Libro.fm Launches In-App Direct Purchase, Member Signup - Publishers Weekly

I expected this. Did you?

Panzer found a news release by Libro-fm on the Publishers Weekly site.

According to the release, Libro.fm now allows app users to make purchases outside Apple.

 

 Note: This is a short news release. You won't have time to snack on anything while you read this.

 

To read the release tootle over to Libro.fm

Findaway Voices, Machine Learning and the New Rights Frontier - Writer Beware(R) - Update

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Writer Beware (R) site. There with a tiny bit of digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty found what he was looking for. It's an update to a post by Victoria Strauss Panzer told you about last week.

In last week's Writer Beware (R) post she told you about the clause in the Findaway Voices contract which allowed Apple to use author's audio books to train Apple's AI to do audible books.

One visit was all it took.

The new post includes an important update about that contract clause. After audio book narrator members complained to SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) about the contract clause, the group contacted and met with Findaway. It was brought to Findaway's attention, that the contract could not force authors to sign away narrators rights without proper negotiations with the narrators union. Findaway agreed to remove the clause.

 

Panzer says, "That didn't take long to fix."

 

Note:This is a long post. Bring a large cup of cocoa and a big muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the updated post tootle over to Findaway Voices

 

Findaway Voices, Machine Learning, and the New Frontier - Writer Beware

Today, Panzer made a stop at the Writer Beware site. There he found a post about Findaway Voices and Apple that had him shaking his kitty head in disbelief.

 

It's hidden in the contract? Not good.

According to Victoria Strauss' post, Findaway Voices has had a clause hidden in their contract that users had no knowledge of. When you sign a contract with Findaway you're giving them the right to give your audio book to Apple for machine learning purposes. Apparently, this has been part of the contract since 2019. There are several links included in the post to other information.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure and read the Comments section. There is some interesting information about what happens if you opt-out."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of cocoa, a muffin and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for your reading. If you follow the included links, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to Findaway

Apple rolls out AI-narrated audiobooks, and it's probably the start of a trend - ars Technica

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the ars Technica site.. There our inquisitive little kitty boy discovered a post about Apple Books and AI narrated audiobooks.

There are a lot of changes coming.

According to Samuel Axon's post, Apple is now in the AI narrated audiobook market. Like Google Play Books Apple has its own AI narrators for publishers to use.  When Panzer heard about the AI-narrated audiobooks a few weeks ago, he posted a sample Google Play Store AI-narrated audiobook for you to listen to.

Panzer says, "This little kitty things Apple will soon be charging for publishers/authors' use of the company's AI narrators."

Note:This is a long medium post, Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) for your reading today. If you plan to listen to the audiobook, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

To read the post tootle over  to Apple AI Narrated Audiobooks

To listen to the AI-narrated audiobook Panzer posted earlier, tootle over to AI narrated audiobook

 

 

 

Publishers, Booksellers Cheer Europes Digital Markets Act - Publishing Perspectives

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, he decided to make a stop at the Publishing Perspectives site. With a little digging in the posts, he found one about the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA).

 

I don't understand.

According to Porter Anderson's post, the European Parliament has passed the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. Both Acts are against practices which European publishers and booksellers accuse Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft of doing. Both Acts go into effect in 2023.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty doesn't understand how these Acts work. Does it mean, if your company does business in the EU, you have to give preferential treatment to EU publishers and booksellers to the detriment of outside the EU publishers and booksellers? I thought they didn't want the companies to give preferential treatment anymore."

 

Note: This is a very, very long post. Bring a huge cup of tea, two muffins and a jelly roll for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to Europe's Digital Markets Actal

Japan Fair Trade Commission closes App Store investigation - Apple Newsroom

 Today Panzer was shaken from his nap by clapping and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Jumping into the Panzermobile, he followed all the jocularity to the Apple Newsroom. There he found a press release about a change to the Apple App Store.

 

According to the press release, Apple announced changes for developers of reader apps available in the App Store. Those reader apps can now link to the developer's site outside the App Store. This change will be available to developers around the world.

 

Reader apps only.

Panzer says, "Who else will follow?"

 

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate brownie to celebrate.

 

To read the post tootle over to App Store

The Audible App Arrives on Apple's Apple Watch - The Digital Reader

Exactly where would I wear it?

