Amazon Japan’s manga-centric Kindle is all about storage
Japanese comics, called manga, are hugely popular. Although you probably knew that, you probably don’t know the extent of it. In 2015, Japan’s bestselling manga series, One Piece, sold more than 14 million copies. It helps that the format runs a hugely broad spectrum of topics; they’re not just action-packed comics aimed at children but foodie series, sports, alcohol, comedy, romance and more. There are also plenty of one-off manga novels, like Steve Jobs: The Manga, to name one (ridiculous) example. It makes plenty of sense, then, for Amazon Japan to launch a special manga-focused edition of its e-reader, with faster page turning and eight times the storage for your digital manga collection.
This is the Kindle Paperwhite Manga edition, in white! The storage has been cranked up to 32GB, and Amazon says the device can flip through pages 33 percent faster than its predecessor. And while it has eight times the storage space of existing Kindles, the rest of the spec sheet remains unchanged — same screen resolution, same brightness, same weight, same dimensions. In fact, it even slots nicely into my existing Kindle case. It’s impressive that the company has managed to keep the weight identical to the existing Paperwhite; presumably other components have been swapped to lighten the device regardless of the storage increase. The Manga edition does, however, cost 2,000 yen ($19) more than the standard Kindle Paperwhite.
Amazon shoppers have been able to buy manga and comics on Kindle devices for several years now. Fortunately, most manga series are grey-scale, making them ideal for a Kindle’s e-ink display. There are a few drawbacks, however. Relative to typical books, these all-image comics take up a lot of file space, regardless of their monochrome design. Standard Kindles have roughly four gigs of storage, but when you’re trying to read an entire comic-book series, that’s not gonna cut it. (Even the high-end Kindle Oasis has the same storage as Amazon’s entry-level readers.) With a smartphone-level 32GB of storage, the made-for-manga Kindle can cram 700 volumes of manga, according to Amazon estimates. It was (way) more than enough for the manga and comics in my existing collection.
One minor issue with the Kindle line in general is how the devices take a bit of time between dense e-paper image refreshes. It’s hardly a deal-breaker, but the lag might grate as you try to flip through dialog-light action or scene-setting vistas. The Paperwhite Manga edition improves on this in two ways. First, there’s that 33 percent speed increase on page turns. While I wasn’t able to measure this down to the millisecond or what have you, it’s noticeably faster. It seems less like the display is quicker to update, and that the touch panel is more responsive.
Then there’s a fast-forward feature. Just hold the far left of a page, and the Kindle will bound through comics at a speed of around seven pages per second. You’re not expected to read that fast, but it offers a speedier way to navigate through a medium that doesn’t offer much menu-based navigation. Unfortunately, this feature didn’t work on the western graphic novels and comics I tested — you’ll still have to tap your way through the pages.
Better still, both of these speed improvements are now part of the latest firmware update being delivered to existing Kindles, including the $80 version, the Kindle Paperwhite (6th generation or later), Kindle Voyage and Kindle Oasis. If you update your Kindle this month, you should see the difference. It does, however, diminish the benefits of the Manga edition for those who already own a recent Kindle device.
Another note about reading manga (or comics) on Kindle hardware: Another part of the software update allows you to double-tap on individual comic panels to expand them to full-screen. You can also pinch to zoom, making reading and navigating through picture heavy books much easier.
So who is the Kindle Manga edition for? While the idea of a comic-specific Kindle is pretty tempting, the reality is that you’re probably fine with your existing Kindle, especially with that free software update mentioned above. This Manga edition is aimed at those owning or growing a pretty substantial manga library. (Manga, not western comics.) I own about 25 different volumes, but storage-wise my old Paperwhite is more than enough for me. It’s definitely a Japan-specific e-reader, but those looking for an e-ink comic reader for their entire manga library — bought through Amazon, I may add — it may be worth the extra few thousand yen (a few bucks) more. You’ll just have to figure out how to import one.
The Morning After Weekend Edition
Letter from the Editor
It’s the end of an era. Obama’s out (in two months), Trump’s in, and uncertainty abounds as details about how, exactly, our president-elect is going to change things slowly emerge. Managing Editor Terrence O’Brien has been reading the tea leaves and the Donald’s tweets, however, and it’s not looking good for either fans of net neutrality or those folks concerned about climate change and protecting the environment in general. And Violet Blue’s latest column pulls no punches in describing the dangers Trump’s presidency poses to US cybersecurity.
