GelaSkins

It isn't like this has been a state secret, but I just found these and the inner geek in me wants some for his devices. GelaSkins is a company that makes skins for various electronic devices. I was rather surprised to find out that many people didn't know what a skin is. To quickly explain a skin, in simplest terms, is a large sticker for your device. They have actually been around for years. Cell phones where the fist I saw them for and then they started appearing for consoles like the X-Box and the PS2.

It seems while I wasn't looking GelaSkins(and possibly other companies) upped the ante and offer them for just about any type of electronic gadget your little heart desires. Phones, consoles, controllers, laptops(not mice though), Ebook Readers, and whole host of other devices.

This almost has me trading in my first generation Kindle(K1) for a K3.


Geekness aside they are a bit on the pricey side at about $15 - $30US. The upside however is that you can also upload your own pictures for a custom skin on your favorite device. You can position, stretch, and rotate the picture(even multiple pictures) to fit any device they have a template for.

Reviews over on Amazon are generally positive. Most people seem to be able to apply the skin with little to no difficultly. Though once they are on they are on or off and not on and off. It seems while the skin does protect from scratches well and is easy to remove it is also easily damaged when removing. So the price is doubly hefty if you are thinking to switch these out to fit your mood.

So if you are interested you can check them out here: http://www.gelaskins.com/
(Don't worry I don't get anything for you clicking.)

Kindle books falling to the wayside? (Part 2)

So I finally got a firm responce from both parties so I was able to send some form of what they sent to me to each other.

St. Martin said:
"Amazon has not given us a release date for the Kindle version, so I’m afraid I do not know. Amazon converts and distributes all Kindle books independently, so you may want to be in touch with them? I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful, but Kindle is Amazon’s territory."
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And Amazon said:
"Hello,

"Bound By Sin" by Jenna Maclaine isn't currently available for Kindle. At this time we don't have further information about availability of this book in Kindle compatible format. When publisher provides the book in Kindle format, we'll list Kindle books for pre-order so you get them delivered wirelessly when released.

Your direct feedback to the publisher is helpful.

You may see a link labeled "Please tell the publisher: I'd like to read this book on Kindle" directly below the product image on some book detail pages"
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My only hope is that I can get them to say that to each other so they can figure out who needs to do what.

Kindle books falling to the wayside? (Macmillan vs Amazon)

So now that the whole Macmillan vs Amazon debacle seems to be over it seems there may be a few casualties of war in the whole process. Well besides the fact that customers often have to pay half again more than before. When looking into a book, Bound By Sin by Jenna Maclaine(think Period Urban Fantasy with Vampires), I've wished to read for quite some time it turns out that there actually should be a Kindle version, but there isn't one listed. Macmillan(St. Martin's Press in this instance) says they sent it and Amazon says they don't have it. I would think that would be a problem they might want to fix. That whole selling more books and making more money thing. The only problem is the book continues not to be listed with a Kindle version and neither Amazon nor St. Martin's seem to be doing anything about it.

It would also seem more than likely that several of these other titles people have been waiting for(and talking about) could be having the same problems. So I'm just giving out an FYI and suggesting that we all write both Macmillan (St. Martin's division for this book: trademarketing@stmartins.com) and Amazon (Kindle Customer Service form) telling them which book we want and the fact that we want our Kindle books now. :)