Businessweekreports that Sony plans to launch a store that will compete with iTunes. Like iTunes, Sony's store will sell music, movies, books and downloadable apps for smartphones and other mobile devices. The tentative name for the online store is Sony Online Service.
On Nov. 19, Sony said it plans to launch an online store selling music, movies, and books as well as other downloadable applications for mobile products. Sony's top executives didn't specify when the Internet store, tentatively called Sony Online Service, would go live or what it would look like. But the online storefront, announced at a management strategy meeting in Tokyo, is likely to bear some similarities to Apple's iTunes store and would be Sony's most ambitious attempt to link its products to its own vast library of digital content.
The article says Sony wants its store to differ from iTunes. One difference is that Sony members will be apple to have accounts they can upload videos and other content to.
Sony will try to differentiate its service from iTunes. One example: Users will be able to upload videos shot on camcorders, save photos taken with digital cameras, and post other digital content to their personal online accounts. That's how Google's suite of Net-based services (such as YouTube video-sharing and Picasa photo site) works.
Internet Retailersays the new Sony store will be based on the Sony PlayStation Network's infrastructure, billing and log-in systems.
She hit number one on the The New York Times bestseller list: so what will Lauren Conrad do for an encore? Write a sequel, of course. But that's not all. She's also writing a style guide to be called Lauren Conrad Style. People reports:
Lauren Conrad will unveil her top style tips in Lauren Conrad Style, to be published by Harper Collins in the fall of 2010. The book will not only feature new and never-before-seen photos of the fashion icon, but the former MTV Hills star will show readers exactly how to interpret her classic and cool style into their lives. "I am really excited to write a style guide," said Conrad, who designs an affordable clothing line for Kohl's, in a release. "I think fashion should be fun and reflective of who you are. When you wear clothes you feel good in, it shows in everything you do. I know this guide will offer simple, practical tips to help anyone look fabulous."
Lauren's first book L.A. Candy was so popular that HarperTeen has asked for another installment. Sweet Little Lies will hit bookstores everywhere on February 2, 2010. Lauren will also be heading out on a 10 city book tour to promote the title. Sweet Little Lies (which is a great title) is available for pre-order at a discount at Amazon.com.
WWDreports that Patrizio Bertelli and Miuccia Prada have unveiled a 706-page book about the 30-year history of the Italian fashion label. The book, titled Prada, will cost 100 euros and be sold in Prada stores, prada.com and in select bookstores.
Patrizio Bertelli, chief executive officer of Prada Group, told WWD, "For Prada, fashion, luxury and style go beyond producing an infinity of clothes and shoes, so the book wants to illustrate the various aspects through which Prada expresses itself."
Barnes and Noble's new electronic reading device called the Nook will be available in its bookstore on November 30th. Computerworld says shoppers can currently pick up pamphlets in Barnes and Noble stores that are cut to match Nook's size. Those curious about the Nook will be able to hold and feel the device in B&N stores and decide whether or not they think they would prefer it to Amazon.com's Kindle. This could give B&N an advantage. Apple has been able to use its stores to show customers a wide range of products. Some customers are more likely to purchase a device they can touch and feel. Barnes & Noble will need any advantage it can get. Many people already own a Kindle as Amazon.com began selling them long before the Nook launched. Amazon.com has also had time to perfect its device and respond to consumer complaints while the Nook will be on version 1.0. You can read more about the Nook here on bn.com.