Regardless of your political views, there is one result of the election we can all agree is a very good thing — we got to hear a bit of the Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album 87 years earlier than we thought we would.
Finally, while many are worried about the future, NASA’s excited about peering into the past: the James Webb Space Telescope is finally complete, with incredibly precise mirrors that will allow us to see the cosmos as it was 13 billion years ago. It’ll also help us find other habitable worlds, which, you know, could come in handy given our new president’s stance on protecting the environment.
Nostalgia in a nutshellReview: NES Classic Edition
The NES is back! Well, not quite. Sean Buckley reviews Nintendo’s miniaturized system and finds that while it does well in living up to the nostalgic hype, there are a few hiccups to be aware of. Short controller cables and an inability to expand with new games are annoying, but for $60 it’s still a good value and the games look better than they ever did in the old days. The only problem now? Actually being able to find one.
Time to go exoplanet huntingNASA’s follow-up to Hubble is complete
This week NASA unveiled the fully assembled James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Scheduled for launch in October 2018, the $8 billion wonder is about to undergo a battery of tests intended to make sure it doesn’t suffer the sort of problems faced by Hubble. Since its planned orbit puts it a million miles away from earth, we’ll only get one shot at this — there’s no repair team incoming.
Is this your next gaming upgrade?Review: PlayStation 4 Pro
The PS4 Pro is here, and yes, gaming in 4K and HDR is amazing. Additionally, some of your old games are getting upgraded, and it’s a powerful friend to the PlayStation VR headset. So is the $400 console worth buying? It lacks an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive, and if you’re still living a 1080p lifestyle, then it won’t be a huge upgrade.
16 hours of battery life and two regular USB ports never looked so goodReview: Surface Book (2016)
The Surface Book is back, and it comes at a good time, alongside the new MacBook Pro. It’s still a bit thick, and heavier than last year’s model, but an impressive 16 hours of battery life, tablet mode, pen support and powerful GPU help balance things out. The only snag left is its starting price: $2,400.
Electric motorcycles without the range anxietyZero’s 2017 models can go 200 miles on a single charge
The market for electric motorcycles is getting more crowded, so how does a pioneer stand out? Zero unveiled two models this week that it says are the first ones that can travel over 200 miles on a charge (with the optional Power Tank, and only in the city — 100 miles of range on the highway). Prices start at $8,495, and the bikes also support a new mobile app thats lets riders adjust torque, top speed and regenerative braking settings on the fly.
This is the plot of the next “Final Destination”Everyone dies once, except on Facebook
A bug on Friday caused many Facebook profiles to flash a message claiming the owner was deceased. It even affected founder Mark Zuckerberg before it was fixed, but now things are back to normal.
No more bullshotsSteam’s redesign is live
PC gamers may have noticed a new front page for Steam, focused on personalization and highlights of what it thinks you’ll like. Part of the redesign also means developers need to post real screenshots instead of renders, so it’s time to say goodbye to bullshots. Let us know if it’s working for you.
Election 2016What does the election of Donald Trump as president mean from a tech perspective?
We’ll walk you through it, plus the first online moves of the new administration and what people were searching for as the results came in. Not enough election talk for you? Tune into this week’s podcast to hear more.
But wait, there’s more…
- Vacuum-tube-era tech could lead to faster computer chips and better solar panels
- Now you can run Android Auto directly on your phone
- Navinder Sarao admitted using software trades to profit from panic, causing 2010’s stock market “Flash Crash”
- Bits of Wu-Tang Clan’s single-copy “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” album are available for listening
- Whatsapp is testing two-factor authentication support
- YouTube turns on HDR support
- Harvard researchers believe they’ve discovered the physical seat of human awareness
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Audi Japan is selling one ‘Final Fantasy XV’ themed R8
Square Enix’s long-awaited next entry in the 30-year-old Final Fantasy franchise arrives November 29th on PS4 and Xbox One, but first up is this promotional tie-in from Audi. In the run up to Final Fantasy XV , Sony Pictures released the all-CG rendered Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV movie back in July, and it featured a special version of the 2017 Audi R8 called the Star of Lucis.
