Amazon Kindle Touch
When it comes to the Kindle, my experience and affection is clear: I purchased the first Kindle the day it was announced, received it on the first day of availability, and have purchased and used, daily, each subsequent Kindle device. I read books, newspapers, blogs, and magazines on the Kindle, every single day. I travel with it, sometimes fall asleep with it, and have come to understand its various nuances. I recommend the Kindle to anyone who will ask, not just readers of this site, or listeners of my podcasts, but also friends and family alike. With the Kindle, it's always been very simple. This is the eBook reader you want, utilizing the eBook platform of choice.
But as I noted recently in Amazon Kindle: A Look At the Late 2011 Lineup, the online retailer's selection of Kindle devices has gotten curiously complicated this year. Too complicated to my mind, and the company now offers a staggering number of Kindles. And for the kindle amazon first time ever, not all of them are excellent.
This is a disturbing turn of events. Not since the first Kindle skin have I not been able to recommend a Kindle device without caveats. That device was excellent for its day, but far too expensive at $400. Who could afford such a thing, I wondered? Today, Kindles are inexpensive--no, not "inexpensive"; they're just plain cheap--and virtually anyone who loves to read should be able to buy a Kindle of some kind.
Just make sure that the Kindle Touch is not the one you buy.
This device is deeply, deeply flawed. And the more I use it, the more frustrated I get. It's so bad, in fact, that I'll be returning it as soon as I post this review. I never do that, almost ever, and certainly not with any Kindle. But this one is going back to Amazon. It just doesn't work.
First, the good news. It's a Kindle. It has an improved version of the excellent e-ink screen that has graced each Kindle device since the beginning. Text rendering is excellent, and far better than anything you'll see on an LCD screen, regardless of whatever advances whatever company has made in that technology. If you're reading text--a novel, book, newspaper article, or whatever--you just can't beat e-ink. It's easy on the eyes, looks crisp, and even resembles traditional paper-based books for you nostalgic types.
With the Touch, Amazon has made an interesting kindle book store optional feature available (by default) that speeds up page transitions even more than the previous devices did. Basically, it doesn't completely redraw the entire screen. I don't see any particular difference between this and the old transition style, beyond some vague ghosting I had to specifically look for to really see, but if you don't like it, you can turn it off.
Also, the Touch is amazingly small and light. You can easily hold it in one hand and, thanks to its new multi-touch functionality, easily navigate from page-to-age with either hand. The battery life is of course astonishing, as it is for all Kindle devices--i.e. it's measured in months, not weeks, days, or hours--and it comes with a ton of storage.
And that's it for the positives. Everything else about this device is a disaster.
In fact, I will go so far as to say that this device appears to have been designed by someone who has not only never used a Kindle, but is actively working to usurp the platform from inside. Amazon, find this mole and remove them with maximum prejudice. They have ruined a device that should have been excellent.
It all starts with the power button, which is one of only two physical buttons on the entire device. Like previous Kindles, it can be found on the bottom of the device. Unlike with previous Kindles, this thing is in fact a button, and not a slider/switch that requires an explicit effort to engage. And that means it's very easy to trigger by mistake. The first time I read the newspaper with this device, I switched it off three times in the first few minutes, by mistake, because I was holding it normally and the overly-sensitive power button triggered against the base of my palm. So I figured I'd just rest the bottom of the device on the table while I read and balance the device in position with my hand. Nope: As soon as the device rested on the table, it switched off, because the power button is, again, on the bottom.
(And, no, you can't just turn it upside down. The Kindle Touch doesn't have an accelerometer.)
Sigh.
So maybe you're thinking this isn't a huge problem. You'll learn to hold it differently and it won't switch off all the time. And heck, maybe you will. But if you put this thing in a bag, it's going to switch on inadvertently there, too. And while battery life isn't a concern normally--the Kindle uses no battery at all regardless of what's displayed on the screen; remember, battery drain only occurs while changing the display--this raises another interesting problem: The Kindle Touch's multitouch screen is unsophisticated enough to be triggered by virtually any surface or object. So not only will it switch on and off in your bag, it will also change pages in whatever book or periodical you have loaded.
Wa-wah-waaaaah.
I tested this with a variety of objects. I was able to engage the Touch's multi-touch screen with a coffee cup, a pen, an iPod charging cable, and even through a blanket. Any object, basically, could trigger this effect. And if you commute or travel with the Touch, this is going to be a serious problem.
That alone should be enough for you to give up on this device.
But then it gets worse.
