Amazon Kindle E-Book Reader gets official

[Eos]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
So wait...I've actually been looking into a Kindle 2.0 for work-related reasons - the PDF support is limited? How so?

Not all .pdf files can be converted to Kindle format. Usually the more complex, the less chance of conversion.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: eos

Originally posted by: peritusONE
Eh, fuck it. Placed my order for a Kindle 2 today. The wife and I both read sparingly, but I mostly don't read because it's never comfortable holding a book while on the bed or on the couch. We both have wanted to start reading more, I'm thinking this will help tremendously.

Originally posted by: Deeko
Got my Kindle 2 today. Its pretty sweet. I bought a couple of things yesterday, turned it on and it downloaded them right away.

So did you go ahead and buy a couple of ebooks before you got your Kindle, then just synced them up when your Kindle arrived? I was wondering if it was easy to do this, as I just assume have a couple of books ready to go when I get the thing.

You can purchase content for Kindle once it appears in the Manage Your Kindle page at amazon.com.

www.amazon.com/manageyourkindle

Until the serial number appears, nothing can be purchased.

So they'll basically put in the serial number for me and attach it to my account before shipping it?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: eos

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
So wait...I've actually been looking into a Kindle 2.0 for work-related reasons - the PDF support is limited? How so?

Not all .pdf files can be converted to Kindle format. Usually the more complex, the less chance of conversion.

So will they actually decline to convert some pdf files? Or do they just come through all mangled and you have to pay the $0.10 fee regardless?

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: peritusONE

Originally posted by: eos

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
So wait...I've actually been looking into a Kindle 2.0 for work-related reasons - the PDF support is limited? How so?

Not all .pdf files can be converted to Kindle format. Usually the more complex, the less chance of conversion.

So will they actually decline to convert some pdf files? Or do they just come through all mangled and you have to pay the $0.10 fee regardless?

You can have them email it to you for free, and then transfer it via USB -

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/...nodeId=200140600&#send

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: peritusONE

Originally posted by: eos

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
So wait...I've actually been looking into a Kindle 2.0 for work-related reasons - the PDF support is limited? How so?

Not all .pdf files can be converted to Kindle format. Usually the more complex, the less chance of conversion.

So will they actually decline to convert some pdf files? Or do they just come through all mangled and you have to pay the $0.10 fee regardless?

I knew I should have posted this before.

Despite the FAQ stating otherwise, there is no fee to have Amazon convert and send the files back to Kindle via Whispernet. It would be better to use the e-mail option with files over 1mb.

I would not call it decline. More like unable. Either way, you do not get them back.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: eos

Originally posted by: peritusONE

Originally posted by: eos

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
So wait...I've actually been looking into a Kindle 2.0 for work-related reasons - the PDF support is limited? How so?

Not all .pdf files can be converted to Kindle format. Usually the more complex, the less chance of conversion.

So will they actually decline to convert some pdf files? Or do they just come through all mangled and you have to pay the $0.10 fee regardless?

I knew I should have posted this before.

Despite the FAQ stating otherwise, there is no fee to have Amazon convert and send the files back to Kindle via Whispernet. It would be better to use the e-mail option with files over 1mb.

I would not call it decline. More like unable. Either way, you do not get them back.

Thanks for the explanation (and you too, Deeko). Personally, I don't care about PDF's, as I'll probably never need one converted, but just trying to get what info I can.

 

[lokiju]

Kindle for iPhone

Has been released for the iPhone as a free app for reading your Kindle books on your iPhone.

Pretty nice.

If I had a Kindle I'd really like this feature since I'm fine with reading a small amount on my iPhone to kill time and with the ability to sync bookmarks between the two devices this is a pretty slick supplement to the reader.

 

[blurredvision]

Well, I gave in earlier this week and ordered a Kindle 2, and received it in the mail today. My initial impressions are these:

- After reading reviews and what-not, I was expecting it to be pretty tiny, but it's actually a perfect size. It's easy to hold in one hand.
- The screen is amazing. It really does look like ink on a page, and you can view it at the widest angle and still see everything clearly. It's very surreal.
- Screen refreshes are taking some getting used to, especially when moving your selector throughout the page. Sometimes it takes a second to move from option to option.
- Entire page refreshes are quick enough for me. I understand the technology, so I'm fine with the second or so it takes to refresh.
- I really, really like the progress bar at the bottom while reading an e-book. I really like knowing how far I am into a book, percentage-wise, and I like the tick marks indicating chapters and such. I'm kind of confused with the "Locations" thing, though. I understand it's supposed to be a substitute for page numbers, but I don't get how they calculate the location numbers. Seems like it'd be easier to calculate actual total page/screen numbers based on text size, and just use that. If you change the text size, then recalculate how many pages/screens there are.
- The online store works awesomely, and is laid out great. Buying it is simple, downloading a sample is simple, reading the book description or user reviews is simple.
- I'm already loving the built-in dictionary. That is almost worth the price of admission for me, because I love expanding my vocabulary.
- I like how you can start downloading something, then continue on looking through the store, and when that book is finished downloading, the header on the page will light up with "items downloaded" or something like that so you'll know it's done.
- I was really impressed with the resolution on the screen. It's actually very, very sharp, and pictures look fantastic...much better than I thought they would. Text is sharp and easily readible.

