The newest version, unofficially called "Kindle 3," comes in two versions: A version with Wi-Fi ($139.00
) and a version with Wi-Fi and free 3G ($189.00
). For non-computer inclined people, Wi-Fi means that the Kindle can connect to wireless internet connections and 3G means that it will connect to the internet through wireless signals sent through satellites and cell phone towers so no routers or internet service providers are needed. Other new features on the Kindle 3 includes longer battery life (about 30 days with Wi-Fi turned off), faster refresh rate (when you turn the page), smaller overall size but same screen size, and an experimental text-to-speech feature.
Instead of just a clear scree, when the Kindle is off, a picture (usually a book cover) with show up.
Alright, on to my review...
I think the Kindle is a very cool "toy" that has some practical uses and is worth the price for some people. It is NOT for people looking to play serious games, surf the internet, or look at photos. It IS for serious readers that have at least a little bit of technological ability.
The biggest positives for the device include:
1. Setup and downloading is a breeze. I would highly recommend ordering a Kindle online. First, no taxes (probably the biggest draw to Amazon on any product). Secondly, when you order online, it automatically registers your Kindle to your account. You can also assign it to a different account if you are giving it as a gift. This comes in handy when you are downloading books, magazines, etc. All you have to do is buy the Kindle version of the book and have your Wi-Fi turned on (or 3G if you have that version) and it instantly sends it to your Kindle. I was very impressed with how easy and fast this was.
2. The selection of books. Just about every single book that is somewhat popular is available for Kindle. Along with this, nearly all classics from the early 20th century and before are available for FREE because of public domain copy right laws. Classics like Alice in Wonderland
, Dracula
, A Tale of Two Cities
, and many many more are free. They also offer limited time promotional newer books for free - most of these are not so great though.3. The Kindle's quality and customer service is the best. The Kindle just seems like it's well designed and constructed out of quality materials. If there are any major issues, Amazon is very quick to fix or replace them. Other similar products like the Barnes and Noble Nook
may have some better features like a color screen but they cannot match the service of Amazon.4. The Kindle is GREAT for public transportation, plane rides, long waits, etc. Since it is so small and can hold hundreds of books, you can use it anywhere and not feel too cramped to read or run out of material half way through a flight.
The text size can be adjusted from really really tiny to HUGE.
The biggest negatives:
1. Navigating the menu and through books is clunky. It uses arrow keys similar to a computer keyboard to navigate and sometimes it can be painfully slow and not very precise. Highlighting and bookmarking pages while reading a book is not as smooth as it should be either. There also doesn't seem to be a lot of organization to how your files are laid out. I would much rather see folders that you could place files in, instead of just a big long list.
2. The page refresh speed. When turning to the next page, there is a slight delay and the screen with flash before showing the new text. Even though it's only for probably .5 seconds, it's still highly noticeable. Other E-readers like the Nook are supposedly even more noticeable, however.
3. The Kindle is pencil thin, making it very vulnerable to damage if dropped. I highly reccomend getting a leather cover. Amazon sells a series of them that are a little expensive (regular ones for around $35.00 and ones with a book light for $59.99). I ended up buying a "CrazyOnDigital Kindle 3G 3rd Generation Leather Case
" for less than $30.00 that might be a lower quality but it works just fine and it came with some accessories.4. Lighting. The downside to "e-ink electronic paper" style of screen is that it is truly like reading a book. You cannot read it in the dark without a light on and if its too bright it can have a little bit of a glare.
5. Paper book nuances. There's something about a good-old book that you just don't get with a Kindle. Maybe it's the smell of a new book, being able to see how far you have until the next chapter, or something else, but I just don't see many traditional book readers totally giving up paper books.
Other things to note about the Kindle:
*The battery life is awesome. I really don't even think about it. I just charge it (with an included plug-in charger) when I remember to. Turning the Wi-Fi off when you aren't using it does seem to help quite a bit too.
*Most e-books on Amazon are $10 or less. While that sounds cheap, you can still find some paperbacks for less. If I had the choice between a cheaper paperback or a Kindle version of a book, I'll take the paperback anyday.
Pencil Thin
and my favorite, Shuffled Row. These games are nothing amazing, but pretty fun.*It does have a web browser but as you can imagine, it's nothing spectacular. With many Web 2.0 sites, there's too much going on and the kindle just doesn't have the power to handle them.
*This is great for working out on a treadmill or exercise bike --if you have it SECURED -- Again its very thin and lightweight.
*I would really recommend saving $50 and skip the 3G. Although it means you have free internet anywhere, anytime, how many times are you actually going to need to download a new book immediately without being able to get to a hotel, library, or coffee shop with Wi-Fi?
Overall, I think the Kindle is a really neat toy. Traditional readers who aren't tech savvy aren't going to suddenly stop the way the read books and switch over. However, heavy readers, travelers, treadmill riders, public transportation commuters, and many others will definitely get their money's worth.
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