Kindle User please give feedback

[Micca]

I've wondered if the Kindle is going to be rendered obsolete by the smart phone

 

[DVCLiz]

too funny. I just d/l the Anne of Green Gables series onto mine from manybooks.net for free. I'm not sure I'll read through them again, but give me Anne with an E over an American Girl marketing onslaught any day of the week.

I've wondered if the Kindle is going to be rendered obsolete by the smart phone

Oh, I like the American Girl books, too!

Micca, I don't think that is going to happen - the technology is completely different. The E-ink technology is not backlit, so it doesn't produce any eyestrain. I would never read a full-length novel on my iPhone, although I like having the app so I can read if I'm waiting somewhere without my Kindle.

 

[Micca]

Thanks for your reply Liz, your points are well taken. I certainly am not trying to throw cold water on the idea of the Kindle. It just seems that every time something new comes along, it turns up on a smart phone. In any case, the Kindle sounds very cool.

 

[BethA]

This! I too have my oberon, my decal girl skin and my borsa bella bag and spend way too much time on the kindle boards. I also found out tonight that I have enabled 2 kindle purchases (my boss and her DH), as well as my DH. Amazon should have a refer a friend program! There are lots of different covers available; spend some time on the kindle boards and check out their reviews section. There's also threads showing free/cheap books and discussions on other e-readers. My only complaint is that some authors (J.K. Rowling for one) won't put their works out in ebook format, but the selection is definitely expanding. If you're a reader, it's well worth it in my (biased) opinion.

so what accessories should you have and are they expensive?

 

[DVCLiz]

Thanks for your reply Liz, your points are well taken. I certainly am not trying to throw cold water on the idea of the Kindle. It just seems that every time something new comes along, it turns up on a smart phone. In any case, the Kindle sounds very cool.

Pretty soon the smart phone will be able to plug into a Coke and chill it instantly, I am sure!!

The ability to read an electronic book IS already a smart phone app. And some people will find that to be perfectly satisfactory - after all, it is backlit so you can read in bed at night without disturbing your partner.

But for me, the Kindle is the way to go - no eyestrain on it at all, unlike my iPhone, which causes me to have fuzzy vision after about 20 minutes or so. I'll gladly invest in the Kindle technology in order to get the benefits.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I love my Kindle, I have had it for about 8 months. I love browsing the store and downloading the first chapter for free, then buying in the push of a button if I like it. I love all of the free books I have downloaded.
What I don't like about it the lack of a way to organize my books, especially all of the series I read. Even with opening each book to look at the copyright, it often doesen't work.

 

[DVCLiz]

I love my Kindle, I have had it for about 8 months. I love browsing the store and downloading the first chapter for free, then buying in the push of a button if I like it. I love all of the free books I have downloaded.
What I don't like about it the lack of a way to organize my books, especially all of the series I read. Even with opening each book to look at the copyright, it often doesen't work.

I know - WHY can't they give us folders? It seems SO basic - how can it be that hard to do, and WHY won't they do it?

 

[Ephany]

so what accessories should you have and are they expensive?

Honestly the only accessory you NEED (in my opinion of course) is a good cover. I have an oberon $$ (birthday gift) and my DH has a M-edge $. Neither one is cheap per se, but I wanted something solid to protect our kindles, we spent enough on them KWIM? I read mine in the case, DH takes his out so that may be a factor for you also. You can find cases that you slip the kindles in and out easily, others where it is attached and not so easy to remove, (usually by velcro or hinges). Personally I wouldn't do a hinge cover, I've been reading a lot of horror stories lately where the hinge system has cracked the kindle and I wouldn't want to risk it. Some people are very happy with ones they found in the $20 range at Target/Best Buy etc (these usually seem to be bags or cases for small dvd players or similar) while others will only spend $$$. There are good, affordable cases out there that don't break the bank. I don't know of any normal retailers who sell dedicated kindle cases in store though, everything seems to be online.

As far as skins and matching bags go, I like having a skin to help keep it clean, but lots of people I know prefer the white background so that's a preference thing. decalgirl.com has lots of choices but I know there's other websites out there, I just haven't used them so I can't comment. The review section on the kindle boards is probably your best bet for figuring out what you need/want. There's a lot of times I read a review and thought 'Huh, I never thought of that' so it really helped decide what I needed/wanted from my case. Good luck!

