• Microsoft to Launch its Own iPad-killer Tablet


    Microsoft to Launch its Own iPad-killer Tablet

    Microsoft to Launch its Own iPad-killer Tablet

    Microsoft sent out invitations for a major announcement in Los Angeles next Monday, rumors about just what the company will be announcing are starting to fly, beginning with TheWrap reporting that the company would be announcing a Microsoft-manufactured tablet, AllThingsD followed claiming that Microsoft wanted to take on the iPad directly.

    Sources say that Microsoft concluded that it needs its own tablet, with the company designing both the hardware and software in an effort to better compete against Apple’s strengths. Microsoft’s tablets may include machines running ARM-based processors as well as models running on traditional PC processors, sources said.

    Following the success of own device Xbox, Microsoft could be actually working on manufactured by Microsoft itself, running on Windows RT (a version of Windows 8) tablet intended to rival Apple’s iPad.

    Other sources claim that Microsoft is actually aiming at Amazon not Apple, by bringing a 7-inch tablet and not to mention that Microsoft had signed a deal with Barnes & Noble to invest in nook business. A Nokia-made, Microsoft-branded 7-inch tablet is also a possibility

    The timing is interesting, as it comes just before Google I/O, where Google is expected to announce a new 7-inch tablet running Android.

  • Amazon Launches Web-Based Kindle Cloud Reader


    While Apple was harsh with their recent changes to the iOS terms. many expected the big players in eBook world will have to pull their apps. It seems Amazon’s popular Kindle app adheres to Apple’s terms But at the same time, they were also working on an alternative.

    Amazon and its Kindle brand are making some new moves today on iOS with a brand new amazing WebApp.

    Branded Cloud reader, Amazon’s new Web-based Kindle reader is one of the most accomplished HTML5 WebApps you’ve probably seen so far. As its name indicates, it’s an eBook reader that lives in the clouds, or more precisely, in your browser. It’s aimed to work with any browser (besides the iPhone for now), but the app seems to feel particularly at home on the iPad, especially once you add it to your home screen and get rid of the url bar.

    As you would expect, the app lets you log in to your Amazon account, access all your books, and read them. It’s very well done, and while the animations and looks of the reading mode aren’t as good as iBook’s, the WebApp is still fully capable of downloading books for offline reading, changing fonts, or accessing your notes. Downloading books will even count against your download limit. Swiping through pages is done through simple taps or gestures.

    On the downside, purchasing books is still done through Amazon’s website, and the experience isn’t as great as it could be. This is a smart move by Amazon, isn’t it?!

    [via TechCrunch ]

  • Google Books, Amazon Kindle and Nook Finally Adhere to Apple’s Rules


    We knew this was going to happen: Google Books, Amazon Kindle, Nook in the latest releases, they’ve pulled out the link to external Stores directly and adhere to Apple in-app purchases only. Apple you win for sure 🙂