Here are some of my favorite stories and news items from this week’s publishing, media, and tech reporting.
E-books, Readers, and Apps
- The state of e-book sales today. Publishers Weekly
- The new NOOK GlowLight reviewed. Good E-Reader
- Amazon’s Matchbook program launched this week. TIME
Tech
- Researchers and designers are proposing new keyboard layouts for thumb typing. The Atlantic
- How to crack a Wi-Fi password (and protect your own) Lifehacker
- You don’t have to leave your gadgets behind to get away from it all. GadgetLab
Social Media
- Facebook dominates in logins; Google makes gains [infographic] SocialTimes
- At 300 million users, Google+ activity remains in question. Digits
- Is Facebook failing marketers? Digiday
- Facebook is looking to develop better consumer tracking technology. WSJ
- Has Twitter changed the role of the literary critic? NYTBR
Media and Publishing
- World Book Night US announced their 2014 selections. WBN
- Random House acquires Figment, an online writing community for young readers. Jacket Copy
- Editor & Publisher’s 2013 EPPY Award winners. E&P
Writing and Grammar
- Five best free online word processors. Mashable
- How to polish your writing. Poynter
- When to use the passive voice. CJR
- Tim Kreider on writing for free. New York Times
Lifehack and Business
- How anxiety leads decisions astray. HBR
- Top 50 executives who make wheels turn. AdWeek
- The structure of a 60 second pitch. Fast Company
- Tick is a new to-do app. Lifehacker
- 7 apps for a faster commute. Mashable
Podcasts
- Former editor at Esquire and GQ, now editorial director of nonfiction at Random House, Andy Ward. Longform
Misc.
- The science of a great subway map. FastCoDesign
- Best Longreads accounts on Twitter. Mashable
- Paintlist, a new app by Dutch Boy, recommends paint colors based on songs. New York Times
- New iPhone app Knoala is a repository for toddler playtime ideas. Techland
