OverDrive Unveils Project Gutenberg Ebook Downloads

LibraryJournal.com reports that the Boston Public Library (BPL), has added some 15,000 public-domain, DRM-free ebooks from Project Gutenberg thru' it's partner, OverDrive.

The new public beta site allows any user to download PG ebooks, but such users are not required to sign in as BPL patrons, and downloads do not count against patron checkout limits or have time limits for use. Indeed, the ebooks aren't really loaned at all—users effectively own the ebooks they download.

The ebooks are not included in the regular library catalog, but on a separate Overdrive-powered site. Selections include popular pre-1923 classics, such as the works of Jane Austen and Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as such obscure fare as 1906's Are You a Bromide? by Gelett Burgess.

New Amazon Kindle DX: Sharper screen, sharper price

Shipping as of July 7th, the price for a new Kindle DX will fall by nearly $100, to $379 from $489. It also now comes in a hep new color (do college kids still say “hep”?), graphite (which looks more like charcoal to me), but for US models only and is touting better screen contrast.

Of course, the recent 2.5 upgrade made file management a little easier, but there seems to be no progress on the features that the DX’s target audience, academia, was most interested in, like annotating and a touch screen.

"With 50 percent better contrast and darker fonts, you'll find it easier than ever to read wherever you happen to be, whether it's outside in bright sunlight or under the low light of your living room", said Steve Kessel, senior vice president, Amazon Kindle.

Kobo eBook app made iOS 4 compliant

After inspiring the Kobo eReader and originally geared toward the iPad, Kobo has now brought its eReading app up to iOS 4 compatibility. The app, which opens up access to numerous eBooks in the Kobo library uses Kobo-optimized formatting, offers alternate appearances for bookmarks and an 'I'm Reading' feature for quickly switching between active books. It can sync across multiple platforms.

EB710 eBook reader looks very cool ‎

NSEC has released details of a new color eBook reader, the NSEC EB710. It looks like the NSEC EB710 will feature a seven inch TFT color display with a resolution of 800 x 480.

Other specifications include the ability to play MP3 and other music files as well as display photos in various formats, it also looks like it will support the majority of document formats.

Microsoft axes Courier tablet project

Microsoft has halted development of a dual-screen tablet device that was touted as a potential rival to the iPad.

The Microsoft Courier had a folding book design, with two 7" touchscreens that could accept both multitouch finger inputs or text written with the supplied stylus.

The device was reportedly at the "late concept" stage, and the company had even produced demonstration videos showing how the device's interface might work.

However, according to gadget site Gizmodo, Microsoft executives have pulled the plug on the product's development. In a statement sent to the site, Microsoft said: "At any given time, we're looking at new ideas, investigating, testing, incubating them. It's in our DNA to develop new form factors and natural user interfaces to foster productivity and creativity. The Courier project is an example of this type of effort. It will be evaluated for use in future offerings, but we have no plans to build such a device at this time."

Huge Indy Publisher Signs Ebook Deal For iPad

A major independent publisher, Perseus Books Group, has signed a deal with Apple to provide ebooks for the iPad. According to the NYT, the deal is similar to that which Apple has made with other major publishers:

Perseus will set consumer prices and Apple will serve as an agent, taking a 30 percent commission on each sale. E-book versions of most newly released adult general fiction and nonfiction will cost $US12.99 to $US14.99. All publishers whose books are distributed by Perseus will be allowed to opt in to the deal.

Amazon launches iPhone-optimized Kindle eBook store

Following on the release of Amazon’s Kindle for iPhone application, Amazon has launched an iPhone-optimized Kindle eBook webstore. The new Kindle website is now more iPhone friendly, offering users a slick interface and more than 280,000 eBook titles to flick through.

The new Kindle store site has a search box and several default ways to filter ebook content, including books by category, NY Times best sellers, Kindle top sellers, new & noteworthy, and recommendations for you. You can also access and change your 1-click settings and manage your account.