New Trailer for Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' series offers epic views of the return to Middle Earth - GeekWire

Today, Panzer was shaken from his nap in his kitty bed by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, our traveling kitty boy followed all the noise to the GeekWire site. There he found a post about Amazon's just released trailer for their new "Lord of the Rings" series.

 

It looks exciting.

According to the post by Kurt Schlosser, the series is titled "Lord of the Rings:The Rings of Power." The new series happens in the centuries before J.R.R. Tolkien's books. The post contains a link to the trailer. The end of the trailer announces the series begins September 2 on Amazon Prime Video.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty is ready to watch the series. Are you?"

 

Note: This a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of iced tea for your reading and a chocolate brownie for your watching pleasure.

 

To read the post tootle over to Lord of the Rings series trailer

Europe accuses Amazon of misusing third-party retail data, opens new 'Buy Box' investigation - GeekWire

 As Panzer was tootle around in the Catosphere today, he decided to make a stop at the GeekWire site. With a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about Amazon and the company's European sales dealings.

 

According to the post by Todd Bishop, the EU's European Commission is investigating if Amazon gives itself or those who use its services an advantage with the company's 'Buy Box.' The Commission is also investigating Prime members' use of the 'Buy Box.' If the Commission determines Amazon is in the wrong, the company could be fined 10 percent of its global annual revenue. There are links to other information about the Commission's investigation included in the post.

 

 They decide if they get the money?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is confused. ... Mom is an Amazon Prime member and she buys stuff on Amazon. Since she pays Amazon to be a Prime member, Amazon gives her special prices and special deals. Sometimes what she orders is shipped from Amazon fulfillment centers and sometimes it's shipped directly from the seller's company.  What is Amazon doing wrong with Prime memberships?"

Note: This is a short medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the included links, bring a thermos of cocoa, four muffins, four chocolate chip cookies (biscuits), and two brownies.

To read the post tootle over to Europe Commission vs Amazon

 

 

Amazon streams Thursday Night Football again with new X-Ray feature audio feed, Twitch shows - GeekWire

Today Panzer made a stop at the GeekWire site. Although the post he found there doesn't have anything to do with publishing, our adventuresome kitty boy found it interesting. Amazon is live streaming the Thursday Night Football games for Prime members.

 

According to the post by Taylor Soper, Amazon just signed a new multi-year contract to stream the football games.  The post includes links to information about Amazon's added features of extra streamed programming for stats, audio and programming on Amazon's Twitch. The post also includes a schedule of all the Thursday night games which will be live streamed.

I'm ready for football.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... They sure like cats in football. There are teams called the Bengals, the Jaguars and the Panthers."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of tea and three muffins. If you plan to follow the links, bring an extra thermos of cocoa and another three muffins.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon football

 

 

 

 

Walmart unveils Walmart+, its Amazon Prime competitor that costs $98/year and will launch Sept. 15 - GeekWire

Panzer made a quick trip to the GeekWire site today. There our speedy kitty found a post about Walmart's new membership program.

This might be interesting.

According to the post by Taylor Soper, Walmart has announced a new membership program called Walmart+. The new program is available for $98.00 per year or $12.95 per month. Walmart+ gives free delivery for your online purchases. There is a $35.00 minimum order requirement however. There is a 15 day free trial period available. The post contains a link to Walmart's post about the new program. Walmart's post has more information about the program benefits.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... If you really think about it you'll see it's not really a competition. Amazon Prime is a lot more than just free delivery."

Note: This is a long-short length post. Bring a half a cup of tea for today's reading selection. If you plan to read Walmart's post about the new program, bring another half a cup of tea.

To read the post tootle over to Walmart+

Amazon upgrades Fire HD 8 lineup, adds USB-C charging, aiming to rebound in tablet market - GeekWire

I want one.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping and cheering coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the noise took our inquisitive kitty to the GeekWire site. With no digging in the post pile, he found one about Amazon's Fire tablet.

According to Kurt Schlosser's post, Amazon has made upgrades to the Fire HD tablet. The post examines the Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Plus for adults and the Fire HD 8 for Kids. Prices range from $89.00 to $159.00 depending on the different features and special offers you choose. You can use Zoom, Audible, Prime and more on the tablet. There are links included in the post to go to the Amazon store to check out the specifications and add-ons for each tablet.

Panzer says, "MeWow! I can Zoom with the new girl kitty down the street."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a small muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links, bring an extra muffin.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Fire Tablets

Kindle, Kindle Fires On Sale This Week - The Digital Reader

Hurry! Hurry!

As soon as Panzer entered the Catosphere today, the Panzermobile was immediately shaken by clapping and cheering outside. Following all the hoopla took our brave kitty pilot to The Digital Reader site. With no digging at all he found a post about a sale of Amazon Kindles.

According to The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder, Amazon has some of the Kindles and Kindle Fires on sale; however, you must be an Amazon Prime member to get the sale price."

