ereader

Amazon: Kindle app store on the way

Amazon announced Thursday the release of a software development kit for its Kindle e-book reader, which will allow developers to build and eventually sell their own applications for the device.

There are only a few hints as to what we'll actually be seeing: Electronic Arts is building some games, smaller game publisher Sonic Boom is creating word games and puzzles, and restaurant review company Zagat is releasing city guides. None of these developer-created apps will be available until later in the year, and the software developer kit is currently in limited beta.

So why's this announcement coming now? … Read more

Top 5 CES trends

CES 2010 was full of the usual electronics wonderment, but some trends were more frequent or more prominent than others. We took a gander about the show floor and tallied up the five top trends from the show.

Take a look at the video then come back here for a chance to win the swag bag.

Is MSI dual-screen mini-laptop the way to go for future ultraportables?

LAS VEGAS--Amid the tablet, smartbook, and smartphone wars, a new conceptual spin on the old screen-and-keyboard-connected-by-a-hinge way of doing things has us wondering if the idea is so crazy, it just might work.

MSI showed off a concept 7-inch mini-laptop/e-reader at CES, and its most notable feature was the swapping out of the keyboard with a second screen. The device could generate a virtual keyboard in the lower space, or another sort of interface--and, of course, the device could be turned on its side like a book, allowing two-page reading in a more book-like format than single-screen e-readers. It'… Read more

Plastic Logic CEO on Que e-reader (podcast)

For several years Richard Archuleta has been showing up at trade shows with prototypes of Plastic Logic's as-yet-unreleased Que e-reader. But it's almost ready. Archuleta told Larry Magid that the device will finally ship in April at a starting price of $649 for a 4GB model with Wi-Fi and $799 for the 8 GB model with Wi-Fi and 3G.

At that price, the 3G model (with the ability to download books via a built-in cellular radio) will be more than three times the price of the Amazon Kindle and $310 more than Amazon's 9.7-inch global wireless … Read more

The 404 Podcast 494: Where you have to invert the image to see us nude

LAS VEGAS--Don't close the window yet; that show title is a joke. Don't worry, the video you're about to watch features three fully clothed nerds talking about the best of CES 2010 for The 404 Podcast's last show LIVE from the CNET stage here.

We've rounded up the funniest stories from this year's show for this wrap-up episode, starting with Jeff eating his hateful words about 3D PS3 and Xbox 360 Game Room. Turns out the gameplay in 3D actually impressed our former cynic, but we can all agree that those ridiculous 3D glasses are truly the only detractor from 3D games, and especially movies. After this story, we promise never to speak of 3D again...until 4D comes out.

Next, we have a lineup of stories that allow us to do what we do best: make fun of the more outrageous aspects of the show. For example, did anyone walk by the Samsung booth? Someone needs to notify these folks that we are, in fact, struggling to pull ourselves out of a recession--jeez is that booth consuming ridiculous amounts of energy. Other hilarious stories from CES 2010 include IoSafe's virtually indestructible hard-drive demolition, and a Taser demo that you have to see to believe.

We've also got a story about a controversial iPhone app that claims to see through clothing and we see if anyone can guess the most pirated e-book of 2009. Finally, be sure to check out our Best of CES 2010 nominees that represent the top products in nine categories as recommended by our techspert CNET editors.

If it's your first time listening to The 404, be sure to catch us our live show every morning at 11 a.m. EST on CNET Live. You can find all past episodes archived at The 404 Blog, and be sure to follow us on Twitter or add us on Facebook!

EPISODE 494 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

E-readers' next chapter might not have happy ending

LAS VEGAS--There were e-readers aplenty at the Consumer Electronics Show, but there's substantial doubt if there are enough interested buyers to go around.

Amazon talks up the Kindle as its best-selling product, but even the market leader won't say how many digital readers it has sold. Sony has long had its own readers and Barnes & Noble has jumped into the fray with the Nook. But it hasn't stopped there.

Plenty of other would-be rivals showed up at CES, each hoping to make a name for themselves. But, that could be tough, analysts say.

"Just being … Read more

The 404 Podcast 493: Where we pulled the plug on the Microsoft keynote

LAS VEGAS--Our good buddy Clayton Morris from "Fox and Friends" joins us live onstage at CES 2010 to chat about this year's ongoing trends in technology. But before we get to all of that, we feign responsibility for the power outage at Wednesday's Microsoft keynote address. Just kidding, guys; please divert your hate mail elsewhere.

The first half of the show is all about emerging tech at this year's CES: we quickly touch upon the growing popularity of 3D visuals and their place in the home, and Clayton fears the day that he finds his parents sitting on the couch staring at the TV through huge glasses. Jeff dishes his usual plate of hate on 3D (not to mention Project Natal and iPhone gaming), and we have to quickly move on before he blows a gasket.

The next story is about another fallen child at the hands of 4Chan, but the story is admittedly kind of funny. YouTuber Lukeywes1234 was just another kid expressing his love for Super Mario Bros. and Harry Potter through a series of YouTube videos; that is, until 4Chan got word and innocently subscribed to his videos...by the thousands.

For the rest of that story and more on the latest e-readers and an appearance by the Google Nexus One, be sure to check out today's episode of CNET's The 404 Podcast and come back tomorrow for our final show from the CNET stage at CES 2010!

EPISODE 493 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Ray Kurzweil tries to build a better e-reader

LAS VEGAS--Ray Kurzweil knows a little something about e-readers.

The computing pioneer, who among other things helped develop modern text recognition software, has been working to use digital technology to improve reading for the past 30 years. After years of work on how computers can help those with learning disabilities, Kurzweil is now taking aim at the masses.

His latest project, Blio, is an effort to improve the emerging electronic book field with software that turns e-books into more than just a digital copy of the print edition. Blio, which is due out next month, is software that combines a … Read more

Liquavista shows off full-color e-reader

LAS VEGAS--Coming from the womb of Philips' Research Labs, Liquavista is working on a full-color e-reader. Specifications aren't being offered as of yet, but you can tell by the picture above that the device is very much angled at magazine and newspaper reading.

Building upon the company's LiquavistaBright platform, the new reader uses its LiquavistaColor technology for that full color screen, as well as "electrowetting" display technology, which involves modifying the surface tension of liquids on a solid surface using a voltage.

The e-reader prototype sounds pretty promising for now, but with plenty of e-readers being let out of the bag … Read more