I've been using the Kindle for Android app quite a bit and thought about buying the actual full size Kindle.
Anyone got one? I had a few questions and thought I'd make a post here. I'm too lazy to go find a Kindle forum just for one post!
1. Do the books sync that I've already bought on the Kindle for Android app?
2. What internet connection type does the Kindle require to download books?
3. Can I load 3rd party e-books on it and read them? Certain filetype required?
1. Yes
2. The 3G Kindle connects over AT&T's 3G (no plans or anything required). Wi-Fi connects over... well. WiFi.
3. 3rd party e-books can be iffy because of DRM and such. Calibre is a nifty app that is available on Windows and Linux (not sure about Mac) that will backup, convert, transfer books to and from the Kindle for you
I had a Kindle 2 that my wife started using all the time so I bought the new Kindle WiFi for myself. The Kindle 2 has 3G but I hardly ever used it so I saved the money when I bought the new Kindle. Buy one and enjoy!
PS - Calibre does indeed work on a Mac.
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I had a Kindle 2 that my wife started using all the time so I bought the new Kindle WiFi for myself. The Kindle 2 has 3G but I hardly ever used it so I saved the money when I bought the new Kindle. Buy one and enjoy!
Calibre is indeed awesome. Converting files will give mixed results. Pure text files, like ebooks, will convert pretty much seamlessly, but more complex things like .pdfs won't look so good after conversion.
The kindle can read .pdfs though, so you're better off not converting them.
Overall, I am extremely impressed with my Kindle. It looks like it's eBooks for me from now on
Personally, when I get an ebook reader, I plan on going with a Sony unit. Not tied down to one store and able to read all major ebook files no problem. There arre so many free ebook libraries out there, why tie yourself to Amazon?
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My wife and I share a Nook eBook reader (Barnes & Noble) and have purchased numerous books for it. I also had books that I purchased from another online site. The Nook For Android app claimed that it would sync to the furthest page read on both devices, but what I found was that it would only sync books purchased from Barnes and Noble. I called Amazon and asked if their books had the same restrictions and was told they did not. I ordered a Kindle, installed the Kindle for Andoid app and converted my Nook books (epub) to Kindle format (azw/mobi). Guess what? None of the books will sync in either direction. I now have to write down the location number of the page I stopped at and enter it in the other device to get it to sync. I think I'll return it and just read on my Droid.
My wife and I share a Nook eBook reader (Barnes & Noble) and have purchased numerous books for it. I also had books that I purchased from another online site. The Nook For Android app claimed that it would sync to the furthest page read on both devices, but what I found was that it would only sync books purchased from Barnes and Noble. I called Amazon and asked if their books had the same restrictions and was told they did not. I ordered a Kindle, installed the Kindle for Andoid app and converted my Nook books (epub) to Kindle format (azw/mobi). Guess what? None of the books will sync in either direction. I now have to write down the location number of the page I stopped at and enter it in the other device to get it to sync. I think I'll return it and just read on my Droid.
Don't return it just yet!
I had an eBook on my phone that was on location 47 or something. I hit 'menu', 'more' and then 'Sync' and it offered to take me to the furthest page read on any of my devices (7000, in this case).
I know I've seen the same option on the kindle it's self too
(Obviously, make sure you have an internet connection when you're reading, otherwise it won't be able to tell the Amazon servers where you left off).
EDIT: I should add, I don't see this working with any of your converted books. But then that's to be expected.
Last edited by Xyro; October 20th, 2010 at 02:14 PM.
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My uncle bought a kindle a few weeks ago and loves it. I played around with it and am for sure buying my mom one for Christmas. I may just buy 2 and give myself a Christmas present as well.
BTW, "Before the end of the year", Kindle will allow book loaning (14 days per book only). They are taking away one of the big draws of the Nook...
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The two things I do for a living have to do with reading/writing music and massive amounts of text. By the time I'm off work, I can barely focus on anything -- let alone an LCD.
Enter the Kindle. I now use it to do reader reports on people's manuscripts (sending the pdfs or word docs to myself to convert through Amazon or Calibre [sic]), and my eyestrain has lessened a bit.