It's hard holding this thing in my hand and realizing how much I paid for it, because it seems so small to be so expensive, but as an all-inclusive package, it really seems worth it. As long as I read a lot, anyway. I'm loving this new gadget so far. It's actually something my wife is impressed with also, and she'll get use out of it, too.

 

[Kaido]

Dangit, they stole my idea!

 

[Kaido]

Holy cow, now THIS is what the Kindle needs to be!!

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...a-the-first-color-e-b/

-Color E-Ink Screen
-Bluetooth
-Wifi
-Touchscreen + Stylus
-Up to 4GB storage with SD card

Unfortunately it's just over $1,000

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Holy cow, now THIS is what the Kindle needs to be!!

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...a-the-first-color-e-b/

-Color E-Ink Screen
-Bluetooth
-Wifi
-Touchscreen + Stylus
-Up to 4GB storage with SD card

Unfortunately it's just over $1,000

Over the top expensive.

But color would be great for those that like to read comic books.

Actually a color e-ink reader might be the only chance comics have of surviving.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
30 hours is pathetic for an eink display. It only draws power when the page is refreshed. It should last days.

If it was that simple, I'd imagine they would have done it. I don't know the details of the technology, but why would they do something decreasing the usage time?

My year-old Sony PRS-505 reader has a battery that is quoted as good for 7,500 page turns. In practice, even if I never shut it down, it will last for at least 3 weeks before needing a recharge regardless of how much I use it. There's no excuse for the Kindle only managing 30 hours when the Sony does so much better with the same display technology. Amazon's choice to bundle 3G wireless connectivity with the Kindle is probably what is responsible for the poor battery life when compared to Sony's offerings.

IMO, unless you really need the 3G connection, Sony's new PRS-700 with its touch-screen and built-in lighting for the display is a superior device.

ZV

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
30 hours is pathetic for an eink display. It only draws power when the page is refreshed. It should last days.

If it was that simple, I'd imagine they would have done it. I don't know the details of the technology, but why would they do something decreasing the usage time?

My year-old Sony PRS-505 reader has a battery that is quoted as good for 7,500 page turns. In practice, even if I never shut it down, it will last for at least 3 weeks before needing a recharge regardless of how much I use it. There's no excuse for the Kindle only managing 30 hours when the Sony does so much better with the same display technology. Amazon's choice to bundle 3G wireless connectivity with the Kindle is probably what is responsible for the poor battery life when compared to Sony's offerings.

IMO, unless you really need the 3G connection, Sony's new PRS-700 with its touch-screen and built-in lighting for the display is a superior device.

ZV

You can turn off the wireless.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
30 hours is pathetic for an eink display. It only draws power when the page is refreshed. It should last days.

If it was that simple, I'd imagine they would have done it. I don't know the details of the technology, but why would they do something decreasing the usage time?

My year-old Sony PRS-505 reader has a battery that is quoted as good for 7,500 page turns. In practice, even if I never shut it down, it will last for at least 3 weeks before needing a recharge regardless of how much I use it. There's no excuse for the Kindle only managing 30 hours when the Sony does so much better with the same display technology. Amazon's choice to bundle 3G wireless connectivity with the Kindle is probably what is responsible for the poor battery life when compared to Sony's offerings.

IMO, unless you really need the 3G connection, Sony's new PRS-700 with its touch-screen and built-in lighting for the display is a superior device.

ZV

You can turn off the wireless.

Ya, I keep the wireless turned off on mine, because I don't subscribe to any newspapers, blogs, or magazines. When I first got it, the wireless stayed on, and it lasted me about 3-4 days. I since turned it off after my first recharge, and have read through an entire book over a week's time, turned on the wireless sporadically to look through new books, and I still have probably two-thirds of the battery left according to the icon in the top-right.

As for the front-lighting in the Sony PRS-700, from the pictures I've seen, it's pretty shitty with the way it shines in from the sides. I'd much rather have my MightyBright flex book light. Not only is the LED light better (again, judging from the pictures I've seen), but it doesn't drain the battery on my Kindle. Using 3 triple-A batteries for the MightyBright is slated to run for 40-something hours I think.

Given the above paragraph, and the fact that the Kindle has free unlimited 3G wireless, and subscriptions to newspapers, magazines, and blogs, it's the obvious choice for me. I also like the physical keyboard on the Kindle, I don't know why everybody wants touchscreens on everything these days.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
30 hours is pathetic for an eink display. It only draws power when the page is refreshed. It should last days.

If it was that simple, I'd imagine they would have done it. I don't know the details of the technology, but why would they do something decreasing the usage time?