Now, the company’s Japanese branch produced a one-off version of the car in real life and will raffle off the opportunity to buy it (for 50,000,015 yen or about $468,713) on November 21st. Of course, snagging a copy of both the movie and game later this month would be a bit cheaper, and just checking out the trailer or official website is completely free.
Via: Kotaku
Source: Audi Japan, Audi Final Fantasy
Samsung: Please, somebody, make mobile apps for Tizen
Samsung is eager to get developers to build applications for its Tizen smartphones. In an effort to drive up interest, the company has created the Tizen Mobile App Incentive Program, which will offer $9 million in cash prizes from February through October of 2017. According to Samsung, devs with apps that end up in the top 100 chart can earn $10,000 per app — definitely not a bad way to lure people in. Those who want to participate in the program can register starting in “early” January.
While Samsung obviously wouldn’t admit to it, it’s easy to wonder whether the company is doing this as a reaction to Google making its own phones. Because let’s face it, without the Note 7 around, the Pixel and Pixel XL are the Android handsets to beat. Sure, Google’s never said it plans to leave mobile partners behind, but it still makes sense for Samsung to want to further invest on its own ecosystem.
Either way, if you’re a developer who wants to give it a shot, the tech giant says target devices are the Samsung Z1, Samsung Z2 and Samsung Z3, as well as other undisclosed Tizen smartphones expected to launch next year.
Via: VentureBeat
Source: Samsung
Amazon owes parents cash refunds for their kids in-app purchases
Back in April, a judge found Amazon liable for in-app purchases made by children without their parent’s permission, and now he’s established a method for the retailer to pay them back. According to Reuters, Amazon will have to set up a notice-and-claims process next year to let parents know they’re eligible for the reimbursements.
While calling an FTC request for a $26.5 million lump-sum payout “too high,” Judge John Coughenour also declined Amazon’s offer of gift cards, since that would return some of the money to the company itself. The result of a case filed by the FTC in 2014, the whole thing happened because Amazon didn’t provide protections for apps labeled as “free,” and now it has to pay up. We assume this will be one of the platform talking points for Kanye 2020.
Source: Reuters
First official ‘Infinite Warfare’ tournament happens December 3rd
With Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare just now landing and Modern Warfare: Remastered reminding FPS fans of the franchise’s glory days, Sony is ready to celebrate the Call of Duty New Year. It’s that time of year when CoD players get their hands on a new game, start leveling up their weapon kits again and getting ready for the next round of Call of Duty World League. As they did with last year’s release of Black Ops III, PlayStation will be kicking off the new season with an invitational tournament and some big announcements about what’s in store for one of the biggest games in eSports.
The invitational tournament takes place on December 3rd and 4th at the PlayStation Experience in Anaheim, CA, where eight teams will square off in Infinite Warfare’s first official LAN broadcast. Before the first virtual rounds are fired, the conference keynote will include some some official news and possibly some PSVR announcements. The tournament livestream will also be introduced with more details about the season structure, game updates and key events coming to Infinite Warfare and CoD: World League. Of course, if you can’t be in Anaheim, the whole thing will be streamed on MLG.tv and the Call of Duty Twitch Channel.
Source: PlayStation Blog
Apple Begins Shipping LG UltraFine 4K Displays
A day after the first 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Touch Bars began shipping to customers, Apple and LG’s UltraFine 4K Display has also begun shipping. Shipments are expected to deliver next week, with one MacRumors forum member noting November 15 as their delivery date.
The 21.5-inch UltraFine 4K Display went up for pre-order at the same time as the new MacBook Pros with Touch Bar. At the time, delivery dates were estimated to arrive on November 15 at the earliest. Current delivery estimates quote 5 to 6 weeks.
Apple debuted the UltraFine Display at its MacBook Pro event last month in 4K and 5K variations. While the 4K display has been available for pre-order since the event, the 5K display is not yet available. The Cupertino company said it partnered with LG to develop the displays specifically for the new MacBook Pros, with Apple making sure that the displays are optimized for its products. Shortly after announcing the displays, Apple confirmed it was out of the standalone display business.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar can power either one 5K UltraFine display or two 4K UltraFine display while the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar can power either two 5K UltraFine displays or four 4K UltraFine displays. Additionally, both displays use downstream USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports that can charge a MacBook Pro.
