Who has a Kindle? (wireless reading device)

[WDWBarb]

Try waiting from November until January! That was my ordeal last year. They were so popular when they first came out that they just couldn't keep up with demand.

When I finally got it in, I carried it with me EVERYWHERE! I so the Kindle!

 

[mookie]

Do you think the Oprah deal is a good one, or do you think there will be better deals closer to Christmas? I know Amazon had great deals last year in general on lots of stuff.

Since this is just for me, I might even wait until after the holidays to see what kind of price I can get. 350.00 is just sooo hard to swallow right now...

 

[disneynutt1225]

I just ordered mine with the Oprah Winfrey code. I couldn't pass it up any longer. I'm done shopping for a looooong time now!

 

[klmall]

I've heard that some new releases take awhile to come out. DH is a BIG, BIG sci-fi and fantasy reader and that's mainly what he reads along with some popular mysteries.

What's the Kindle release date pattern compared to actual book release dates roughly?

 

[Brianne]

Patience is definitely a virtue when waiting for the Kindle. When I ordered mine, I think I had to wait 2 months before receiving it, but it felt like an eternity!

I rarely use the wireless part, except to download books. I think I recall reading somewhere that it uses the Sprint wireless service, but since it's free/included in the price of the book, I don't think about it. I've never had a problem connecting to it, no matter where I've been though.

I've heard that some new releases take awhile to come out. DH is a BIG, BIG sci-fi and fantasy reader and that's mainly what he reads along with some popular mysteries.

What's the Kindle release date pattern compared to actual book release dates roughly?

It's still hard to gauge because of there being so many books still being shifted over to the Kindle. But for the most part, it seems like new releases are coming out at about the same time in both formats, and Amazon's constantly adding older books to the library without a schedule.

One of my favorite books of all time is The Stand by Stephen King, but I haven't been able to read it in ages because the font size in my paperback copy is too small. Amazon has it for the Kindle for around $2.50? I'll finally get to re-read it again!

Amazon recently added an option for books that aren't published to the Kindle yet---you click on a button asking them to inform the publisher you want to read it on the Kindle. And now that Oprah's endorsed the Kindle banana: ), I think more publishers will jump on the bandwagon.

 

[Green Tea]

I just ordered today for my friend for Christmas. You know sometimes you see something and it is just perfect for someone and it has to be bought. I NEVER buy expensive Christmas gifts, but this is so her, I decided to splurge. I know she will LOVE it.

 

[DreaminDisney]

Okay you guys today I asked a question in the Kindle NowNow and I got a response on my Kindle and also via email!! This thing is so cool! I also LOVE that you can look up a word definition as you're reading.

DS who also loves to read is saying he wants one too. I'm not sure I like the idea of him just being able to purchase books at the touch of a button. I wonder if there is some kind of control for that. have to check it out.

Also if I purchased a book for my Kindle would I be able to download same book onto another Kindle if it was on my acccount?

 

[Pumbaa_]

I just ordered today for my friend for Christmas. You know sometimes you see something and it is just perfect for someone and it has to be bought. I NEVER buy expensive Christmas gifts, but this is so her, I decided to splurge. I know she will LOVE it.

will you be my new best friend?

 

[Shugardrawers]

Okay you guys today I asked a question in the Kindle NowNow and I got a response on my Kindle and also via email!! This thing is so cool! I also LOVE that you can look up a word definition as you're reading.

DS who also loves to read is saying he wants one too. I'm not sure I like the idea of him just being able to purchase books at the touch of a button. I wonder if there is some kind of control for that. have to check it out.

Also if I purchased a book for my Kindle would I be able to download same book onto another Kindle if it was on my acccount?

You can share downloads between a certain number of Kindles. I want to say 6 but don't quote me. I could be waaaaay off on that. I just know Dh and I are able to do that.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Do you think the Oprah deal is a good one, or do you think there will be better deals closer to Christmas? I know Amazon had great deals last year in general on lots of stuff.

