Any Kindle owners

[Joetown Parrothead]

Great too hear about this, that is one of the gifts I am getting my wife for Christmas.

[East Texas Parrothead]

When I talk to writers, they say they want to hold a book (like me), but they use theirs a lot when they travel (which makes perfect sense).

I'm about to start Greg Mortenson's new book.

How long does the battery last between charges?

Anyone else put music on theirs?

Anyone else tried e-mailing stuff to theirs?

Inquiring minds wants to know.

[nutmeg]

I downloaded the kindle app for my i-phone. It's a free app



I bought the book Santa Claws by Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie Brown from Amazon's Kindle store from browsing on the phone. It loaded instantly. How magical!

It is great for reading in bed. No light needed. I thought I would be one of the people who missed holding the book and turning pages. But, it is so much easier to hold. It doesn't close up on you unexpectedly causing you to search for your page. This book has cool drawings included. I can even zoom the drawings.

I'm sold. And with using it on the phone, I don't need to get another device to carry.

I usually need to buy more books while on vaction. They are so heavy and take up so much room in the suitcase. Now I can't wait to travel again.

[East Texas Parrothead]

I enjoyed using mine last night. I've still got a lot to learn and I still want a book in my hands on most occasions, but for travel, I think it will be fabulous.

[Joetown Parrothead]

has anyone found free books for the Kindle, I got Sheryl one for Christmas and $150 for books. Just thought I'd see if anyone knew of any free ones? Thank You

[ejr]

I enjoyed using mine last night. I've still got a lot to learn and I still want a book in my hands on most occasions, but for travel, I think it will be fabulous.

I was given one last week--love it so far, and I am surprised that I am not missing having a book in my hands. I already find I am ready a page or two here and there where I generally wouldn't do that with a book. Had it in my purse when I went to the doctor and read while waiting for him. Still need to learn more on it, but I am enjoying it so far.

[RinglingRingling]

I'll likely wait until the 3rd generation... I think they can only mature from this point

mom said that about me too.. and so far...

[RinglingRingling]

Interesting book selection.... I notice that my favorite author doesn't have any books available just yet (because the publisher wants to stay in the dark age?)

Bezos has talked about this issue. For example, they have not been able to get the rights to the Harry Potter books so they aren't available. And they are working to make color an option so they can have travel books, etc, but the longterm goal is every book ever published.

Current title list is limited some, but this project is only 14 months old so far.

this amazes me. Tho what else amazes me is that the Kindle version of the book is more expensive than the paperback. No forest of trees cut down, no chemicals to process the trees to pulp, and then paper, no printing, no petroleum used to get the printed paper to the store, just the author and an editor w/ a spell-checker. $10/book seems a bit expensive relative to the cost of production.

[MDown]

What is the screen like? If it is like staring at a computer screen for hours then that might be really hard on the eyes (at least it would be on mine). Maybe they have designed it a bit differently?

I think the Kindle uses what's called e-ink, where it's very similar to looking at ink on a page, instead of a computer screen. It shouldn't cause eyestrain.

I just think they're a little too expensive. Almost $400 for a book reader? And you still have to pay for the books.

You can get a cheap iPod and download a ton of audiobooks for that price.

Sony's Reader uses e-ink... Exclusively. It's as close as you can get to real ink on real paper. Plus Sony's reads PDF's, word docs, and you can access all e-pub sites and libraries. Kindle is exclusive to Amazon. Sony has open format. Next week Sony's new version called the Daily Edition comes out and it will have 3G wireless, a first for the Sony Reader.

[OceanCityGirl]

There are many free books. Search under genre and then sort from low to high prices. There are whole web pages devoted to free books. Most older classics such as Mark Twain, Conan Doyle, Moby Dick... all free.

[Brown Eyed Girl]

Bumping this back up for some more updated info...

Okay, I'm thinking of caving (contrary to what I first posted in this thread back in 09, lol). Nothing will replace a REAL book for me...ever. But if my trip works out as planned, I'll be in Hawaii most of the month of April. Those of you who know how much and fast I read know that I would require an entire suitcase of books for that length of stay. And while the airline does allow 2 checked bags, I don't want to do that! Much of the time will be devoted to helping my cousin with the kids and working with the oldest one who will turn 3 while I'm there (they have some developmental concerns/questions), I will find time to read. So a Kindle makes sense. I was holding out til they came out with a color feature, but that doesn't seem like it's going to happen any time soon, unless they announce it the day after I but it. So my question now is which one do I get...the wi-fi one or the more expensive 3g+wi-fi? I'm guessing my cousin's house isn't networked, so wi-fi there may be iffy. Which ones do you all have, and do you like it or do you wish you had the other version? Help!

[~Hippolyte~]

...I was holding out til they came out with a color feature, but that doesn't seem like it's going to happen any time soon, unless they announce it the day after I buy it.

