It’s a social world, and if you aren’t connecting online it’s likely you’re missing some big news. From Twitter to Facebook to LinkedIn and MySpace, social networking has grown exponentially over the years allowing people from all over the world to communicate with each on a simple platform and little to know cost. Now, social networking platforms have made their way into our everyday lives.
Amazon is rolling out a software upgrade for its popular Kindle electronic book readers, which will allow users to share e-book passages with friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter. According to Information Week, the new social networking feature in Kindle version 2.5 adds another Web link to the standard Kindle and the larger Kindle DX – a necessary step for Kindle as it faces steep competition from Apple’s iPad release. Apple’s tablet computer, the iPad, is designed for reading digital books, as well as watching online video, listening to music and Web browsing, and gave the Kindle a run for its money when it was released to consumers earlier this year.
Amazon fought back against Apple with its 3G wireless connection, but it lacks in the app ability that makes Apple products so famous. However, earlier this year Amazon bought Touchco, a maker of touchscreen technology that will be used to overhaul the Kindle and make it more appealing to consumers by way of graphics, colors and touch-screen applications, including social media apps.
Amazon’s Kindle upgrade to Version 2.5 is currently being tested by limited number of Kindle users, with a broad roll out planned in late May. In addition to the social media additions, the update will occur automatically through the Kindle’s wireless connection and includes: password protection to prevent unauthorized use of a Kindle; sharper fonts and two new larger font sizes; the ability to zoom into PDF files and to scroll around the documents; and it will allow users to organize books into groups and collections.
Swap.com Mobile is a free iPhone is app that lets you scan items into your HAVE and WANT lists, manage your account, see what you can get for your stuff, and participate in swaps.