In early November, Apple dropped the prices of both displays in an effort to smooth the transition for new MacBook Pro owners. The move was combined with price drops for all of Apple’s USB-C adapters. The 27-inch 5K UltraFine display is now $974, a $325 price cut from the original price of $1,299. The 4K UltraFine display is now $524, a $175 price cut from the original price of $699. The lowered prices are only available until the end of the year.
Related Roundup: Displays
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Microsoft co-founder’s academic search engine adds neuroscience
Researchers, scientists and academics around the world publish roughly 2.5 million scientific papers each year, on top of a backlog of more than 50 million papers dating back to 1665. Plus, the rate at which researchers publish these academic papers keeps rising, a la Moore’s Law. It’s impossible for scientists to read every paper published in their fields, and searching for a specific study can be a daunting task.
Enter: Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder and leader of the non-profit Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence. The Allen Institute’s latest effort is Semantic Scholar, a scientific-paper search engine powered by machine learning and other artificial intelligence systems.
Semantic Scholar went live in November 2015 with a focus on computer science papers. Today, the service expanded to include neuroscience, bringing the search engine’s database to more than 10 million papers. Semantic Scholar is pitched as a sophisticated alternative to Google Scholar, and it uses AI systems and natural language processing algorithms to help parse each paper.
This is just the beginning for Semantic Scholar. By the end of 2017, Allen and his team plan to incorporate the full library of medical research into the service.
Source: GeekWire, Wired
Are you colour blind? This Microsoft app will help you see colour
Microsoft has launched an iOS app called Colour Binoculars.
It was developed to help the colour blind see a broader spectrum of colours. It works for anyone with the three most common forms of colour blindness, and it comes from a pair of Microsoft software engineers, one of whom is colour blind.
The app uses the iPhone’s camera and adjusts colours to make them easier for the colour blind to differentiate. The enhanced image appears on the iPhone’s screen. You could use it to choose a matching outfit or even determine if meat is no longer pink when cooking. You could also use it to simply take in the bright, beautiful world around you.
Here’s how Tom Overton, the app’s colour-blind developer, described it:
“It’s an app that helps color blind people distinguish color combinations that they would normally have trouble telling apart. For example, since I have difficulty distinguishing between red and green, our app makes reds brighter and greens darker so that the difference is more obvious. It replaces difficult color combinations, like red and green, with more easily distinguishable combinations, like pink and green.”
Overton and Tingting Zhu started working on Color Binoculars in 2015 during a Microsoft Hackathon and eventually completed the project under Microsoft’s experimental Garage program: “For me at least, it’s such a personal project,” Overton said. “I showed it off to my family. I have a cousin who is also colorblind, and he really enjoyed it.”
This isn’t the first app to help the colour blind. Still, if you’d like to try it, it’s free to download and use.
The Microsoft Office 2016 Certification Training Bundle can help you ace your next interview (96 per cent off)
There are plenty of skills you can learn to boost your resume, but few are as universally recognized as Microsoft Office.
The world’s leading office software, Microsoft Office is an undisputed staple in nearly every work environment. With the Microsoft Office 2016 Certification Training Bundle, you can become a bona fide pro with Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word—all for only £31.16 ($39 USD)
Make your way through over 160 units of training, and you’ll learn how to navigate using the dashboards in all the Microsoft Office programs. Loaded with training at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, this course is perfect for getting a complete understanding of everything MS Office. And diving into Excel, you’ll learn how to craft streamlined spreadsheets using time-saving formulas and calculations.
From there, you’ll explore Access and discover how to import and export mounds of data for your databases. That way, you’ll have all your information ready to create advanced invoices, tables, graphs, and other data visualization tools.
What’s more, this collection will walk you through building decks in PowerPoint, so you can artfully convey your ideas in the workspace. Combine this with some extra training in Outlook and Word, and you’ll emerge a total MS Office expert.
The Microsoft Office 2016 Certification Training Bundle would normally run you £798 ($999 USD), but Pocket-lint readers can save big and pick it up on sale for just £31.16 ($39 USD).
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