Why Do EBooks Cost So Much? – Personal-tech – Digital Content – Informationweek

I found this while clicking through links this morning and decided to share. It is an informative read on supposed reasons for eBook prices having increased over the past few years, rather than remaining where they previously were, or even decreasing.

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via Why Do EBooks Cost So Much? – Personal-tech – Digital Content – Informationweek.

I am not happy at all with current eBook pricing. The idea that new books are are costing between $9.99 and $15.99 (sometimes more) doesn’t lead to me wanting to hear about the justifications for the pricing. It only persuades me to find something else to read. I refuse to purchase ANY eBook for more than $9.99, which is still high considering that I don’t get a physical copy, and that I cannot even share it with anyone in most instances.

Back before eBook prices rose so significantly, I purchased and read over thirty books only phone and tablet in only a few months, but since the rise in pricing I have purchased one. Just a single book. That’s a pretty significant drop in purchasing and I know I’m not alone in this.

 

Galaxy S II from T-Mobile: Battery Life

The news is not good.

The battery life on the Galaxy S II has not been good for me. In fact, it has been pretty atrocious. I bought the phone based on the glowing reviews I read on various websites, most of which had great things to say about this phones power consumption, along with the many other fantastic features. The fact is that when am using the phone on the mobile network, meaning T-Mobile’s service, I can make it through a maximum of 5-8 hours of day before I have to plug it in at the 5% warning.  It sometimes doesn’t last even that long.

I synchronize only with my Exchange account, Gmail, and Google+. Nothing else.

On Wifi, this phone is at 70% battery remaining, and it has not been on the charger since around 1am today. It has lasted over 13 hours with heavy use for half of that time and is still mostly full.  Something about T-Mobile’s network connection is really killing this battery.

I really wonder why there are so many reviews that state results that are so favorable when my experience has certainly not reflected anything remotely close to theirs.

 

We Still Like Keyboards

At least some of still like to use a real keyboard on our smartphones. I realize that most people have eschewed the physical keyboard in favour of huge screens but I do not believe it should need to be one or the other. Aside from overall thickness, there is no downside to a phone like the Windows Phone powered HD7 (pictured) or one of the many Android phones with their 4.3″ and larger touchscreens offering a slide-out physical keyboard. Actually, because of the screen sizes there is now room for bigger, nicer, roomier keys. Those of us who have given up on BlackBerry, or have a more modern device in addition to our BlackBerry, obviously like keyboards. We deal with not having them but would really like the option available on the best smartphones instead of the mediocre phones made for high schoolers.

Anyone at HTC or Samsung listening?

 

BlackBerry outage worst ever, service restored – Oct. 13, 2011

CNN posted an updated article while I was still writing…I guess someone there noticed their mistake.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/13/technology/blackberry_outage/index.htm?hpt=hp_t1

 

CNN Still Reporting a BlackBerry Data Outage Even Though It Is Over

Interesting, now that it is Thursday, the BlackBerry outage that has been affecting users since Monday of this week is just making it to the top of CNN’s homepage. In fact, it did not make it there until after the outage had ended. Oddly, there is no mention, as of 10:48am central time (10-13-2011) that the issue has been corrected. The article is three pages long, is dated 4:57pm EDT (10-12-2011). Somehow CNN, with all their resources, did not see fit to have someone update this article to reflect that the issue has been largely, if not complete, corrected by the time CNN decide to make it their top story on the web.

While technology related websites like CrackBerry have moved on to asking BlackBerry users what they feel RIM should do to placate users incensed at being unable to access services they have come to rely on majors news networks like CNN are reporting outdated information. They are at the forefront of technology savvy mainstream reporting so I am not willing to accept an excuse for such a glaring omission. A correction would go a long way though.

Just a thought.

Posted from WordPress for BlackBerry.

 

The BlackBerry Outage Is Over

It appears that the three-day BlackBerry data outage has been ended by RIM. Those of us with BlackBerry smartphones may now BBM, Email, and browse the web until our thumbs hurt once again.

Posted from WordPress for BlackBerry.

 

BlackBerry Outage Across EMEA Carries into Second Day

For the past two days, RIM has been experiencing issues with their BlackBerry services across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. There also appear to be confirmed reports of service outages in India and South America.

No caused has been shared publicly by RIM and though they did report the problem to have been solved they have experienced a second outage today.

Speculation:

Do any conspiracy theorists wonder if this has anything to do with RIM agreeing to potentially shut BB services off at the government’s request in the face of protests or other security threats? 

Testing? Hacking?

Posted from WordPress for BlackBerry.

 

Millions reportedly without BlackBerry service – CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/10/tech/mobile/blackberry-outage/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

I’m not seeing this reported anywhere other than CNN and BGR. Curious…

 

Microsoft is Finally Pushing Windows Phone

I am watching NCIS L.A. And I have just seen nearly every one of the main characters on the show using and showing off the HTC HD7.

Very good product placement!

It is about time. I do not recall having seen much of any of the current Windows Phone devices anywhere. Finally placing them in the hands of people that other people want to see and be like is a really good move.

 

Is BlackBerry REALLY Outdated or Are Tech Bloggers Too Biased?

Is BlackBerry as bad as many technology bloggers have taken to claiming?  I just moved from the HTC Sensation to the Bold 9900 and I will be able to make a quick comparison for you. 

Improvements:
1. Texting (cleaner, faster, delivery reports are unobtrusive, better spell-checking)
2. Email (Not really faster but the spell check and setup options are nicer)
3. Typing (the keyboard is amazing)
4. Calling (the handset is very good and the speakerphone is phenomenal in comparison other devices)
5. Call logs (adding call notes is something I have missed)
6. Screen (while smaller, the screen is higher density and brighter, especially outdoors)
7. Alerts (so much more configurable that it is a big deal)
8. Calendar
9. Contacts
10. Tasks (doesn’t even exist on Android unless you buy something)
11. Office documents (FULL Documents to Go included)
12. Outlook Notes (Notes application is included and syncs)

What’s Worse:
1. Google Voice
2. Google Talk
3. Twitter (HTC has a really nice application that integrates the browser as well)
4. Google Maps and Navigation (I have to use Telenav now)
5. Bluetooth headset reception
6. Web browser (still not as useful)
7. Battery life (Yes, the the Android powered HTC Sensation did better than my 9900)

I get more done now that I have the Bold instead of using the Sensation. The Bold 9900 is certainly a much better business tool, right from the start, than the Sensation ever could have been.  However, the Bold is less fun to use in my off-time. It is mainly a communications tool whereas the Sensation tried to be both that and an entertainment device.  It excelled at the latter and was acceptable for the former. 

The only device that I have used that came close to giving me what the Bold offers, even an excellent typing experience, while also being fun in my off-time was the HTC HD7 Windows Phone device.  It has an impressively accurate on-screen keyboard and many features that both BlackBerry and Android offer. It still has some growing to do but I think that Windows Phone, rather than Android or iOS, may be the real challenge for RIM and their BlackBerry brand as they figure out where they are headed.