 

[BethA]

so will there be a kindle 3 by year end? I read a few articles speculating-now I am wondering if I should wait-I plan to read the pile of books in my room before I make the purchase, if I can exhibit some will power for once--I am sort of obsessed with kindle now and I don't even own one yet

 

[yoopermom]

If you buy NOTHING else, buy a good case. I tend to be a little bit careless (my DH would say absent minded), and sometimes think my borsabella bag is my purse and give it a little fling into the backseat of the car instead of setting it down carefully. I've also dropped my Kindle in it's Oberon cover, only from a short distance, whew, but it has done a good job of protecting it. (Yes, I bought the extra insurance!)

There'll always be a "new"version on the horizon, you have to read the boards and see what the new version will bring and if that makes it worth waiting for you. I knew I wasn't going to want the DX because of the size, so bought the 2 on it's first day, instead. Hate finger prints, so don't care if they do come out with a touch screen, I don't want it. That sort of thing.

Now if we could get organizing folders....

Terri

 

[crz4mm2]

Bought Kindle one when it came out. LOVED it, but then ordered Kindle 2 when it came out. love it more.
Have a M-edge case and light. LOVE it.

I would like a skin, but the one I wanted didn't fit my Kindle...

 

[BethA]

if you buy a kindle on ebay is there a way to get the extra warantee from amazon? there are some bargains on kindle 2s and a few on the 1s

 

[golfgirl3613]

I have the Sony e-reader and LOVE IT!!!!!!

I have the Sony 505 and love it too!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I just want to assure people you don't HAVE to use a cover, I never have except when I zip it into a freezer bag to read in the tub! I also don't have a cover on my Iphone, so it is just a preference.

 

[ead79]

I'm considering getting a Kindle for my mom for Christmas. She's not technology saavy, so do you think she could handle it? I'd be happy to get her account with Amazon set up initially, but I'd want it to be easy for her to browse for and order new books herself.

Also, I'm disappointed to see that you can't read it in the dark, as my mom loves to read in bed. Do they sell a book light that clips on it for the Kindle?

 

[WDWBarb]

I'm considering getting a Kindle for my mom for Christmas. She's not technology saavy, so do you think she could handle it? I'd be happy to get her account with Amazon set up initially, but I'd want it to be easy for her to browse for and order new books herself.

Also, I'm disappointed to see that you can't read it in the dark, as my mom loves to read in bed. Do they sell a book light that clips on it for the Kindle?

I got one for my Mom and she LOVES it. She's not saavy at all... in fact, she can't figure out her digital camera! It's really easy to order books and magazines from either the Kindle or Amazon's website.

There are several different clip-on light options for the Kindle on Amazon. I can't recommend one because I haven't seen one myself.

 

[yoopermom]

I'll second the "very easy for the technology novice to use" and booklights are cheap (I have the MightBright ExtraFlex and LOVE it). The reason you can't read it in the dark is because it's not backlit, which is GOOD because that way you don't get eyestrain. The buttons are big and easy to use. Like any other technology there are features I don't use, and she might not either, but overall I bet she'd love it!
Terri

 

[wdwiala]

I just want to assure people you don't HAVE to use a cover, I never have except when I zip it into a freezer bag to read in the tub! I also don't have a cover on my Iphone, so it is just a preference.

That's awesome! I never thought of using a freezer bag. I am so scared of using my kindle in the tub (even though I still do).

For the record: I love my kindle. Spend much more money now on books. Just added my BFF and her kindle onto my account so that we could share books.

WARNING: You can't delete books off of your kindle. They delete by going to the archive folder. Which is accesible. So, if you will be showing off your kindle to others, you might want to watch what you purchase. It will be there forever.

 

[BethA]

so what would you say is a good price for a K2 on ebay?
if there are no papers will the warantee still be honored after you register it?

 

[Julia M]

Definite Cons:
No way to share books. (My mom and I exchange ppaerbacks all the time)
The "low" price books still add up in price when you are used to garage sale & flea market prices and using library books.
You can't see prices when you shop with the Kindle.

Pros:
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it for traveling. I used to carry a dozen or two books on vacaction-a total pain.
Love the application for apple. I use my iTouch as a back up reader with the kids......swim lessons go late, I can read a few minutes.

I purchased mine (Kindle 1) with a case for $200 from Craigslist.

Julia