 | | |
| Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device | 
 enlarge
| Buy New: $399.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 2615 reviews)
Sales Rank: 1
Category: Amazon Devices
Publisher: Amazon
Studio: Amazon
Brand: Amazon
Label: Amazon
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
|
| Features:
| • | Revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper. | | • | Simple to use: no computer, no cables, no syncing. | | • | Wireless connectivity enables you to find, buy, and read instantly—whether you’re in the back of a taxi, at the airport, or in bed. | | • | Shop the Kindle Store directly from your Kindle. | | • | Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute. |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 2610 more reviews...
New Kindle Owner May 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
We watched the online demo of the Kindle at work. Within a day I ordered mine. I have read e-books before using a Palm Pilot. This is much better. A completly different experience. I like to read and thought that I would stick with the book in my hand, the smell of the paper, the sound of the pages as they turned. I still like that but the Kindle is what I have been looking for. I like the features and the ease of purchasing books. I am looking forward to the day when I can check out books from the library with it. The one thing that I don't like is the placement of the page turning buttons. I would prefer it if one side or the other could be turned off. I read with my hands holding a book on the side and getting used to holding the Kindle at the bottom is awkward. I turn pages when I am not meaning too. Other than that, and that is really a behavioral change, I think that I will love my new toy.
 Likeable but terrible ergonomics May 17, 2008
The Kindle is easier to adapt to than I thought it would be. It is a little tedious clicking buttons but after a while it becomes second nature just as turning pages. It's easy to read but does require room lighting - you cannot read it in the dark. The Kindle is nothing if not a conversation starter. Everywhere I go it attracts attention, especially among professional travelers. Convenience is the Kindle's strong suit. But ergonomics isn't.
There are some serious design problems with this thing that I think would have been vetted had Amazon done a more thorough test marketing. The buttons are huge and mounted on the edge making it impossible to handle it without accidentally flipping pages. The power and Whisper Net buttons are on the back which is a hassle if you use the cover, and you have to use the cover to have something to hold without gripping the sides and hitting a page button. You can't even flip the thing over to turn it off without hitting a page button.
I have suggestions for improvement. Remove the entire keyboard and move it to a touchscreen (like the iPhone) which would allow for a larger screen. Move the On/Off and Whisper Net buttons to the front and recess them, and most importantly put small rocker switches on the front so the unit can be gripped without hitting a page button. I would also take the rubber backing on the rear and put some on the front where the keyboard is now. I would have preferred a cover that used velcro to hold it and, and a flap door in the cover for access to the on/off buttons would have been nice too.
Other than that, it is likeable, and you will get used to it. The download times are very good (30 seconds or so) and I have had my Kindle in a lot of locations and get good signal everywhere. The Kindle Store is easy to use and a minimum of hassle. I have been disappointed in the selection. The first 5 books I wanted to buy (all new releases) were not available when the books were released, but in the past 10 days or so a couple have appeared in Kindle format, and I suppose this only improves over time.
I don't regret buying it at all, and if the ergonomics were better I would have given it a five star rating - I think the next version will deal with those problems so if you are not in a rush you might wait. If they do make these changes a lot of people will upgrade and you can pick up a used original model cheap. Or keep the original as a bit of history because this product is ground breaking. College kids can buy and carry every book they need in the palm of their hand. If I were Barnes and Noble I'd be worried because this is a book store killer. It won't win over the hearts and minds of the Boomer generation, but those who follow will adapt as readily as they did to cell phones.
 So Easy May 17, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Overall, I think the device and service are very well thought out. When the device arrived it was already registered to my Amazon account, making its use amazingly simple. Within a minute I was reading book I wanted to purchase.
I find the text very easy on my eyes and use it outdoors in the sun just like a regular book.
Having newspapers and magazines delivered to the device automatically each morning makes it perfect and I expect to get a great deal of use out of the device.
Altogether I find the convenience and ease of use greatly out weigh the cost of the device.
Amazon Kindle May 17, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
It remains to be seen whether the Kindle can make a big dent in paper type reading materails. It's certainly handy. My daughter is a flight attendant; the device is excellent for her because of small size, portability, and ease of downloading books.
Kindle brought back my love for books May 17, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I used to be such an avid reader of books but having moved a few years back to a smaller place, I didn't have the room to take all my books out of storage. I found myself reading less and less.
But the Kindle changed all that. It is so convenient having all of the books you are interested in at your fingertips on the Kindle whenever and wherever you want to read. I have rediscovered my love for reading again.
|
|
|
Included with most items on sale are editorial reviews and customer reviews | | |