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to The Digital Reader site. With a little digging in the posts our traveling kitty found one about the Audible app.

According to site owner Nate Hoffelder, the Audible app is now available on the Apple Watch. Apple Watch owners can listen to Audible Originals, ebooks and fitness programs using their watch.There's a link in the post to read about Audible and to signup for a free 30 day trial.

Panzer says, "Ummm ... The Comment section is kind of strange."

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

To read the post tootle over to Audible app

Apple's iBook revamp, Apple Books, is here - Tech Crunch

Free is always good.

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere was a quick one today. Our speedy little kitty stopped in at the Tech Crunch site. Digging around he found a post about Apple's new Apple Books.

According to Kate Clark's post, Apple Books is now live. Apple Books is the Apple iBooks upgrade. All iphones have Apple Books with the installation of the iOS 12 update. The post explains what the new Apple Books looks like on the iphone. As well as what's new at the Apple Book Store, including free books.

Panzer says, "Free ebooks? The new Book Store sounds interesting."

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

To read the post tootle over to Apple Books

iBooks reading app has been renamed Apple Books in iOS 12 - engadget

Today Panzer made a quick trip to the engadget site. There our quick kitty found a post about iBooks.

Maybe there's something here.

According to the post by Nathan Ingraham, Apple has announced iBooks will become Apple Books with the introduction of iOS 12 this fall. The store itself will also be revamped, but information is limited now.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty says this seems like an announcement about an announcement that will be coming in a few months."

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

To read the post tootle over to ibooks

Apple's Getting Back Into the E-Books Fight Against Amazon - Bloomberg

Yet another stop in the Catosphere today by Panzer.  Our speedy little kitty boy made a quick layover at the Bloomberg site. There he found a post about Apple's return to the ebooks market.

According to the post by Mark Gurman, Apple is ramping up to take on Amazon in the ebook market. The company recently even scooped up Kashif Zafar an executive with Amazon's Audible. Apple is working on a new version for the ereader app for the iPhone and iPod. The company's digital bookstore is also being upgraded.

Panzer says, "It won't take long for Apple to be a viable ebook market for authors."

I'm still looking.

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 Apple

iTunes v12.7.0.166 No Longer Supports iBooks - The Digital Reader

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard wailing and crying and gnashing teeth. Following all the hullabaloo took our brave kitty boy to The Digital Reader site. With just a little digging he found a post about the newest iTunes version.

According to the post by site owner Nate Hoffelder, Apple left an important element out of the new version of iTunes. Windows users (like Panzer) no longer have access to iBooks. This means Windows users also don't have access to their ebook library. It also means transferring ebooks from the library to an iPad (etc.) is a major endeavor. The Comments section has some suggestions from readers about how to transfer your iBooks to your iPad.

I'm a cat. I want things to be simple.

Panzer says, "Umm ... Does Apple want to decrease sales of ebooks in the iBook store by not offering access to Windows Users?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to iTunes v12.7.0.166

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

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

iOS 10.3.2 Update Stops eBooks in iBooks from Hacking Your iPad - The Digital Reader

I am so tired

Panzer had to go to the vet today for a checkup, so he only made a short trip into the Catosphere. Our kitty boy stopped in at The Digital Reader site. A little digging and he found a post about some important Apple updates.

According to site owner Nate Hoffelder's post, Apple has issued some important updates. If you have an iPad or iPhone, you use the Safari browser, or use iTunes or Apple TV, you need to install the upgrades immediately. The updates address security issues that allow hackers to take over your devices.

Panzer says, "What's an iOS?"

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

To read the post, tootle over to hacking iPad

February 2017 Big, Bad, Wide & International Report: covering Amazon, Apple, B&N, and Kobo ebook sales in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand - Author Earnings

Today, Panzer was just tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard oohing and aahing. Following the breathless noises took our kitty boy to the Author Earnings site. With no digging at all he found a post about ebook sales all across the e-retail sites.

The post by Data Guy is ebook sales information packed. The post includes information on total e-retailer sales by country, total ebook sales by country, amount of money spent by country, and more. The headline for the post names all the e-retailers ebook sales covered, including Amazon, Apple, B and N, and Kobo. Each company's sales information is included for the English language countries of the US, UK,  Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. There are charts and graphs illustrating each section.

After all that, I need a nap too.

