Amazon Announces Third Annual Prime Day - 30 Hours, Hundreds of Thousands of Deals on July 11 - Business Wire

I can't stay awake for 30 hours.

Today, Panzer made a quick trip to the Business Wire site. There our speedy kitty found a press release about Amazon Prime.

According to the press release this year's Amazon Prime Day will be July 11. Amazon Prime members in (in alphabetic order) Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, UK, and US can participate in the sales deals. Although the press release heading says Prime Day is on July 11, in the press release it states the deals start on the evening of July 10. Included in the release is information about new features for this year's Prime Day like voice shopping with Alexa-exclusive deals and more.

Panzer says, "It also says in the press release that you can start a free trial Prime membership and be able to get in on the deals. There's even a link included to sign up."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon Prime

Co-Branded Kindle X Migu Launches in China, Has Two eBookstores - The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard cheering and clapping coming from ahead of the Panzermobile. Following all the noise, took our kitty explorer to The Digital Reader site. With just a little digging he discovered news about Amazon's new endeavor in China.

That was a long trip and I am so tired.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, on July 10 the new Kindle X Migu will be available in China. The Kindle X Migu is a product of the Amazon and China Mobile partnership. The Kindle X Migu is a basic Kindle with a comparable 658 yuan ($96.21 USD) price to the basic U.S. Kindle. One of the differences between the two is that the Kindle X Migu gives users access to two ebookstores. The Kindle X Migu users can shop the half million ebooks in the Chinese Kindle ebookstore or the 40 million serial ebooks in the MiGu ebookstore.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... If it happened once ... Maybe it will happen again."

Note: This is a medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Kindle X Migu

B&N Eyes Revenue Growth - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer made a quick trip to the Publishers Weekly site. With just a little digging around our cute kitty boy found a post about Barnes and Noble's sales revenue. Panzer told you a couple of days ago about Barnes and Noble's decline in sales in their 2017 Fiscal Revenue Report.

Maybe make them cat friendly, too?

According to Jim Milliot's post, Barnes and Noble is planning to make some changes in the hopes of bringing about company revenue growth. CEO Demos Parneros advises the company is undertaking plans to make stores more customer friendly. While 2017 juvenile book sales were down as were adult coloring books among other sales declines, BN.com sales were up 3.9 percent. CEO Parneros advises other plans include reducing under performing book categories to make room for the more popular categories. Mr. Parneros doesn't expect an instantaneous turnaround and is instead looking at long term goals.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... BN.com sales are up. That's good."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read today's post tootle over to Barnes and Noble revenue growth

To read the post about Barnes and Noble's 2017 Fiscal Report, tootle over to Barnes and Noble sales reports

A New Panzerism

Panzer on pollution:

Everybody knows that pollution is bad ...

Very bad for the environment.

Pollution is in the nose of the observer.

So ...

Would somebody please tell What's His Name ...

That ...

My litter box needs to be changed?

Amazon is Beta-Testing the Label "Digital Books" - The Digital Reader

Panzer was lounging around on the floor, when the Panzermobile alarm sounded. Hurrying into the Catosphere our inquisitive kitty followed the alert to The Digital Reader site. There he found a post about Amazon.

Now ... Back to my nap.

Site owner Nate Hoffelder says in his post that it has been reported to him that Amazon is beta-testing the new label "Digital Books" for ebooks. Mr. Hoffelder investigated at the Amazon site and did discover some ebooks are carrying the new label. There's a screen shot included in the post. In the lower left corner in the price box is the phrase "Digital Book."

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This kitty isn't sure how much of a difference a new name will make."

Note: This is a short post. Bring half a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

Jeff Bezos has advice for the news business: 'Ask people to pay. They will pay' - CNBC

Panzer was doing his weekly cleaning in the Panzermobile today when he found a wadded up post between the seats. Spreading it out flat on the floor, our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post from the CNBC site about Jeff Bezos. (In case you don't know who Jeff Bezos is, he's the founder of Amazon.)

Not what you want. What they want.

