Google entering e-Book Market

Google recently announced that they plans to start selling e-books through its Google Editions store. The new Google e-books store is supposed to launch in mid-June or July.

Google is attempting to go after Amazon and Apple to capture a share of the e-book market. In the Google Editions store, Google will let users buy e-books they find through searches. Similar to Amazon and others, Google will set up revenue-sharing systems with publishers.

If the affiliate revenue sharing program commissions are competitive or higher than Apple or Amazon, Google may do very well. Only time will tell. The e-book and e-reader market have really started to take off with the kindle and apple ipad gaining in popularity every day.

According to Credit Suisse the e-book market is still embryonic, estimating it at just 1% of book sales. They have projected it to grow to 3% by the end of 2010.

I'm sure there is more to unfold on this story, so stay tuned!!!

Apple Black Friday - TGI Friday Deal

Apple Black Friday Sale - TGI Friday. Especially this Friday.

The special one-day Apple shopping event. November 27.

Come back to the Apple Online Store the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) for a special one-day-only holiday shopping event. You’ll find dozens of great iPod, iPhone, and Mac gift ideas — all with free shipping.


Rumors are that the Apple Black Friday plan to offer some real discounts compared to last years (4% off sales).

Apple Store Upper West Side Opening Video

For everyone who missed the opening of the new Apple Store on Upper West Side... here's your chance to share in the excitement.

Apple Store Opening Video 1


Apple Store Opening Video 2


Apple Store Opening Video 3


At the he grand opening of Apple's fourth retail store in NYC. They handed out 2500 t-shirts with a little graphic of the Upper West Side store. Some of the folks in line has been there since 3AM (& Earlier) in the morning.

Apple makes it so exciting... gotta love them.

Apple Store New York Upper West Side Opens

Apple will open its newest retail store on New York’s Upper West Side on Saturday, November 14 at 10:00 a.m. According to Apple, this store (that sits beneath an all glass roof)will offer more Macs, iPods and iPhones than any store in the world.

On the lower level you will find the largest area ever created by Apple for personal training and technical support (45-foot Genius Bar).

The New Apple New York Upper West Side Store is Located on Broadway at 67th Street (just minutes from Lincoln Center and Central Park).

The store is staffed with a highly trained Apple team made up of more than 200 employees.

This new Apple Store Upper West Side is the fourth in Manhattan and Apple’s 15th in the New York metro area. According to Apple, approximately 170 million people on four continents have visited Apple retail stores this year.

Apple now operates 280 stores in ten countries including the US, UK, Italy, Australia, Canada, Japan, China, Switzerland, Germany and France.

Here are some Videos of the Apple Store Opening in the Upper West Side in NYC.

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Apple to Open New Stores - London, Paris, Shanghai and Elsewhere

Apple announced that they plan to open dozens of "significant stores" around the world. New Apple Store locations include London, Paris, Shanghai and elsewhere. Apple also recently opened it's fourth store in New York.

Other locations to see Apple Stores built in 2010 include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France and China. New US based Apple stores are also planned to spring up next year.

It's exciting to see the growth of the Apple Stores. Their stores are awesome!!!

Netflix Roll-Out of Microsoft Silverlight (2nd Gen)

Netflix announced it has begun the deployment of Microsoft Silverlight to enhance the instant watching component of the Netflix service. The Microsoft Silverlight also allows subscribers to watch movies and TV episodes instantly on their Intel-based Apple Macintosh computers. This is the first step in an anticipated roll-out of the new platform to all Netflix subscribers by the end of the year.

See full Netflix Release

3G iPhone in Canada - Canada 3G iPhone Plan Overpriced

On July 11th, the iPhone is being released in Canada. Unfortunately the pricing for the service plans are extremely high. It looks like Roger's Wireless may be taking advantage of the lack of choice in Canada. The Apple iPhone voice and data packages range from $60 - $115 per month (with a 3 year agreement). This pricing does include free Wi-Fi access at any of the Roger's or Fido hot spots. Details on iPhone Plans/Pricing

Apple Store Sydney - Sydney Apple Fans Lined up and Ready!

The Apple Store in Sydney Australia is set to open tomorrow at 5 pm (George Street). Fans are already camping out with tents, thermos etc. anxiously waiting to get in and explore the three floors (two floors dedicated to Macs and iPods and a third floor entirely dedicated to service). The new Sydney Store also boasts the largest Genius Bar in the world.

Apple has created such a stir over these that they actually have a fan base that is starting to attend all of the openings. Apple should start a band.

Here is the address for anyone wanting to make the trip out:

367 George Street,
(one block North of the Queen Victoria Building)
Sydney, Australia


Photo Above: Courtesy of Apple
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Note This is an update to my earlier post about the Sydney Australia Apple Store opening.

Toshiba Protege R500-S5007V -Lightest Laptop-Toshiba Beats Apple!

Toshiba annouced the "worlds lightest laptop", the Toshiba Protege R500-S5007V. This lightweight laptop (Toshiba Protege R500-S5007V) is supposed to even be lighter than the Apple MacBook Air. The Protege weighs in at 2.4 pounds.

More Details

iPod and iPhone - Use in-flight with United Airlines and Singapore Airlines

United Airlines & Singapore Airlines are offering iPod and iPhone connectivity in business class for international flights. United Airlines is in the process of updating their aircraft with the new entertainment systems. With the new system you will be able to plug in your iPod or iPhone in-flight to watch videos or listen to music using the system and 15 inch video screen. You will also be able to recharge your iPod or iPhone using the system.