Yes, the Kindle Touch does have a multi-touch screen. Hence, the name. But the interface that Amazon uses is so utterly undiscoverable that it's almost insidious, especially when you consider that it comes with absolutely no printed documentation whatsoever. (You can discover how to use the device using a User's Guide document that comes preloaded.) The design decisions they made on this thing are bizarre. Worse yet, they're inconsistent with the navigational interfaces used on other Kindles, including Kindle apps on touch-based devices.
Some things do work as expected, of course.
On the home screen, you can tap on book and periodical names to load that publication. Bingo. But how do you navigate to other home screen pages? On the previous device, the Kindle 3, you would use dedicated hardware buttons for this. It turns out you swipe from right to left (or vice versa) to do this, and, OK, that makes sense.
Load a book and the UI goes away; you're just looking at text. On Kindle apps that work like this, tapping the center of the screen causes a menu and other UI to appear, and then you tap again to remove it. Not on the Touch. On the Touch, about 75 percent of the screen is dedicated to "next page." So if you tap in the center of the screen, you'll navigate to the next page. Tap the left side of the page (about the leftmost 15-20 percent) and you'll go back one page.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
kindle bookstore
The Kindle Store
The very popular e-book reader from Amazon, Kindle, owes a large part of its success to the large collection of books that is the Kindle Store. Even the most sophisticated and features-packed e-book reader will amount to nothing if one cannot find electronic versions of his favorite books to store in it. Fortunately, Amazon's Kindle bookstore is very well-stocked and updated with the latest book releases. To date, this online store has more than 600,000 titles, a collection that keeps growing each day. It has books in every genre, as well as periodicals, newspapers, magazines and even blogs. With this vast collection, there is sure to be more than enough to gratify even the most demanding reader's appetite in books.
Books purchased from the Kindle collection areconsiderably cheaper than actual books that customarily take days to handle, ship and deliver. There is an estimated savings of 60 to 70% when downloading a Kindle book compared to purchasing an actual paperback. Additionally, the "delivery time" is exponentially faster. It takes just a minute to download a book, and then the user can begin to read happily. The word "happily" is apt, for readers do take pleasure from the experience of reading on the Kindle. The device has a crisp, black-and-white, easy-on-the-eyes display that simulates the look of an actual page. Moreover, it is very thin and lightweight, and holding it feels like holding a slim magazine in one's hands.
Among the most downloaded books from the Kindle Store are, not surprisingly, the latest bestsellers. Novels by John Grisham, Charlaine Harris, Dan Brown and Stieg Larsson are a few familiar titles at the top of Kindle download lists today. Of course, these bestsellers are but a drop in the bucket. One can find many, many more books in various genres-fiction and nonfiction, cookbooks, children's books, biographies and memoirs, reference materials, sci-fi and sports books, romance novels, mysteries and thrillers, politics and travel books, and so on-all within the Kindle bookstore.
Also available in the Kindle shop are magazines and newspapers from all over the world. They include mainstream magazines such as Time and Newsweek, and more parochial periodicals such as the China International Business.
What's great is that a good number of books in the Kindle shop cost nothing to download. These free Kindle books mostly include classics by authors like Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll, Mark Twain, Anton Chekhov and many others. There too are many contemporary titles from different genres that are offered free on Kindle. One simply has to search for them patiently to find selections that suit his tastes and promise to be good reads.
Another novelty from Kindle is that it allows writers to publish and sell their original books on the online store. This gives unpublished writers a chance to show their work to the world and possibly make it big, without having to spend much or seek out a publisher the hard, conventional way.
The Kindle e-book reader device, with the very adequate backing of Amazon's Kindle store, has helped shape a new, exciting approach to reading. It has changed how people enjoy books, and made books much more easily accessible to everyone. Now, that's truly one for the books.
Very Useful Article
The very popular e-book reader from Amazon, Kindle, owes a large part of its success to the large collection of books that is the Kindle Store. Even the most sophisticated and features-packed e-book reader will amount to nothing if one cannot find electronic versions of his favorite books to store in it. Fortunately, Amazon's Kindle bookstore is very well-stocked and updated with the latest book releases. To date, this online store has more than 600,000 titles, a collection that keeps growing each day. It has books in every genre, as well as periodicals, newspapers, magazines and even blogs. With this vast collection, there is sure to be more than enough to gratify even the most demanding reader's appetite in books.
