Review: Kindle 3


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oh cool thanks!

No probs :) - Here's one I forgot to add in my last post - the same article, again in widescreen / landscape, but zoomed in:

post-50796-12922703063657.gif

My eyesight is nothing short of terrible (My last prescription ->Right Eye: -3.25 | Left Eye: 3.25), but personally I don't have any probs using the 'net, albeit for short durations, on the Kindle.

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Unfortunately, they'll look worse on a computer screen, than on the Kindle. It's the same (imo),with e-books. I can't read 'em on my monitor (Samsung 2333HD 23" LCD) for long periods, yet I spent 7hrs reading on my Kindle, Saturday night.

Ditto this, the display is absurdly clear and crisp to look at. Don't let the above screenshots fool you, they're much sharper on the Kindle's display. It's not an LCD, and the technology doesn't lend itself for regular "computer use".. it's just too slow for that sort of thing, but for the e-book viewing, it's just creepy how much it looks like a printed piece of paper. When I first got mine, the display had a message about plugging it in and how to get started.. at first it looked like a sticker, it was that sharp. Zero eye strain too, can read it for hours. I only understand the basics of the technology but pretty neat stuff. Wikipedia has a good article about electronic paper if you're so inclined.

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I have a ipad, but am thinking of getting a kindle even though theres a slight overlap.

How good is the speech option? Say you was driving and wanted it to read instead of having radio on?

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How good is the speech option? Say you was driving and wanted it to read instead of having radio on?

Not as good as say Natural Voices, but it's certainly not 1985's synthesis either. Best bet is to judge for yourself. (That's just the first one I found, there's a few demos on YouTube.)

Personally, I'm not a fan of audio books, as it always sounds better in my head if that makes sense, but that's just me. This is a notch below that, as it's obviously not a real person reading. Just an FYI though, the unit does play MP3's as well.. can copy an audiobook over to storage.

Not sure if I would buy a Kindle if I already had an iPad, as I understand it having a decent book reader of its own. Different format of course, but nothing that Calibre won't take care of. I had no use for the tablet aside from reading (already have a UMPC), so I went with the less expensive route.

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I have the wifi version of the new kindle and I love it! I read a lot, but my main reason for getting an e-reader was to be more mobile. Being able to move all of my books from print to digital will save me space and trees :) The kindle will save you money on books too. One example: the kolbrin bible 21st century master edition. This book is listed at 44.95 for the print edition and 9.59 for kindle.

Thanks for your review! I love, love, love my kindle. I only need it to read books and it does a great job at that. The screen is so sharp and easy to read, but I wish amazon didn't figure out they can monetize the screen saver...

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I never understood the Kindle. My wife wants an iPad, but she reads books alot. In your revie you said 3G is free which is a plus and you can go on the Internet with it? Like Facebook, can you view other websites? Also, it's not in color, correct?

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I never understood the Kindle. My wife wants an iPad, but she reads books alot. In your revie you said 3G is free which is a plus and you can go on the Internet with it? Like Facebook, can you view other websites? Also, it's not in color, correct?

Have you bothered to look up detailed specs on Amazon to learn a bit more about the Kindle? Kindle screens utilize e-ink, so no, they are not in color.

They do allow internet browsing but it isn't the most sufficient way. If you want to look something up really quick, sure but for daily usage on Facebook? Not sure why you'd use the Kindle for that. Kindle's main aspect is for book usage. You can look through some of the posts that include screenshots of internet browsing.

If you want something in color and more "app" behavior, then you might want to look at the B&N Nook. Although while you said your wife reads a lot, does she WANT to use an e-reader? Might want to ask her why she wants an iPad first. Might realize that she doesn't want an e-reader OR wouldn't mind using the iPad to read some books.

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I never understood the Kindle. My wife wants an iPad, but she reads books alot. In your revie you said 3G is free which is a plus and you can go on the Internet with it? Like Facebook, can you view other websites? Also, it's not in color, correct?

