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| Brand: Amazon.com
Category: Amazon Devices
Buy New: $359.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  4974 reviews
Sales Rank: 1
Color: Bisque
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.7
UPC: 892685001003
EAN: 0892685001003
ASIN: B000FI73MA
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
Freedom to read October 9, 2008
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I am considered an early adopter. With that come risks and rewards. First the risks.
History can repeat itself. I loved reading Microsoft Reader books on my IPaq when MS Reader books were available. I also lost all my Amazon references to scores of books I purchased in this format. Was it a loss? Yes. Was I still ahead in the long run? Yes. Because of electronic books, I read exponentially more than I would have otherwise. I was entertained, educated, and inspired. An expensive proposition? Not any more than going to the movies, paying for cable television premium channels, or dining out. I believe the reading had much better long-term benefits.
That brings me to the Kindle. I have had this device less than a month. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it imperfect? Yes. Is there a risk that this technology morphs into something else and I lose the online references to my purchases? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Let me explain...
For less than $400, I can preview a multitude of books without going to the bookstore. I have instant access to downloads in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep and could use a diversion, or when I am traveling at the airport. Let me see... Gas and convenience alone will pay for the device within a year. (Not to mention the discounted prices of the books.)
I am an analyst and read a plethora of reports, articles, and documents for my job. Many of these I can convert to the Kindle format and read, highlight, store, and notate without carrying around tens of pounds of binders in the evenings for my nighttime research. Valuable? Oh yeah.
I am also over 40. For those of you who have experienced this, you realize that small print books are simply disregarded due to the difficulty of reading. With the Kindle, I can now choose a font size that is comfortable and makes reading these texts possible. In addition, because I read so much, the Kindle reduces eyestrain substantially - increasing my ability to take in more information or read for enjoyment at the end of a long day. I also save on aspirin from reduced headaches.
Access to an in-line dictionary is extremely helpful. Access to the internet is also helpful, albeit somewhat quirky. Access to Amazon.com bookstore without having to fire up my PC is sooooo nice.
The magazines and newspapers are an additional plus. Imagine being able to read a magazine without the subscription cards and ads falling out of the pages; being distracted by the plethora of useless and unwanted advertisements (they do not exist in the Kindle versions - yippee!); and having the latest edition delivered automatically. One fault I did find was that with the newspaper subscriptions, if I am out of range for more than a day, when I connect, I can only retrieve the latest edition - I lose the days I was not connected - not good. Therefore, I have chosen to subscribe only to those news editions I know I will read (and download) daily. The option of downloading individual issues of newspapers eliminates my gripe, since for others, I download less individually than I would pay to subscribe monthly. Nice option. The 14-day free trial is also a great benefit. It allowed me to try some editions I would not have chosen otherwise, and thus expanded my horizons (and subscriptions).
The battery life when not connected online (I connect when needed, then turn off when finished) is phenomenal. The screen is a glorified etch-a-sketch. This means the only energy needed is to erase the existing screen and write the new one. Viewing is virtually energy-free. This means there is a bit of a "flash" when turning pages, but unlike some reviews, I have found this process quick, and not distracting - actually it confirms that I did turn a page, and notifies me when I inadvertently do so. I would like some kind of option for built-in lighting though. When I read on my IPaq, I could read at night without having to turn on additional lights. I'm not sure how this could work with the electronic ink, but perhaps some kind of sidebar led's overlaying the screen might work. This would also allow me to save on battery life in the light, and have the convenience of built-in lighting when I want to read in dark places.
The screen could be bigger. I would prefer a larger device if I could have a larger screen. However, it is not unacceptable in the least.
Navigation is intuitive and easy. It remembers my last page, and the "back" button allows me to take detours without worrying about returning to my original document.
Holding the device without inadvertently turning pages does take some getting used to. I followed the advice of the guide and leave the Kindle in the protective cover, which allows me additional room to hold, protects the device, and the rubber band gives me a place to "stash" my reading glasses. The case is not the most secure in the world, and could use an additional anchor point. However, I have not found it so insecure as to worry about the device falling out.
The keyboard is sufficient for simple searches, lookups, or quick reviews. However, it is not conducive for typing anything more than a few quick words. Navigation buttons to move up or down in the text when typing a review or anything else would help. The left and right navigation buttons are slow.
My Clippings is a nice feature where highlights and snapshots are automatically stored in a document. It would be nice to have the option to edit, organize (e.g. move clippings to multiple clippings pages, or have the option to automatically have a separate clippings page for each book/document annotated), and append on the Kindle itself. As it is now, this is only available if you move the clippings document to your PC. That is something I'm not apt to do.
One thing I would REALLY like to have is the ability to use MP3 files in the same manner as books. This would allow me to download podcasts to this device and utilize it instead of carrying another device for this purpose. Of course this would also require additional charging devices such as an auto adapter, since the MP3's would drain the battery a bit faster. However, it would really help with my long commutes to the office.
To sum it up, the Kindle has given me the freedom to read. Elimination of small print; reduced eyestrain; access to publications; convenience of delivery; availability to convert documents; relief from carrying the weight of multiple books; and access to the internet make this purchase a true value. It is not an expensive, extravagant, electronic toy for geeks only, but an indispensable tool for anyone who cares to maximize their ability to stay connected, informed, entertained, and well-read.
 Excellent Device October 9, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The kindle is great. I like that i can have books delivered in minutes and it is very easy to shop for new books directly from the device. It is very easy to read the print on the screen.
Excellent choice, great technology October 9, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The Kindle is a wonderful use of technology. The ability to access reading material and newspapers/magazines is amazing!!
Simplistic in style I am sure that later versions will be enhanced however do not feel that this electronic book is at all under rated.
As an educator of 21 years someday this could be the wave of the future for students and teachers alike. It would decrease textbook costs and allow students access to reading material instantly.
As a parent of three young kids the ability to put the Kindle down focus on my children and then pick the Kindle up and know exactly where I left out is a great convinience.
I could go on and on. When Amazon can develop the Kindle (even this version) at a reasonable expense for education I guarantee schools could invest in one per student and decrease textbook expenses. The average textbook for H.S. student is anywhere from $70 to $110 per book. Add that expense up over for the year 6-7 academic courses ($420 dollars per year), then add if over four years.($1680 - low ball estimate). An inexpensive version of Kindle with textbooks downloads at $10, per download would save school districts and states Millions in the long run. I am telling you this is the wave of the future.
It is a convinient and wonderful tool. You may miss the touch of a paper or book but remember every once and a while you can always by one for that reason.
Absolutely love it! October 9, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I purchased my Kindle in May, thinking it would be a good product. It's not only proved itself to be an amazing product, I take it everywhere! Any time I have a free moment, I can get caught up on my reading or browse books I want to read in the future. I now read several books at once since I can easily jump back and forth. I think the design is easy to use and very functional. I would reccommend it to anyone who is an avid reader, travels a lot, or just wants a better way to store books.
Kindle October 9, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought it for my Mom so she could read better on a Kindle. She has wet macular degeneration and it is harder for her to see. She always enjoyed reading. Her Granddaughter can find books for her to read on the Kindle. I have also order Kindle books for her. The only problem is that she can't see well enough for her to do it herself. So, I don't know so long she can still read on her Kindle, it is set on a "6" setting. It is working fine so far....
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