Panzer says, "You need to hurry! The sale ends September 22!"

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links, bring a cup  of tea and a muffin.

To read the post tootle over to Kindle sale

Amazon Launches Kids' Subscription Service - Publishers Weekly (PW)

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard clapping. Following the noise took our kitty pilot to the Publishers Weekly (PW) site. There he found a post about Amazon's new children's book subscription service.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Amazon has begun a new book subscription service for children. Called Prime Book Box it's available to Prime Members. The service is for the children's age groups of two years and younger and three years to twelve years. Amazon Books editors will pick the month's books based on the child's age. There is a monthly subscription fee. The post also includes book choice information, subscription frequency and subscription fee cost.

Books are meant to be read.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Start children reading early ... Makes sense to 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 Amazon

Amazon's first Washington-area bookstore opens March 13 - The Washington Post

Panzer had hardly entered the Catosphere today when the Panzermobile was buffeted by oohing and aahing. Following all the noise took our brave kitty boy pilot to The Washington Post site. There he found a post about Amazon's newest bookstore.

According to the post by Abha Bhattarai, Amazon just opened there newest bookstore in Washington, D.C. Barnes and Noble closed their Washington, D.C. bookstore in 2011 and, now, Amazon is located in the same building that housed the Barnes and Noble store. Amazon's bookstore has 10,000 square feet of space, so it's not nearly as large as a Barnes and Noble store. The store has over 5,000 books and electronic devices to choose from. The bookstore has the same purchasing setup as their other stores. Amazon Prime members get a discount while non-members pay full price.

Did Amazon really do that?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Leased space in the same building, huh? This little kitty thinks Amazon just gave a paw swipe in the face to Barnes and Noble."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post including photos. Bring two cups of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to New Amazons bookstore

Amazon is raising the price of Prime monthly memsberships by nearly 20 percent - recode

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile when he saw something sticking out from under the mat on the passenger side. Pulling it out he discovered it was a post from the recode site about Amazon Prime.

That's a big price increase.

According to Jason Del Rey, Amazon is raising the price of the monthly payment option fee for a Prime membership. The price since inception has been $10.99 per month, but is now jumping to $12.99 per month. The new payment amount will raise the monthly payment plan "annual membership fee" equivalent to $156.00, while the regular one time annual membership fee will remain at $99.00. Prime gives users free shipping on select products and select streaming programs.

Panzer says, "Umm ... So, if you can't afford the full annual membership fee at one time, Amazon will just increase the monthly charge to make it even harder to pay."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Prime

Amazon shutters LoveFilm, Amazon Wine, Heera and Anime Strike. Kicks ebooks out of AbeBooks. Will AbeBooks be next to go? - The New Publishing Standard

Panzer hardly made it into the Catosphere before the Panzermobile began being buffeted by crying and gnashing of teeth. Following all the noise took our fearsome kitty pilot to The New Publishing Standard site. With no digging at all he discovered a post about Amazon was causing all the trouble.

Really, it's not that bad.

According to the post by Mark Williams, Amazon has been doing some reshuffling and closing of certain small divisions of the company. Heera and Anime Strike have been moved into the Amazon Prime package. LoveFilm and Amazon Wine have been closed down. The AbeBooks division will no longer carry ebooks. While Amazon has made no announcement about AbeBooks, the post speculates the removal of ebooks may be a harbinger of AbeBooks demise.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Pay attention to the details, not just the headline."

Note: This is medium post. Bring a cup of tea, one muffin and one peanut butter cookie (biscuit) for today's reading selections.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

Fire HD 8 first look: Google Play installs easily! - TeleRead

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the TeleRead site. There with a little digging our adventuresome kitty found a post about the new Amazon 16 GB Fire HD 8.

Where did Mom hide that credit card?

According to the product review by Chris Meadows, the new Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet comes with some small improvements and one large one. The small improvements include two cameras, two speakers and more memory.  The large one is the ease of installing the Google Play Store app. Amazon has the Fire HD 8 on sale for Prime members with a $25 discount on the $79.99 regular price. The sale expires September 16. The post includes exact instructions on how to install Google Play.

Panzer says, "Shh ... Don't tell anyone ... But ... If you're not a Prime member ... you can sign up for a free 30 day trial membership."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring two thermoses of tea, two dozen muffins and a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle.

To read the post, tootle over to Fire HD 8

Amazon and Whole Foods Market Announces Acquisition to Close This Monday, Will Work Together to Make High-Quality, Natural and Organic Food Affordable for Everyone - Press Release

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Amazon press site. There our adventuresome kitty found a press release about Amazon and Whole Foods.

According to the press release, Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods Market will be completed on Monday, August 28. In keeping with Amazon and Whole Foods wish to make high-quality food affordable, in conjunction with the acquisition on Monday some Whole Foods food prices will be lowered. Also, after the technology is integrated into the stores Amazon Prime will be Whole Foods rewards program to give customers lower prices. There's much more information about the acquisition contained in the press release.

