Amazon plans to pay self-publishing writers per page read

Amazon is introducing a new payment method for self-publishing writers on Kindle’s Direct Publishing platform. The independent authors will be paid based on the number of pages read instead of the number of times the books have been borrowed. Amazon has a complex method to determine payment for the indie authors. The company has a fund they use that’s set every month. This new plan will give authors a share of that fund based on the pages read.

The Kindle Direct Publishing platform lets authors make key decisions about their books, including setting list prices, managing rights, and editing the book at any time.

Source: Reuters

Google releases 17 new Android Wear watch faces

Google’s adding more customizability to the Android Wear with another round of new watch faces from designers and popular brands. There are 17 new faces from the likes of Bang & Olufsen, Cynthia Rowley, Hello Kitty, Moomin, and Muji. If you aren’t too keen on them, according to Google, there are over 1,500 downloadable watch faces on the Play Store. You can check out the collection over here.

Source: Android Police

Microsoft's free Windows 10 upgrade messaging is confusing

As we head into the July 29th launch date for Windows 10, the messaging on who is eligible for a free Windows 10 update seems to be getting more convoluted. Microsoft said a week ago that testers of the Windows 10 Preview, who are in essence helping  Redmond with the debugging and field testing of the new OS and antidote to the poorly received Windows 8 OS, would be 'getting the final release build which would remain activated.' Many read this as, 'Windows 10 Preview copies would be upgraded for free.' 

Microsoft has since backtracked and removed the "remain activated" part, while explaining that only owners of a genuine Windows 7 or 8.1 copy would get the next version for free. You know your version is eligible because it should show a 'Get Windows 10' icon on your taskbar which will walk you through the process of 'reserving' the OS for when it finally ships on July 29.

This is still confusing and as we barrel towards the launch date, I'm hoping Microsoft will issue clear instructions and explain how to best prepare for the installation of this much anticipated update to Windows. Microsoft did announce some changes to the Insider program (which issues the previews), check out the full details at Thurott.com

Source: Microsoft, Thurott.com

Update on Monday, June 22, 2015 at 4:35PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

A recent entry in the Microsoft blog aims to clarify who gets what for free. 

Swift response: Apple to pay artists during Music trial period

Apple has reconsidered its initial approach to the Apple Music trial period after Taylor Swift wrote an open letter imploring Apple to pay musicians for their music during the three-month trial period that the new music service will be available for free.

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