Slowly caving...(Kindle-related)

[*NikkiBell*]

Ever since the podcast taping, I've been thinking about caving. No, I'm not talking about any major life event, here. Instead, I'm rethinking my entire attitude towards the Kindle.

I left the book I'm reading, The Lost Symbol, at home when I flew to FL on Friday because it was so thick and heavy. I was cutting it tight as it was with my carry-on luggage and didn't want another thing weighing me down. I guess a Kindle would come in handy there as well as when my flight was delayed Sunday night.

After seeing it at the recording, now I'm starting to recognize more of the positives. I'm starting to wonder if I could find myself adjusting to it. My main issue is that it doesn't look nor feel like a book. I love book covers. They're bright and colorful (yes, I realize that you can't "judge a book by its cover," but still). I just don't know if I could give that up.

On the flip side, it seems to be great for traveling. My only concern would be damaging it en route. I am paranoid as it is about my iPhone not getting squished. I don't know if I'd want another thing to watch. Do they have hard enough cases to prevent damage while in a bag?

Okay, give it your best shot. Persuade me that the Kindle is a good choice.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

First the i-phone.... now the kindle.



I have a kindle, and love it. It's a good cave, Nikki

 

[NC Belle]

Nikki--- you are being a bad influence on me. I bought a snuggie for someone as a gift.

I'm considering getting an I-touch next year since we have several different destination trips on our schedule. NC Beast would love a Kindle--he loves reading.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

The Snuggie is one of the world's best inventions ever!!!

 

[swimchick1984]

If you have an iphone why not download the kindle app. Try it that way first and then if you decide that you like it you can then invest in a real kindle.

 

[spokanemom]

I have the Kindle iPhone app and think it is great! It is much cheaper (free) than buying the Kindle and as the pp stated, it is a great way to try it out!

 

[Renysmom]

Nikki -

I am seriously considering this as well so I will be watching this closely.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Keep in mind that the Kindle and the Kindle app do simialr things, but are very different.

The App is backlit. The Kindle is not.

THe Kindle allows you to highlight, notate, clip and save. The App does not.

THe Kindle has an onboard dictionary. THe App does not.

THe Kindle battery lasts two weeks with the whispernet off and 1 week with it on. THe App lasts a day before the iPhone battery needs to be recharged.

These are just a few of the differences.

 

[cj9200]

Someone gave me a Kindle for a present and I am trying to get use to it. Downloaded Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin which was cool but I have yet to finish it. Normally if it was a book, it would be done by now. I like the feel of a book in my hand rather than an electronic device.

 

[Ginamarie]

I find the whole idea of the kindle really cool, but I'm not sure I could get into it. I spend enough time over the course of the day reading words on a screen. It's nice to have an actual book in my hands, and I think it's easier on my eyes at night than trying to read an illuminated screen.

I haven't actually TRIED it though. I might try the kindle app just to see what I think about it on the iphone as a trial.

 

[DisneyKevin]

It's nice to have an actual book in my hands, and I think it's easier on my eyes at night than trying to read an illuminated screen.

I haven't actually TRIED it though. I might try the kindle app just to see what I think about it on the iphone as a trial.

The Kindle is not illuminated in any way. You will need an external light source just as if you were reading a paper book and wanted to read in a low light setting..

The e-ink technology mimics paper.

The Kindle app for the iPhone is an illuminated screen and might cause eye strain.

 

[Ginamarie]

The Kindle is not illuminated in any way. You will need an external light source just as if you were reading a paper book and wanted to read in a low light setting..

The e-ink technology mimics paper.

The Kindle app for the iPhone is an illuminated screen and might cause eye strain.

Thanks Kevin! Are you sure you're not a kindle salesman on the side?

I'm going to skip downloading the app then and just take a good look at the kindle on Christmas Day (one of my family members is getting one).

 

[DisneyKevin]

Thanks Kevin! Are you sure you're not a kindle salesman on the side?

Not a salesman at all....it's just a device that has given many hours of enjoyment and made my life easier.

If it does that for me...it might do it for others.

 

[jcb]

Still holding out for Harry Potter . . .


Got to admit - DW loves hers.

 

[robertgp124]

If you're concerned about damage, consider this. DW bought one of the Oberon covers that Kevin recommended. She's carried in her purse ever since. It protects it beautifully and doesn't take up much more space. It's much nicer than the Kindle cover we bought from Amazon.

Since DW has been pregnant, she carries the Kindle with her everywhere. It comes in particularly handy in doctor waiting rooms!

With the competition from the Sony Reader and the Barnes & Noble Nook, I only see the Kindle getting better. We got a firmware upgrade that (I think) allowed for bigger fonts and native pdf reading.

This interview with Jeff Bezos by Charlie Rose helped convince us to purchase one. Lots of questions answered.

 

[darrengs]

There is also a free Kindle app for the PC, which works well. One of the cool features of having the kindle and the apps is that no matter which device you are reading the book on you can sync it to where you left off. So if you are out and read a few chapters on your iPhone when you get home the Kindle can sync up and put you in the same exact place you left off.

 

[kab407]

I was amazed at the sheer number of books I had during my move. Granted many were cook books, but I have a lot of pleasure reading books. More then I thought I had. After seeing Kevin's and Dodie's Kindles, I am so on board with this technology. I also loved the Oberon cover. They are a piece of art in themselves.

I see a Kindle in my not to distant future.

Now if Verizon will only get a version of an iPhone......

 

[Plutes]

Another Kindle lover here...

Jimmy wanted to buy me one right away, since I'm constantly reading, but I kept putting him off. I thought I would miss 'real' books too much, also.

Instead, now I have the perfect mix. I'll read a book or two on my Kindle, then I'll grab a book or two from the library. I'm constantly going back and forth. I agree that there's nothing like the feel of a book in your hands, but you'll find yourself craving picking that kindle up, too. I couldn't live without either option.

And, as for the traveling aspect, I went the cheap route and bought a $30 cover from Amazon. But, it's worked out perfectly for me. It's just a plain leather cover, but it's always managed to protect my Kindle when I throw it in amongst my multitudes of CRAP when we travel!!

I think you'll love it...I really do. As someone else stated previously, it's a good cave!

 

[wildfan1473]

I honestly can't rave about the Kindle enough. I LOVE mine. I even bought a new purse that would have a pocket just for the Kindle.

I have the Amazon cover, and it has been hauled from Minneapolis to Philadelphia (twice), Fort Myers (twice), Orlando (twice), and numerous road trips. I haven't had any trouble with it.

As far as giving up "real" books, who says you have to? I go the the library and get books, as well as still buy a few, and read those as well. I still go into B&N frequently, usually just to get an idea of what books are out there, then I make note of them and download the free sample on the kindle. The Kindle just comes in very handy when traveling, waiting at the doctors office, waiting to pick up the kids at school, hockey practice...you get the idea.

I do have tendonitis in my right arm that has acted up when reading physical books - I can read a good book in one day, usually staying up late at night, and I am asking for trouble if it is a hard back book from the library. The Kindle has helped with this immensely.

 

[dgthree]

Okay, give it your best shot. Persuade me that the Kindle is a good choice.

I haven't read ahead, so this might be a repeat, but why not try the Kindle app for the iPhone to see if you like the e-reader concept, then decide?

The app is free, and you can even download a free book from Amazon, so you wouldn't be out any money.

I don't have a Kindle (or an iPhone), but I do use the Kindle app (and e-reader) on my Touch a LOT. It's nice having 20+ books at the ready, and for no extra weight.