The Kindle's a great reminder not to stare continuously at back-lit screens. The resolution's also quite pleasant.
I went to order one from amazon and noticed on an ad that their also available in-store at Best Buy. Going to stop by there and pick one up this weekend.
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Don't buy it at Best Buy -- Amazon's return policy is far, far better. I know people who went through four Kindle 3s at launch and returned them all without any issues. You won't save anything on shipping because it's free.
The reason to go to Best Buy is to try one out to see if you love it. That was how I learned I needed an eReader -- by trying out a Nook at my local BB.
I check out new laptops while I'm there as well but never buy them because BB is known to swap out parts.
Don't buy it at Best Buy -- Amazon's return policy is far, far better. I know people who went through four Kindle 3s at launch and returned them all without any issues. You won't save anything on shipping because it's free.
Yeah, I had to return my first kindle and they send you the replacement straight away (i.e. before you send the old one back), which I thought was pretty impressive. I had the new one two days after speaking to them.
I believe calibre can convert most file formats (like ePub/pdf/etc) to kindle compatible ones
I'm sure it can, but if I get a Sony reader, I won't have to convert anything as far as I can tell. It's a little more expensive, but I like the Sony readers looks a little better, don't see the need for the full physical qwerty on a reader, not going to be doing much typing, just reading.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flaspeneer
The reason to go to Best Buy is to try one out to see if you love it. That was how I learned I needed an eReader -- by trying out a Nook at my local BB..
Couldn't get over the clunky weird feeling UI on the nook, that touch screen thingy at the bottom is horrid imo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hrethgir
I'm sure it can, but if I get a Sony reader, I won't have to convert anything as far as I can tell. It's a little more expensive, but I like the Sony readers looks a little better, don't see the need for the full physical qwerty on a reader, not going to be doing much typing, just reading.
I am also leaning towards the sony... full touch screen version, expandable memory, handles lots of different formats... haven't actually seen a kindle in store before so never played with one to compare
I have a Kindle and just got my Droid. Set up the Kindle app on it and read a few pages of a book Im reading. When I went online with my Kindle, it immediately knew I had read some of the book on another device and asked me if I wanted to sync. This is a very cool, but kind of scary, feature.
It follows you!
I have a Kindle and just got my Droid. Set up the Kindle app on it and read a few pages of a book Im reading. When I went online with my Kindle, it immediately knew I had read some of the book on another device and asked me if I wanted to sync. This is a very cool, but kind of scary, feature.
It follows you!
It just syncs with the Amazon servers. No tin foil hay necessary
I just downloaded the Amazon Kindle app today. Downloaded 2 free books (Art of War and The Count of Monte Cristo) and purchased another (The Geography of Time). This app is amazing. I am seriously considering buying a Kindle because I love how it works on my phone and I would love to have one separate from my phone....
Hmm, I may ask for it as a birthday gift...which is coming up in a month (ish)...
I just downloaded the Amazon Kindle app today. Downloaded 2 free books (Art of War and The Count of Monte Cristo) and purchased another (The Geography of Time). This app is amazing. I am seriously considering buying a Kindle because I love how it works on my phone and I would love to have one separate from my phone....
Hmm, I may ask for it as a birthday gift...which is coming up in a month (ish)...
Do it!
If you're into reading and into gadgets, you can't go wrong buying an eReader
I saw somebody mention in another thread a few days ago that the kindle app can read your own files too. I imagine there'll be a kindle folder on your sdcard you can put them in.
Obviously it won't sync your pages and stuff between the two devices.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xyro
I saw somebody mention in another thread a few days ago that the kindle app can read your own files too. I imagine there'll be a kindle folder on your sdcard you can put them in.
Obviously it won't sync your pages and stuff between the two devices.
Ahh that figures i guess, still loving the device though. I suppose it will do it with the books you actually buy from the kindle store
I've got both the app and a Kindle DX for reading novels as well as textbooks, and I've got to say I love the Kindle. I've had it for over a year now (paid over $400 for it plus a cover), and wouldn't want to use a backlit screen for any reading after reading on the Kindle.