According to Matt Rosoff's post, Jeff Bezos gave a presentation at the Future of Newspapers conference. Mr. Bezos was at the conference because he bought The Washington Post newspaper in 2013 and turned it profitable by 2016. At the conference he gave his views on how newspapers need to adjust to the current reading public climate. One of his main points dealt with the fact he treats the newspaper like Amazon. In both instances, he always puts the customer/reader first. He also says, don't worry about the advertisers. In the end they don't pay the bills, the reader does. The post contains several other points of interest in creating a profitable newspaper.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Always put the reader first? ... That's the same thing this little kitty does with his books."

Note: This is a huge post. Bring a thermos of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Jeff Bezos

B&N Reports Falling Sales in Fiscal 2017 Report - Publishers Weekly

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Publishers Weekly site. There our busy kitty traveler discovered news about Barnes and Noble's 2017 Fiscal Year Report. (Panzer knows it might seem strange for a company to have their end of 2017 year report be announced in June. It just means the company was not started on January 1 but instead part way through the year. Therefore, the company's "year" doesn't start and stop on January 1. This little kitty knows it's confusing, but it's what he expects from humans.)

My ebooks are there online.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble announced their fiscal report for 2017 and the numbers are disappointing. Although according to the report online sales were up 3.7 percent, that wasn't enough to offset the 6 percent decline in retail sales or the 23.4 percent decline in Nook sales. Even though the sales figures do appear to show an abysmal sales record and losses, it does show they are not as bad as the 2016 losses.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Can the new CEO Demos Parneros turn the company around to profitability in the next couple of years? This little kitty hopes so."

Note: This is a longish-short post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffing for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Draft2Digital Adds Audiobook Distribution via Findaway Voice - The Digital Reader

Panzer had hardly entered the Catosphere today when he heard clapping and cheering ahead of the Panzermobile. Following all the hullabaloo took our speedy kitty to The Digital Reader site. There he found a post about Draft2Digital's newest service.

According to the post by The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, ebook distributor Draft2Digital is now offering audiobook distribution through partner Finaway Voice. If you already have an audiobook, Findaway Voice will distribute it through their platform. Or, you can produce your audiobook using Findaway Voice's narrators and, then, they will distribute the audiobook through their platform. Findaway Voice has a distribution network that spans more than 170 countries.

Watch out Smashwords.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Audiobook production and distribution ... Draft2Digital just keeps adding services for indie authors."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and one a half muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Draft2Digital

Pottermore to allow free e-book library loans - The Bookseller

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The Bookseller site. There our intrepid kitty pilot found a post about free Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone ebook loans from UK libraries.

According to the post by Heloise Wood, Pottermore will be allowing UK libraries to do unlimited loans of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the book's publication library patrons have from June 26 through July 9 to get the digital copy. Pottermore has also set up a Twitter account and a new free Wizarding World Book Club site to celebrate the anniversary. The Bookseller post includes a link to the Twitter account.

Whew! That was a lot of digging.

Panzer says, "I did some digging and discovered where the Wizarding World Book Club signup site is. Mom included it at the bottom of my post."

Note: This is a shortish post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to sign up for the Twitter follow and the Wizarding World Book Club, bring an extra cup of tea.

To read the post, tootle over to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

To join the Wizarding World Book Club, tootle over to Pottermore WWBC

Germany's Publishing Revenue Rises 1% in 2016 - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There our traveling kitty found a post about the state of the German book market.

The figures don't look good to me.

According to Ed Nawotka's post, Germany's total 2016 book sales revenue figures are now available. The total 2016 revenue rose just 1 percent compared to 2015. The biggest increase for the period was in children's book sales at 9 percent. Ebook sales, however, were nearly even for the time period having only risen .1 percent. Book translations did show a rise for the period from 12.4 percent in 2015 to 13.6 in 2016. There are graphs and charts to illustrate the percentages in book publishing numbers, genres and revenues.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Ebook sales were flat?"

Note: With the charts and graphs this is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Germany's publishing

A New Panzerism

Panzer on trusting humans:

Trust someone the way a dog trusts people ...

And ...

You'll be treated like a dog.

There is one exception though.