Here is a list of some of the helpful tips Speidi promises in the book:
Learn how to say I hate you without opening your mouth--Heidi's exclusive tutorial
Increase your capacity for evil with Spencer's "Villain-o-meter"
Discovery why getting and talking about plastic surgery is a must
Unlock the secrets of celebrity couple math (e.g. Speidi > Heidi + Spencer)
Mesmerize the media with outrageous behavior
Bow down to the power of the paparazzi
Heidi Montag says everyone in Hollywood is just as shameless as they are but they are the ones that wind up getting labeled labeled as being shameless. She says, "Tom Cruise is doing the exact same paparazzi setups as we do and yet we are the shameless ones and he is the classy movie star." Take a look:
Oprah Winfrey took to Youtube right after the Sarah Palin interview, which will air Monday. Oprah said that they talked about everything. "We talked about inside the campaign, about what it felt like when she was first asked to be Vice-President, the candidate....We talked about Bristol, the pregnancy. We talked about Trig, her baby. We talked about Levi Johnston. We talked about her marriage. We talked about everything. There's nothing that we didn't talk about." Take a look:
Sarah Palin posted on her Facebook page that she enjoyed the interview, saying "Willow, Piper, and I are in Chicago and just wanted to let you know that I had a great conversation with Oprah today. We taped the show for Monday, November 16th, and enjoyed it so much that we went way over on time. The rest will air on Oprah.com. Oprah was very hospitable and gracious, and her audience was full of warm, energized and (no doubt) curious viewers."
So the question on our minds now is this: Will Levi be joining Sarah and the rest of the Palin family for Thanksgiving dinner? And, if so, can there please be a camera crew there?
BarnesandNoble.com unveiled its newly designed online B&N Kids Store today at www.bn.com/kids. B&N also released three holiday top ten lists with the launch of the online store for children's books, toys and games.
B&N Kids Top Ten for Children's Books:
Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas
The Silver Spoon for Children
A Light in the Attic: Special Edition
The Nutcracker
A Christmas Carol (Sterling Unabridged Classics Series)
The Magician's Elephant
The Polar Express
The Little Prince
The Snowy Day
Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies
Brighthand and CNET report that Barnes and Noble has pushed back shipment dates for the Nook. Those who were first to order the Nook were told it would be shipped by the end of November. People ordering the Nook now are being told it will be shipping in the second week of December. A Barnes and Noble spokesperson told CNET that were happy with the demand for the device but wouldn't give details about how many units have been purchased.
"Like with any hot new consumer device, the sooner you order it the sooner you receive it," said Mary Ellen Keating, senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs. "We had high expectations for the Nook and couldn't be happier" with pre-order sales, she said. However, she declined to say how many of the e-readers had been pre-ordered.
"We are working hard to meet demand for the holidays," she said.
If the Nook is a device you want to give as a Christmas gift you would be wise to order it soon.
MTV's Splash Page reports that a prequel to the popular web series, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, is coming out in comic book form. The comic book is written by Zack Whedon, who co-wrote Dr. Horrible. Zack Whedon told Splash Page that you get to see Dr.Horrible's first encounters with Captain Hammer.
"It's a prequel to the web series, and you get to see his first of many embarrassing encounters with Captain Hammer," Whedon said of the 24-page story, which hits shelves November 18. "But the web series is really an origin story too, so this is a little prelude to that."
As regular readers know, Whedon's "Dr. Horrible" story for Dark Horse isn't the first time the project has found its way into the comic book medium.
Last year, we gave you the first look at the "Moist" comic (also written by Whedon), which explored the origins of the "Dr. Horrible" supporting character. Two other comics have been published from the "Dr. Horrible" world, with one focusing on Captain Hammer and the other on Penny, the object of Dr. Horrible's affection.
The comic will be published by Dark Horse Comics. It comes out this month and will likely be very popular as Dr. Horrible has legions of fans, who will no doubt be clamoring for more.
For the 2009 Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF, Frida Giannini has commissioned author Michael Roberts to create a sequel to his popular children's book, Snowman in Paradise, which was published in 2004. The new book, titled Snowman in Africa, will be exclusively on sale in Gucci stores and on Gucci.com from November 16 through December 31, 2009. Gucci will donate 100% of the retail price of the book to UNICEF.
Giannini has also designed exclusive Gucci accessories as well as a Gucci Gift Card to benefit UNICEF, all of which are inspired by Michael Roberts' magical illustrations featured in the book. Two new medium sized Gucci Joy handbags feature Roberts' illustrations. Symbolic charms representing characters from the book act as key rings or add-on charms to any accessory. The collection also features small leather goods, including a wrist wallet and coin purse. The Gucci Joy handbags and fashion accessories will be available in Gucci stores from November 16 to December 31, 2009, and 25% of the retail price of each item will be donated to UNICEF.
