Amazon
Amazon, Microsoft Shine in the Cloud; Others Don't
Nasuni Corp., a company that’s been evaluation the Cloud market since 2009, recently concluded that only six of the leading 16 cloud storage providers are ready for primetime. Their decision: The top performers were Amazon S3 and Microsoft Azure. Other services that passed the evaluation included AT&T, Nirvanix, Peer 1 Hosting and Rackspace. Full article.
A new digital battlefield
TV shows are emerging as a new front in the war over digital media between Amazon and Apple. Hours after Apple said it would begin renting some shows for 99 cents per episode, Amazon cut its price on a similar set of shows. And—unlike Apple, which rents the videos, Amazon lets its customers buy the shows. Some media executives worry low prices could eventually undermine the existing TV business. Full Article.
Amazon looking to get movies and TV streaming
Amazon's looking at offering a new subscription service that would deliver TV shows and movies over the Internet. It's a move that would compete with such companies as Netflix and Google as they seek to broaden their influence in the digital delivery marketplace. Full Article.
Amazon bets the Kindle will grow
When Apple released the iPad in April, obituaries for Amazon's Kindle e-reader proliferated. However, instead of planning a funeral, Amazon decided to bet on growth for its Kindle and placed it at the center of Amazon’s digital media strategy. The company announced on July 19 that Kindle sales had accelerated every month since the iPad's debut, and Amazon plans to introduce two new versions of the device July 29. Full Article.
Kindle upgrade connects with Facebook and Twitter
Amazon officially rolled version 2.5 software update for its Kindle e-readers, adding the capability for users to share items from their Kindles directly to Facebook or Twitter. Users can now share notes or highlighted passages from material they're reading and post them directly to Twitter and/or Facebook feeds. Full Article.
IPad's Versatility Threatens to Sideline E-Readers
Amazon.com may need to write a new chapter for the Kindle in the face of fierce competition from Apple's iPad. Analysts have said the iPad would likely take a bite out of sales of dedicated e-book readers such as Amazon's popular Kindle. Many iPad buyers seem poised to use them as e-reader replacements. Full Article.
Apple, Amazon, Google Wage Content Wars
Many of the newest technological advances for sale contain their own widening universe of services and applications, delivered via the Internet. A battle looms, and it's not about selling new gadgets—it's about using devices to lock you into a content ecosystem. Corporate giants like Apple and Amazon now strive to wall off sections of content and charge you for access. Full Article.
Flip Side: Why the Jury's Still Out on the Apple iPad
The challenge for Apple is whether it can convince the millions of consumers who already own an iPhone or iPod Touch, or are content with their notebook computers, that it’s worth shelling out at least $499. Until Apple gets developers to create more iPad-specific applications that showcase the hardware, it may face the same apathy that plagued other rival devices.
Apple Tablet Said to Lure Publishers with Features Kindle Lacks
Apple Inc.’s planned tablet computer is luring publishers with features that other electronic readers lack, such as color photos, video and author interviews. Apple’s device will let publishers tap revenue from an audience that is deserting print publications for the Internet. Full Article.
YouTube to Test Online Video Service for Film Rentals
Google Inc.'s YouTube said it will begin testing a new online video service on Friday, entering the rental turf of other technology giants such as Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and Netflix Inc. Full Article.
