Gutenberg enables you to send free eBooks to Dropbox and Google Drive

We often find it inconvenient to transfer downloaded free eBooks to our reading device. As the most storied free-eBook site, Guterberg has added new functions, which enables us to directly send free eBooks to Dropbox and Google Drive. Thus we can easily download free eBooks on iPad, Android phone / tablet or black-and-white eReader.

I demonstrated on my computer in this post.

1. Go to http://www.gutenberg.org

2. Type in the name of a book and press "Enter".

Or simply click "Search Catalog". There will be 3 categories provided: Popular, Latest and Random. Here I select "Popular".

3. Click to select one book to your taste. Click "Next" at the bottom of the page to get more.

4. Several formats are offered to be downloaded. For EPUB and Kindle, extra Dropbox and Google Drive icons are given.

• Click Dropbox icon, there will be a window requesting your permission. 

           Click "Allow". A "Sent to File Hoster" prompt will come to you in seconds. Right after you click "OK", you will receive an email notification from Dropbox.

          Click the account page link to go to Dropbox site, all connected apps will be listed with Gutenberg included. Go to "Apps" -> "Gutenberg", you will find your eBook there.

• Click Google Drive icon, similarly, there will be a warning to ask for your permission. Click "Allow access". Then click "OK". Go to Google Drive (https://drive.google.com), you will find the book added under "My Drive" category.

As long as your reading device is Internet connected and you have account for either service, you can feel free to send eBooks to Dropbox or Google Drive and download them on the device.

Will 7" Win 8 tablet be your pick?

After the success of Google Nexus7 and the lated iPad mini, Microsoft is now planning to join the camp of 7 inch tablets. A clear evidence is that MS has updated the required resolution for Win 8-based tablets. According to CNET, Windows OS can now be applied to tablets with a lower resolution of 1024*168 instead of its previous minimum resolution of 1366*768.

This is undoubtedly a good thing to hardware manufacturers inclined to 7 inch tablets, who can then adopt either Android OS or Windows OS. Although Microsoft highlighted that its purpose was to provide more flexibilities to its partners, a lower standard for resolution does help to reduce cost, which unavoidably leads to cheesy tablets in the end.

What Microsoft really concerns is whether customers will be interested in the smaller-size Win 8 tablets. But when it comes to customers, things are more complex. Together with OS, people also consider other factors like popularity, price and brand, not to mention that Windows 8 does not show many advantages in front of its opponents.

I have two HTC models running Android and WP and have to admit that I like Android better. The former one enables me to use in an easy way by being recognized as a removable disc. I mostly transferred APK files to the Android model for installing applications before getting used to installing on the device itself. (with WIFI connected) That's no big deal. On the contrary, I can only install WP apps on the phone. If there is no Internet connection, there will be no way to install apps. One friend of mine is using Nokia Lumia and she is very annoyed about the whole ecosystem.

Windows 8 and its ecosystem are similar to apple iOS in a way. Both rely on dedicated desktop application  and cloud server to transfer files while Android shows all files and apps to users directly, making everything accessible. A Win 8 tablet may come with a portable size and HD display, but this won't push people to take it.

Kindle Fire (2nd Generation) and Kindle Fire HD 7" / 8.9" software update

Amazon has just updated the software for Kindle Fire (2nd Generation), Kindle Fire HD 7" and Kindle Fire HD 8.9". With 5 new features added to both 7" models, there are only 4 features for HD 8.9".

New features for Kindle Fire 2nd Generation (v 10.3.0) and Kindle Fire HD 7" (v 7.3.0)

1. X-Ray for textbooks supported
Access to all important definitions, concepts, terms, etc. in the textbooks.

2. Simplified Chinese supported

3. Track reading progress with Time to Read
Figure out when you will finish a book / chapter according to your current reading speed.

4. Kindle editions with Audio / Video supported
Kindle books with Audio / Video clips included are supported on Kindle Fire tablets now.

5. Print replica textbook enhancements
Thumbnails are displayed at the bottom of each page for fast preview / selection. Easy to take notes.

New features for Kindle Fire HD 8.9" (v 8.3.0)
The same to above (expect for #1).

According to the additions, it's easy to find that Amazon is endeavoring to turn Kindle Fire tablets into better tablet-like readers, which are eventually able to stand out among the peers, since reading eBooks on current Kindle Fire is not that better than reading on Kindle for Android app. A case in point is that many people think that as a professional Android eReader, Kindle Fire should be able to read eBooks aloud, but that's not the truth. On the contrary, there are free Android reading apps delivering more powerful functions, such as Mantano.

The updated software has taken more reading-related practicality, functionality and usability into consideration, which is indeed good news to Amazon Kindle patrons, especially to college students. With the    inclusion of Simplified Chinese together with the upcoming acquisition of Goodreads, Amazon's ambition in global eBook market is in front of us as clear as crystal.

Rejuvenate Your Reading Experience With These Android E-Book Apps

Android has largely captured the mobile application market and with its new e-book applications, this wonderful operating system is creating place in the hearts of avid readers and writers as well. Book reading is an enticing hobby pursued by a large number of people. Traditional way of reading books and novels is passe and people are now hooked to their smart phone or tablet to read a book. In this scenario, Android has made tremendous efforts to create stunning e-book apps. There are some of the best applications available in Android app Store that allows users to read their favorite books or novels while they are on the go!

Let’s take a look at some of the applications that are being increasingly downloaded and extensively used by most Android users.

• Kindle for Android

Kindle ebook reader is highly preferred by those who love to spend their leisure time while reading. Do not worry if you don’t have this widely accessed reader! Now Android has come up with its amazing e-book app called ‘Amazon Kindle’ that gives you the opportunity to read kindle books even if Kindle ebook reader is not installed on your smart phone. However, you can use both the applications to read your favorite book on your Android device. Downloading the application is also quite simply. Simply install the ‘Kindle’ app on your smart phone powered by Android 6.0 or higher version.


• Sony for Android

This is one of the newest E-book app available on Android that comes preloaded with the excerpts from the 3 bestsellers in the world of ebooks and is also laden with 3 classic titles. Reading position sync, highlighting and bookmarking are some of the features of this wonderful app. Sony Reader app is supported by Android 2.2 and higher versions.


• Nook for Android

Like other ebook apps on Android, this application also allows the users to read Noble Nook books without installing the reader. What is unique about this app is that user can also lend his favorite book using the ‘LendSoftware’ available in the app. This helps the reader to check out the book prior to its actual purchase. Barnes and Nobel Nook app is supported by Android 1.6 and higher versions.


• Aldiko Ebook App

Slightly different from other ebook apps, the Aldiko Ebook app gives you the opportunity to read books from different ebook stores selling EPUB ebooks or Adobe PDF files. You can even get your content published into an ebook. Additionally, a full ebook can be downloaded on your smart device without involving the use of your computer system.


• Kobo E-reader

The vast e-book listing on Kobo E-reader app is amazing as far as ebook reading is concerned. You can buy your favorite book and download it on your device for reading on the go.




All the aforementioned e-book Android applications can either be downloaded by scanning the bar code from your device or you can search for them on the Android marketplace. Different versions of Android operating system are required for each application. Keep this in mind when installing the above readers on your Android device.

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This article has been brought to you by Jason Roiz, a skilled and professional programmer working with OSSMedia, a joomla development company, providing outsourcing services to those businesses that are looking to hire joomla Developers.

Will Microsoft Surface smartphone be a threat to Nokia?

Microsoft has dominated the whole personal computer market for years with its Windows operating system while it has struggled in the mobile industry. Nokia was the undisputed leader in cell phones shipments, but has been less successful as the market has shifted to smartphones.

Although Windows Phone OS has existed in the market for quite a long time, people rarely choose WP phones. When they consider the quality and quantity of WP apps, they find the apps are nowhere near the quality of quantity of Android or iOS. As to Nokia, it has finally released smartphones that can compete with the leaders, but now has to play catchup and has had only marginal success so far.

Nokia’s phone operating system, Symbian, has been discontinued and is not longer a factor in the marketplace. Instead of producing an Android phone, Nokia joined with Microsoft to produce Windows Phones. However, when Nokia while Nokia has dedicated itself to Windows Phone and produced the Numia 920, Microsoft is now rumored to be about to launch its own Surface smartphone.

Compared to Android and iOS, Windows Phone has been unable to get a significant share of the smartphone marketplace. Before the release of the Lumia 920 last year, Apple’s iPhone and Android smartphones combined had 87% market share in the US while Windows Phone only took up a about 2%. 

By the first quarter in 2013, WP has taken up 5% proportion of global phone sales, which is far less than that of its competitors.

Will Microsoft Surface smartphone be a threat to Nokia? Many people think so. If MS releases its own Surface smartphone, most analysts believe it will be taking market share away from it’s own partner, Nokia.

However, we can also view it from another angle. Compared to Android and iOS, the Windows Phone market is still new and a strong leader can influence the direction it goes. Instead of a rival, Microsoft is more like a new member in WP camp, which is able to make WP market bigger and better together with Nokia and other WP manufacturers. and other WP manufacturers.

How to get books with Kindle Fire

With its convenience and good reading experience,the Kindle  Fire has become a very popular handset for many people.As a electronics,the Kindle Fire may be not friendly or easy-use to some people,especially the old aged.They could be confused about how to  get books with this gadget—just think about the traditional paper reading in which we just pick a book as you want at a bookstore .So here comes the topic to teach you how to get books with a Kindle Fire!