Panzer says, "I have a kitty headache from all the information included in the post."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Author Earnings

Iowa Considering E-Book Sales Tax - Forbes

If Mom doesn't feel good, I don't either.

Mom is still fighting that nasty tummy flu bug, so Panzer only made a short trip into the Catosphere today. Our hurried kitty stopped in at the Forbes.com site. There he found a post about Iowa imposing a sales tax on ebooks.

According to the post by Ellen Duffer, Iowa is considering instituting a new state sales tax. The sales tax would only apply to companies which have a physical presence in Iowa and also sell online ebooks. The post states that means Barnes and Noble and Apple because they both have bricks and mortar stores in Iowa where they sell electronics and also have online stores for ebooks.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This kitty knows how to keep new bricks and mortar stores who also sell ebooks online from moving into your state ... Put a sales tax on them."

This is a longish-short post. It looks long, but that's because it has an advertisement in the middle. Bring a cup of tea and half a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Iowa ebook sales tax

Apple E-book Refunds to begin June 21 - PW

Panzer barely got to sleep for his after dinner nap when he got shaken out of his kitty bed by shouting and cheering coming from the Catosphere. Our sleepy little kitty pilot headed the Panzermobile out. Following all the noise took him to the Publishers' Weekly site. Panzer found the source of all the excitement was a post about Apple.

Okay. Back to sleep now.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, Apple began giving out the ebook refunds from the court case they lost. Apple lost the price-fixing case and their appeal and were ordered to give refunds to purchasers of ebooks. The Apple refunds will be sent directly to buyers' accounts no matter where they purchased the ebooks.The credits will be paid to your account if you bought an ebook between April 1, 2010 and May 21, 2012.

Panzer says, "It's about time. That case went on for years."

Note: This is a shortish post. A cup of tea should be enough for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Apple refunds

Goodreads Is Finally Cashing In On Its Devoted Community - Wired

Panzer's trip in the Catosphere today was interrupted by the sounds of wailing and crying. Following all the noise took our fearless kitty pilot to the Wired site. There he found a post about Goodreads that was causing all the book lovers woes.

Come on. You knew they'd do it.

According to the post, Goodreads has started selling ebooks. This week they introduced a program called Goodreads Deals. It's an opt-in program for Goodreads members to receive emails about books going on sale. Readers do have a choice of where to purchase their books. The books are available through Amazon (Goodreads owner), Apple, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, and Kobo.

Panzer says, "We knew it was going to happen. With 50 million book hungry readers, Goodreads is a cash cow for all the ebook sellers."

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

To read the post, tootle over to Goodreads

Apple Services Shut Down in China in Startling About-Face

I can see across the ocean from up here.

Panzer was out in the Catosphere yesterday just taking in the sights and enjoying himself. Our big bad kitty boy happened to stumble across a post at The New York Times site about Apple. Not wanting to disrupt your habit of reading his Monday Panzerism, he decided to save it until today.

According to the post by Paul Mozur and Jane Perlez, Apple is having problems in China. China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television regulator shut down Apple's iBooks Store and iTunes Movies. One reason for the shut down may be that these two are in competition with some Chinese Internet companies. Speculation is that Apple Pay may be next because it too is in competition with other Chinese companies.

Panzer says, "It seems to this little kitty ... If you're a U.S. company and successful in China, you are going to get spanked and sent home."

This is a long and complicated post. You will need a cup of tea and two muffins for today's read.

To read the post, tootle over to Apple

What Amazon's OER Platform Means for Education Publishers - Book Business

They're always looking for new markets.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he spotted a site he hasn't visited in a while. Our adventuresome kitty pilot stopped in at the Book Business site. With practically no digging at all he found a post about Amazon and their foray into the education market.

According to a post by Neal Goff, it looks like Amazon is planning to move into the K-12 education market. Amazon has been working on a new platform for Open Education Resources (OER). The new platform, Amazon Inspire, will search for OER material offered free to educators and then collate/file it for easy access. Apple and Google have already been making inroads into the K-12 market for at least two years, so Amazon's entry initially will be one of catch-up. The post also explains what Apple and Google's entry into the K-12 market has been like and it includes more information about the OER program and how that works.

Panzer says, "All these companies want to get consumers while they're young. Brand recognition is everything."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. You'll need a cup of tea and two muffins for your reading today.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon