Slowly caving...(Kindle-related)

[Renysmom]

Got mine today as well, it's charging now and I have DL some free books to get use to it and see how I like it before I buy books..

Looking for all the tips that can be shared

 

[disneyholic family]

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.

i'd like to ask my mom to bring me a kindle the next time she visits, but one major problem - can i download from my computer instead of whispernet?
whispernet of course doesn't work overseas.....so i would only be able to use the kindle if i could base all of my downloading directly from my computer...

can it be used that way?

 

[cslittle999]

i'd like to ask my mom to bring me a kindle the next time she visits, but one major problem - can i download from my computer instead of whispernet?
whispernet of course doesn't work overseas.....so i would only be able to use the kindle if i could base all of my downloading directly from my computer...

can it be used that way?

You can. My understanding is that you plug the Kindle in via a USB cable and then copy the files on to it.

 

[disneyholic family]

You can. My understanding is that you plug the Kindle in via a USB cable and then copy the files on to it.

and can you buy/rent soft copies of books from amazon via the computer rather than by whispernet?

 

[DisneyKevin]

Amazon has stopped selling the 6 inch Kindle that's good only in the US in favor of an International version.

You might want to check with Amazon to see if it would work in your particular location.

Amazon has also just released a Kinflr for PC program which is free. You can download book from Amazon through the PC program (Mac version is is supposed to be coming soon) and then transfer them to your Kindle.

Amazon only sells books. They do not rent books.

 

[cslittle999]

and can you buy/rent soft copies of books from amazon via the computer rather than by whispernet?

As Kevin said if you have Kindle for PC you can deliver the book file to it. You can also choose Transfer via Computer as the delivery method. That will download a Kindle book file to your computer and then you transfer it to your USB connected Kindle.

I really have to find someone who lives close to me so I can hold it. I think that will help me decide whether or not to get one.

 

[disneyholic family]

Amazon has stopped selling the 6 inch Kindle that's good only in the US in favor of an International version.

You might want to check with Amazon to see if it would work in your particular location.

Amazon has also just released a Kinflr for PC program which is free. You can download book from Amazon through the PC program (Mac version is is supposed to be coming soon) and then transfer them to your Kindle.

Amazon only sells books. They do not rent books.

thanks Kevin!

i'm going to check amazon right now...

do you know anything about the nook?

my mom transferred all her amex points to barnes and noble and keeps asking me if i want the nook (so she can use up her points)...
i think the nook has the same whispernet issue for me (different underlying phone company, but same concept)..

i've watched several of B&N's webvideos, but still can't figure out if i can use the nook only with my laptop..

whenever my mom visits us, she always asks for a wish list...but we never ask for anything (i can't stand the idea of my 82 year old mom running around and buying us lots of stuff)....but maybe i'll bend my rule this time....my eyes are really shot and it seems it might be a good solution for me...i used to inhale books, but haven't read any for a quite a while due to my aging eyes...

 

[disneyholic family]

As Kevin said if you have Kindle for PC you can deliver the book file to it. You can also choose Transfer via Computer as the delivery method. That will download a Kindle book file to your computer and then you transfer it to your USB connected Kindle.

I really have to find someone who lives close to me so I can hold it. I think that will help me decide whether or not to get one.

thanks !!!
i did see a kindle earlier this year, when my mom's best friend visited with my mom (they came in for my son's wedding)..
my mom's friend has a kindle, so i had a chance to see it for a few minutes...
it did seem much much clearer and easier to read than a regular book...
but i didn't know if i could use it without whispernet...

 

[DisneyKevin]

thanks Kevin!

i'm going to check amazon right now...

do you know anything about the nook?

my mom transferred all her amex points to barnes and noble and keeps asking me if i want the nook (so she can use up her points)...
i think the nook has the same whispernet issue for me (different underlying phone company, but same concept)..

i've watched several of B&N's webvideos, but still can't figure out if i can use the nook only with my laptop..

whenever my mom visits us, she always asks for a wish list...but we never ask for anything (i can't stand the idea of my 82 year old mom running around and buying us lots of stuff)....but maybe i'll bend my rule this time....my eyes are really shot and it seems it might be a good solution for me...i used to inhale books, but haven't read any for a quite a while due to my aging eyes...

I dont want to discourage anyone from getting the ereader of their choice.

That being said....I would suggest you do some research prior to investing in a Nook.

B&N has their own discussion forum set up for the Nook and the reaction from the folks that have just recently received their Nook's has not been good.

The reviews from the NYTimes, CNet and the rest of the folks that review tech stuff have been much less than favorable.

There have also been rteports of B&N's customer service department outright lying to to people in regards to the Nook.

Again....there are many, reviews out there.....some good and some bad. Just make sure you know what you are buying.

The other thind I would suggest is that you make a list of 5 or 10 books that interest you and check B&N vs Amazon vs Sony and see who has the best book prices.

B&N and Amazon are about the same price. Sony has a lower and higher priced model.

