Adobe eBook reader has been secretly spying on what you read

Would you be able to visit in a library and read a book while someone else lurked over your shoulder and wrote down which books you were reading and for how long? Most wouldn't, but that's precisely what Adobe is doing to everyone using their Adobe Digital Editions eBook and PDF reader software.

DRM aims to Rewrite eBooks to catch Pirates

God forbid we would hope to see new technologies facilitate the way for content to reach more people than ever. Today we see parties worrying about locking down digital content in a way that it gets even more restrictive than previous forms, like books and its newer eBook digital format. While you could once do whatever you wanted with an actual book, with an eBook things become trickier... Sometimes you can't even lend it to a friend; other times you don't have the "authorization" to have your eBook reader read it aloud using text-to-speech systems. Unless you do what most people are finally forced to do... and use "pirated" copies of the eBooks they legally bought so they can have the freedom to use them as they please.

Now, things are getting ever crazier, and there are people wasting resources figuring out ways to make things even weirder for readers. Their last proposal: a way to track down which customer pirated a copy on the internet, by slightly modifying each ebook in order to create a unique traceable version. That means that a book selling millions of copies will end up having millions of tiny variations, not one being the same as the next.

Though I may imagine some writers not caring about it as long as they get paid; I can also think about many that won't like their life's work being automatically tweaked away by such system. Who's to say those tiny variations don't ruin the precise feeling the writer wanted to convey?

And even if such a system gets greenlighted and put in use - does anyone, in their right mind, really think it will stop or deter piracy? Hackers and crackers strive on beating down much more complex protection schemes implemented in games and software; do they think their "word replacement" method will offer any kind of challenge to them? Heck.. I could even figure out something in a couple of minutes, randomly replacing some words by other, potentially making "my copy" look like "someone else's" copy and leaving them to deal with the copyright police when they tracked them down.

And talking about stupid DRM ideas, I would suggest applying this same concept to movies... each of use should be entitled to have a specific and different movie. Maybe I could get an Avatar movie where instead of blue aliens I can have green ones? Hey, if that ever happens I want you to know I have copyrights on that idea!

StorEbook to Read Aloud eBooks with "Funny Voices"

We've come a long way since the first text-to-speech began reading out aloud. Today, voice synthesis is capable of reading text with a surprisingly natural feel... but things are about to be pushed to the next level. AT&T is researching a system that will be able to read eBooks using diferent voices for each character and even making "funny voices" is kid's books - just like a normal person would do when reading to their kids.

In the future, AT&T hopes to be able to automatically assign specific voice types to characters automatically (funny mellow voices, more scary ones, etc.) and even use parent's voices so kids can hear their parents reading to them... even when they're not around. (That should make things interesting... as the potential for misuse and abuse is... well... staggering!)

Just like anyone can easily tweak their photos these days, using software like photoshop; it seems that soon we won't be able to trust anything we hear. (Well... in reality we already can't, but with more powerful tools becoming more accessible to "regular people", I suspect we'll see a boom in "abuse" scenarios.)

Kyobo eReader gets Mirasol Screen

just the other day I was talking about Qualcomm's promise to bring their new Mirasol displays to market soon, and it seems they kept their word... at least if you live in South Korea: the Kyobo eReader has a Mirasol screen and is out now.

With the fabled 5.7" (1024 x 768) screen - with touchscreen - this eReader is powered by a 1Ghz Snapdragon S2 CPU and Android 2.3, and they claim it can go for weeks on end thanks to its power-saving Mirasol screen (but that's given a 30min daily use scenario.)

Anyway, it shouldn't take long until we find out users' first reactions and tests to this new display technology that promises all the advantages of LCD without the power consumption.

Kindle 3 Screen vs Kindle 2

Kindle has always been one of the most popular (and well known) eBook reader devices. With the new Kindle 3 on the market, some people might be tempted between getting a new Kindle 3 device, or maybe opt for a second hand older Kindle.

Here are some photos that show the eInk screen of the new generation Kindle next to its older sibling. Although not earth-shattering, the Kindle 3 eInk display does offer slightly enhanced contrast which will make it easier and more pleasing to the eyes to read.

Alice in iPad land

Still wondering how digital ebooks can attract the youngsters?

Check this example of things to come with the amaziong Alice in Wonderland for iPad:

Better see it in action:

iPad with Camera and cheap eBooks? [Rumor]

The rumor that the iPad might have a camera has gained traction once again, after some people decided to dig deep into Apple's iPad ad video shown during the Oscars cerimony.

In one frame one can see "something" in the place you'd expect it to have a camera - though it might be only a light sensor, or something else.

More interestingly and "real" are the prices for the eBooks, making Kindle's life after the iPad launch even harder.
In onde example, a book costing $23 in hardcover and $19.25 for Kindle was available for a much more appealing $14.95 on the iPad.

I think that would prove to be a very big blow to Kindle's user base.

Alex Reader

No doubt about it: this Alex Reader indeed looks as good as everyone suspected!
This hands-on at Maximum PC just serves to prove it! :)

I just wish these devices could be widely available at the magic price point of $99.99 ;)

Barnes & Noble Nook eBook Reader

Looks like today is eBook Readers day!
After Spring Design's Alex Reader, now its time for Barnes & Noble "Nook" eBook Reader: - another potential Kindle-killer.

It does seem a bit more attractive than the Alex Reader, but in the end it will all come down to real practicality (after all, they're both running Android.)
This Nook offers some interesting things, like the possibility to "lend" books to friends for a couple of weeks, and you can read a book for free when you go into a B&N store, just like you could pick up any book and start reading... Nice touches - and certainly very different from the remote-wiping Kindle that deletes books without your consent.



So, who will you bet on? This Nook eBook reader from Barnes & Noble, or the Alex Reader? :)

Alex Reader from Spring Design

If you haven't heard about this eBook reader before, here it is:


I present you the Alex Reader from Spring Design. This eBook reader makes the Kindle look... plain old boring. It has dual screens (an eInk one and a color LCD with touchscreen) and - perhaps best of all - it runs Android.

Maybe the time when digital books really take over "paper" books in schools isn't that far off...



Now all we need is a launch date and... (let's keep our fingers crosse)... an highly competitive price. That will be the secret to its success.

Kindle for the iPhone

The eBook market has been growing at an ever faster rate, just look at the iPhone eBook category. The recent lauch of the second generation of Amazon's eBook reader, the Kindle 2, has also relaunched the public interest in these novel devices.

Though you may miss the physical contact with the paper texture and the physical satisfaction of turning the pages, you must admit that an eBook is often more convenient to carry around. How else could you carry your entire book collection with you, in your pocket or backpack, at all times?
That's why I'm not surprised to see Amazon launching the Kindle for iPhone App.

This free App allows you to read ebooks on your iPhone, and even keep it in sync with your Kindle (should you have one.)

Of course, an iPhone is no substitute for a better, larger eBook reader... but I think it's how it really should be done. They should provide ways to reach you content, in as many platforms as possible - and leave the choice to us. If you don't feel comfortable reading in such a small screen, no harm done - just go ahead and keep reading it in your Kindle. But for a whole lot of people, this iPhone App will be extremely useful, allowing them to keep reading their book whenever and wherever they want.


Just one last critic to the unexplainable Apple's App Store rules. Just like my friend Bruno Figueiredo said: Why shouldn't european customers be allowed to download this app? Just the same as, why can't american users download the Sapo News iPhone App (showing portuguese news.)
Aren't there thousands of Portuguese living in America that would appreciate reading news from their country?
Aren't there thousands of European customers buying Kindles?

Unless they're really trying to turn their customers into pirates....