Month: February 2011

iPad vs. Kindle Part 2

Yes I was asked many times why I use Kindle to read eBooks but not iPad (even though I have both). I guess each of us has different reasons on why we pick one over the other, but apparently Amazon particularly likes to emphasize one point – One can read easily in bright sunlight.

Granted, it is one important selling point for many, but as an IT bug I actually don’t have the luxury to see many daylights … but again your mileages may vary and that’s why I am not that surprised when Amazon release another video on this great feature with a new tagline – “The book lives on”.

Yes right, “the book lives on”, but please release a better ebook reader than Kindle 3 with touch screen, and Unicode support.

The original video of Kindle about that “one-can-read-easily-in-bright-sunlight” feature.

How easy is easy ?

You know what ?

  • It’s easy to think you’re the best in the world
  • It’s easy to believe you have a better idea than Facebook, Google, Amazon, or Apple
  • It’s easy to demand everything to be free
  • It’s easy to claim the use of everything is human right
  • It’s easy to ignore all other people’s comments, suggestions and criticisms
  • It’s easy to criticize other people
  • It’s easy to delay a project delivery
  • It’s easy to quit your job
  • It’s easy to say you will do better next time
  • It’s easy to keep on dreaming

But … How easy is easy ?

  • Have you tried to prove to other people you are really the best ?
  • Have you started to write your first line of code, that’s supposed to be better than Facebook, Google, Amazon or Apple ?
  • Have you developed something for others, for free ?
  • Have you studied what is really human right ?
  • Have you thought about, just for once, understanding other people’s comments, suggestions and criticisms ?
  • Have you provided any constructive comments to others ?
  • Have you exhausted all the ways to stick to a deadline ?
  • Have you considered to stay to solve all the work problems ?
  • Have you delivered your best the very first time ?
  • Have you ever stopped day-dreaming and started working on it ?

It is about time … convince yourself life is not easy, but life is also full of possibilities … as long as you start working on it and don’t quit.

Real page number for Kindle (Latest Generation) … only ?

Amazon just announced the details of their latest Kindle software update, but I have to say I am very disappointed about that release as all the promised great features are made available to Kindle (Latest Generation) only, in other words, Kindle 3 only.

According to the web page, the new software update will be made available soon thru Whispernet. However, if you want to manaually download and install it, you can do it now. The new features are:

  • Public Notes – now you can share your notes to public and even view the public notes of people you “follow”. (Previously, you can share some lines in the book you’re reading to Twitter and Facebook).
  • Real Page Numbers – Now there are real page numbers to match the page numbers in printed books. This feature is very important if you want to reference and cite passages.
  • Before you go – now you can rate a book, share a message etc. when you reach the end of the book.
  • New Newspaper and Magazine Layout – There will be an improved layout … but I doubt how it can match iPad based newspapers and magazines.

Anyway, for those Kindle 3 users … enjoy.

The Daily Rabbit

Happy Chinese New Year of Rabbit !!

Not sure you know the history of the Chinese Zodiac but it is said that many many years ago, “Jade Emperor” invited all of the animals in the world to join him for the New Year celebrations, but only 12 animals bothered to turn up. As a great reward, Jade Emperor named a year after each one of them and they actually run in the order that the animals arrived to celebrate, starting with the rat and ending with the last guest, the pig. And for this year, it’s the year of Rabbit.

Also, each Chinese year is influenced by whatever animal it falls in. Most Rabbit years are quiet, positive and inspiring and 2011 looks to be heading in this direction. So, what’s the refreshing change to an iPad user ? It’s probably the new new iPad application – The Daily. Launched yesterday, the Daily is built from scratch for the iPad by some of the best in the business to bring you a package that’s smart, attractive, and entertaining. (A straight copy from their press release site)

So you want to take a look of the application before you actually download / subscribe it ? Check out the video below: