Who has a Kindle? (wireless reading device)

[Brianne]

I've mentioned mine a number of times here but I can say it again:

I love love LOVE my Kindle!!!

Funny story about my Kindle---I was on a business trip a few months ago & pulled out my Kindle every chance I could. One woman saw me reading from a distance for a couple days before coming up to me to find out why I was still on the same page in my book. I hope I'm not that slow of a reader!

Most of the books I've bought have been around $3-6; very rarely have I paid $9.99. Getting the sample pages have been great because I've tossed a lot of books off my list that I thought I might be interested in.

I wouldn't want it back-lit; the ink is definitely dark enough that I can read it perfectly fine with a bedside lamp on with no eye strain.

If the Kindle isn't connected to wireless, the battery power lasts a long time. Using the store from the device is a bit clunky so I use Amazon's website a lot more than buying/searching for books through the Kindle.

How does this work for people with vision issues? I don't read long documents online, I have to download them and print them to be able to read them. I am curious about this though. If it's different than reading online, I just might look into it.

The font sizes are great; I turn the font size up to 5 to reduce strain & it's wonderful! Once I got my Kindle, I realized how tiny regular paperback print was and was quite surprised by it. My mother owns a Kindle as well & has macular degeneration plus glaucoma, yet hasn't had problems with reading on it---her sight problems are why she switched to a Kindle.

 

[JimB.]

Another for the Kindle.

I read a lot of older books & titles in paperbacks & usually cost averages $4-6.

And occasionally they will GIVE titles away!! If it's free, I'm reading it.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Can you download children's books to this also? My DD8 loves to read, but I don't know if she could use this or not. I think it would be worth it if we were both able to use it.

On the other hand, I don't spend much money on books. We go to the library often. Of course, I've pretty much read through all of my favorite authors there...

Hmmm...I'll have to think about this for Christmas I guess.

Honestly, I'm not sure a child would be thrilled with Kindle because illustrations aren't it's strong suit. If your child needs color, pictures or other things to keep them interestedd in reading, nah.....not for them.

I have been thinking of getting a Kindle for a while, but don't know anyone who has one...it's great to read the first-hand reviews here. I would have to get over my hang-up about not having an actual "book" in my hands. There's something about cracking open a new book...the feel, the smell...I love it. I would definitely miss that.

Here's my question, though. I have, literally, hundreds of books. I love books...and I keep all of them (with the date I got it and, if applicable, the name of who gave it to me written inside). The specs for the Kindle say it holds approx 200 titles. Sooo, then what? Do I have to delete a book to add another? Can I get a storage device to hold them? Sure, I won't fill it up immediately, but I *will* fill it up, and then what?

I believe this was answered but storage is infinite using SD and I can attest Amazon WILL replace what you accidentally delete that you've bought from them.

Just saw this thread and I have to go out to dinner but I'll be back!!!!

In a nutshell - LOVE IT - best thing I EVER bought myself. Reading all the time now.

Bathtub readers - put your Kindle in a gallon size ziplock bag. Two if you are extra fussy. You can see through easily and read in the tub without a problem. Also at the beach, by the pool, etc.

Back later......

I've never bought ANYTHING else for $350 that thrilled me so much for so long!!! The beach, the Drs waiting room, the airport, I've even downloaded cookbooks and have my best recipes available there to use in the kitchen or give to someone who requests one (not that I give away my super secret world famous cookie recipes )

 

[DreaminDisney]

Those of you who own one, do you turn it off & turn off wireless (2 switches in back) or do you put it to sleep (Atl A) when you're not using it?

Also how can you find out what books they're giving away free from kindle? Does it vary month to month?

 

[Dodie]

I want one of these so badly I can hardly stand it - but I just can't justify the price - especially with everything going downhill economically. It just seems like such a "splurge"/unnecessary expenditure.

I'm bummed (and a little jealous of those of you who have one).

 

[mrsv98]

Those of you who own one, do you turn it off & turn off wireless (2 switches in back) or do you put it to sleep (Atl A) when you're not using it?

Also how can you find out what books they're giving away free from kindle? Does it vary month to month?

In general, we keep the wireless off unless we are connecting intentionally. The battery life is days with the wireless off. Other than that, we put it in sleep mode when we aren't reading it.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Those of you who own one, do you turn it off & turn off wireless (2 switches in back) or do you put it to sleep (Atl A) when you're not using it?

