Happy Kindle DX Day!!

[DVCLiz]

Anyone else waiting on a Kindle delivery today? I ordered the new DX model and I can't wait to get it!!


Yes, if you are counting, that's 3 Kindles I have now (well, 4 if you count my Iphone!) I originally ordered the Kindle 1 last summer, loved it, but handed it down to my 15 year old daughter when I upgraded to the Kindle 2 this past February. My 20 year old daughter - a rising college senior - also wants one, so I've ordered the DX to see which one would be better for her needs. She'll take the one that works best for her and I'll keep the other - I suspect because she is a literature/language double major she will read mostly novels and the K2 will be fine for her, while the increased size and better display of periodicals, etc. will make the DX my choice. We'll see, though...

 

[Darsa]

Heh, I'm still stuck on books borrowed from the library, for financial reasons. Oh well, I never really understood what the deal was with the Kindle, so I never really could understand the excitement they caused. I imagine I'm probably missing something pretty cool

 

[harleyquinn]

Aren't they REALLY expensive? There's a new Samsung phone that has the same e-ink tech as the kindle. I'm excited to see some applications that might be cheaper. Plus the new versions are coming out so quick! It's ridiculous...

I'm sorry OP--I'm really glad you're excited about your purchase and hope it's everything you want/need!!

 

[themilesfamily]

Heh, I'm still stuck on books borrowed from the library, for financial reasons. Oh well, I never really understood what the deal was with the Kindle, so I never really could understand the excitement they caused. I imagine I'm probably missing something pretty cool

I'm afraid I'm with you. I love libraries -- browsing through the bookshelves, the feel of a book, the smell of a book. It's something visceral that I would never get on a Kindle.

I could see getting a Kindle for two reasons:
1) If you travel a lot and don't want to carry a lot of reading material.
2) If your eyes are bad -- Kindle can resize text and make it easier to read.

 

[DVCLiz]

Aren't they REALLY expensive? There's a new Samsung phone that has the same e-ink tech as the kindle. I'm excited to see some applications that might be cheaper. Plus the new versions are coming out so quick! It's ridiculous...

I'm sorry OP--I'm really glad you're excited about your purchase and hope it's everything you want/need!!

The new Kindle DX is $489.00. I'd be interested to see Eink technology in a cell phone, but there's no way I'd read a full length novel on a screen that small! You can download a free App for the Iphone and read Kindle books that way - but again, reading on a small screen, especially one that is backlit - kills my eyes so that would never be my first chocie.

The new DX isn't really a "new" version so much as it is an "enhancement" designed for textbook use, etc. If you have a first or second generation version of the Kindle the reading experience is exactly the same - except for the new larger screen size on the DX. So it's not a question of the older ones being obsolete - the wireless delivery system still works perfectly well on each model. Amazon did discontinue production of the K1 in favor of some (to my mind) really great updated features in the K2, but the new DX is just another product in the line. You can choose the one that meets your needs.

Darsa, the Kindle is great for a number of reasons, but it's not for everyone. If you are a regular library user and that is the reading model that suits you (and your pocketbook) best, then there's no reason not to continue with that. I wasn't a library user - I bought most of my books in hardcover from Barnes & Noble - so for me the $9.99 price of most Kindle books was cheaper than the hardback prices I had been paying. Also, I was running out of space and I haven't bought a hardback book in almost a year, so I have been able to tame my book clutter issue with the Kindle.

Those were the two issues that pushed me toward an ebook reader - the coolness factor and the ease of ordering a new title and having it download wirelessly in less than a minute have won me over and made me a fan for life.

 

[OK!]

It's always cool to see that there are other people out there as tech-nerdy as I am. I'm actually kinda psyched to try the Kindle, though not in the conventional way--I'm getting a new iPhone on the 19th when they come out and will try out the Kindle app then.

 

[DVCLiz]

I'm afraid I'm with you. I love libraries -- browsing through the bookshelves, the feel of a book, the smell of a book. It's something visceral that I would never get on a Kindle.

I could see getting a Kindle for two reasons:
1) If you travel a lot and don't want to carry a lot of reading material.
2) If your eyes are bad -- Kindle can resize text and make it easier to read.

Ugh - I was a librarian for 17 years and although I too love the smell of new books, the smell of most public library books has nothing in common with fresh ink and paper!!!!!