Since this is just for me, I might even wait until after the holidays to see what kind of price I can get. 350.00 is just sooo hard to swallow right now...

IMHO, no, it won't get significantly cheaper for the holidays. It's $360 already. I just don't see it going under $300 at the moment and so I think the Oprah coupon making it $310 is a great deal

I've heard that some new releases take awhile to come out. DH is a BIG, BIG sci-fi and fantasy reader and that's mainly what he reads along with some popular mysteries.

What's the Kindle release date pattern compared to actual book release dates roughly?

For BRAND NEW RELEASES pretty much release date as another poster indicated. I haven't run into a single bestseller I've wanted in the time I've had mine that wasn't available immediately. The problem is in getting older books published in Kindle form. They are rapidly expanding the options but of course it takes time. I'd guess 90% of books published since 2000 are available on Kindle and 98% of those since it's debut last year.

 

[DVCLiz]

Okay you guys today I asked a question in the Kindle NowNow and I got a response on my Kindle and also via email!! This thing is so cool! I also LOVE that you can look up a word definition as you're reading.

DS who also loves to read is saying he wants one too. I'm not sure I like the idea of him just being able to purchase books at the touch of a button. I wonder if there is some kind of control for that. have to check it out.

Also if I purchased a book for my Kindle would I be able to download same book onto another Kindle if it was on my acccount?

You may have up to 6 Kindles on an account. You may share content between them - the key is ON THE SAME ACCOUNT. That means each Kindle is registered using the SAME credit card. There is an option to list more than one credit card, but you must manually change the card for each purchase. That would be a pain in the neck for me. I would rather have all charges go through my card and then settle up with the others. That's what a friend of mine does. She and her two sisters all have Kindles, on a sister's account. That way when one of them buys a book, each sister has access to it. Once the book is purchased, each Kindle can wirelessly download it and all of them can be reading the same book at the same time. They each keep a list of what they have purchased and send their sister a check. It works fine.

Obviously you would not want just anybody sharing your Kindle account - I believe it would work best for family members or close friends. I would have both of my daughters on my account, and future sons in law, but not anybody else!!

A point to remember is that if you share your account everyone can see every title you have. Not a problem for me because I am reading mainstream literary firction only, but if you choose to get erotica (and there is plenty of it in Kindle format already!) or even just something you'd rather no one else see, you should keep your account private.

There is no way currently to block anything from your child who might be sharing your account. You have only your normal parental oversight and any rules you might make for the use of downloading.

Don't let this dampen your enthusiasm for the Kindle!! It's a wonderful, wonderful machine. Just sharing some practical information gleaned from the Amazon boards over the last few months.

 

[disneynutt1225]

Wow, I ordered mine on Saturday and according to Amazon it's not going to ship until November 24th!

 

[Karibeth19]

Wow, I ordered mine on Saturday and according to Amazon it's not going to ship until November 24th!

As soon as I saw your post, I went to my DH and gave him puppy dog eyes, and asked if I could "pretty please" order it now.(We always consult each other before we make major purchases. I think $350 qualifies!) I was waiting until Christmas, since my in-laws always give me $150 for Christmas and $150 for my birthday (Dec. 19th), but I don't want to risk having to wait longer because of demand! So, yay!!!!! I just ordered it and I am so excited. I do wish I had done it last week to get the Oprah discount, but oh well. I can't wait to get it, because I will of course open it before Christmas!

 

[disneynutt1225]

I can't wait to get it, because I will of course open it before Christmas!

Yay! So now we're both on Kindle watch!

I "casually" mentioned it to my DH the other day to see if he'd let me get it (we also check with each other before making a large purchase). I waited a day and then I ordered it. He laughed at me when I was talking to him earlier because he said he knew I'd be ordering it. I told him I couldn't pass up the $50 discount.

 

[Karibeth19]

Yay! So now we're both on Kindle watch!