Also how can you find out what books they're giving away free from kindle? Does it vary month to month?

I turn mine completely off when not reading it and never turn on the wireless unless I'm actually using it. It eats battery life like kids eat candy I can go almost a week w/o using the wireless at all. If I leave it on I'm lucky to get 2 days.

I want one of these so badly I can hardly stand it - but I just can't justify the price - especially with everything going downhill economically. It just seems like such a "splurge"/unnecessary expenditure.

I'm bummed (and a little jealous of those of you who have one).

If you read a LOT and purchase your books it's an investment WELL worth it. If not, you may be right, try waiting for the holiday season and see what deals are available.

 

[legalsea]

The Kindle has saved me money. I like being able to ‘sample’ all books. I like the 14 day ‘free trial’ for all blogs and magazines. Indeed, many of the publications you may purchase as a ‘single copy’, so I often buy the “London Times” on Sunday for 75 cents. It has changed my life, in short.

 

[Shugardrawers]

The Kindle has saved me money. I like being able to ‘sample’ all books. I like the 14 day ‘free trial’ for all blogs and magazines. Indeed, many of the publications you may purchase as a ‘single copy’, so I often buy the “London Times” on Sunday for 75 cents. It has changed my life, in short.

OOOOHH I will 2nd 3rd 4th 5th and 6th this!!!! There have been dozens of books I thought sounded GREAT but I always get the free sample first. I've purchased maybe 1/2 of them after that. It's saved me hundreds of $$$ and hours of time. I just wish the sample didn't include the intro, acknowlegements etc and started with actual chapters but it's enough to make a decision if it's what you want.

 

[GoldenGate]

I also am addicted to my Kindle and don't know how I lived without one. I can hear about a book and download a sample immediately. I can also read a lot faster on the Kindle and it is easier to read standing on the bus, I can turn pages with one hand.

One of the main reasons I got it was ecological, not using paper saves trees.

I also got the older version of this cover:

http://www.amazon.com/M-edge-Execut...e=UTF8&s=fiona-hardware&qid=1225498924&sr=8-2

It so much better looking than the one that comes with the Kindle, makes it easier to hold without accidently hitting the page turner and holds it more securely.

 

[MrsPete]

I want-want-want-want-want one of these! I love the idea of being able to store loads of books in a small space, and my aging eyes would love the ability to adjust text size.

I will be waiting though for two reasons:

1. I never like to own the first version of a new electronic gadget. I read that a nicer version is due in a year or so.

2. The initial price is high, but I would be willing to pay it for a nice thing I'd use for years and years, BUT the book price is pretty high. I read a great deal, but I get many of my books from the library, I buy them used, or I trade with friends. $9.99 for every book I'd read sounds pretty high to me.

 

[MrsPete]

In general, we keep the wireless off unless we are connecting intentionally. The battery life is days with the wireless off. Other than that, we put it in sleep mode when we aren't reading it.

Wait, do you have to have wireless for it to work? Does that mean that if I had a Kindle I couldn't read in the car, or on the beach, or that it'd only work in some hotels? If I'm reading this right, this is a huge turn-off for me!

 

[Shugardrawers]

Wait, do you have to have wireless for it to work? Does that mean that if I had a Kindle I couldn't read in the car, or on the beach, or that it'd only work in some hotels? If I'm reading this right, this is a huge turn-off for me!

No, the wireless system, called Whispernet is included in the original price of the Kindle. You don't pay monthly, and there are NO contracts. It's free.

If you're a big library borrower/used/trader I agree, you may want to wait. It's not quite for everyone.

 

[mrsv98]

Wait, do you have to have wireless for it to work? Does that mean that if I had a Kindle I couldn't read in the car, or on the beach, or that it'd only work in some hotels? If I'm reading this right, this is a huge turn-off for me!

You only need the wireless if you are shopping in the Kindle store or receiving a download. Once a book, newspaper, etc is on your Kindle you can turn off the wireless to preserve battery life. Your Kindle has full reading functionality with the wireless off. In fact, if you shop on the Amazon site or have a subscription and your Kindle is off, your dowload will be there when you turn the wireless back on.

It really is amazing. We are leaving for vacation tomorrow and instead of a big heavy book bag, we are taking a couple of paperbacks and the Kindle! The only bad thing is now I want a second one so we can both use it at once!

