Amazon Launches Kindle Web Based Cloud Reader

Amazon has been working on a web client for its Kindle ebook store for quite a while now. It debuted a first iteration late last year, albeit with a different scope, but is now introducing a new product which brings the entire Kindle experience to the browser.

Amazon Kindle Cloud Reader enables users to read books from the Kindle store entirely in their browsers, bypassing the need for a dedicated app.

This is the same route that Google went for its own eBooks store, but Amazon was spurred especially by Apple's latest changes to the App Store terms of service for app developers which meant that the company would have to fork over 30 percent of Kindle book sales revenue to Apple.

"Today, Amazon.com announced Kindle Cloud Reader, its latest Kindle reading application that leverages HTML5 and enables customers to read Kindle books instantly using only their web browser - online or offline - with no downloading or installation required," Amazon announced.

The app is made possible by HTML5 and advanced capabilities, like local storage, available in modern browsers alone.

For now, the Kindle Cloud reader works on Safari, on the iPad and on Macs, as well as in Google Chrome regardless of the operating system.

Uses will feel at home in the new web app, all of their books will be available instantly. Kindle Cloud Reader enables users to do anything they can do with a native Kindle app or the device itself.

"As with all Kindle apps, Kindle Cloud Reader automatically synchronizes your Kindle library, as well as your last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights for all of your Kindle books, no matter how you choose to read them," Amazon explained.

While the Kindle Cloud Reader works in any (supported) browser, one of the advantages of the web, it's clear that Amazon is targeting the iPad in particular especially since it won't be able to sell books via its native Kindle app, unless it agrees to pay Apple a 30 percent cut.

How to use the iPad's split keyboard on iOS 5

Please keep in mind that this post is based on a beta version of iOS 5. Apple can (and often does) change the behavior of features before the latest operating system hits consumers' hands. If anything drastically changes in regard to this feature in iOS 5, we will be sure to update the post.

Steve Jobs announced a new split keyboard for the iPad at Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) back in June. The split keyboard is currently only available on the iPad and allows for a different typing experience, but one that aims to improve the user experience.

To activate the split keyboard, with the default keyboard visible, drag two fingers from the middle of the keyboard towards each side of the screen. It doesn't make a difference if you are in portrait or landscape mode, the keyboard will then split into two halves, hugging the edge of the screen on each side.

Make sure to check out the video above for a more visual demonstration.

What are your thoughts on the new split keyboard? Is this something you see yourself using, or something that is to be used once and never again?

iPad: Coder cracks iPad 2 jailbreak block

iDevice owners, including folk with an iPad 2, can now jailbreak their phones'n'fondleslabs with a simple visit to a website.

The site, www.jailbreakme.com, is once again up and running - coder comex last had it live a year ago - to open up iPads, GSM iPhone 3GS and 4s, and 3G and 4G iPod Touches, all running iOS 4.3, 4.3.3 or anything in between.

CDMA iPhone 4s running iOS 4.2.8 can be jailbroken too.

This is the first jailbreak for the iPad 2, which has proved tricky to crack using techniques developed in the past.

The new jailbreak installs Cydia, the independent app store from which you can download software that hasn't been sanctioned by Apple.

iOS hackers the iPhone Dev Team recommend using Cydia to install a utility called PDF Patcher 2. It blocks a hole that's usually covered at a remove by Apple's software but exposed by the comex hack.

Skype for iPad Coming Soon

After plenty of success with the iPhone version of the Skype app, the company is finally releasing an official version for the iPad. Skype hasn't announced a date for release yet, but video of the app has leaked out online, and the app is expected to be approved soon. Skype VP of Consumer and Product Design Rick Osterloh said that the iPhone version of Skype burst out of the gate quickly, with a big launch and "a userbase that doubled in just a month's time." And he said the iPad version should "have a similar success," especially since it's basically the same in functionality: chatting, audio and video calling, and all of the other standard actions you can expect from Skype. The current app has been in testing for a few months now, and Osterloh is excited to unleash it on the public.

A few features in the full PC/Mac app didn't make it in, Osterloh says, perhaps most notably the ability to do file sharing. But that's obviously just because of the way the iPad deals with files. While the company was fine with simply having an iPhone app that was iPad compatible during the first release of the iPad, the camera in the iPad 2 was what made this app "super compelling."

When asked if Skype had ever butted heads with Apple over duplicating functionality on the iPhone in terms of FaceTime or simple audio calling, and he said no -- "they've been super supportive," and that Skype was invited onstage with Apple during the reveal of iOS 4.0. When also asked about a possible Twitter-style deal, where Skype might be included in the OS itself, and Osteroh said there weren't any plans for that yet, but "in general, we're always interested in deeper integration."