So my question now is which one do I get...the wi-fi one or the more expensive 3g+wi-fi?

I'm guessing my cousin's house isn't networked, so wi-fi there may be iffy. Which ones do you all have, and do you like it or do you wish you had the other version? Help!

I bought the 3G + wi-fi....but only because I was afraid I'd miss the 3G option if I didn't get it. Now that I have it the 3G probably could have been skipped.

When buying a book from the Kindle store, you won't need wi-fi or 3G....Amazon sends the books via "whispernet"....which I imagine to be much like a cell-phone signal.

If you figure you'll be loading all your reading material before you go....then the wi-fi is enough for sure.

For anyone concerned about reading the screen for hours on end...it's not at all like a computer. The e-ink pages are fantastic and much easier-on-the-eye than a computer. You can read it in direct sunlight...the page glows like a standard book would.

The extra $50 seemed like an ok option for me. But again, I haven't been super happy I paid the extra. Haven't really noticed the difference....just use one when I need it, or the other if 3G isn't available.

The web surfing is rather limited....but you can check somethings. I should try surfing BN!!

As for the color...if you're reading magazines, maybe I can see getting color. But most books are an off-white page with 'black' ink....so is the Kindle.

Maybe put it this way.....
Do you want the iPod or just an MP3 player?
Do you want the Kindle or just an e-reader?

[East Texas Parrothead]

Kath. I have a real cheap one. It has internet abilities ... and I can get connected, even in my part of the piney woods, which is unusual (I rarely have cell service). I know they've come out with newer models with a lot of bells and whistles ... mine is plain and I really like it, especially when it comes to travel ...

[~Hippolyte~]

hello posting from my Kindle. Actully shows more of the site than my iPhone.

[~Hippolyte~]

DUH....how could I forget this?

Many books are available in PDF format. Many are lower in price than the Kindle store books. You can send the PDF through the Kindle site, asking it to 'convert' the PDF. Kindle's can read PDF's but I find that converting them to Kindle format to be a better option. Things just work better while reading. The PDF's tend to have fewer words per page and some of the features (like size or color of text) can't be changed on PDF's.

One other really nice thing about books on PDF is you can get certain titles that aren't available in Kindle format. There was one certain, very well known series that I wanted. It wasn't available on Kindle....so I did some research...found the series on PDF....bought the 7-books (plus a few extras on the subject) for less than $10!! It's a magical read on a magical device



AND
I bought this accessory combo kit....I don't use all the pieces, but it was more cost effective than buying a cover separately, plus a couple other cables. The book-light isn't that good....but even having to buy a better one, this pack was still a good buy

AND
I have the Kindle app on my smart phone....I can read from where I left off on the Kindle, then update the location on the Kindle when I get back to it.

If I don't have my Kindle with me, I've got my phone....if I don't have my phone, then I've got other problems to deal with

[carolinapiratechik]

I got my 3G in November after spending about a year thinking about it. I, too thought that I couldn't give up having a book in my hands. I love my Kindle. It's slim, easy to carry, fits in my purse, and is lighweight. In addition to books, there are also some free games available to download, one of which I am horribly addicted to. One helpful piece of advice, order a skin for it that will cover your keyboard because the letters tend to wear off and make them hard to se..

[Brown Eyed Girl]

I knew I could count on you guys! You're the best!

Thanks for the clarification on how the books are sent, Hippolyte. So the wi-fi and/or 3G is just in case you want to surf the net and such (in limited amounts)? Or can you buy books from other sites and read them on Kindle? I also have a question about the PDF books you were referring to. Is there a site for those? Or are they a part of the Kindle store and then you can convert them from there?

I guess I need to figure out why I might really need the 3G. It's not like I'll be in the sticks (I'll be in Kailua), plus I will have my phone and laptop. So I probably just need the regular Kindle, unless someone can give me a real hard sell on why I'd want or need the 3G. The cheaper one would probably be my best bet, since I'll spend more than that on a backup battery and spare memory card for my new camera.

[ScarletB]

This thread got revived at a good time. I'm going back to St Barts (having been there for the LeSelect thing) and I love reading on the beach but hate carrying heavy books and then there are the bag weight restrictions as well. I have 2 friends who LOVE theirs but it's good to hear other input. I don't think it will ever replace having a "real" book but for travel I think it's very practical.

[ejr]

Kathy--like you, I am a "book" person, but the convenience of the Kindle, especially for travel, can't be beat. And I use the dictionary feature a lot, but seldom, if ever go to an actual dictionary when reading a book.

And the cheaper version should be fine!

[Brown Eyed Girl]

Kathy--like you, I am a "book" person, but the convenience of the Kindle, especially for travel, can't be beat. And I use the dictionary feature a lot, but seldom, if ever go to an actual dictionary when reading a book.

And the cheaper version should be fine!

You were the one who actually sold me on it, after talking with you about it when you were here...and I remembered you telling me about using the dictionary.