Amazon To Make Big Kindle Announcement this Wednesday

Jeff Bezos will take the stage this coming Wednesday at 10:00 am in NYC and will unveil the latest Kindle offering. From following the bloggers, it looks like we will see a 7 inch back-lit touch screen color Kindle that will be running a customized version of the Android operating system. The color Kindle will be positioned as a ebook reader very much like the Nook Color has for the past couple of years. However, the color Kindle will offer you rich media through the Amazon Store where you can download and play songs, movies and of course download your books. The color Kindle will support WiFi at this time and will come with a Browser giving you access to the web and the full range of Amazon Store services. What is really exciting is the price point that everyone n the web has been has been speculating about. Some have shared that they believe the new Kindle Color Reader will be priced below $250 dollars which will certainly get everyone excited about the potential for this tablet/ereading device. Having access to a color eReader like the Kindle Color with good performance and access to the web could certainly shake up the tablet market. So I know I will stay tuned to the announcement this Wednesday to find out all of the details. We certainly live in exciting times! So check back here next week for the Kindle Color update.

Kindle eBooks from Public Library are Now Available

One of the shortcomings of the Kindle platform is that it does not support the ever popular ePub format which made it next to impossible to borrow ebooks from the public library. But all that has changed and as of today, patrons of the public library can now take out Kindle eBooks which can be delivered over a WiFi connection or via a USB download.

I decided to give it a try and so I  logged into Overdrive and searched for my Public Library which was quickly found. I then logged into the digital library with my Patron Number and clicked in the Kindle books library which allowed me to search for a book. Once I found a book I wanted, I clicked on Add to Cart and when I checked out- I was redirected to the Amazon Kindle page where I could send it to my Kindle. Once I turned on my Kindle the book was automatically delivered over my WiFi connection and I was up and reading in no time. The process was fast and efficient. Having access to the eBooks from my Public Library  library will open up all kinds of possibilities now for reading adventures using my Kindle.

Bookstream™: New Cloud-Based Library Delivers eBooks to Students' iPads, Smartphones, and Laptops

For Immediate Release
Contact: Valerie C. Chernek	410-871-2670	vchernek@donjohnston.com

 Bookstream™: New Cloud-Based Library Delivers eBooks to
Students' iPads, Smartphones, and Laptops

September 6, 2011- Volo, IL – This school year, educators will have a new option to deliver their books. In addition to handing out textbooks in class, they will deliver eBooks through the cloud to students' iPads, smartphones, and laptops with a new online service called Bookstream.

Bookstream, developed by Don Johnston Incorporated, makes it easy for educators to hop on the Internet, upload eBooks and share them with students for anytime reading. It was designed to help educators comply with IDEA 2004 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) that require schools to deliver core curriculum in accessible formats to support students with disabilities.

"We work with assistive technology specialists who drive hundreds of miles each week to deliver eBooks on flash drives," said Ben Johnston, Director of Marketing. "It's ironic that eBooks are delivered by car, but as one special educator explained, there aren't many alternatives—book files are often too big and unwieldy to email or download. She was also concerned about violating copyright laws and wanted an easier way to manage digital content. She inspired us to do something about it, and now we are withBookstream."

For districts that are just beginning to build an accessible curriculum, Bookstream includes access to thousands of eBooks and fully supports Bookshare's more than 110,000 digital files. It will read any book in ePub format without DRM restrictions. Teachers can also upload and share their own quizzes and worksheets with students.

Consumers are quickly embracing eBooks, but there are additional challenges for school districts to do the same," said Kevin Johnston, Director of Product Design. "For schools, eBooks come with different rights for different students, the books need to be accessible on school computers and on personal devices, and some electronic textbooks can be over two gigabytes each! With Bookstream, we solve these challenges for educators, making the whole process easier. We also built in tracking tools so educators can see how much time their students spend reading and which books they read."

Your Accessible Library  Could Look Like This

eBooks read through Bookstream are 508 compliant as outlined in the Federal Rehabilitation Act. They are accessible to any assistive technology with a web browser, such as Don Johnston's Read:OutLoud text reader, or the JAWS screen reader for individuals with visual impairments. Bookstream embeds text-to-speech that can be streamed on any Mac or Windows computer.