I prefer a tuna and catnip scented person.

If a stranger approaches who emits a fragrance

of ...

tuna ...

then they're fine and you can trust them.

Amazon to Acquire Whole Foods Market - Press Release

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was suddenly buffeted by oohing and aahing. Following the brouhaha of noise took our intrepid kitty boy to the Amazon Press Room site. There he found a press release about Amazon's newest business market expansion.

Grocery stores?

According to the press release, Amazon plans to acquire grocery store chain Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods Market's stores are bricks and mortar locations. As part of the acquisition Amazon will also take over Whole Foods Market's debts. Before the acquisition can be completed, the company shareholders will have to vote in agreement with Amazon's offer. The press release is actually divided into sections. The first section is the announcement of the acquisition, the second explains about Amazon, the third explains about Whole Foods Market, and then there are four more sections explaining about how the acquisition will work.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Can you believe it? A grocery store chain? Amazon just keeps getting bigger and bigger."

Note: The press release part about the announcement of the acquisition is relatively short. If that's all you plan to read, bring a cup of tea and a muffin. However, if you plan to read all the other sections, bring a thermos of tea and a half dozen muffins.


Amazon Buys Whole Foods Market

New iPad Pro Inches Toward Replacing PC, but Falls Short - The New York Times

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to The New York Times site. There our kitty pilot found a post about Apple's new iPad Pro.

The post by Brian X. Chen is a review of Apple's new iPad tablet called the iPad Pro(fessional) which will be for sale next week. There are two versions the iPad Pro. One has a 10.5 inch screen and the other a 12.9 inch screen. In addition to the larger, brighter screens the new iPad Pro will be faster.  However, using the keyboard is uncomfortable and leaves you with a sore wrist. For buyer considerations the review includes more pros and cons of iPad Pro features and uses. Prices for the 10.5 inch Pro range from $649 to $949 and for the 12,9 inch Pro from $799 to $1,099.

I have to clean my claws first.

Panzer says, "With kitty claws for a stylus the keys still would be hard to use."

Note: This is a h-u-g-e post. Bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to iPad Pro

Digital Sales Down 2% in Canada in 2016 - Publishers Weekly

Today, when Panzer ventured into the Catosphere, crying and moaning quickly surrounded the Panzermobile. Following all the noise, took our brave kitty to the Publishers Weekly site. There he discovered a post about digital sales in Canada.

The Publishers Weekly post by Ed Nawotka deals with digital sales in Canada as presented in The State of Digital Publishing annual report.  Digital sales are defined in the report as ebooks and audiobooks sales only.  The report details the fact digital publishing sales in 2016 were down 2 percent compared to 2015. This isn't surprising since digital sales are down in all English-language markets as stated in the post. The report is based on information collected from 50 publishers. The post also contains information about how digital publishing works in Canada.

Who speaks cat language? Wait! I do.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... If digital sales are down in English-language markets, maybe it's time to start translating digital books and audiobooks for other language markets."

Note: This is a shortish-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Canadian digital sales

As Apple and Google take aim at ads, publishers tremble - Digiday

It's been a long day. I need a nap.

Today, Panzer got his author proof copy for the print version of Cat Wisdom for humans. He's been busy checking the page layouts and looking for any errors. Our happy little kitty made a quick trip into the Catosphere and stopped in at the Digiday site. With a little digging he found a post about Apple and Google's new ad blockers.

According to the post by Lucia Moses, Apple is adding an ad blocker to their Safari browser. Panzer told you when Google added an ad blocker to their Chrome browser. There are differences in the types of ads the two ad blockers will block. Google's will block ads which don't conform to the group Coalition for Better Ads rules and will charge users a fee if they do want to see ads. Apple's will block autoplay ads. The post includes links to information about both Google and Apple's original announcements about their ad blockers.

Panzer says, "This little kitty hates those autoplay ads."

Note: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post. Bring a thermos of tea and a half dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Apple and Google

To read Panzer's earlier post about Google's ad blocker, tootle over Google ad blocker

A New Panzerism

Panzer on respecting authority:

What's His Name told Mom I've been stealing his stuff off the dresser.