Books purchased from the Kindle collection areconsiderably cheaper than actual books that customarily take days to handle, ship and deliver. There is an estimated savings of 60 to 70% when downloading a Kindle book compared to purchasing an actual paperback. Additionally, the "delivery time" is exponentially faster. It takes just a minute to download a book, and then the user can begin to read happily. The word "happily" is apt, for readers do take pleasure from the experience of reading on the Kindle. The device has a crisp, black-and-white, easy-on-the-eyes display that simulates the look of an actual page. Moreover, it is very thin and lightweight, and holding it feels like holding a slim magazine in one's hands.
Among the most downloaded books from the Kindle Store are, not surprisingly, the latest bestsellers. Novels by John Grisham, Charlaine Harris, Dan Brown and Stieg Larsson are a few familiar titles at the top of Kindle download lists today. Of course, these bestsellers are but a drop in the bucket. One can find many, many more books in various genres-fiction and nonfiction, cookbooks, children's books, biographies and memoirs, reference materials, sci-fi and sports books, romance novels, mysteries and thrillers, politics and travel books, and so on-all within the Kindle bookstore.
Also available in the Kindle shop are magazines and newspapers from all over the world. They include mainstream magazines such as Time and Newsweek, and more parochial periodicals such as the China International Business.
What's great is that a good number of books in the Kindle shop cost nothing to download. These free Kindle books mostly include classics by authors like Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll, Mark Twain, Anton Chekhov and many others. There too are many contemporary titles from different genres that are offered free on Kindle. One simply has to search for them patiently to find selections that suit his tastes and promise to be good reads.
Another novelty from Kindle is that it allows writers to publish and sell their original books on the online store. This gives unpublished writers a chance to show their work to the world and possibly make it big, without having to spend much or seek out a publisher the hard, conventional way.
The Kindle e-book reader device, with the very adequate backing of Amazon's Kindle store, has helped shape a new, exciting approach to reading. It has changed how people enjoy books, and made books much more easily accessible to everyone. Now, that's truly one for the books.
Very Useful Article
- The New Amazon Kindle!
- The Kindle Skin
- Best and Top kindle 3 covers
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
kindle 3 covers
Best and Top kindle 3 covers
Whatever style of Kindle 3 covers you seek, below we highlight some of the best available on the web. From the classic flip to the book style – and everything else in between, we have a good list of Kindle 3 covers for you to delight in.
1. M-Edge Kindle 3 Covers
M Edge Kindle 3 Covers – the undisputed brand for your Kindle. The colors, the design and the craftsmanship of M-Edge are unmistakable. Each cover features a durable micro-fiber exterior, soft micro-suede interior, and a strap to hold the Kindle securely in place. This is a clean, sleek and very professional looking Kindle 3 cover available in seven hot colors.
2. Incipio Kindle 3 Cover in Black
Incipio Kindle 3 Cover in Black – these protect your Kindle 3 without bulk or adding any extra weight. They’re from Incipio and are known for being light as a feather since they’re made from a strong polymer material but are also super thin. This is a good choice for when you don’t want a removable Kindle 3 cover, but something to keep on at all times.
3. Belkin Kindle 3 Sleeve
Belkin Kindle 3 Sleeve – this sexy sleeve for the Kindle 3 from Belkin features soft neoprene to protect your Amazon e-reader and cushion it from a fall or drop. If you’re the type that prefers to hold the Kindle naked (well the device naked – lol) and not wrap it in a case or covers, then this sleeve from Belkin is for you. It’s stylish, durable and although we have the pink model pictured below, it does come in several dark colors including black, blue and purple.
4. Hemp Kindle 3 Case
Hemp Kindle 3 Case – looking for something different and unique to securely safeguard your shiny Kindle 3 digital reader? Take a look at this excellent hemp Kindle 3 case from I-nique that features a cute embroidered crest on the front, eco friendly hemp fiber throughout and a book style design. This one is great for those who seek something durable, good looking and earth friendly.
5. Kindle 3 Skins
Kindle 3 Skins – the cool thing about skins on gadgets is the customization factor. You can find one on just about any subject or niche. Take a peek at Before The Storm skin below which looks beautiful on the darker graphite Kindle 3. Whatever design you’re into, be sure to snag a cool skin so you can customize the Kindle 3 in sweet sexy style. When you land on the skin site go the ebook readers section, look for the Kindle 3 and then browse the many styles available. Surely you will find something you love. (as I did)
6. Diane Von Furstenberg Canvas Kindle 3 Cover
Diane von Furstenberg Canvas Kindle 3 Cover – looking for something pretty? The canvas clutch Kindle 3 covers from Diane Von Furstenberg are quite lovely. It’s a limited edition cover that features a chain link print with a hot pink twill interior. The clutch style design has a gold colored DVF logo toggle clasp and an inside hinge to keep your Kindle secured. Great for the ladies.