I was surprised how quickly I got over the illusion that it was the feel and smell of the book I loved - I really love the reading experience and with the Kindle I can have the best of both worlds. I bought a leather cover for my Kindle and I can curl up with a good book whether it is in electronic format or hardcover. Once I start reading it's the same experience - I get lost in the story and the time flies by.

I was on vacation last week at the Disney Vero Beach resort, and I was reading a book on the beach (under an umbreella so I didn't fry, although the Kindle can be read in bright sunlight) and I finished my book. I knew the author had another title I wanted to read, so I searched for and downloaded it with a minute - and I was reading the new title. I never left my beach chair or even moved!! Now that's a cool feature!!

 

[harleyquinn]

The new Kindle DX is $489.00. I'd be interested to see Eink technology in a cell phone, but there's no way I'd read a full length novel on a screen that small! You can download a free App for the Iphone and read Kindle books that way - but again, reading on a small screen, especially one that is backlit - kills my eyes so that would never be my first chocie.

The new DX isn't really a "new" version so much as it is an "enhancement" designed for textbook use, etc. If you have a first or second generation version of the Kindle the reading experience is exactly the same - except for the new larger screen size on the DX. So it's not a question of the older ones being obsolete - the wireless delivery system still works perfectly well on each model. Amazon did discontinue production of the K1 in favor of some (to my mind) really great updated features in the K2, but the new DX is just another product in the line. You can choose the one that meets your needs.

Darsa, the Kindle is great for a number of reasons, but it's not for everyone. If you are a regular library user and that is the reading model that suits you (and your pocketbook) best, then there's no reason not to continue with that. I wasn't a library user - I bought most of my books in hardcover from Barnes & Noble - so for me the $9.99 price of most Kindle books was cheaper than the hardback prices I had been paying. Also, I was running out of space and I haven't bought a hardback book in almost a year, so I have been able to tame my book clutter issue with the Kindle.

Those were the two issues that pushed me toward an ebook reader - the coolness factor and the ease of ordering a new title and having it download wirelessly in less than a minute have won me over and made me a fan for life.

I'm with you--there's no way I would frequently use the tech on a cell phone, but I'm interested to see what might come out of it. Now my mom's another story--she doesn't want a Kindle because it's too big--it must be able to fit in her purse.

But to each their own. I think they are super cool, but I can't justify the cost as I'm a library-only gal. I don't buy books unless I LOVE them...

I think it's so cool you're able to share something like this with your daughters!

 

[DVCLiz]

It's always cool to see that there are other people out there as tech-nerdy as I am. I'm actually kinda psyched to try the Kindle, though not in the conventional way--I'm getting a new iPhone on the 19th when they come out and will try out the Kindle app then.

The Kindle app is super fun!!! I took my Iphone to WDW on my last trip and I kept it in my pocket in the parks. When I had a long line to stand in I just chose my book from the Kindle and read in line. The two devices sync so you can request it to locate the "last page read" - that way if you are in the middle of a good book on your Kindle and you pull out your IPhone while you are in carpool, it will "find" your place and let you pick up where you left off. Amazing...

If you can read for a long time on a backlit screen than all you'll need is that app - although you can't download magazines or newspapers to it. But it's great for reading novels!! It starts to hurt my eyes after 15 or 20 minutes so it wouldn't be my only choice for long term reading. But you can't beat the FREE part!!!

 

[DVCLiz]

I'm with you--there's no way I would frequently use the tech on a cell phone, but I'm interested to see what might come out of it. Now my mom's another story--she doesn't want a Kindle because it's too big--it must be able to fit in her purse.

But to each their own. I think they are super cool, but I can't justify the cost as I'm a library-only gal. I don't buy books unless I LOVE them...

I think it's so cool you're able to share something like this with your daughters!

MY K1 and K2 fit fine in my purse, even with their leather covers - but I always carry a medium-sized purse. It wouldn't fit in anything really small. It's about the size of a small datebook/calender with a leather cover.

Because I was a librarian for so many years - asnd a Children's Librarian at that! - both of my daughters are readers. They stay up until midnight to be able to buy the next Harry Potter or Twilight book, they read series at the rate of one a day, they swap books with their friends, etc - they are readers. So I have always been willing to let them have whatever books they want and we have a LOT of bookcases!!! The Kindle lets them buy most of their books for less than ten bucks and keep them to read over and over - something else they like to do.