It has a web browser, but it kind of blows.

The purpose of the Kindle is to be a dedicated e-reader. It's purpose is to mimic actual print as close as possible (which it does very well). If you don't care about battery life or reading quality and want a do everything device, get an iPad. If you want good battery life and the best quality you can get for reading, get a Kindle.

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It has a web browser, but it kind of blows.

The purpose of the Kindle is to be a dedicated e-reader. It's purpose is to mimic actual print as close as possible (which it does very well). If you don't care about battery life or reading quality and want a do everything device, get an iPad. If you want good battery life and the best quality you can get for reading, get a Kindle.

That pretty much sums it up. At the end of the day, there's a reason why Amazon put the Web Browser and MP3 player, under an 'experimental' tab - they're useful lil apps, but they're not designed for regular usage. I tend to use the web browser for perhaps 10 mins each night, to have a quick look round the 'net, before settling in to read. To be fair, I haven't had any probs with the browser - it works perfectly fine, but I couldn't imagine using it for extended periods.

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Have you bothered to look up detailed specs on Amazon to learn a bit more about the Kindle? Kindle screens utilize e-ink, so no, they are not in color.

They do allow internet browsing but it isn't the most sufficient way. If you want to look something up really quick, sure but for daily usage on Facebook? Not sure why you'd use the Kindle for that. Kindle's main aspect is for book usage. You can look through some of the posts that include screenshots of internet browsing.

If you want something in color and more "app" behavior, then you might want to look at the B&N Nook. Although while you said your wife reads a lot, does she WANT to use an e-reader? Might want to ask her why she wants an iPad first. Might realize that she doesn't want an e-reader OR wouldn't mind using the iPad to read some books.

I never really asked her why she wanted an iPad, I guess because if she had a laptop she would use it as if it was just an iPad which all she does is google, facebook, email. She loves to read, so I'm sure saving money on books would be a plus for her. The Nook looks pretty good, alot cheaper than an iPad. But, I just showed the wife the NookColor, and she said she'll most likely use it, and I told her if she wants games she has her iPad. What's the chance of her not finding a book she wants?

It has a web browser, but it kind of blows.

The purpose of the Kindle is to be a dedicated e-reader. It's purpose is to mimic actual print as close as possible (which it does very well). If you don't care about battery life or reading quality and want a do everything device, get an iPad. If you want good battery life and the best quality you can get for reading, get a Kindle.

Thanks, the NookColor looks pretty good.

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My Kindle crashed last night - not a freeze, as occasionally happens (mostly when using the browser), but a fully fledged, crash. Thought it had died :(

Turns out, if you actually switch the machine off, it'll reset itself. Figured it might be worth copying the instructions over here, in case anyone has the problem in the future:

  • Flick the power switch, to put the device into standby mode (Screensaver mode)
  • Flick the switch for three seconds, until it starts to flash.
  • Flick, and hold, the power switch for 15 Seconds.

After that, it'll physically reboot the machine. Took about 1 minute for it to cycle through, and come 'back to life'

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  • 1 month later...

Just for the record for any Europeans, while the kindle is nice. Europe has more of less collectively decided to use the other open ebook standard. which amazon don't support, and they refuse all devices to support both their format and the ePub format europe will be using.

That means all books sold in european ebook stores and rented at european libraries will be epub and on't be readable on a kindle. so in Europe you're better of with an ePub capable reader, like Sony (their touch screens also have the advantage of not needign the huge keyboard :)) or some of the other readers that support both formats, but with different firmware flashes.

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Just for the record for any Europeans, while the kindle is nice. Europe has more of less collectively decided to use the other open ebook standard. which amazon don't support, and they refuse all devices to support both their format and the ePub format europe will be using.

That means all books sold in european ebook stores and rented at european libraries will be epub and on't be readable on a kindle. so in Europe you're better of with an ePub capable reader, like Sony (their touch screens also have the advantage of not needign the huge keyboard :)) or some of the other readers that support both formats, but with different firmware flashes.