7. Kindle 3 Zipper Case by eCandy
Kindle 3 Zipper Case By eCandy – this is a zippered Kindle 3 case by eCandy that is made from 100% cotton and features an exclusive print. One cool thing about this particular case is that the cover is machine-washable, so if you get a lot of daily wear out of it, just toss it in the wash once a week or so. Plus the zipper is reversible which means you can fold this cover all the way back and use your Kindle 3 without removing it from the case. Very nice features!
8. JAVOedge Book Case for Kindle 3
JAVOedge Book Case for Kindle 3 – this suave looking case from JAVOedge is great for students, office mates and anyone who wants to keep their Kindle 3 well protected in a book style case. It’s a sexy way to carry, handle and safeguard your Amazon ebook reader in style. If you don’t like the dark black color, it does also come in other shades.
Very Useful Article
Whatever style of Kindle 3 covers you seek, below we highlight some of the best available on the web. From the classic flip to the book style – and everything else in between, we have a good list of Kindle 3 covers for you to delight in.
1. M-Edge Kindle 3 Covers
M Edge Kindle 3 Covers – the undisputed brand for your Kindle. The colors, the design and the craftsmanship of M-Edge are unmistakable. Each cover features a durable micro-fiber exterior, soft micro-suede interior, and a strap to hold the Kindle securely in place. This is a clean, sleek and very professional looking Kindle 3 cover available in seven hot colors.
2. Incipio Kindle 3 Cover in Black
Incipio Kindle 3 Cover in Black – these protect your Kindle 3 without bulk or adding any extra weight. They’re from Incipio and are known for being light as a feather since they’re made from a strong polymer material but are also super thin. This is a good choice for when you don’t want a removable Kindle 3 cover, but something to keep on at all times.
3. Belkin Kindle 3 Sleeve
Belkin Kindle 3 Sleeve – this sexy sleeve for the Kindle 3 from Belkin features soft neoprene to protect your Amazon e-reader and cushion it from a fall or drop. If you’re the type that prefers to hold the Kindle naked (well the device naked – lol) and not wrap it in a case or covers, then this sleeve from Belkin is for you. It’s stylish, durable and although we have the pink model pictured below, it does come in several dark colors including black, blue and purple.
4. Hemp Kindle 3 Case
Hemp Kindle 3 Case – looking for something different and unique to securely safeguard your shiny Kindle 3 digital reader? Take a look at this excellent hemp Kindle 3 case from I-nique that features a cute embroidered crest on the front, eco friendly hemp fiber throughout and a book style design. This one is great for those who seek something durable, good looking and earth friendly.
5. Kindle 3 Skins
Kindle 3 Skins – the cool thing about skins on gadgets is the customization factor. You can find one on just about any subject or niche. Take a peek at Before The Storm skin below which looks beautiful on the darker graphite Kindle 3. Whatever design you’re into, be sure to snag a cool skin so you can customize the Kindle 3 in sweet sexy style. When you land on the skin site go the ebook readers section, look for the Kindle 3 and then browse the many styles available. Surely you will find something you love. (as I did)
6. Diane Von Furstenberg Canvas Kindle 3 Cover
Diane von Furstenberg Canvas Kindle 3 Cover – looking for something pretty? The canvas clutch Kindle 3 covers from Diane Von Furstenberg are quite lovely. It’s a limited edition cover that features a chain link print with a hot pink twill interior. The clutch style design has a gold colored DVF logo toggle clasp and an inside hinge to keep your Kindle secured. Great for the ladies.
7. Kindle 3 Zipper Case by eCandy
Kindle 3 Zipper Case By eCandy – this is a zippered Kindle 3 case by eCandy that is made from 100% cotton and features an exclusive print. One cool thing about this particular case is that the cover is machine-washable, so if you get a lot of daily wear out of it, just toss it in the wash once a week or so. Plus the zipper is reversible which means you can fold this cover all the way back and use your Kindle 3 without removing it from the case. Very nice features!
8. JAVOedge Book Case for Kindle 3
JAVOedge Book Case for Kindle 3 – this suave looking case from JAVOedge is great for students, office mates and anyone who wants to keep their Kindle 3 well protected in a book style case. It’s a sexy way to carry, handle and safeguard your Amazon ebook reader in style. If you don’t like the dark black color, it does also come in other shades.
Very Useful Article
- The New Amazon Kindle!
- The Kindle Skin
- Best and Top kindle 3 covers
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