[+14 Rep] Amazon Kindle

[AgnesIO]

Hello

I am looking at getting the Kindle as it does look like a superb device, and would certainly be useful on trains, planes and in bed. I understand you can get books etc on it - do these include revision guides by any chance (AS/A Level..)

Also, I am ware you can make notes on the books - is there a notepad or anything to make general notes? If not, perhaps this would be something we will see in the future? Lastly, I am wondering whether the 3G version is worth the extra £40 (or whatever it is). I know the 3G is completely free after that, but apart from when you buy a book (which is would almost always do at home anyway), would you ever use the 3G?

Edited by HotelUser (Forum Super Moderator): Thread moved from "Technology Discussion" as I feel it's more suited here.

[MrPinkPanther]

I own a Kindle and it's awesome! I'm sure you'll be able to get your revision guides on it, just try to find them in PDF format online, it shouldn't be too difficult. You can, as you say, make notes on it but to be honest don't count on it. It's really fiddly and inelegant. I personally opted for the WiFi only version because most of my books I don't download off of the Kindle store but it's all down to personal preference I suppose

[lawrawrrr]

Some revision guides are available on the Kindle - they can be a bit pricey compared to the other books you can get, but they are usually the same price as the physical books themselves.

Regarding the note-taking, there is a feature where you can annotate the text and it saves it as a file called "My annotations" which shows up as a separate document similar to the books on there, linked to where you made the notes in the text by the superscript numbers (can't remember what the techinal term is though)

I only have the WIFI Kindle, and it's all I really use, because like you said, you can only really download the books at home to get a good enougha dn strong enough signal for them to download rapidly, and the only benefit I can see of the 3G one is to be able to browse the internet at no monthly charge, but I have this under my phone contract so I don't see much point. My friend who has a 3G one is now saying that he'd rather have the wifi one because it's cheaper (he has an android phone with unlimited internet) and keep the extra money. IMHO, the screen itself isn't the best in the world for browsing the internet, can be a bit fiddly to control, but I suppose you'd get used to it.

[AgnesIO]

I own a Kindle and it's awesome! I'm sure you'll be able to get your revision guides on it, just try to find them in PDF format online, it shouldn't be too difficult. You can, as you say, make notes on it but to be honest don't count on it. It's really fiddly and inelegant. I personally opted for the WiFi only version because most of my books I don't download off of the Kindle store but it's all down to personal preference I suppose

Thanks very much for the post. Do you think it would be worth waiting for the next gen one (I assume there will be another one within this year?)

Some revision guides are available on the Kindle - they can be a bit pricey compared to the other books you can get, but they are usually the same price as the physical books themselves.

Regarding the note-taking, there is a feature where you can annotate the text and it saves it as a file called "My annotations" which shows up as a separate document similar to the books on there, linked to where you made the notes in the text by the superscript numbers (can't remember what the techinal term is though)

I only have the WIFI Kindle, and it's all I really use, because like you said, you can only really download the books at home to get a good enougha dn strong enough signal for them to download rapidly, and the only benefit I can see of the 3G one is to be able to browse the internet at no monthly charge, but I have this under my phone contract so I don't see much point. My friend who has a 3G one is now saying that he'd rather have the wifi one because it's cheaper (he has an android phone with unlimited internet) and keep the extra money. IMHO, the screen itself isn't the best in the world for browsing the internet, can be a bit fiddly to control, but I suppose you'd get used to it.

The browsing the internet won't be needed as I currently have my Milestone, and always will get a top range smart phone for the internet. Also, the 3G ones battery life is not as good, so for a feature I wouldn't use it seems to be paying money for what would probably end up as less?

---

In terms of using it, do you think it feels great etc? Like a book has a certain feel to it, the pages are nice to hold. Oh and finally, does electronic ink cause headaches - like excessive use with a PC would?

[Banana Pancakes]

Thanks very much for the post. Do you think it would be worth waiting for the next gen one (I assume there will be another one within this year?)



The browsing the internet won't be needed as I currently have my Milestone, and always will get a top range smart phone for the internet. Also, the 3G ones battery life is not as good, so for a feature I wouldn't use it seems to be paying money for what would probably end up as less?

---

In terms of using it, do you think it feels great etc? Like a book has a certain feel to it, the pages are nice to hold. Oh and finally, does electronic ink cause headaches - like excessive use with a PC would?

I've got a Kindle. In terms of use it really is superb. It doesn't cause headaches or blurred eyes, the electronic ink is superb. I guess you've seen one? But if not it's nothing like any other e-readers in the terms that the screen isn't anything like a phone or a computer. It's dark and the writing doesn't at all look like any other reader.
Mines 3G but I don't really use it because I've got an iPhone, but the battery rate is still superb. you're not going to be using it for excessive times when you're not near a electrical supply anyway.

[AgnesIO]

I've got a Kindle. In terms of use it really is superb. It doesn't cause headaches or blurred eyes, the electronic ink is superb. I guess you've seen one? But if not it's nothing like any other e-readers in the terms that the screen isn't anything like a phone or a computer. It's dark and the writing doesn't at all look like any other reader.
Mines 3G but I don't really use it because I've got an iPhone, but the battery rate is still superb. you're not going to be using it for excessive times when you're not near a electrical supply anyway.

I would count 7 hours as excessive - not sure what you are counting

I have seen pictures and videos of them, but sadly have never touched/used one. I would love to be able to. I am certainly considering getting one, obviously I checked for headaches etc due to awful migraines I get from too much computer use!

[Jam]

I would count 7 hours as excessive - not sure what you are counting

Anything under a month.

[AgnesIO]

Anything under a month.

I don't think anyone uses a device constantly for over a day never mind a month..

[lawrawrrr]

Thanks very much for the post. Do you think it would be worth waiting for the next gen one (I assume there will be another one within this year?)



The browsing the internet won't be needed as I currently have my Milestone, and always will get a top range smart phone for the internet. Also, the 3G ones battery life is not as good, so for a feature I wouldn't use it seems to be paying money for what would probably end up as less?

---

In terms of using it, do you think it feels great etc? Like a book has a certain feel to it, the pages are nice to hold. Oh and finally, does electronic ink cause headaches - like excessive use with a PC would?

The Wifi battery has so far lasted me for up to a month, and I pretty much use it every day.
The screen, as it has no LED's behind, actually looks very similar to what a book does, and because of this, I don't find it hurts my eyes, unless i frget to wear my glasses but that's another matter entirely! There is a certain feel about books, which I can't even explain, which is why Ihave both the kindle and real books, but it's definitely usefl for portable books, and it's very light, and I use it almost all of the time!

[Recursion]

I'm looking for somewhere to sell my WiFi Kindle and official case (boxed, of course)... I don't read enough books to justify keeping it and it's just sitting around being wasted considering what a fantastic device it is.