Skype for iPad shouldn't be too surprising a release -- ever since the iPad got a camera on it, it was likely that we'd see some version built especially for the bigger tablet. But according to Osteroh, it's a solid release for the company, and yet another step out onto mobile devices for one of the premiere communication networks online. We'll let you know as soon as we see the app live in the App Store -- it shouldn't be too long.

Facebook Is Launching the iPad App In “Coming Weeks”

A Facebook app for the iPad is about to become a reality. Years after the Facebook iPhone app’s rollout in July, 2008, the company’s finally finished a tablet-optimized version, said to now be in the final stages of testing.

According to The New York Times, unnamed sources who have seen the new app say it has a “slick design that has been tailored for the iPad and its touchscreen interface.”

The sources also mentioned how Facebook Chat and Groups have been overhauled for the iPad, adding that the app will go beyond what the Facebook website can do, allowing users to take photos from the iPad and place them directly on Facebook. Those who’ve seen the app called the photo and video uploading capabilities “amazing, offering full-resolution and full-screen images.”

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg apparently has changed his tune about the iPad. When asked if his company was developing an iPad app, he replied:

Apple Recalls ‘Extremely Small’ Number of Verizon iPad 2 Tablets

Apple recalled an unspecified number of Verizon-carried iPad 2 tablets because of connectivity issues related to their mobile equipment identifier codes.

Late last week, a number of people reported in online forums that their iPad 2s were being returned to China mid-shipment, prompting rumors of a recall. After getting shipment notification for an iPad 2 from FedEx, some who had placed orders received a delivery exception notification that Apple had requested the unit’s return.

9to5 Mac first brought the issue to light on Thursday, with a number of readers confirming via e-mail or comments on the initial blog post.

One such reader, a recent iPad 2 purchaser from Louisville, Kentucky, said:

I bought an iPad2 on Wednesday (6/8) from the Apple Store in Louisville, KY. It is a 16GB black Verizon 3G edition. Have been using it for past couple days on wi-fi and went to activate the 3G service on it today. Had trouble doing it on the iPad, so I called Verizon for assistance. They told me that there is a batch of iPad2’s with duplicate MEID’s (which I believe are hardcoded into the device) out there and apparently I have one of them. Only way to fix is to bring my iPad2 back to the store for exchange to new iPad.

An Apple spokesperson confirmed this and the limited recall, saying, “Duplicate MEID codes were flashed onto an extremely small number of iPad units for the Verizon 3G network.” An MEID is a one-of-a-kind numerical code that is used to identify a mobile device when it connects to a CDMA network, which is why only the Verizon units were affected.

Apple unveiled its second generation tablet earlier this year, and the device originally went on sale March 11. Network connectivity is available in three options: Wi-Fi only, or 3G service provided by either AT&T or Verizon.

An Apple Store employee commented on instructions for identifying the affected tablets:

Apple has given all the stores a list of serial numbers to scan, if it’s a match we were told to set aside and ship back to Apple, these are only for Verizon iPads. This was to be done on Monday and continue to scan all shipments thru June 11. I had over one hundred to send back.

The exact number of affected units has not been released, but Apple is in the process of replacing affected iPad 2s with new ones.

World's priciest iPad costs $1.2 million

My iPad 2 is looking a little pale and shabby in comparison to the $1.2 million diamond-encrusted iPad from Camael Diamonds. The company calls it the world's most expensive iPad, and I'm not going to argue with that.

For do-it-yourselfers who want to bedazzle their own iPads, this only requires 1 kilo of 18 carat gold and 300 carats worth of perfect diamonds. Black diamonds grace the home button and Apple logo on the back. Just pop down to your local jeweler to pick up all the supplies you need.

Camael will happily customize your gazillion-dollar iPad with the gems of your choice. This is a smart way to go, as it would be horribly embarrassing to accidentally pick up someone else's look-alike diamond-slathered iPad at Starbucks.

Camael says it has already received inquiries about customizing its iPad offering. I'm not sure who is making those inquiries, but I don't think it's anyone I know. I'll ask around just to be sure. If it's you, please be sure to confess in the comments.

The Camael iPad joins a crowded field of luxury gadgets that includes a gold-plated Kindle, a Versace cell phone, and a diamond-covered iPhone. These may all be effective ways to flaunt your wealth in the face of tough economic times, but the diamond iPad trounces the competition when it comes to sheer garishness.

If $1.2 million is a little on the high side for your budget, you can always step down to the gold-plated iPad for just $146,000. What a bargain!

(Via Luxury Launches)