Just use Calibre to convert ePub to Mobi, then it's readable on the Kindle - sorted

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Just for the record for any Europeans, while the kindle is nice. Europe has more of less collectively decided to use the other open ebook standard. which amazon don't support, and they refuse all devices to support both their format and the ePub format europe will be using.

That means all books sold in european ebook stores and rented at european libraries will be epub and on't be readable on a kindle. so in Europe you're better of with an ePub capable reader, like Sony (their touch screens also have the advantage of not needign the huge keyboard :)) or some of the other readers that support both formats, but with different firmware flashes.

You're right that the Kindle essentially only reads a limited number of 'formats' natively - sadly, ePub not being one of them. I have read somewhere (can't for the life of me remember where) that Amazon might be thinking of adding basic .ePub support into this rumored Kindle-Touch device they're working on. Personally I'll believe it when I see it :)

that' doesn't quite work when you buy or rent the books though.

I'll be honest - I haven't purchased any .ePub books. However, my understanding of Calibre is that it should import and then convert most formats. If not, then there are definitely tools 'out there' that will strip the DRM from the .epub, allowing Calibre to do it's thing. Suffice to say, though (least not in terms of keeping the thread open) it should only be used for books that people have purchased.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I remember reading the review some time ago when it was on the front page of Neowin, thanks a lot for it. Unfortunately, it doesn't make my decision on whether to buy one or not any easier since the fundamental question is do you read enough books to justify buying a Kindle? And I suppose the answer to that is no, but I do like the convenience of it, though I don't think I'd ever feel comfortable reading it on the public bus (which is how I commute).

Decisions!

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Just bought one!

$139 delivered from amazon.com to Australia...

Congrats :) - Hope you like it, when it arrives.

I remember reading the review some time ago when it was on the front page of Neowin, thanks a lot for it. Unfortunately, it doesn't make my decision on whether to buy one or not any easier since the fundamental question is do you read enough books to justify buying a Kindle? And I suppose the answer to that is no, but I do like the convenience of it, though I don't think I'd ever feel comfortable reading it on the public bus (which is how I commute).

Decisions!

Ultimately, I guess that's what it comes down to. In a bad year, I'll read 50 books, so for me it works out - especially as I'm planning on reading a hell of a lot of 'classics' this year and next - the vast majority of which, are free. I did the maths, and it worked out cheaper for me to buy the Kindle, and use it for the Public Domain books, than it did to buy 'em in 'physical' form.

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To be fair, though, it gets you to read. I hasn't read a book in 10 years (seriously), but since I got a Kindle in October, I'm on my 6th book.

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  • 2 months later...

Amazon launch cheaper, AD-supported Kindle 3.

Amazon today announced the launch of a new AD revenue supported Kindle 3 [WiFi only version]. Retailing for $114 as opposed to $139 the unit will contain additional Screensavers, that double as Ads, as well as other 'Special Offers'. The Unit, which is available to pre-order now, frm Amazon, is released on May 3rd, 2011.

[More Information @ Amazon.com]

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To be fair, though, it gets you to read. I hasn't read a book in 10 years (seriously), but since I got a Kindle in October, I'm on my 6th book.

Ditto. I am only on my 2nd book as I only read my book once a day but wow I don't think Im going to stop reading now I love it! I literally have not been interested to read a full book until now its great.

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Amazon launch cheaper, AD-supported Kindle 3.

Amazon today announced the launch of a new AD revenue supported Kindle 3 [WiFi only version]. Retailing for $114 as opposed to $139 the unit will contain additional Screensavers, that double as Ads, as well as other 'Special Offers'. The Unit, which is available to pre-order now, frm Amazon, is released on May 3rd, 2011.

[More Information @ Amazon.com]

No thanks. I'd rather spend a few extra bucks and not get harassed by ads.

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