook reader.

The device features a colour touchscreen and allows acess to over one million B&N titles, delivered via free 3G or Wi-Fi, plus memory expansion via microSD cards.

The device is Android based, and is slightly smaller but slightly heavier than the Kindle 2.

There’s a useful Nook/Kindle 2 comparison chart on B&N’s web site, though it’s worth remembering that there are plenty of other eReaders around, in a corner of the hardware market that’s sure to increase over the coming few years.

The Nook is available for pre-order now, initially in the US for $259.

Originally posted on October 21, 2009 @ 7:39 am

British Tory party to hijack Spotify appealing for votes

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spotify-logoBritish political parties are definitely looking to use the Internet more in the run up to next year’s general election, but I’m not sure how welcome a mudslinging appeal on popular streaming music service Spotify is going to be.

Due to Spotify’s immense success, particularly among younger people for whom politics is, generally, a complete turnoff, the Conservative Party will launch chairman Eric Pickles onto the service to attack the Labour Party and then say something along the lines of “hey, we’re really nice people really, vote for us!”.

In fact, his 45 second address will begin:

“With Spotify, you only listen to the stuff you want to hear, right? Well sorry to spoil your day but here’s something you don’t want to hear.”

Yes, Mr Pickles. You.

[Read more…]

Originally posted on October 21, 2009 @ 8:28 am

Say What? iPhone app offers multi social network searching

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say-what-iphone-1A recently launched iPhone application called Say What? allows integrated searching of Twitter, Digg, plus thousands of forums and blogs, from one interface.

iCrossing’s application has actually been freely available for about a month now, but I’ve only just discovered it.

While I personally don’t search in Digg much, the ability to search across both a significant section of the web (blogs and forums) as well as Twitter sounds appealing.

[Read more…]

Originally posted on October 12, 2009 @ 10:20 am

UK iPhone lovers won’t be treated to price war after all

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3g-iphoneWhile locked out UK mobile networks continue to run the gauntlet with Apple as they try to get hold of contract-free iPhones on the European continent, Orange’s vice president of sales and loyalty said that the company would not be launching a price war with O2 and Vodafone pre-Christmas, but instead was focussed on “being price competitive”.

We had hoped that when Orange and Vodafone got official rights to sell the iPhone 3G and 3GS in the UK, there might be some price cuts on offer, but it seems this yawnfest of a recession and the continued need for mobile operators to make as much cash as possible off its customers will minimise that chance. [Read more…]

Originally posted on October 13, 2009 @ 9:56 am

Ageing rockers U2 to stream live concert on YouTube

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U2 has announced that this weekend’s Californian concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl will also be streamed live on YouTube.

Of course, if you’re outside the US you’ll have to watch it at a bizarre time — 3.30am on Monday morning in the UK for example — but manager Paul McGuinness said that, as the gig was being filmed, it made the perfect opportunity to “extend the party beyond the stadium”.

Google-owned YouTube will slap adverts around the video, as well as making highlights available after the concert. In addition, there’ll be links to Twitter streams discussing the concert as well as the opportunity to donate money to Bono’s RED charity. [Read more…]

Originally posted on October 21, 2009 @ 9:46 am