My year-old Sony PRS-505 reader has a battery that is quoted as good for 7,500 page turns. In practice, even if I never shut it down, it will last for at least 3 weeks before needing a recharge regardless of how much I use it. There's no excuse for the Kindle only managing 30 hours when the Sony does so much better with the same display technology. Amazon's choice to bundle 3G wireless connectivity with the Kindle is probably what is responsible for the poor battery life when compared to Sony's offerings.

IMO, unless you really need the 3G connection, Sony's new PRS-700 with its touch-screen and built-in lighting for the display is a superior device.

ZV

I played with the 700 and 505 and the 700's screen looked washed out to me.

The 505 looked very noticeably sharper and clearer.

I think whatever they did to make it touch screen degraded the quality of the screen.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Holy cow, now THIS is what the Kindle needs to be!!

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...a-the-first-color-e-b/

-Color E-Ink Screen
-Bluetooth
-Wifi
-Touchscreen + Stylus
-Up to 4GB storage with SD card

Unfortunately it's just over $1,000

I saw that this morning. A good step, but its not there yet. Not only is it crazy expensive - look at the redraw speeds. A single scan - which is B&W/up to 64 colors - takes almost 2 seconds! It would be maddening to read something that refreshed that slow. Full color - 3 scans - takes 8 seconds!

 

[Kaido]

Lots of complaints about the new font rendering system:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...-over-possible-soluti/

 

[Kaido]

Press event on Wednesday:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...you-and-then-new-kind/

Rumor has it a larger Kindle will be introduced, with a focus on newspapers and textbooks. Man oh man, I would snag one for my textbooks! Some textbook publishers offer 55% off, which would be a HUGE savings for students - my bill last semester for just books was nearly $500!

 

[Kaido]

Leaked pics: 9.7" screen

http://www.engadget.com/2009/0...ture-9-7-inch-display/

Good news - built-in PDF reader!

As another article pointed out, this is all moot if Apple decides to release a 10" iPod-style tablet - even if it's not an E-Ink screen (which it wouldn't be), more people would buy it and use it as an E-Reader than a giant Kindle.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Why is this thread still in OT?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Just thought I'd mention Project Gutenberg with 28,000+ novels for free. My sister visited recently and has the first edition Kindle and likes it a lot. She reads a great deal and likes the instant access. Battery life isn't a problem as she just plugs it in when she's done reading for the night. It does have kind of a slow page turn time and if you increase the size of the font past normal paperback size, you only get a paragraph or two. Over all she gives it a thumbs up.

 

[Kaido]

The new one is out: ($489 shipped, free 3G for life)

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-D...neration/dp/B0015TCML0

Big features:
-9.7" screen (2.5x the size
-auto-rotation support (read in portrait or landscape)
-native PDF support

Nice! I'm waiting till June to see if Apple is going to release a 10" iTablet though

Edit: Is that Dr. Chang from Lost in the preview video?? :Q

Edit 2: Is that Kevin Rose in the second part of the preview video? :laugh:

Edit 3: Haha, the lady is reading "Overheard in New York".

$489 is pricey, but my current textbook bill is nearly $500 per semester now and I get less than $20 per book back at the end of the year. I'd much rather pay $489 for a tiny device than lug around 25 pounds of books all semester. I went through 3 backpacks alone my first couple years in college, haha.

The auto-rotate mode is pretty neat, but I don't see any controls on the top/bottom - so how do you flip the page when it's horizontal?

 

[lokiju]

WTF is Amazon thinking?

We don't me a more expensive reader dammit! We need a reader for the masses.

Maybe if news papers form some coalition and then offer devices like this at a discounted rate with a long term (2 year min) contract then it'd make sense, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

FWIW I bought my Sony PRS-505 in the first week of April and the battery just died last night after my first charge. Pretty impressive.

I love this thing though, with the free app called "calibre" I can easily put any format onto it also.

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: Kaido
The new one is out: ($489 shipped, free 3G for life)

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-D...neration/dp/B0015TCML0

Big features:
-9.7" screen (2.5x the size
-auto-rotation support (read in portrait or landscape)
-native PDF support

Nice! I'm waiting till June to see if Apple is going to release a 10" iTablet though

Edit: Is that Dr. Chang from Lost in the preview video?? :Q

Edit 2: Is that Kevin Rose in the second part of the preview video? :laugh:

Edit 3: Haha, the lady is reading "Overheard in New York".

$489 is pricey, but my current textbook bill is nearly $500 per semester now and I get less than $20 per book back at the end of the year. I'd much rather pay $489 for a tiny device than lug around 25 pounds of books all semester. I went through 3 backpacks alone my first couple years in college, haha.

The auto-rotate mode is pretty neat, but I don't see any controls on the top/bottom - so how do you flip the page when it's horizontal?

Awesome-o!

 

[Savarak]

if they allowed text-centric google(or even just atot) browsing for free, i'd consider it...