You can see a few more items from the collection here.
Borders is increasing the pace at which it is closing down Waldenbooks outlets. Borders plans to close 200 Waldenbooks stores in January. There latest report indicates there will still be 130 Waldenbooks stores left in malls nationwide after the January closings. Waldenbooks is not closing any of its airport bookstores or kiosks.
It was reported in April that Waldenbooks would be shuttering many mall-based location. The plans then called for just 50 to 60 mall stores to remain.
Reuters reports that Borders has announced it will ship out-of-stock items for free.
The in-stock guarantee announced on Tuesday applies to books and other items carried on the company's web site. When a customer cannot find an item in a Borders store, the company will ship it to the shopper's home for free.
Borders said it believes the program is the first of its kind in the book industry.
The move comes weeks after an online price war for new titles such as Sarah Palin's upcoming book was sparked by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Meanwhile, Borders' main rival, Barnes & Noble Inc, brought out its Nook electronic reader to challenge Amazon.com Inc's Kindle.
The graphic that Borders uploaded to its Twitter account, @Borders, says if you can't find it in a Borders store but they have it in-stock at Borders.com then they will ship the book to you for free. The graphic says it applies to thousands of Borders titles.
TechCrunch reports that Panelfly has partnered with Marvel comic books. Panelfly will be publishing some comics from Marvel in digital form for its mobile comics iPhone application. The first Marvel comic books that will be available for Panelfly's iPhone app include the original Spider-Man series, X-Men, X23, Age Apocalypse, and Iron Man.
You can download Panefly's app from the iTunes store here for free. It costs 99 cents to download each of the comic books. You can find out more about Panefly at panelfly.com.
The Wall Street Journalreports that Amazon.com, Target and Walmart are limiting sales of the the top 10 hottest book pre-orders. The retailers are engaged in a price war with book prices down to $9 for some of the most coveted hardcovers. The WSJ says the retailers are losing money on the books, so they are limiting the number of copies customers can buy to prevent other booksellers from buying lots of copies and reselling them.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has limited its online customers to two copies each of certain bargain books. Amazon.com Inc. has a three-copy maximum on certain discounted titles and Target Corp. has a five-copy limit online.
The price war involves the top 10 hottest book pre-orders. Under the promotion, the three retailers are selling the yet-to-be-released titles, including books by Stephen King, John Grisham, Dean Koontz and James Patterson, at around $9 online, a substantial discount from their list prices of $22 to $35. Walmart.com, for example, is offering Mr. Koontz's thriller "Breathless" for $8.98, 68% off the cover price, while Target.com has it at $8.99 and Amazon charges $9.
Arsen Kashkashian, head buyer at the Boulder Book Store, told the WSJ that he was planning on buying 70 copies of Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna from Walmart.com, Target.com or Amazon, because their prices are "more than $5 cheaper than what we can get it for from the publisher, Harper."
The means Amazon, Target and Walmart are probably losing about $5 a book unless they have a bulk deal with the publisher for less than what small bookstores are charged. The cheap hardcovers are a great deal for readers while they last.
Halloween is fast approaching and there are some marvelous board books out there for babies and toddlers who are still trying to grasp this whole Halloween concept. Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills is just adorable. The bestselling series features good friends Duck and Goose searching high and low for a pumpkin. The look in a log, a leaf pile and even under water, but no pumpkin. Until finally a helpful friends suggests they try the pumpkin patch. Success! A fabulous pumpkin is obtained. The message of teamwork and friendship is perfect for toddlers.
In One Two Boo by Kristen L. Depken (text) and Claudine Gevry (illustrations) children can lift the flaps to count their way through a spooky old house. Of course there are some surprises along the way. The illustrations are just darling and each page has a flap. It's sturdy for a board book, and is sure to be a favorite when kids wants a scary -- but not too scary -- story to make things exciting. Both books would make wonderful, candy-free, Halloween gifts.
Businessweek 
BarnesandNoble.com unveiled its newly designed online B&N Kids Store today at 
Borders is 
The Wall Street Journal 
