Kindle e-reader owner's thread

[diogen]

I would love to get a Kindle, but there are so few of the eBooks available that I am interested in reading.

If 7 inch is enough and you have a source of ebooks, get a Nook Color and a 32GB microSD card.
Same price. Install CM7 or MIUI on it and a reader like Aldiko.

No accounts, no subscription, reads PDFs and EPUBs. Google Market access.

Can also install other ereader apps: Google, Nook, Kindle, Kobo...

Diogen.

 

[Ilya]

Kindle Games

In addition to two hidden games (accessible via Shift-Alt-M), you can also download some free games from the Kindle Store. Kindle is not exactly a gaming device, but why not have a few games on it in case you get bored reading.

 

[Juan]

In addition to two hidden games (accessible via Shift-Alt-M), you can also download some free games from the Kindle Store. Kindle is not exactly a gaming device, but why not have a few games on it in case you get bored reading.

I tried the game thing and my kindle started reading to me.............

 

[Neutron]

You must have done a Shift-Sym. On the Kindle 3G Keyboard that's how to do the text to speech.

 

[Ilya]

Kindle Notepad App

Just purchased the Notpad app ($.99). A simple app for taking notes on your Kindle. I like it so far.
It saves notes in standard .txt format. Files can be easily transfered to and from your PC via USB.
There is a 3,100 character limit on the size of notes, but that should be enough for most purposes.

The same company (7 Dragons) makes some other Kindle apps, which I haven't tried:
Calendar, Calculator, Address Book and Converter.

If you tried any other Kindle apps and have found them useful, please post!

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I was just checking out the Kindle Touch at Best Buy, debating which one to get my son for christmas. They have a stupid Demo model and you can barely see what the actual screen is like); The touch screen is good, but I am not convinced the text is as crisp as on the non-touch Kindle. My gut says I will buy my kid the non-touch Kindle.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Just purchased the Notpad app ($.99). A simple app for taking notes on your Kindle. I like it so far.
It saves notes in standard .txt format. Files can be easily transfered to and from your PC via USB.
There is a 3,100 character limit on the size of notes, but that should be enough for most purposes.

The same company (7 Dragons) makes some other Kindle apps, which I haven't tried:
Calendar, Calculator, Address Book and Converter.

If you tried any other Kindle apps and have found them useful, please post!

I guess I just don't see why you would want to take notes on a Kindle; except in very rare circumstances. I'd think it would be easier to take notes on a smartphone.

 

[Ilya]

I guess I just don't see why you would want to take notes on a Kindle; except in very rare circumstances. I'd think it would be easier to take notes on a smartphone.

I don't know. I can see certain situations, when it would be preferable to take notes on Kindle rather than on the phone. Say, when saving your phone battery on a long flight, or when reading outdoors in bright sunlight. Also, I think certain types of notes would be easier and more appropriate to maintain on the Kindle itself. Like the list of books I read or want to read, for example. A general-purpose notepad app is always a good thing to have. I am surprized it's not included.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Ordered the kid a $79 Kindle. Need to find a good heavy duty case for it.

 

[Ilya]

So, which one is better: Kindle or Kindle Touch?
I am buying a present today and would like to stay under $100

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

 

[rockymtnhigh]

So, which one is better: Kindle or Kindle Touch?
I am buying a present today and would like to stay under $100

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

I spent 30 minutes in Best Buy looking at both the Kindle and Touch, and while the touch screen was responsive, I did not think that the e-ink was as crisp; now it was subjective, I will admit, but I walked away thinking that the $79 kindle was really a better screen, and I preferred having the hardware page advance buttons. With the Touch, 3/4 of the screen will advance a page - making it easy to accidentally move forward.

While I think its remarkable they were able to create an e-ink touch screen, I'd stick with the K4 or K3 for my money. I bought my son the K4 as a christmas present.

