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Kindle: Amazon's Wireless Reading Device | 
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| Brand: Amazon
Category: Amazon Devices
Buy New: $359.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  4478 reviews
Sales Rank: 1
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
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| 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. |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4473 more reviews...
 Everything I expected, no more and no less September 8, 2008
The husband of a long-time patient of mine has been reading his Kindle in my lobby for many months now. I finally asked him about it and was immediately struck by the beauty of the screen. It was clear and easy on the eyes. He told me that he has read the Kindle for hours (often in my waiting room)with little eye strain.
His use sparked my interest and Michael Lewis' video review, on the Amazon site, convinced me to order it. I am pleased to say that it is everything I expected, no more, but no less. It is an improvement on the book for any reading that goes from beginning to end, short non-fiction and novels, for example. But not as handy as a book for navigation through the work, or not for this new user yet. I haven't tested the dictionary and notes feature, but expect to find them very helpful.
I recommend it without reservation for any habitual reader. It was amazing to buy three books by Mary Roach and have all three download to my Kindle in less than 30 each.
Does a great job. September 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had looked at the Sony product a year ago and held off. Stared at the Kindle wondering if this was a good purchase. For travel efficiency I was looking for a solution. Kindle is that solution.
It arrived as promised, started right up, had an installed user manual and several books were downloaded between purchase and arrival.
Use is logical, the screen is easy to read and the font sizes are a great feature. I am a bit disappointed with the cover, but this is not a show stopper. Put in a 2gig SD card and will move books after reading. This should allow about a 2000 book library in the palm of my hand.
The Kindle was not purchased for music or magazines or web use although it is nice to have those functions. As an efficient ereader it is a great tool.
The price of the books is another bonus. Compared to pricing with the Sony why would anyone not purchase the Kindle? There will be a lot of people looking for amazing functionality, but I wanted a device that made my travel life a little easier. Good prices on books, no driving to the bookstore works for me. Enjoy your Kindle.
First thoughts; mine arrived 9/6/08 September 8, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
What I Think of the Kindle
In short, I enjoy reading on it. It was not hard to read in the thin confines of a crowded subway; 6 line about noon in Midtown Manhattan. The screen is clear, and looks like the gray paper black ink of found in most, if not all, the paperbacks out there. I found it just as easy to read in the Central Park this afternoon; beautifully clear day; as I did with a the small 20-watt reading light I normally use to read a book with before going to sleep. The screen flicker is no worse in my view than turning a page. Some of the comments I've read complaining about it seem quite silly to me. Pictures, while admittedly grey scale, looked about as good as the Wall Street Journal ones do; probably a bit better.
It was not hard to use either my left hand or my right, or both. Good one there Amazon; as lefty, I usually can't say that. I can see how some folks have had trouble keeping in in the nice leather case, but it hasn't been an issue for me so far. Button placement is fine. I think a lot of folks are just not used to 1 handing paperbacks. Maybe this is a skill for those of us who read on a subway or train?
I don't have any problems hitting the buttons closing or moving the thing around. I love the Alt - AAA button that turns on the screen protector. I think the fact that I hit that before I put it down is what I'm doing right there, so take that as a suggestion any one who may buy this thing.
For me, I have no issues with font size, but I will probably get one for my dad, and he does. The font size changing thing will be a great help to him, I'm sure. It would be nice if i could change the font, but it's no biggie.
It's easy to navigate around the menus, and buying and sampling new books is really easy. My laptop runs XP, and had no problems instantly recognising the device. It was a breeze to copy over my other mobi formatted ebooks, and they looked great on the device. Note I got those books from another publisher, and read them on my laptop. The nice difference being that I had no eye strain reading the same books on the Kindle as on my laptop. The e-paper stuff is as good as they say it is.
Basically, this is a great reading device on itself. The price, well, at $259, with the deal, I thought it was worth it obviously, but then I tend to buy many paperback books, and then after a few reads, those things are worn out; particularly if I let my dad borrow one, so a Kindle is probably in his future. Would I recommend it? Sure, but only to folks who read a lot, travel a lot, or like toys. It's a good device, but really probably more of a niche product. For that niche though, it's a great product. Like I said, I'll get one for my 65 year old father when his birthday comes around.
Where and How I've Read it so Far
In the last two days that I've had this toy, I have read for a total of about 3-4 hours on the Kindle. I've read in a hot subway station, during a short subway ride; 10 minutes, Central Park this afternoon, and in bed both just before going to sleep and just after waking up.
Basic Facts
So I've had my Kindle for about 2 days now; USPS delivery was early Yesterday morning, so I had it by noon. I've bought 1 book, downloaded several samples, and USB'd a few mobi formatted ebooks I got from Baen Books; that's a sci fi publisher I like. Those ebooks I read on my laptop screen usually during my lunch breaks.
Who am I?
I'm the guy that my friends turn to for tech advice; graduated from college with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering in 98, and work now as a software engineer. I was using Google's Chrome browser the day it was released; yeah, that guy. What does that mean, I'm a geek of course, and someone who loves gadgets. I read a lot, and hate traveling on subways, shopping with my girlfriend, or pretty much waiting for any reason without something to read. That means I am often found with a paperback book on hand, and I tend to wear them out as I re-read my favorite books from time to time. This is all relevant as it will explain many of my comments in this review.
Get it, plain and simple. Its like a Tivo, hard to explain why you need it! September 8, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
You've read all the reviews, some nit pick, some complain, but everyone I've actually TALKED to who had one of these loved it. They said its like a Tivo or Blackberry, once you have it, you don't know how you did without it.
My complaints are minimal: Too easy to click "next page" and unit does not stay in the little book cover that well. Other than that, you must get one.
Battery life is DAYS if you leave the radio part off. No need to leave the radio on, unless you have bought something and are waiting for it. I suppose if you get a daily paper (which too me is kind of silly on this device) you would turn it on every day.
Encourage multiple purchases of Kindle September 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I own the device because my ninety two year old father, an early Kindle adopter/owner, purchased Kindles as gifts for me and my sister. The result of his gifts? -- We both now love and swear by Kindle for the same reasons in thousands of testimonials. I won't bother to repeat the reasons, but will suggest small improvements on a great product.
One inconvenience I have discovered is that my wife also likes to use Kindle, but two cannot read simultaneously. Therefore, but for the high price, I am tempted to buy a second device for my wife so we can read our different books at the same time. Also, I would like to buy Kindles for our 5 children for birthday or Christmas gifts. My suggestion is to encourage multiple purchases by developing a price discount system based on the purchase of a second (or more) Kindle. Provide a 20 or 25 percent discount for each additional kindle. You will make less on the devices, but will make far more money on purchase of books and magazine subscriptions (like Kodak did with film; like H-P does with printer cartridges).
Another problem I encountered when my sister came from her South Carolina home to visit us in Kansas for a few days. During her stay we were always mixing up our devices. I was truly nervous that when she packed her belongings to return to her home that she would accidentally pick up the wrong Kindle. A simple marketing solution would be to provide different colors for the leather covers. It would add a touch of color and pizzaz to an otherwise extremely homely cover. And, while you are at it, place your stylized brand name "Amazon Kindle" on the front. Ipod did this with enormous success. Most Ipod owners own more than one device. It's "Style" and "Fashion" more than utility. Your are in position to make Kindle take off like a rocket. Do it soon so I can make kids Christmas wishes come true. I might even buy one for my wife.
Thanks. Great product.
Keith from Kansas
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