 

[DVCLiz]

I want-want-want-want-want one of these! I love the idea of being able to store loads of books in a small space, and my aging eyes would love the ability to adjust text size.

I will be waiting though for two reasons:

1. I never like to own the first version of a new electronic gadget. I read that a nicer version is due in a year or so.

2. The initial price is high, but I would be willing to pay it for a nice thing I'd use for years and years, BUT the book price is pretty high. I read a great deal, but I get many of my books from the library, I buy them used, or I trade with friends. $9.99 for every book I'd read sounds pretty high to me.

Mrs. Pete, I hope you will reconsider and get a Kindle. I think you would find it an amazing device and once you had it you would be really sorry you had made yourself wait. First of all, I think any "enhancements" to a Kindle 2.0 won't really mean a big difference in function. There might be some bells and whistles, but from what I know of you on these boards you are not necessarily a bells and whistles kind of gal! Also, while it's true that new books are 9.99, there are thousands of books out there that you can get for free - books from the public domain, etc. Even Amazon occasionally offers a new book for free. If you download samples (which are free) instead of buying every book you think you want to read (like...oh, I don't know...some of us do!! ) then you can easily manage to read on a budget you have set for yourself. In additon, if you get Amazon gift cards as gifts you can apply the gift card to your Amazon account and any charges you make will automatically be subtracted from the gift card before your credit card is charged.

As a PP said, once you download a book with the wireless, it is in the Kindle memory and doesn't need the wireless function in order to make the book readable. I read on the beach, in hotels, in carpool lane, etc. all the time and I never have access problems. If you fully charge the Kindle (it takes about two hours) you can easily read for a week without needing another charge, as long as you use the wireless function only to download.
Get it! Get it! Get it!!!!

 

[DVCLiz]

Mrs. Pete, I hope you will reconsider and get a Kindle. I think you would find it an amazing device and once you had it you would be really sorry you had made yourself wait. First of all, I think any "enhancements" to a Kindle 2.0 won't really mean a big difference in function. There might be some bells and whistles, but from what I know of you on these boards you are not necessarily a bells and whistles kind of gal! Also, while it's true that new books are 9.99, there are thousands of books out there that you can get for free - books from the public domain, etc. Even Amazon occasionally offers a new book for free. If you download samples (which are free) instead of buying every book you think you want to read (like...oh, I don't know...some of us do!! ) then you can easily manage to read on a budget you have set for yourself. In additon, if you get Amazon gift cards as gifts you can apply the gift card to your Amazon account and any charges you make will automatically be subtracted from the gift card before your credit card is charged.

As a PP said, once you download a book with the wireless, it is in the Kindle memory and doesn't need the wireless function in order to make the book readable. I read on the beach, in hotels, in carpool lane, etc. all the time and I never have access problems. If you fully charge the Kindle (it takes about two hours) you can easily read for a week without needing another charge, as long as you use the wireless function only to download.
Get it! Get it! Get it!!!!

Plus if your order by tomorrow and use the code OPRAHWINFREY you can get $50 off the price, making it $309.00.

 

[mickeylove2]

I ordered mine with the $50 off code and it still hasn't arrived yet ...I'm a little bummed, I was hoping that it would ship a lot sooner than 11/21.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I ordered mine with the $50 off code and it still hasn't arrived yet ...I'm a little bummed, I was hoping that it would ship a lot sooner than 11/21.

WOW!!! Oprah really kicked up a fuss!!!!!! Keep checking, it is very likely to ship sooner but I'm not promising anything

 

[kaseyC]

I ordered mine with the $50 off code and it still hasn't arrived yet ...I'm a little bummed, I was hoping that it would ship a lot sooner than 11/21.

Keep checking. We ordered mine this week with the code and I got the shipped email on Thursday. Since I used the free Super Saver shipping, it should be here around 11/4 according to the email.

I can't wait! I'm a big book buyer and usually purchase the new hardback releases from my favorite authors as soon as they are out. I have books everywhere. So I'm looking forward to saving money ($9.99 or less compared to $15-25) and getting rid of the physical over flowing book cases, baskets and night stand

 

[lulu71]

I ordered mine with the $50 off code and it still hasn't arrived yet ...I'm a little bummed, I was hoping that it would ship a lot sooner than 11/21.

That's kind of strange. I ordered mine Thursday too and it already shipped and will be here Tuesday. Could I have ordered one of the last ones in stock? Maybe, but I bet yours will come a lot sooner.