After you purchase the device....it's all going to boil down to who has the books you want at the best price.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Amazon's Kindle Discussion Forums

http://www.amazon.com/tag/kindle/forum/ref=sv_kinh_6

Barnes and Noble's Nook Discussion Forums

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/eBooks-Help-Board/bd-p/eBooks_Help

 

[G66]

I was on the fence for a long time. I finally bought the Kindle. I demoed the Nook and the Sonys a few times and all I'll say is there really is no competition. It's not just the hardware. It's Amazon's customer service, the web site, the whispernet, the related software. Bottom line, it all works and it's a proven system. If it's an e-reader you want, there is no reason to go anywhere else at this time.

I had an Alton Brown like aversion to unitaskers. I needed to come to grips with the fact that I just wanted to read books and save my back the pain of schlepping the added weight of books or even my netbook on my daily commute.

As Kevin said, check out the boards and read the reviews. There is a wealth of information out there. I'm glad I didn't delay my Kindle purchase any longer.

 

[disneyholic family]

Amazon's Kindle Discussion Forums

http://www.amazon.com/tag/kindle/forum/ref=sv_kinh_6

Barnes and Noble's Nook Discussion Forums

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/eBooks-Help-Board/bd-p/eBooks_Help

thanks Kevin!!!

 

[robertgp124]

Andy Ihnatko has posted a long review of all the major eReader products.

Might help anyone who is on the fence.

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/1948278,ihnatko-ebook-nook-kindle-itouch-121909.article

 

[G66]

Andy Ihnatko has posted a long review of all the major eReader products.

Might help anyone who is on the fence.

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/1948278,ihnatko-ebook-nook-kindle-itouch-121909.article

Excellent synopsis by Andy. He's probably the best and most trust worthy tech pundit out there. Quite an interesting character to boot.

 

[TAKitty]

I too am thinking about finally buying a Kindle! I am wondering if I can use part of the cost as a tax write off since I plan to put all of my "school" books on it.

 

[DMickey28]

I have caved and will be ordering a Kindle this week. I'd like to order it in time for Christmas but not sure I'll be able to $$ wise. The main thing that was holding me back was buying the books on Amazon while I can buy them in BJ's or Walmart for a touch cheaper. However, there are a lot of books that are free on Amazon that will make up the difference as well as the ones that are $9.99 on Amazon but still over $10 at Bj's and Walmart or Target.

I also moved recently and donated A TON of books to a local church because I just had sooo many of them. The ones I wanted to keep are sitting in a box in the garage because I don't have the room for them in the house.

I also like the idea of the internet browser on it, though I know it's not the best but it's better than nothing which is what I have no.

Also with a baby on the way, I think it will be nice to have in the hospital as well. Plus with travel and throwing it in my diaper bag for appointments, going to the park etc.

 

[PeterPan09]

I really wish that there was a store where you could see the thing before you order it. I'd like to touch it, see how the pages look, and see how it feels in my hand. That's a LOT of money to spend to find out that I'm not going to be comfortable holding it, or comfortable reading off the "page". I'm a really, really fast reader and I'm wondering if the page turning is going to drive me nuts because I'll have to do it quickly. And of course, I could send it back-but that's a pain in the butt-taking it to the shipping place, getting the credit back on my card....

Anyone know if the Nook thing is close enough to the Kindle to get an idea what it's like by checking that one out?

 

[PeterPan09]

Amazon has stopped selling the 6 inch Kindle that's good only in the US in favor of an International version.

You might want to check with Amazon to see if it would work in your particular location.

Amazon has also just released a Kinflr for PC program which is free. You can download book from Amazon through the PC program (Mac version is is supposed to be coming soon) and then transfer them to your Kindle.

Amazon only sells books. They do not rent books.

I have a question for you. Once you've purchased a book and read it-can you move it to your PC and "shelve it"? I know 1500 books seems like a lot-but if you're going through them quickly you will run out of room on the thing at some point.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I really wish that there was a store where you could see the thing before you order it. I'd like to touch it, see how the pages look, and see how it feels in my hand. That's a LOT of money to spend to find out that I'm not going to be comfortable holding it, or comfortable reading off the "page". I'm a really, really fast reader and I'm wondering if the page turning is going to drive me nuts because I'll have to do it quickly. And of course, I could send it back-but that's a pain in the butt-taking it to the shipping place, getting the credit back on my card....

Anyone know if the Nook thing is close enough to the Kindle to get an idea what it's like by checking that one out?

I have no trouble with the page "turning". It's pretty quick.

Also....Amazon makes returning the Kindle very easy if you do not want to keep it.

I bought the DX and decided to not keep it. It was returned and off my card in approximately 10 days.

I have a question for you. Once you've purchased a book and read it-can you move it to your PC and "shelve it"? I know 1500 books seems like a lot-but if you're going through them quickly you will run out of room on the thing at some point.

You can store your books on your PC. You can also use Amazon's virtual bookshelf. Once you have purchased a book from Amazon, you can delete it and re-downlaod it as many times as you like. Amazon will store your books.

Even at 3 books a week....1500 books will take you 500 weeks to max out. Thats approximately 10 years. I can guarantee you that technology will change enough in 10 years that you are going to want a new device.

My guess is that you will get a new Kindle before you fill the current model

And if you do fill your Kindle with 1500 books,,the cost of reading those 1500 books using your Kindle (not counting the cost of the book, just the device) will average out to 17 cents a book

 

[PeterPan09]

Thanks Kevin!

getting closer to the edge....starting to think seriously about how long it will take to pay off on the Disney card....