[nfbmi-talk] FW: creative writing Kindle book reader fortheblind
Ann Petrous
annpetrous at gmail.com
Fri Jul 30 04:09:39 UTC 2010
I have a stupid question. Is there a store I could go to in order to check
this out when its released? I don't understand how the authors would be
losing money on a device that is used by everyone including blind folks. The
only difference would be that it would b reading out loud with the same
device. Also the books are purchased legally, so I really don't understand
what the problem is. I could just as easily purchase a scanner, the book,
and have it read to me on my laptop or have it uploaded on to my book sense.
The only difference between what we are doing and what a sighted person is
doing, and that is using a synthesizer voice, in order to read these books
which sin't the best in any case. Also its not like they are modifying the
book so much that it can't be used by sighted people who are purchasing
these same books. I don't find it fair, that I should have to wait, while
others can grab any book they want and read at their lesure.
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Fred Wurtzel
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 10:16 PM
To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] FW: creative writing Kindle book reader
fortheblind
Hi,
Here is an article about the new Kindle. If you read visually, it may be a
little hard, but if you use a screen reader you won't have a problem. Sorry
for the formatting.
Amazon Unveils New Kindle: $139 WiFi-Only Model, $189 With 3G, Available
August
27th
By DEVINDRA HARDAWAR of [4]VentureBeat
If you were hoping for a Kindle hardware refresh, today's your lucky
day. Earlier this evening, Amazon unveiled [5]the latest generation
Kindle e-book reader -- which offers better contrast, improved speeds,
lighter weight, and double the storage and battery life, compared to
the previous model.
This time around, Amazon is offering two Kindle models: A $189 version
with 3G and WiFi to replace the Kindle 2, and a cheaper $139 version
that only features WiFi. The cheaper model is clearly a response to
[6]Barnes and Noble's $149 WiFi-only Nook, and it brings Amazon one
step closer to the magical $99 price-point. Amazon also ended up
dropping the Kindle's price to $189 back in June when Barnes and Noble
reduced their Nook 3G model to $199.
Both new models are slated for release on August 27th, and are
[7]available for pre-order now. The company will also release a UK
version of the device for ?109 and ?149 respectively on the same date,
and also announced a new UK e-book store.
The addition of WiFi is also new for the more expensive Kindle.
Previous Kindle models relied entirely on cellular data networks --
first with Sprint's EVDO, and then AT&T's 3G network for the newer
"international" Kindle 2. The addition will let owners of the new
Kindle take advantage of their faster home wireless networks, and it
will be particularly useful if they don't have decent cellular data
reception near their home or work.
The new Kindle will come in graphite (like the [8]Kindle DX) and white
colors, is 21 percent smaller, and will feature the same 6-inch E Ink
screen as previous models. While not much has changed with the basic
screen technology, Amazon promises that page turns will be faster. It
will run for a month with no wireless capabilities turned on, and 10
days with wireless. Since you won't always need wireless connectivity,
real-world battery life will rest somewhere in between those suggested
battery times. The Kindle's on-board storage has also been doubled from
2GB to 4GB, which will let it hold up to 3,500 books.
Both the Kindle's keyboard and five-way directional rocker have been
modified. "The rocker is now more compact and flush with the device,
and the side buttons have been modified in length to emphasize the
forward paddles, while the back buttons have been downsized,"
[9]according to Engadget, who had some hands-on time with the device.
Amazon also added an "experimental" web browser based on Webkit -- the
browser engine currently used in Safari and Google Chrome. It's
purportedly faster than the previous Kindle web browser, and it now
includes an "article mode" that lets users simplify web pages into
text-based versions better suited for the Kindle.
While the new Kindle's upgrades may seem minor, the most important
aspect of this release is the cheap $139 model. Only a few months ago,
the only available Kindle was $259. Soon, you'll be able to get one --
albeit without 3G internet -- for more than $100 less. It's a sign that
competition is keeping the e-reader market agile, and that even with
the advent of the iPad, it's far too early to write off these devices.
Check out a video below of Ian Freed, vice president of Kindle at
Amazon, showing off the new device to [10]the Seattle Times.
Tags: [11]ebooks, [12]ereader, [13]kindle
Companies: [14]amazon
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Ann Petrous
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 9:01 PM
To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] FW: creative writing Kindle book reader
fortheblind
I really hope so. I'm frustrated with the limited amount of books that I
have access to. I'm a huge fan of books. I can forget about life for a
while, and go off on adventures, while I'm reading. I love books where i can
truly care about the characters. I reallyhope this goes through. I'm tired
of only beign able to read part of a series or having to stop due to the
poor quality of the books that were scanned.