I'm sure it can, but if I get a Sony reader, I won't have to convert anything as far as I can tell. It's a little more expensive, but I like the Sony readers looks a little better, don't see the need for the full physical qwerty on a reader, not going to be doing much typing, just reading.
Well, just got myself my first ebook reader. But went with the B&N Nook over the Sony reader. Why? Because Sony is being evil, and I don't want to give them my money. All that collecting IP addresses of people who visit GeoHots website and watch his videos about jailbreaking the PS3 is going too far. Anyways, I have also heard the full touchscreen on the Sony units makes the e-ink not quite as clear and crisp. I did a bunch of research before buying: Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook (not NookColor, did not want to read off a backlit LCD screen), Kobo by Borders and Sony Reader. Sony was out due to general evilness. Didn't want to have to convert files I got from other places, so the Kindle was out (also didn't see the need for the full keyboard there all the time), so it came down to the Kobo or the Nook. Almost bough the Kobo, but decided to review it a little more, and while the price was right, it had one glaring fault: no bookmark function. Seriously?! Who makes an ebook reader that doesn't do bookmarks? So that left the Nook. Bought it from Amazon ( ), picked up a refurb for $109 and a nice JAVOedge MiMo case for it, very happy so far. The little color LCD touchscreen at the bottom works great for navigating around, and when it turn off while you are reading, you can just swipe it to turn the page instead of using the buttons.
Wow, that was a lot wordier than I thought it would be! Here's the breakdown:
Kindle: Nice, but need to convert some files, didn't want full keyboard
Nook: No converting needed
Reader: No converting needed, but Sony is being evil, no money for them!
Kobo: Nice and cheap, but no bookmark function
Also, check your local library, mine has a large selection of ePub books that can be "checked out". You can borrow books from the library in the middle of the night from your sofa without even putting your pants on, LOL! This was another reason I went Nook, it natively supports this function, and I wanted to take advantage of it.
I like gadgets, but it still makes me sad to see paper books go away. I also like going out to the book store. I know if I get an e-reader, I'll probably love it, and get spoiled and lazy, so I guess I'm holding out and postponing the inevitable as long as I can.
Day two for my new kindle. I went with the six inch wifi only and a lighted cover. I can't begin to say just how happy I am. With my poor eyesight and the sad fact that I lack quality space to keep my books.. the kindle has come to my rescue. I haven't used any of the other readers so I'm not one to say kindle is the best e-reader on the market. But, I will say, I'm very happy with the whole e-reader technology. I'm sorry I didn't buy one when they first hit the market.
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Has anyone purchased the kindle 3 with "special offers"? I was wondering just how offensive the advertisements are for a $25 savings. I need to buy one for the wife and the savings is enticing.
I have a special offers Kindle. I love it. The offers disappear when you're reading and I've saved enough using the offers to recoup at least half of the cost of my Kindle in less than 2 months.
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I have a Kindle 2 and love it. I also have a Nook Color and rooted it so I can use the Kindle and Kobo apps on it as well as Overdrive for library books. I love it.
My mother has the original Nook and I hate it. That little color screen at the bottom is terrible. She saw my NC and now she wants one so I will probably get her one for Christmas.
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I would personally hold off on a Kindle for a month or so to see what exactly the Amazon tablet is and what it has to offer first. Depending on the price it may make more sense to buy the Amazon tablet than the Kindle.
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my grandad is getting me the 3G + Wifi Kindle for my birthday which I will be buying next week with his money because I don't want his best mate to get me it and it's the wrong one, and my work gave me a code to get it cheaper
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I know this is a tad old, but did anyone jump on the sale for the kindle 3? The 3g version was $85 US at target, only a few more at other stores. Seemed like a good deal to me...
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), picked up a refurb for $109 and a nice JAVOedge MiMo case for it, very happy so far. The little color LCD touchscreen at the bottom works great for navigating around, and when it turn off while you are reading, you can just swipe it to turn the page instead of using the buttons.