"Cloud computing has the potential to create the infrastructure our schools need to keep up with the digital world," said Debbie Fogg Ed.S., CCC/SLP, ATP at Naperville School District #203, IL, one of the first school districts to purchase Bookstream. "We're excited to have a platform to deliver electronic text to students' personal and district-owned laptops and mobile devices. We hope to see an increase in academic performance as a result of the anytime reading access."

From now until December 30, 2011, U.S. schools can take advantage of introductory pricing on Bookstream that gives school districts two years of access for the price of one. First year costs are regularly $1749 with an annual maintenance fee of $529 per site. Districts may also qualify for discounts depending on the number of sites they purchase.

"Educators can set up their accessible library and deliver e-Books in less than 30 minutes," adds Ben Johnston. "Our technology is similar to Amazon's Cloud Drive and Apple's iCloud, but we're choosing to focus on education: that's what we're passionate about. Five years ago, it was inconceivable that schools could deliver an accessible curriculum beyond a few students per school, but now through the new cloud technology and digital books, Bookstream makes it all possible and cost-effective."

Resource Links:

Learn about Bookstream, Accessible Instructional Materials and all of Don Johnston's reading products.

###

About Don Johnston Incorporated
Don Johnston develops accessible and emerging reading and writing technologies to support K-12 and postsecondary students with cognitive, physical, and learning disabilities. Since 1980, the special education company has partnered with literacy experts, AT specialists, SLPs, OTs, special education teachers, university researchers and DSS coordinators to improve access to learning and to increase writing independence. Tens of thousands of students with dyslexia, autism, dysgraphia, down-syndrome and diverse learning challenges use our software and hardware devices to accommodate their learning needs in schools, the workforce and at home. Find us on Twitter and Facebook.

E-book Popularity Skyrockets

The popularity of e-books grows every day, and writers who never would
have considered writing for an e-book publisher even a year ago are
changing their minds. With online bookstores and publishers reporting
increasing numbers of e-book sales every month, with the popularity of
e-book readers, it makes sense to take advantage of this market.

And in the last year or so, even traditional print publishing houses
have begun to recognize the growing popularity of Ebooks. Many are
implementing digital programs of their own for new releases as well as
their backlists. No longer do those who prefer to read online or on an
e-book reader have to restrict themselves to small online publishers
or bookstores. The variety and availability of books that are
digitally published is expanding rapidly.

In fact, the Association of American Publishers recently reported an
amazing increase in the number of e-book sales in the U.S. According
to the AAP, gross Ebook sales in June 2010 reached $29.9 million.
That’s an amazing 118.9% increase in sales from the same month in
2009. That’s a huge difference and it shows no sign of slowing down
any time soon. In fact, while everyone agrees that paperback and
hardback books will never completely disappear, it isn’t beyond belief
that all books will be available in digital format in the coming
years.

Have you tried reading a book electronically? If not, you should
definitely check one out. E-books are written, edited, and published
to the same standards as print books, and you’re sure to find
something you like. No matter what genre of fiction you enjoy, or what
subject of nonfiction appeals to you, look for a book online and give
it a try.

About the author: James Mowery is a computer geek that writes about
technology and related topics. To read more blog posts by him, go to
http://www.ledtv.org

Introducing the enTourage eDGe™

Introducing the enTourage eDGe™

There is a lot of excitement being generated this year at the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 in Las Vegas with the release of new eBook Readers. I thought you would be interested in learning about this very interesting device called the enTourage which marries a netbook as well as an Ereader. Think of all the possibilities!

The enTourage eDGe™ is the world’s first dualbook, combining the functions of an e-reader, netbook, notepad, and audio/video recorder and player in one. It’s a comprehensive device that lets you read e-books, surf the Internet, take digital notes, send emails and instant messages, watch movies and listen to music anywhere, at any time. This is nothing you've ever seen before!

Get books wirelessly, move files onto your enTourage eDGe™ using an SD card or a USB flash drive. Use the mini-USB port to move files back and forth from a Windows, MAC, or Linux-based PC. And with a netbook built in, you can forget the limitations of other e-readers, the enTourage eDGe™ does it all!

Free Webinar: Technology Supports for Writing

Technology Supports for Writing

Join authors Brian Friedlander, Ph.D and Joan Green M.A.CCC-SLP for a free webinar to learn about their new interactive video ebook.

Space is limited.

Click Here Reserve your Webinar seat now or go to

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/440908155

Learn about a new interactive guide to cutting-edge technology tools, strategies and resources to improve the writing process. This video ebook is now available at www.ittsguides.com.

