Kindle
Kindle
A quantum leap in reading.
In December 2009, on a no-special-gift-giving day, Don presented me with Kindle 2.
Imagine a hard cover 1cm thin and weighing 289 grams (10.2 oz) and readably squeezed into it 1,500 books. That’s my Kindle, a mean machine and thing of beauty. Slim, sturdy, comfortable and delicious to handle.
Within 45 seconds I purchased my first eBook, right on the device, wireless and no computer connection. Kindle works on the phone principle – 3G. I have another 349,000 titles to choose from.
Rotation of 15cm (diagonal) screen gives landscape or portrait viewing. Six different font sizes make for effortless reading. And the 16 level grey scale and 600×800 pixel resolution in the electronics paper is glare proof and easy on the eye.
Page turns back and forth, previous page or next page on the press of a button, and Kindle remembers and bookmarks the last page read. When it is reopened next it brings up the location. Built-in dictionary and access to Wikipedia allows looking up words on the reading page. Like pencilling in, highlights, notes and comments are made on the page. Books purchased and all notations are backed up by Amazon. Speech function will read book aloud and turn pages. Don’t expect a passionate, emotional human voice, just a friendly robot.
I am a great fan of Audio Books and Kindle downloads these too.
Recharging is fast and Kindle remains charged for about four days of avid reading, with wireless turned on, or two weeks turned off.
Besides books Kindle also gives access to daily newspapers, magazine subscriptions and blogs and has a built-in PDF reader. Browse the internet, send emails, do word processing on the machine and acts as a MP3 player. Kindle apps are free for iPhone and iPod.
A huge bonus for us writers – Kindle e-books CANNOT be passed on or re-sold after they are read. There is still hope I can move out of sleeping beneath the underpass.
Will I still buy physical paper books. Yes. My reading, like the octopus, has many tentacles and will grab on to every kind of reading material available. Nothing really replaces anything. ‘Everything just splinters.’
More at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C
January 18th, 2010 at 10:42
Hi Leela -
I agree, though e-mail and web services seem a bit sketchy…
If you haven’t already downloaded Calibre (free program…), you should – it allows you to transfer all likds of files to your Kindle, not least the latest copy of the New Yorker! And all free.
All the best,
Martin
January 18th, 2010 at 11:14
Thanks Martin, you’re a gem. Long time no see.
January 18th, 2010 at 12:52
Hi Leela,
Sounds so good, lucky you. Make the most of it. While you are about it, do read the first issue of Grassroots Lit, which is downloadable on Kindle for free. My story is there, titled “The Vulture.”
Love the green nail polish!
Best,
Abha
January 18th, 2010 at 13:10
Abha, ‘Vulture’ on Grassroots Lit here I come! Thanks. Let’s connect again, hope to be in Delhi 3rd week May 2010
January 18th, 2010 at 19:00
Hi Leela,
That was a very clear and ‘real’ review of the Kindle. I have been on the verge of buying it since quite a while and didn’t know anyone who was an AVID reader and would review the Kindle in a way that spoke to me.
Thank you!
BTW, loved the ‘Thats my Kindle’:)
Roopa
January 29th, 2010 at 11:08
Hi Leela
Thanks for the review. I’ve been thinking of buying one, but I’m afraid I will miss the feeling of holding a book in my hands. I like having my favourite books in my bookshelves where I can see them every day, like old friends. However, as you say, it doesn’t mean I can’t still buy real books as well.
January 30th, 2010 at 17:16
Diana, Kindle will certainly not put you off buying or owning non e-books. My book shelves are groaning and I am still buying more, I also pick up books in the library but Kindle is great at bed-time, and immensely wonderful when travelling. My reading ambitions are such that if I go away even for a few days I take with me several books and magazines. With Kindle any number of books in less weight than a paperback. Good luck with your purchase.
March 7th, 2010 at 21:50
Dear Leela:
For a voracious reader like yourself, Kindle must be a godsend. But for old hands like me, there is nothing to match the feel of a printed page, particularly if they’re between the covers of The New Yorker! Much love to you and Don who had the farsight to gift you the Kindle!!
May 8th, 2010 at 05:05
I have to admit that your current blog is fairly informative. I have been just spending quite a lot of energy for the last last couple weeks looking at what precisely is in existence in accordance with the very fact that I am organizing to launch a blog. The information and facts you have put on here is nearly to the point. It just looks so bewildering with reference to all the technology that are on the market, but I just like the way your looks. Gotta really enjoy where technologies has come during the past ten years.