Books

Google Play Books gets copy-paste and Single Sign-On support

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2013

With less than 48 hours until iOS 7 is let out of the cage, Apple's iOS developers have been tremendously busy updating their iPhone and iPad apps with iOS 7 compatibility. Needles to say, we're expecting a brand new and flattened version of the company's own iBooks app and its other downloadable iPhone and iPad programs, such as the free iLife/iWork suite. But those who get their electronic books from Google, however, should download the newly updated Play Books app.

Not only does it include handy support for copy and paste, there's the tremendously useful unified account sign-in feature which lets you skip typing altogether and instead log in with your Google Account real fast...

Judge says Apple could renegotiate iBook contracts with publishers

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The judge in the government's antitrust lawsuit has weighed in on settlement negotiations between the Department of Justice and Apple.

The iPhone maker could reopen staggered renegotiations with e-book publishers, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Cote reportedly said Monday.

Government lawyers had recommend that Apple agree to drop its current e-book contracts and abstain from a new agreements for five years. Judge Cote, who ruled Apple conspired with publishers to raise prices of e-books ahead of the iPad's launch, also wants to hold another hearing, possibly to review guidelines she is suggesting...

Apple’s request to suspend e-book ruling denied

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Today's a big day for Apple as the company faces some major legal showdowns. First, the United States International Trade Commission handed down its final ruling on the long-running complaint against Samsung, ordering an import ban on infringing Samsung smartphones and tablets, which will take effect at the end of the 60-day Presidential review period.

It's a major win for Apple in its long-standing dispute against Samsung. However, the company is also waging another major battle, this one concerning the U.S. government's e-book price fixing allegations.

Apple's agency business model - where publishers get to price their iBooks themselves, with Apple keeping its standard 30 percent cut - has unfortunatelly suffered a major setback as its request to suspend Judge Cote’s ruling in e-book case has been denied...

DoJ again accuses Apple of conspiring with publishers

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In another twist to the e-book case involving Apple and five major book publishers, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday said Apple and publishers have “banded together once again," arguing strict regulation is necessary. Apple of course argued a stay. The government may be attempting to gain leverage here by accusing (again) Apple of conspiring with publishers ahead of today's decision on punishment in the e-book antitrust case...

Google updates Play Books with rentals and sepia mode, starts rolling out textbooks

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

I like Google's Play Books app even though it's severely crippled due to Apple's policy of prohibiting links to external stores, which doesn't make it very useful if you want to browse and download some new reading material to your device (to shop books, visit Google Play in your browser).

Other than that, it's a solid reading app and perhaps a nice gateway drug to Google's other content stores.

It's been a while since Google last updated Play Books so today saw an interesting update which has brought out three useful features. I've included the description and a few nice screenshots right after the break...

Steve Jobs bio book paperback edition due September 10

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 26, 2017

Walter Isaacson's authorized Steve Jobs bio book arrived on October 24, 2011, shortly following Apple co-founder's passing earlier that month. It quickly outsold popular titles such as Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo and StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath to top Amazon's best-selling list of 2011 in less than two months.

Currently available in a hardcover edition via Amazon and others or digitally on the Kindle Store and Apple's iBookStore, Steve Jobs: A Biography will be available in a paperback form on September 10, with a young Steve on the cover...

Apple loses three copyright infringement cases in China

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple has lost three copyright infringement cases in China as No.2 Intermediate People's Court ruled Tuesday that the iPhone maker's App Store infringed on the copyrights owned by Beijing-based Motie Press and Chinese writers Mai Jia and Yu Zhuo.

As part of the ruling, Apple was ordered to pay damages of CNY 520,000, or approximately $141,563 to Motie Press, in addition to CNY 200,000 (about $54,447) to Mai Jia and CNY 10,000 (about $2,722) to Yu Zhuo...

Amazon fixes Kindle iOS bug that could wipe your book library

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 27, 2013

In addition to refreshing its Cloud Player software with a brand new iPad interface and other features, online retailer Amazon last night pushed an update to its Kindle client for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Hopefully you haven't had a chance to hit the Update button yet, because Kindle version 3.6.1 for iOS has a nasty bug which will delete your entire book library on your device. Of course, all your purchases are still safely available in the Amazon cloud.

The company has acknowledged as much in the app's release notes on iTunes. "There is a known issue with this update," the note reads. "If you are an existing Kindle for iOS user, we recommend you do not install the update at this time". There, you have been warned. The company issued a statement confirming that it's come up with a fix and a new version is underway.

UPDATE: Kindle version 3.6.2 has just gone live on the App Store, fixing the account deregistering glitch...

Apple now a lone holdout in the e-book price fixing suit

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2013

Last September, three of the nation’s top five book publishers settled with The United States Justice Department (DOJ) over alleged collusion in the pricing of e-books, despite Apple crying foul and accusing Amazon of assisting the government's agenda. Following DOJ's deal with HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Hachette, Penguin followed suite in December 2012 and today DOJ announced that Macmillan has stricken a similar settlement with Uncle Sam, leaving Apple as a lone holdout in the suit...

Keep track of what you want to watch, listen, and read with ‘Done Not Done’

Mike Schnier ∙ Updated December 29, 2016

Ever make a mental note to watch a movie, listen to an album, or read a book, and realize months later that you forgot what you wanted to do in the first place? This happens to the best of us, but it doesn't have to.

Done Not Done is an automated 'watch/read/listen' list for iOS. You can select movies, books, and albums you've seen or want to see (or hear), and Done Not Done will keep track of them for you. If you connect Done Not Done to Twitter or Facebook, you can even get ideas and recommendations from friends who are using the app...

Apple launches Best of iTunes 2012 charts

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple today posted a comprehensive list of the top iTunes sellers in 2012, ranging from e-books and podcasts to television shows and movies to apps and songs. The charts representing the best iTunes content in 2012 list the top sellers for every iTunes category. Paid and free apps are listed separately, and then again for the iPhone and iPad. Go past the fold to see if your favorite apps made it on the list...

Apple pushing for e-book trial, deems DoJ settlement with publishers unlawful

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

As you know, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) in April filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and five publishers for alleged price fixing related to digital books. Though the Government proposed a settlement with Hachette SA, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, Apple is now calling that deal “fundamentally unfair, unlawful, and unprecedented”, arguing that litigation is needed.

Claiming the Government has “unwittingly placed a thumb on the scales in favor of Amazon”, Apple says that the proposed settlement would "terminate and rewrite Apple's bargained-for contracts" before the company has a chance to defend itself...