We plan to record this webinar and make it available for viewing for one week after the session. Please register here even if you can't participate live and we will notify you about how to view the recorded session after it takes place.

Everyone who registers will be given a coupon code for 20% off the price of Technology Supports for Writing.


Title:   Technology Supports for Writing

Date:
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Time:
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT



After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

 

Technology Supports for Writing is Released

I am happy to share with you that the eBook, Technology Supports for Writing has been released today. Joan Green and I have teamed up to write and design this very innovative eBook on writing supports for individuals with disabilities. The book title, Technology Supports for Writing not only includes a rich source of information about various software and hardware tools but includes over a dozen videos showing you how to use the supports built-in to the software and how these tools can be used. You can download your copy from www.innovativespeech.com



Look for a webinar coming soon on technology supports for writing that Joan and I will be doing shortly.

Join Joan Green for an Exciting Webinar

I have known Joan Green for a long time and have always been impressed with her knowledge, passion, and innovation in the way she utilizes assistive technology with the clients she works with. Joan is now presenting this information through her webinar series making it easier than ever to find out about new and exciting practices that can make a big difference for individuals with disabilities. See below information about the webinar that Joan will be hosting this week.

Joan and I have also teamed up and will be releasing later this month an innovative ebook on writing supports for individuals with disabilities. The book title, Technology Supports for Writing not only includes a rich source of information about various software and hardware tools but includes over a dozen videos showing you how the features and how these tools can be used. During the webinar Joan will give you a sneak peak of some of the videos in the book and whet your appetite. Joan is a rich source of information and if you have the time please sign up for the webinar. Look for a webinar coming soon on technology supports for writing that Joan and I will be doing shortly.

Information about the webinar

ITTS Webinar #5-
Reading, writing, studying and organizing help for students

Thursday, February 26th, 2009 12:30-2:00 PM EST and
Sunday, March 1, 2009 10:00-11:30 AM EST

Presented by Joan Green, M.A. CCC-SLP
To learn more about Joan and how she helps people with communication, cognitive, learning and literacy challenges as well as the families and education and rehabilitation professionals who help them, go to www.innovativespeech.com


Register now at www.ittsguides.com/store- $50.00
This fee is due for each professional viewing this webinar or up to 3 members in the same family.

What others have said about this series of webinars:

"I find your webinars useful because there is just an explosion of technology/software programs to address all sort of problems. I am very interested in using more technology in my work but I don't have your level of expertise so I appreciate learning from you which ones are worth having and which ones to pass on. " Maureen F. Shea, C.A.G.S.
NCSP/LPC/Diplomate in School Neuropsychology

"Thank you, Joan. Your webinars are great - organized and practical!. It really is the future. I may be using your TWIST at a Distance this year. My professional goal for 2009 is to expand my delivery of technology-based services. Lots of plans - very fun!"
Kathy Shuler- Speech-language pathologist

"I think the webinars are extremely worthwhile. I found each of the ones I've attended very valuable. I think OTs would benefit from them as well. "
Emilia M. Bozzo- Speech-language pathologist

" What a wealth of information and a huge time-saver!"
Gina Griffiths- Clinical Supervisor for Graduate SLP Program

It is a challenging time for professional development and parents are often frustrated that their children don't qualify for more individualized help in school. So many funds are being cut that everyone is looking for ways to save. Sign up now for this webinar to maximize your learning of how to help students improve literacy and learning while saving valuable time and financial resources.

This session was designed with proactive parents, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, special educators, clinical supervisors, graduate students and professors in mind. We will discuss how technology can be used to improve reading and writing, top picks for software, and other tools and devices offering visual and auditory based assistance.

Learn in the comfort of your home or office. No prior computer experience is needed. All that is required is high speed Internet access, a computer and speakers. If you do not already have JAVA on your computer, a free download will be provided. To listen to the webinar, participants can choose to dial a phone number or listen through their computer by enabling a voice feature. Mac users will need to download a small patch for the Voice Over IP (VOIP.) Interaction is encouraged by text chatting.

Joan L. Green, M.A. CCC-SLP
301-602-2899/ 1-800-IST-2550
www.innovativespeech.com
www.ittsguides.com
Author of "Technology for Communication and Cognitive Treatment: The Clinician's Guide"

Please sign up for my e-newsletter at www.innovativespeech.com