He said he found his comb and his car keys and his wallet under the bookcase.

And ... Well ... Maybe that is my favorite hidey-place for my stuff ...

But ... He shouldn't have yelled at me ...

I'm a cat burglar. It's my hobby.

Mom told me to apologize to What's His Name ...

Okay ...

So ... I'm sorry you have such a bad attitude towards Mom's kitty boy.

Buying houses in cash and selling millions: meet self-publishing's 'hidden' authors - The Guardian

As soon as Panzer entered the Catosphere today the Panzermobile was buffeted by clapping and cheering. Our kitty pilot didn't need radar to find that The Guardian site was the source of all the racket. It didn't take any digging either to find the post about self-publishing authors that caused all the noise.

That would buy a lot of catnip.

According to Danuta Kean's post, there is a group of 'hidden' indie authors selling seven figure amounts of their novels. Three authors are spotlighted in the post. They are crime thriller writer Keith Houghton, crime/romance/humour writer LJ Ross, and psychological thriller writer Rachel Abbott. Why are they called 'hidden' authors with those kinds of sales numbers? Because all their novels are Amazon ebooks only and their readers are the only ones who have heard of them. Where does the 'buying houses' part of the post title come from? It comes from the fact Keith Houghton paid for his new house in cash using money from the sales of his novels. There's a lot more information about each author included in the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Maybe this little kitty should start writing crime/thrillers."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring two thermoses of tea and two dozen muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to hidden authors

What You Get (and What You Don't) From a $50 Amazon Fire - The New York Times

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The New York Times site. There our speedy explorer kitty boy found a post about the Amazon Fire tablets.

Looks interesting.

Brian X. Chen's post is about the two Amazon Fire tablets. He reviews the the 7 inch Fire that's available for $50 and the 8 inch Fire available for $80. At those prices both have advertisements; but for an additional $15 the ads are removed. Both can be used as ereaders, can use game apps and can be used to stream movies. Mr. Chen discusses the pros and cons of both. He doesn't recommend either except as useful tools for entertaining children.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This kitty doesn't agree with him. I'd like an Amazon Fire. I don't need it for anything but as an ereader for my ebooks. It doesn't cost much, so Mom will have more money left over for my kitty treats."

Note: This is a long post. Bring half a thermos of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon Fire Tablet

Google's ad blocker could make it the "judge and jury" of online ads - VICE News

Today Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere just enjoying the relaxing ride. Occasionally, our inquisitive kitty boy finds new and interesting places he's never been before. Today was one of those days. He discovered a site called VICE News. With a little digging around there he found a post about Google's new ad blocker.

Panzer doesn't usually cover news outside the publishing world, but this post has some interesting information in it. According to Noah Kilwin's post, Google will introduce a new ad blocker next year for the Chrome web browser. The ad blocker will block company ads which don't adhere to the rules of a group Google belongs to called the Coalition for Better Ads. Of course, Google will determine which ads don't adhere to the rules and are therefore blocked by the ad blocker. There's also going to be a pay system called Funding Choices where you can pay to receive ads. This post includes several links to other posts about the new ad blocker and the Funding Choices options.

Pay for ads? Why?

Panzer says, "Umm ... I just don't understand humans ... Why would you use an ad blocker with an add on so you can pay to get ads?"

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection. Bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins if you plan to follow all the links too.

To read the post, tootle over to Google ad blocker

Amazon Publishing Books Faring Better on Amazon's New Bestseller Lists - Publishers Weekly

One of Mom's friends is sick and in the hospital, so Panzer's trip into the Catosphere was short today. Our speedy kitty boy made a quick stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about Amazon's weekly bestseller lists Amazon Charts.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Amazon published books are placing higher on Amazon Charts than they are on other bestseller lists. It appears this happens because Amazon includes paperback books, hardback books, audio books, and ebooks in its sales totals for Amazon Charts' bestseller list, while the other bestseller lists either don't include ebook sales or only include various combinations of the others.

Amazon books on Amazon Charts?