 

[Ilya]

I am not sure why the touch capability would be even necessary for an e-reader, but I ended up buying Kindle Touch. Mostly for its audio features. The $79 Kindle doesn't have audio and I do find text-to-speech useful sometimes.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I am not sure why the touch capability would be even necessary for an e-reader, but I ended up buying Kindle Touch. Mostly for its audio features. The $79 Kindle doesn't have audio and I do find text-to-speech useful sometimes.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

I have never used the text to speech in three years with a Kindle, and the audio for audio books is not needed; I have an iPhone and iPod for that.

But for $99 its a good gift.

I agree, the notion of a touch screen seems kind of silly given its purpose.

 

[Ilya]

Text-to-speech works surprisingly well. And the person who this gift is for doesn't have (and doesn't need) a smartphone, so being able to play audio books and perhaps even background music might be helpful.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Text-to-speech works surprisingly well. And the person who this gift is for doesn't have (and doesn't need) a smartphone, so being able to play audio books and perhaps even background music might be helpful.

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

I have used an iPod for audio-books for a long time; only since I got an iPhone have I been using the Audible app; but yeah, for $100 its a great deal -- and you can even link Audible to your kindle account. When I go to my Archive, it includes every book I have bought from Audible in addition to everything from Amazon.

 

[Ilya]

I had the WiFi turned off on my Kindle for awhile (as I had enough books preloaded on it) and the ads stopped showing up!
All I get now is a generic screensaver with a small text saying "Please connect wirelessly to download the latest Special Offers."
Not that the ads are too annoying, but I thought I would mention it.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I had the WiFi turned off on my Kindle for awhile (as I had enough books preloaded on it) and the ads stopped showing up!
All I get now is a generic screensaver with a small text saying "Please connect wirelessly to download the latest Special Offers."
Not that the ads are too annoying, but I thought I would mention it.

The ads on your machine had expired. It is the same thing that happens if you hack your kindle to make them go away.

I found the ads terribly annoying, and unsubscribed my kindle, now I get the all familiar and comfortable ink drawings of authors, and all is good in the world

And I have to say, the best thing my kid did was kill my original K3, as when I got the new one, I have used it so much more. I had become complacent in using the Kindle app on my iPad. I use that now for Kindle magazines and for times when I am traveling and don't want to bring the kindle along with the ipad and mac book.

 

[Ilya]

I found the ads terribly annoying

I really don't understand why. Most of the time I don't see any ads. And those ads that I did see were very friendly, in fact, some of them were even useful.

Maybe you don't use the case as I do? My Kindle is always in its leather case, so I don't really see any ads. When I take my Kindle, I turn its power on and then open the case. So, the first thing I see is the book page that I left it on. When I am done reading I just close the case and then either turn the power off or don't even bother turning it off and let it turn off by itself after some time. So, the only time I do see any ads is when I go to the Main Menu to switch the book (a small banner at the bottom). It doesn't bother me at all!

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I have had a Kindle for three years and there was something very comforting about picking it up and seeing the images of famous authors, I found the ads irritating, I did not like the banner ad in the menu, and the main ads were rarely interesting to me. I use my Kindle "naked" - always have. It is in a neoprene sleeve when I am not using it.

Now, my kindle is just the way it always was, and I still saved $50 over its retail price since to the $87 special Best Buy had on the Keyboard model back in November.

 

[tigerprowler]

I got the $79 Kindle (K4?) for Christmas from my Grandma. Last present I'll ever get from her. I love it. I bought it a pink gel skin for it. I bought The Hunger Games trilogy and have read that twice so far. My library has a crappy selection of Kindle books to borrow. I like downloading previews for books before I decide to buy. There are so many I want, I have to pace myself.

One thing I had to do was put a password on mine. Second or third day I had it, Colby got ahold of it and bought a $30 voucher for some teeth whitening service.

HIFI's thinking about buying me a Fire cuz my sister got one for Christmas and everyone was obviously more impressed with it than with mine. (I was a little jealous, but have since gotten over it. ) I haven't decided if I want a Fire. Mine is special to me.