Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device

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Customer Reviews:   Read 4335 more reviews...

WHY WONT AMAZON TELL THE TRUTH?   August 30, 2008
Donald Gracey (Danville, CA USA)
2 out of 10 found this review helpful

How much easier it would be for Amazon to create customer loyality by letting us know when version 2 is coming out. At least telling us that version 2 will be out soon is better then I do not.

Reading about Amazon's comment only keeps me away from Amazon. I am now purchasing my books back at book stores. I love to read and would use Kindle, but why would I purchase one only to have version 2 come out a month or two later.

Get the hint Amazon - hate for you to continue to lose business


The death of the paperback novel   August 30, 2008
William Clyde (Orem, UT USA)
When I was growing up I used to read all the time. I would get books from the Bookmobile and read three or four novels a week. I eventually lost interest in constantly visiting the library and my reading dropped off, and eventually stopped all together. In recent years I have been trying to get back into reading, but checking out books from the library, or buying them from the bookstore really didn't appeal to me. I tried reading on my computer and PDA but I just couldn't get comfortable with them. When I heard about e-ink my interest was piqued. When I had an opportunity to buy a Kindle I jumped at the chance. I have already read four novels and am working my way through the fifth. What really sold me on the Kindle is the Whisper Net connection. The idea that you can have books sent to the device without a computer intrigued me. I use a Mac and more often than not management software tends to be Windows based.

So far my experience has been exceptional, I even was able to experience Amazon customer service when the first Kindle they sent me had a bad radio. The customer service rep spent several minutes troubleshooting and then had a new unit shipped out. It arrived the next day. Amazon had a goal of making the Kindle effortless to use. The only complaint I have is that it is a little too effortless. It is a little too easy to turn the pages. Other than that I love it. Way to go Amazon! Now if the bookstore would just grow a little faster.


What No Text-To-Speech Screen Reader?   August 30, 2008
Peter M. Robertson (Santa Barbara, CA)
0 out of 6 found this review helpful

Seems like a no brainer to me... add a headphone jack and capability of presenting the interface and on-screen text into speech would have made this device more versatile for all and opened up the market to folks that have visual and cognitive disabilities... short sightedness (no pun intended) on behalf of the developers and Amazon.


Awesome!   August 30, 2008
Dixie Engman
I love my Kindle. I live in Alaska so I do not have Whispernet service; I download to my computer. The longest it has taken to download a book is 2 minutes! Transferring books from the computer consisted of a simple drag and drop.
The only drawback I've found so far is that it is far too easy to change pages accidently with the 'next page' bar taking up nearly the entire right side of the Kindle and it IS TOUCHY!
Overall though, I am happy with my purchase.



Pleased Overall   August 30, 2008
A
The Kindle was a great purchase overall.

Pros: I have thoroughly enjoyed having a digital library with me all in one device. Also, the Whispernet network is wonderful! It is great to be able to buy a book anywhere there is cell phone reception and have it sent to the Kindle without connecting it to a computer or anything.

Cons: A built-in backlight which could be turned on and off would be a great plus. The price is way too high. If this wasn't a gift, I might not have bought it. It is hard to get the back lid off and on without pressing buttons on the front (even if the Kindle is off, I still don't feel comfortable putting too much pressure on the side "turn page" buttons.) The device could be a bit more ergonomical, too, especially when the protective case is on (you have to fold the cover over itself and use the Kindle like that.)

Overall, I'm still happy I bought it. I use it frequently. I'd recommend waiting for the price to drop at least another $60 to $100.