Internet Genealogy Magazine 4.1.2 for iOS

If you own an iPad 2 with iOS 5, it is highly recommended you upgrade to version 4.1.2. It also addresses some Newsstand compatibility issues.

Internet Genealogy Magazine for iOS is similar to Your Family Tree for iOS (aka Your Family History) – It’s a magazine focused around using the internet for your genealogy resesarch. Keep in mind that it is $1.99, which allows you to download one issue of IGM of your choice, other issues will cost more and will need to be purchased within the application.

A 12 month subscription (6 issues) is: £17.49/ US$24.99

What’s New/Updates in 4.1.2
* Newsstand compatibility
* General stability and performance improvements
* In-app help page
* iOS5 rendering fix for iPad 2
* Character fix on contents
* Minor contents and subscription fulfilment fix

Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
* iOS 4.0 or later

* iPhone / iPod touch Link: Internet Genealogy Magazine – Magazinecloner.com US LLC
* iPad Link: Internet Genealogy Magazine – Magazinecloner.com US LLC

Your Family Tree 1.2 for iOS

Your Family Tree has been updated to version 1.2, to fix some Newsstand issues with Apple’s Newsstand software/folder. Newsstand is a feature of newer versions of iOS that allow you to easily manage your magazine and newspaper subscriptions.

Your Family Tree is a genealogy magazine (one that I frequently purchase) that covers a wide range of articles and information. Your Family Tree is also known as Your Family History outside of the United Kingdom.

Please keep in mind that while the app itself is free, you will need to purchase the magazines, either individually or through subscriptions, from within the app:
Single issue: £4.99 / $6.99 / €5.49
3 months subscription: £14.99 / $20.99 / €16.99
6 months subscription: £24.49 / $34.99 / €27.99
1 year subscription: £44.99 / $64.99 / €49.99

The digital edition of Your Family Tree available through iOS/Newsstand is not printable.

Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
* iOS 4.3 or later

You can download it/access it here:
* iPhone/iPod touch Link: Your Family Tree – Future plc
* iPad Link: Your Family Tree – Future plc

nook Software Update Version 1.5

I know a lot of genealogists have been using ebook readers to keep track of a lot of reading and even documents, and today the Barnes & Noble nook received a major update.

The first major feature added – staying in sync across multiple nooks or the nook app installed on multiple computers. The Kindle has had it for a while, so it’s good to see this feature added.

The organization has been vastly improved with the addition of “My Shelves” which you can use to organize your library and documents by topics.

Performance has been improved quite a bit – page turning is now, from what I’ve seen today, on par with Amazon.com’s Kindle.

Password protection has been added. Search has been improved, and there are other fixes/improvements.

You can install the update through a Wi-Fi connection either automatically or manually. It will no be avaialble over 3G – you’ll need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to install it.

Source: Barnes & Noble

iWork and ePub, Assorted App Updates

Apple has released iWork 09 version 9.0.4. This is of interest to mobile genealogy fans as Pages version 4.0.4 can now export to the standard ePub file format. That means that iBooks users on iPhones, iPod touch, and iPad, as well as owners of Barnes & Noble’s nook, Sony’s Reader series, and Google Android users can now easily read documents created with Pages. Quite a few people use Pages/iWork for creating family newsletters and similar documents, and this increases the distribution choices.

Read the full story at Mac Genealogy

Amazon.com has updated their Kindle App to version 2.2.1. The Kindle App allows you to view electronic books (ebooks) purchased or downloaded through Amazon’s Kindle Store on your iPhone OS/iOS devices. We’ve highlighted some of the genealogy eBooks available through Kindle in the past.

Changes:
* Improved highlight sensitivity to reduce inadvertent highlights when turning pages
* Fixed a crash some customers experience when highlighting a word
* Corrected a problem where the most recent page is not saved when returning to the app
* Other bug fixes based on customer feedback

You can download the Kindle App for free (iTunes)

Google has updated the Google Mobile App. Google Mobile App acts as a front-end for various Google services (Google Search, etc.), and it also interacts with other Google apps.

Changes:
* Push notifications for Gmail and Calendar.

You can download Google Mobile App for free as well (iTunes).

Last, but not least, another major update to a free app. NASA has updated the NASA app. The NASA app features information revolving around NASA missions, information for astronomers looking to catch a glimpse of the International Space Station, NASA’s Image of the Day and the Astronomy Picture of the Day.

This has absolutely nothing to do with genealogy, but they’ve done something that I think is really cool, and being a fan, I had to mention it. Besides some fixes for iOS 4 users, they have added live streaming of the NASA TV public channel. Not everybody has access to their public channel, but if you have an iOS devices, now you do. They show quite a few interesting shows on there, as well as live streaming from orbit during various activities.

Download here: NASA App (iTunes)

Amazon.com Introduces New Kindle at $139

In response to Barnes and Noble offering a cheaper Nook electronic eBook reader, Amazon.com has responded with a brand-new Kindle at a cheaper price ($139). They’ve also upped the storage considerably, to 3500 books.

Keep in mind you won’t have worldwide 3G coverage for this Kindle – you’ll have to download/purchase books over WiFi or buy them through your computer and transfer them through USB.

Changes:
* Lower price – $139 for Wifi/non-3G model
* Better, high contrast E-Ink display
* Increased battery life to nearly one month
* Smaller, lighter body, in graphite color
* Can post passages from books to Facebook or Twitter
* Access other websites
* Storage increased to 3500 books (versus 1500 books)

This new price has made things interesting. I still favor eBook readers that support the easy addition of books through Calibre as well as storing them on SD or SDHC flash memory cards, since you are locked in to Amazon.com’s Kindle store, but this will shake up the market.

To view more or purchase the new Kindle, see the new Kindle page at Amazon.com. It will be available August 27, 2010.

To see what books are available through Amazon.com’s Kindle that might be of interest to genealogists, please see our genealogy books on the Kindle section.

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