I need a nap after all that.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Guess everybody has to buy Amazon Prime if you plan to shop at Whole Foods. If you have to do that it doesn't sound like they're lowering the cost of food to this little kitty."

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

To read the press release tootle over to Amazon and Whole Foods

Amazon.com Announces Second Quarter Sales Up 25% to $38.0 Billion - Press Release

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Amazon news room site. There our traveling kitty boy found a post with interesting information about Amazon.

According to the press release, Amazon's 2017 second quarter net sales were up 25 percent to $38 billion over 2016 second quarter net sales of $30.4 billion. Also included in the beginning of the post are income figures, cash flow figures and stock figures. Below that is the Highlights section which includes what Amazon (and this little kitty) considers it's most important activities for the period. Included in this section are Amazon Video's 16 Emmy award nominations, Prime Day sales, Prime membership increase numbers, Amazon's charitable contributions, Echo news, Alexa news, and much more.

Just reading about it makes me tired.

Panzer says, "There's also news about Amazon's completed expansions and proposed expansions."

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

To read the post tootle over to Amazon sales

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

Amazon Opens Second Bookstore In Massachusetts - Publishers Weekly (PW)

I'll feel better after my nap.

Panzer had to make his annual visit to the veterinarian today, so his trip into the Catosphere was a quick one. Our speedy kitty boy made a stop at the Publishers Weekly site where he found a post about Amazon.

According to the post by Alex Green, all the rumors and speculation were true. Amazon opened their second Massachusetts Amazon Books bookstore on April 18. This one is in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Like other Amazon Books bookstores Amazon Prime members get a discount on books and devices, but other customers pay full price.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Amazon opened a second store in Massachusetts ... and ... they already have a big warehouse there ... and ... there's rumors they're looking for office space there. This kitty wonders if there will be an east coast Amazon headquarters in Massachusetts?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon

Amazon charges non-Prime members more at physical bookstores, hinting at new retail strategy - GeekWire

Panzer was cleaning out the Panzermobile like he does every Saturday, when he found a post wedged into the passenger seat. The post was from his visit earlier this week to the GeekWire site. The post is about Amazon's new bricks and mortar bookstores.

According to the post by Taylor Soper, apparently, it pays to be an Amazon Prime member even if you're not buying online at Amazon. Turns out, if you are a Prime member and you go to one of Amazon's bricks and mortar stores, you pay the online price not the store's list price for physical books. It seems, however, that the in-store price for devices like the Fire tablet are the same as the online price as the store sign in the photo says that.

Hmm ... Worth $99 a year? ... Maybe.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Inquiring cats want to know: How many books would You have to buy at the store to make the cost of the Prime membership worth it?"

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post with photos. Bring two cups of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon bookstores

Amazon adds another Prime benefit: free podcasts from Audible Channels and free audiobooks - Tech Crunch

Panzer made a trip to the Tech Crunch site today. There our kitty pilot discovered a post about Amazon's Prime membership service.

Amazon is everywhere.

According to the post by Sarah Perez, Amazon announced new benefits to their Prime members. Members will now have free access to 50 periodically changing Audible audio books and free access to Audible Channels. Audible is owned by Amazon. As Ms. Perez points out, although neither Amazon nor Audible call Audible Channels podcasts, that is what they are.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Audible Channels podcasts ... iTunes podcasts ... Competition? This kitty thinks so."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon Prime

Amazon is expanding its retail operation to 100 pop-up stores around the US - The Verge

A kiosk? About the size of a litter box..

Today, Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to The Verge site. There our big bad kitty found a post about Amazon's newest retail sales plans.

In a post by Nick Statt Panzer learned Amazon plans to open 100 pop-up stores (kiosks) in shopping malls across the U.S. The pop-ups will sell electronic devises, including Kindles and other Amazon products. Shoppers will also be able to get information about Amazon services such as Prime and Originals. However, no books will be sold there.

Panzer says, "Hmmm ... Seems like stuff I could just buy online."

Note: This is a longish-short post. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon pop-up stores

Amazon Has Competition From Jet

What do you think will happen?

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard some ooohhing and aaawwing. Following the sound took to the WIRED site.

According to a post there by Brian Barrett, Amazon has some competition in the form of a new company called Jet. Jet will be carrying many of the same products as Amazon, but at a lower price.

Jet charges an annual membership fee, but there's a three-month free trial period to see if you like the products, service and prices they offer. After the three months you can either sign up for the $50 per year membership fee or the $100 per year fee. Not surprisingly, the $100 membership has similar, if not the same, features as Amazon Prime.

Panzer says, "This will either be fun to watch or a great big fizzle."

Note: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post, so bring a b-i-g cup of tea.

To read the post, tootle over to Jet