There are two methods for you to get books with a Kindle Fire:
1.To get books at Amazon official site
2.To get books via the built-in "Store"application on your Kindle Fire

Before starting our tutorial,make sure that you already have a Amazon account and get the Kindle For PC suite installed on your computer.Click here to register a Amazon account and set your payment method and click here to download Kindle For PC.

Finshing register?Let's get started!

Get books at Amazon official site

1.Log in the website
  Type www.amazon.com in your address bar of youre browser

 

  Click Sign in to log in

 

2.Choose your books
Select the Kindle Books Category

Choose the books you like.If you're looking for a specific book, enter a few words into the search box and you"ll see all the matching results. To better your results, try restricting your search to a particular type of product category in the drop-down menu.If you want to browse a category, just take a look at  the lef-side menu.

For example,we choose the category "Advice&How-to",and you can see all the books of this field sorted by a default  category,mostly"New and Popular".

You can change the sort by clicking the pull-down menu on the  right.

Choose a book you like and it will turns to the detailed page.We can see the detailed information of the book and comments from other customers.

3.Click To Buy
When you confirm the details of the book you choose,you can just buy it for just one click!Find the orange button which shows"Buy now with 1-click" on the right.Choose one of the three ways of delivering:

a.Deliver to your Kindle:Your Kindle Fire will automaticly download the book.Meanwhile the Kindle For PC also archive the book but you need download it manually.
b.Deliver to you Kindle Cloud Reader: A new page will generate on your browser to show you the content of the book.Meanwhile both your Kindle Fire and Kindle For PC will archive the book  and you must start downloading manually.
c.Deliver to your Kindle For PC:Your Kindle For PC application will automaticly download the book.Meanwhile the Kindle Fire also archive the book but you need download it manually.

When you click the button，a notice will show up to prompt you to select a payment method.Just enter your payment information.Then click Place your order button on the right.

4.Read your books!
Just wait for the downloading finished and then you can enjoy your reading on the Kindle Fire!

Get books via the built-in Store

1.Log in  your Kindle Fire
Tap the tiny setting icon at the top of your screen to callout the menu.Select "More"and"My Account" option in turn ,then log in with your account.

2.Get access to the built-in store
Select the "Books"option on the main interface,clik "Store"option on the top right corner to enter the built-in store.

3.Choose the books you like
The built-in store is not exactly the same as the official amazon store.It's more simple and eay-to use.You can type some words to search a book on the top search box, or just browse from categories onthe right-side menu.

4. Click To Buy
When reaching to the detail page of a book,you can buy the book by clicking the orange button which mark the price.The book will be downloaded when you eneter and confirm the payment information.
If you don't make sure that this book is good for you,click the "Try a sample" button.The Kindle Fire will start to download few pages of this book.You can read the sample pages to make your final choice.

5.Read your book
Just wait for the downloading finished and then you can enjoy your reading on the Kindle Fire!

Ok,our tutorial has finished!As you can see,it's very simple and easy.Do you get help from this article?For more guidance,please visit Amazon.com Help.

How to save a Google doodle animation on your computer

Today's Google doodle animation, "St. Patrick's Day" is so cute that I am eager to save it on my computer. As what I have done on other pics, I right-clicked the pic and selected "Save as...", but can only save as "htm" webpage. There was no option to save as a GIF or something like that.

Next, I right-clicked Google's homepage again, selected "View page source", and searched for (Ctrl + F) "gif" among the dense codes. 0 result. Only to find a very small PNG pic, less than 100*50 pixel and many obscure scripts. Apparently, Google's doodle animation is not based on a traditional GIF pic.

I then searched on the Internet and found some results about Firefox browser. However, I mostly use Google Chrome thus it does not work for me. Here is the solution for Firefox browser.

Fortunately, I got something useful on Yahoo Answers later. According to Red, we don't need to save those  logos or doodles specifically, as Google always saves them on a proprietary page. I checked it at once and so it is.

However, I did not find today's doodle, "St. Patrick's Day" there. And all the doodles listed on that page come in JPG instead of a direct GIF or SWF format. I clicked on a recent doodle, "Douglas Adams' 61st Birthday" (11th March, 2013) and it is the same. This won't be a GIF, of course, since it offers interactive funtions when a mouse moves over.

What's the nature of Google doodle animation?
Google doodle animation is actually controlled by css sprite and related js script, other than GIF or Flash. GIF only comes with 256 colors and does not support translucent effect. The same GIF may play at different speed on different browsers. As for Flash, Google always trys to make things good and simple while users have to install extra plugins to enable Flash.