When NetGalley launched their in-browser NetGalley Reader in January, using Readium LCP-protected downloads, they left some users of dedicated ereading devices, particularly owners of Kobo devices, unsupported. Now the service announces that a “Send to Kobo” capability will be available to NetGalley members “starting late May.” Clients can bulk-enable a “Send to Kobo” reading option for their digital review copies now in advance of the customer launch. The company reports, “Once live, the Kobo integration will allow NetGalley members to seamlessly send NetGalley epub files to their Kobo eReaders or the Kobo app, offering greater reading flexibility and convenience without the […]
eReaders
NetGalley Launches In-Browser Reader
NetGalley has launched NetGalley Reader, a proprietary in-browser platform allowing users to read approved ebooks without downloading them, using an external device, or navigating away from the NetGalley website. The platform supports both ePub and PDF formatted ebooks. Audiobooks can still be accessed through the NetGalley Shelf app. The upgrade is now live across in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan. The company has also introduced downloads secured with EDRLabs’ Readium Licensed Content Protection. “We’re committed to making books easily and securely accessible to NetGalley members, however they like to read,” said Firebrand Technologies and NetGalley chief […]
Kindle Adds Color Device In “Entirely New Lineup”
Amazon finally announced a color ereader, Kindle Colorsoft, priced at $279.99, releasing October 30. They are also revamping the rest of the Kindle device line, with their “thinnest and fastest ever” Kindle Paperwhite, and an entry-level Kindle “in a fun new Matcha color.” In the announcement, vp of Amazon Devices Kevin Keith notes, “[ebook] sales last year hit a decade high with the majority of purchases going to first time Kindle device owners.” He added, “We are excited to bring our customers a completely new Kindle lineup, including our first color Kindle and a re-imagined Kindle Scribe with even better in-book […]
TikTok Lifts Kindle Sales, Too
It’s not just for books. TikTok readers have discovered ereaders and self-proclaimed “Kindle girlies” are fueling device sales, particularly for Amazon. The WSJ speaks to vice president of Amazon Devices and Services Kevin Keith, who says in that vague happy Amazon way that “Kindle sales have grown in double-digit percentages for each of the past two years and are on track for similar gains this year.” Keith reports that a good portion of that growth — approximately 60 percent — comes from people who have never owned a Kindle ereader previously. (On the other hand, that also means that about […]
Kobo Plus Subscription Services Add Audiobooks
In Canada, Kobo is expanding their Kobo Plus subscription ereading service to include an option for unlimited use of over 100,000 audiobooks. A single format — reading only, or listening only — costs $9.99 a month, and the combined reading and listening subscription is $12.99 a month. In a separate report on ebook reading and sales in 2022, Kobo says reading time on their platform in Canada declined “a slight seven per cent” compared to last year, “understandable given relative freedom from lockdowns and an easing of pandemic restrictions.”
BN Launches New eReader
Barnes & Noble will launch a GlowLight 4 ereader on December 8. CEO James Daunt insists in the announcement, “Barnes & Noble is now investing significantly in our Nook line of products. The GlowLight 4 is the second Nook device to launch this year as we set about to bring a new family of devices to our customers and to reinvigorate Nook in the coming months and years.” He added, “The team is working steadfastly to develop new NOOK products, and we are delighted to see such a strong pipeline of innovation into 2022.”