I "casually" mentioned it to my DH the other day to see if he'd let me get it (we also check with each other before making a large purchase). I waited a day and then I ordered it. He laughed at me when I was talking to him earlier because he said he knew I'd be ordering it. I told him I couldn't pass up the $50 discount.

Sounds like you have a DH like mine. I ask to be considerate; I know he'll pretty much always say yes!

Maybe we'll get lucky and it will ship earlier than the 24th! Fingers crossed!

 

[DVCLiz]

I drove my daughter to school this morning - then I drove to Sonic (morning ritual) and while I waited in line I downloaded the Monday New York Times - read part of it while waiting in line. On the way home I was listening to Gayle King's radio show on XM radio. She was talking to Maya Angelou about her new book "Letter to My Daughter". I parked my car at home, turned the wireless back on, searched for and found the book, and downloaded it while still sitting in my driveway. I read the first few pages before I even got out of the car.

This past summer a friend emailed me that a favorite non-fiction author had just published a new book we had both been looking forward to. At 10:30pm while sitting in bed at OKW at WDW, I downloaded the book and read almost half of it before I fell asleep.

These are the kinds of things I can do with Kindle that make it so much fun for me - the instant access, the looking up a sample while you are still sitting at the dinner table and a friend has casually mentioned a book, etc. It is just wonderful technology for readers.

Just think, none of this had been invented ten years ago - no Iphone, no XM radio, no Kindle. I love these new toys!!!!

 

[kaseyC]

I drove my daughter to school this morning - then I drove to Sonic (morning ritual) and while I waited in line I downloaded the Monday New York Times - read part of it while waiting in line. On the way home I was listening to Gayle King's radio show on XM radio. She was talking to Maya Angelou about her new book "Letter to My Daughter". I parked my car at home, turned the wireless back on, searched for and found the book, and downloaded it while still sitting in my driveway. I read the first few pages before I even got out of the car.

This past summer a friend emailed me that a favorite non-fiction author had just published a new book we had both been looking forward to. At 10:30pm while sitting in bed at OKW at WDW, I downloaded the book and read almost half of it before I fell asleep.

These are the kinds of things I can do with Kindle that make it so much fun for me - the instant access, the looking up a sample while you are still sitting at the dinner table and a friend has casually mentioned a book, etc. It is just wonderful technology for readers.

Just think, none of this had been invented ten years ago - no Iphone, no XM radio, no Kindle. I love these new toys!!!!

The easy access to books is exactly what I'm looking forward to. On the DCL Trans Atlantic cruise I took in 2007. I brought 8 books with me (all hardback), with a total of 8 sea days I finished them all. Once at the airport, I bought a book to read on the flight home.

I also think this will be awesome to travel with especially with the luggage restrictions. No more trying to spread out my hardback books among the different suitcases so your bags won't go over the weight limit.

 

[lulu71]

Mine comes tomorrow!!! I can't wait!

I have been loving this thread - it's got me so psyched. I can't decide what to read first. I think it will be American Wife. Normally I would have waited for paperback so I think I'll take advantage of the low price of a new book.

I know that on 11/11, the new Wally lamb will be on my Kindle!! I've been so looking forward to that one.

My family will be thrilled that I'll be an easy one to shop for this Christmas. Amazon gift certificates for me!

 

[MrsPete]

You can share downloads between a certain number of Kindles. I want to say 6 but don't quote me. I could be waaaaay off on that. I just know Dh and I are able to do that.

Share downloads? Please explain.

 

[MrsPete]

IMHO, no, it won't get significantly cheaper for the holidays. It's $360 already. I just don't see it going under $300 at the moment and so I think the Oprah coupon making it $310 is a great deal

If I were going to buy one this Christmas, I'd go ahead and get it with the Oprah coupon BUT keep it unopened. If a better price comes along, return this one. UNLESS there's a restocking fee, which would pretty much make that idea useless.