We are going to buy some of their favorites - Katherine, Called Birdy, The Secret Garden, The Anne of Green Gables books (well, those are actually MY favorites) in Kindle format and get rid of our paper copies. We will always have the stories but we don't need to store the books themselves.

 

[jrmasm]

I downloaded the Kindle App and the backlighting kills my eyes. I want a Kindle.

 

[DVCLiz]

I downloaded the Kindle App and the backlighting kills my eyes. I want a Kindle.

I know - they are great!!! Start looking on Craigslist and Ebay - people will be selling the K1 and K2 now that the DX is here and you can get a slightly used one.

 

[rcraw45425]

Hey Liz, I wondered if you'd go ahead and get one! I'm sticking with the K2, the DX is too big. I just read the latest Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child book, Cemetery Dance, from the library (free beat 9.99, lol). I kept looking for a button to turn the page! Plus, hardbacks are bulkier than Kindles!

 

[DVCLiz]

Hey Liz, I wondered if you'd go ahead and get one! I'm sticking with the K2, the DX is too big. I just read the latest Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child book, Cemetery Dance, from the library (free beat 9.99, lol). I kept looking for a button to turn the page! Plus, hardbacks are bulkier than Kindles!

Lol!! Yep, couldn't resist!!! I am justifying it by telling myself that my oldest daughter "needs" one, but even she said, "Mom, just go ahead and order it - you know you want to!" We'll have a family meeting and see which one really suits each of us- I think the DX will be great for magazines. I would love someday to get all my magazine subscriptions on a color DX-sized Kindle. That would be awesome!!

 

[DVCLiz]

IT'S HERE!!!!! And it's BIG!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

OK, I'm calm now. It's really cool, though - I love the auto rotate feature already. I'm left handed and the new DX has only one set of buttons on the right hand side. Some people have been grumbling that that will be difficult for lefties - but I can turn the DX to landscape mode and the buttons will be along the bottom - simple to get used to finding the toggle with either hand and flicking it.

Off to play some more with my new toy!!

 

[Crankyshank]

I'm considering purchasing the dx for the fall when I start grad school. The relationship with the textbook companies, and the .pdf feature might make it worth my while rather than lugging books and my laptop all over 2 campuses.

Plus, I figure being a library student it would behoove me to be up on all book technology I just wish there were a way for me to rent one before I spend $500 of my tuition money.

 

[DVCLiz]

I'm considering purchasing the dx for the fall when I start grad school. The relationship with the textbook companies, and the .pdf feature might make it worth my while rather than lugging books and my laptop all over 2 campuses.

Plus, I figure being a library student it would behoove me to be up on all book technology I just wish there were a way for me to rent one before I spend $500 of my tuition money.

Wow, it's really cool - the screen size is about the size of the entire K2. Any birthdays coming up? Amazon gift cards make excellent gifts for that grad student you love!! Maybe you can ask for it as an early holiday gift?

I definitely think all library students should have this (enable, enable.) When I was in library school, I think I was the last class to be allowed to write papers on typewriters - we didn't even have computers for general use (1984-85) so I'm all for new technologies in libraries!!!

 

[themilesfamily]

Ugh - I was a librarian for 17 years and although I too love the smell of new books, the smell of most public library books has nothing in common with fresh ink and paper!!!!!

I was surprised how quickly I got over the illusion that it was the feel and smell of the book I loved - I really love the reading experience and with the Kindle I can have the best of both worlds.

Question. Do you find the reading a Kindle to be harder on your eyes, easier on your eyes, or about the same??

 

[rcraw45425]

Question. Do you find the reading a Kindle to be harder on your eyes, easier on your eyes, or about the same??

I'm not Liz but I have a K2. I find that its a little easier on the eyes for some reason, maybe because you can adjust the font size.

 

[WDWBarb]

Question. Do you find the reading a Kindle to be harder on your eyes, easier on your eyes, or about the same??

I have a K1 and it is MUCH easier on my eyes. There is less contrast between the letters and the background so it just seems to not wear my eyes out as bad.

I have LOTS of eye strain (due to very heavy PC use) and I can't stand reading ink on paper anymore.