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Fred Wurtzel
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 7:58 PM
To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] FW: creative writing Kindle book reader
fortheblind
Hi Ann,
If things go as advertised, this will, indeed, allow faster and broader
access to books from Amazon. According to the release, the menus talk and
the present inaccessible model would provide Text to Speech (TTS), so the
new model should do the same.
NFB, as part of the reading rights coalition is working on the copyright
issue. The Librarian of Congress just said that blind people must have
access to all books. So, J.J.'s point is correct, we will see, but I expect
that we will see an improvement in access, even if it is an incremental
gain. If the machine works, as advertised, we will certainly have more
books available than we do now. The quality and quantity is the real
question.
Warmest Regards,
Fred
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Ann Petrous
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 6:50 PM
To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] FW: creative writing Kindle book reader
fortheblind
I see. Well, I hope that it will give us the ability to use it like sighted
folks. It would be nice to be able to purchase any book I want, and not have
to wait forver to finish a series or to start one, only to have to wait half
way through.
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of J.J. Meddaugh
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 6:40 PM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] FW: creative writing Kindle book reader
fortheblind
There's still a long way to go. We'll know more when it's released, but many
publishers still disable TTS access for their titles.
J.J. Meddaugh - ATGuys.com
A premier Code Factory, KNFB Reader, and Sendero distributor
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ann Petrous" <annpetrous at gmail.com>
To: "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 6:20 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] FW: creative writing Kindle book reader for
theblind
> Does this mean that we will be able to purchase ebooks through amazon and
> then we would be able to use the kindal? Woot woot and that is a great
> price
> this makes me very happy because I will no longer have to wait for books
> to
> be uploaded on to bookshare or the NLS website. If this means that I will
> be
> able to download and purchase any book I want even on the day of it
> release,
> I'm most excited, and say its about time.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Fred Wurtzel
> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 5:21 PM
> To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] FW: creative writing Kindle book reader for the
> blind
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: explorations-in-creative-writing at googlegroups.com
> [mailto:explorations-in-creative-writing at googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
> Phil
> Vlasak
> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 1:32 PM
> To: explorations-in-creative-writing at googlegroups.com
> Subject: creative writing Kindle book reader for the blind
>
> Hi Folks,
> The new Kindle will be more blind friendly than the current version.
> Kindle Wireless Reading Device,
> Price: $139.00
> Our all-new Kindle will be released on August 27th 2010.
> Read-to-Me
> With the Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read English newspapers,
> magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you, unless the book's rights
> holder
>
> made the feature unavailable.
> You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot
> is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is
> being
> read, so you can listen hands-free. You can choose from both male and
> female
>
> voices which can be sped up or slowed down to suit your preference. In the
> middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn
> on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.
>
> Voice Guide
> With Text-to-Speech, Kindle can read out loud to you. New Text-to-Speech
> enabled menus allow customers to navigate Kindle without having to read
> menu
>
> options. In addition to listening to books aloud, users now have the
> option
> of listening to content listings on the home screen, item descriptions,
> and
> all menu options.
> Other features:
> Wi-Fi, 6 inch Display,
> Eight adjustable text sizes for comfortable reading
> Battery Life of Up to One Month with wireless off,
> Double the Storage - Up to 3,500 Books,
> Storage approximately 3GB available for user content,
>
> Massive Selection,
> Over 630,000 books,
> including 109 of 111 New York Times Best Sellers,
> plus audiobooks, periodicals and blogs.
> Over 510,000 books are $9.99 or less, including 80 current New York Times
> Best Sellers.
>
> Free, Out-of-Copyright Books
> Over 1.8 million free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books are available such
> as Pride and Prejudice.
>
> Listen to Music & Podcasts
> Transfer MP3 files to Kindle to play as background music while you read.
> You
>
> can quickly and easily transfer MP3 files via USB by connecting Kindle to
> your computer.
>
> Audio 3.5 mm stereo audio jack, rear-mounted stereo speakers.
> Content Formats Supported
> Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX)), MP3,
> unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG,
> BMP through conversion.
>
>
>
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Graphite/dp/B002Y27P3M
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
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> To post to this group, send email to
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> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
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>
>
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