The first flight left the US for Zurich out of Washington DC yesterday (June 16th). The system's are only available while flying Business Class. Other aircraft will be updated over the next 2 years. The new iPod / iPhone compatible entertainment systems were developed by Panasonic Avionics Corporation.

It's amazing that Apple is able to pull these kinds of deals off. They are unstoppable.

Apple 3G iPhone has arrived - Apple 3G iPhone Frenzy Begins

The Apple 3G iPhone has arrived and the wait is over (at least for the release). Now the frenzy to get one before they sell out is the next bit of fun.

Here's the scoop on the Apple 3G iPhone:

- 3G Wireless Technology
- GPS Mapping
- Support for Enterprise Features
- Combines 3 Products in 1 — Phone, WideScreen iPod, and Powerful Internet Device.
- Runs Hundreds of 3rd Party Applications

Prices are Starting at $199 for 8GB Model and $299 for 16GB Model. The tag line on Apple Site is "Twice as Fast, Half the Price".

So, where can you buy it?

On Apple Site, they say coming soon to an Apple Retail Store near you (http://www.apple.com/retail/). It will also be available at AT&T locations across the US (http://www.wireless.att.com/find-a-store/iphone/).

Do you plan to upgrade your iPhone to the 3G

HP Voodoo Envy 133 thinner than Apple MacBook Air

HP released news regarding the Voodoo Envy 133 laptop today. The Voodoo Envy 133 is 0.7 inches thick. The thickest part of the Apple MacBook Air is .76 inches thick. So, it looks like HP's Voodoo Envy 133 laptop wins the battle of thinness. The Apple MacBook Air won the battle on weight (3 lbs vs 3.37 lbs). Apple also wins on battery life, and overall coolness... because it's Apple.

The Voodoo Envy 133 Laptop is expected to be available for sale during the summer with a price tag of just over $2000 USD.

Read Full HP Release which also includes information on the Voodoo Omen. Pictures/Specs are available at http://www.voodoopc.com/.

The 3G Apple iPhone coming to France, Japan, South Africa, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Spain Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia & Poland

The 3G Apple iPhone offering is expanding internationally at a pretty good clip. Here's a list of the iPhone 3G Locations where they are expected along with the target dates for 3G sales to begin.

South Africa on July 20 (through VODACOM)
Austria, Germany, Netherlands starting on July 11th.
Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia later in the year.
France, Portugal and Switzerland starting next month (Through France Telecom's Orange division)
Spain expected before Summer (Through Telefonica)
Japan - Date is TBD (through Softbank)

As more become available, we will add to the list.

More US Retailers Drop the Microsoft Zune

Here's an update to my other post: Zune vs. Ipod which mentions that Gamestop had stopped carrying the Microsoft Zune. I just read that Brookstone and CarToys won't be buying any more inventory of the devices.

The major players like Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, and Target will continue to carry the Zune players, but the fall off from the retailers mentioned above isn't a good sign. I guess in the US Apple's iPods are still winning the battle.

Even with this news, it is rumored that Microsoft is still moviing ahead with a new Version. Maybe they have big hopes in the Canadian Market.

Apple Store opening in Paris, France

Apple annouced that it plans to open a store in the Carrousel du Louvre,in Paris France. It is rumored to be 7000+ square feet and occupy 2 floors. I wonder if it will look anything like the new Apple store in Boston.

iPhone Poll - Will you Trade in for the 3G?

Do you plan to upgrade your iPhone to the 3G

Back to School with Apple - Free iPod Touch or iPod Nano

Apple launched it's Back to School Promotion with a bang. If you buy a Mac from now until September 15 can get 100% rebate on the purchase of an Apple iPod Touch or an Apple iPod Nano (see the apple site for restrictions).


Here are the instructions to get your Free Ipod Nano or Touch:

1. Buy a new MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, or Mac Pro using your education discount.

2. Purchase an 8GB iPod Touch or 8GB iPod Nano with your Mac and get up to $299 back after rebate.

3. After you receive the Mac and iPod your ordered, submit your rebate online by October 15.

It looks like you may be able to get a free printer with this deal as well ($100 rebate).

Promotion Details

Overall, this struck me as a little odd, since kids are still in school... right? The kids are gearing up for summer and we are gearing them up to send them back already. :)

iPhone to be sold through Telefonica in Spain

And the Winner in Spain - Telefonica! They have been chosen to offer the iPhone in Spain. The phone is expected to begin selling before the summer. Vodafone and Orange will not be offering the iPhone.

As Apple continues to lock down their international distribution, we may see many more of these in the near future (recent post on Japan).

iPhone to be sold through Softbank in Japan

And the Winner is -- Softbank (Japan's third-largest mobile-phone carrier). They have been chosen as the carrier for the Apple iPhone in Japan. It looks like this news has also caused their stock price to tick up. The #1 and #2 Carriers (DoCoMo & KDDI) share slipped on this news.

Apple Coming to Australia

In heart of the Sydney, Australia, an Apple Store is expected to open on Thursday, June 19 (6:00pm). The sign above the new location says "Drop in soon. Apple Store, Sydney" and shows the Apple Logo.

I wonder if the store will look anything like the one that recently opened in Boston (Boston Apple Store).

You can read a full summary in
The Sydney Morning Herald.