Panzer says, "When Amazon announced Amazon Charts, this little kitty did tell you that Amazon books/authors would have an advantage."

Note: This is a shortish-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon books

To read Panzer's original post about Amazon Charts, tootle over to Amazon bestseller lists

A New Panzerism

Panzer with a riddle:

Who's the smartest: a dog, a frog, a hog or a cat?

Four animals are sitting on a beach watching the sunrise.

Suddenly, an electric eel jumps out of the water and accidentally strikes all of them with a mild shock.

"Oops," he says. "Anyone hurt?"

"Woof," says the dog, although his paw is sort of scorched.

Figured out the answer yet?

"Ribbit," says the frog, despite his glazed eyes.

"Oink," says the pig, even though his tail is bacon.

Then the cat says, "Me-ooww!"

"Ah," says the eel. "Cat, may I compensate you for your pain?"

Onyx Boox e-Note 10.3" eReader to Ship in September - The Digital Reader

It is my day off.

Today when Panzer was sweeping out the Panzermobile, he found a wadded up post stuffed behind the headrest of the passenger seat. Smoothing it out our fastidious kitty boy discovered it was a post from The Digital Reader site about the new Onyx Boox e-Note eReader.

According to site owner Nate Hoffelder's post, it's been announced that the new Onyx Boox e-Note eReader will ship this fall. The new Boox e-Note has a 10.3" display and runs Android 4.0. There's no price information available now. Although in the post Mr. Hoffelder says the eReader will ship in October, the Facebook post he links to says it will ship in September in Turkey. In addition to the Facebook link, there's also a link to an earlier post by Mr. Hoffelder about the Onyx Boox eReader.

Panzer says, "Hmm ,,, It's going from a 9.7" display to 10.3" display. That will be a nice .6" increase for easier reading."

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Onyx Boox ereader

ACX Launches in Canada, Ireland - The Digital Reader

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere the Panzermobile was suddenly buffeted and knocked around by cheering and clapping. Our strong kitty pilot nearly lost control of his ship. Following all the hullabaloo took him to The Digital Reader site. With no digging at all he discovered the news about Audible Creation Exchange (ACX) that was causing all the noise.

Mom says I have a nice speaking voice.

It turns out, according to a post by site owner Nate Hoffelder that Audible Creation Exchange (ACX) is making their services available in Canada and Ireland. ACX gives authors and publishers the ability to make audiobooks by either narrating their books and stories themselves or hiring a narrator to do it for them. Publishers generally hire a narrator rather than ask the author to narrate their work. When approached, narrators audition with the hope of being hired. Until now ACX's services have only been available to authors and publishers in the U.S. and the U.K. Mr. Hoffelder's post includes a link to the original announcement from ACX.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... It's a whole new opportunity for this little kitty."

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Audible Creation Exchange

The Amazon Bookstore Isn't Evil. It's Just Dumb. - New Republic

Today while Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he stopped in at the New Republic site. There our inquisitive kitty boy found information about Amazon's New York bricks and mortar bookstore.

He has an interesting view on this.

In his post Alex Shephard expresses his disdain for Amazon's New York (city) bricks and mortar bookstore. Mr. Shephard points out that because of the 3,000 book inventory the bookstore carries Amazon can't possibly sell enough books to pay the rent for the bookstore space. He also finds the mixture and staging of the books confusing. He believes Amazon is probably opening bricks and mortar bookstores simply because they have too much money and want to spend some of it. Yesterday, Panzer told you about The Idea Logical Company's site founder Mike Shatzkin's views on the same bookstore.

Panzer says, "Ummm ... This little kitty told you yesterday Amazon couldn't make enough money with such a small inventory to pay the rent on the bookstore."

Note: This a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring two thermos of tea and two dozen muffins and a sleeping bag for a nap halfway through today's reading selection. If you plan to read yesterday's post as well, bring another thermos of lemonade and 2 dozen more muffins and a dozen cookies (biscuits).

To read today's post, tootle over to Amazon bookstore

To read yesterday's post about Amazon's New York bookstore, tootle over to Amazon brick and mortar bookstore