Way OT .. but anyone using Amazon's Kindle?

[Badger]

I've been thinking about getting one of the grandkids this device for a year or so, since it first came out, but I always thought it was too expensive and I try never to buy version one of anything.

Amazon Kindle Wireless Reader (click here)

The one they show in the link is still expensive (latest version) at $489, but they also have another one at $289

So, the question is ...

Any of you guys use this device and if so, what's been your experience?

Thanks for any feedback ...

Regards,
Badger

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Youngblood]

FWIW, I have read thru the Feedback on the Kindles a couple of times and decided that they are not yet ready for prime time. I am hoping that they get it right on the next iteration.

[jmoore]

I like the commercial on the "telly"....

ETA: that only made sense back when there was ONE ad- the one w/ the blonde. Very nice.

[Dave_n]

I received one (the smaller version) from my Kids for my 70th birthday and have found it to be an excellent gift. I still do a lot of travelling for Uncle Sam (no retirement age in the US gov't) and it enables me to read at leisure on flights. Downloading books is child's play and easy to read. the larger version that is supposedly designed for textbooks etc., is a solution in search of a problem however. Dave_n

[jmoore]

I'll be more interested when Edward Horton's manuals will all go on one. Plus all the other out of print stuff I have!

[oscars]

Dave:

Just as a curiosity, do you work for the feds at Wyndmor (ERRC)?

[Claven2]

The Kindle is high on my wish list, but it's only been out in Canada for a couple months.

The best feature is you can download books in real time for half the price of the paper version and the "electronic ink" display is supposed to be WAY easier to read than a normal LCD display.

[JGaynor]

I've been thinking about getting one of the grandkids this device for a year or so, since it first came out, but I always thought it was too expensive and I try never to buy version one of anything.

Amazon Kindle Wireless Reader (click here)

The one they show in the link is still expensive (latest version) at $489, but they also have another one at $289

So, the question is ...

Any of you guys use this device and if so, what's been your experience?

Thanks for any feedback ...

Regards,
Badger

Badger I bought one for my wife about eight months ago.

It was at the time the second generation of the standard Kindle. The latest model (and more expensive) differs mainly in that it has a much larger display. I suppose some folks will need or want a large display but on the other hand a main advantage of the standard Kindle is its portability. The second generation model fixed a lot of problems that early adopters noticed in the first generation model. such items as finicky controls.

One tbing to keep in mind is there are no ongoing charges for communications. The unit price buys the connectivity. You simply pay for the books you want . The prices of downloaded volumes are close to what you would pay for a paperback.

Its one of those things that makes a lot more sense if you use it alot. So far i think my wife has only downloaded one novel - not really a good case. But if you read a lot and buy a lot of books its a greatr tool. I believe the basic unit can actually store a couple of hundred books at any one time so you could conceivable sail around the world with a portable library along as you could recharge the battery.

Amazon has had the full text of Brophy's Springfield book on line for years now. Its kind of nice since you can search the book electronically instead of pouring through it by hand.
I don't know if its available as a Kindle download but to make it one would just a matter of flipping a switch somewhere.

Regards,

Jim

[Donzi]

I know this is a little late, but I bought my wife a Kindle,the $259 version, f/ Christmas & she loves it & uses it constantly. You can download books f/$9.95US, sometimes less & even some (older ones?) f/free. The controls seem very simple to use & the electronic ink, or whatever it's called, is as easy on the eyes as real print & doesn't fade out in direct sunlight like an LCD. Also, you can vary the size of the print & it will also (on many books) read it aloud as with audio books-in either male or female voice. It comes w/a USB plug-in AC charger cable & I was able to find a car DC/charger adaptor cable f/about $10 US. Overall, I like it much better than the Barnes & Noble Nook or the Sony readers, all of which I researched prior to buying the Kindle. HTH.
Donzi