We ordered the
new Kindle from Amazon. It came yesterday and I've just spent a couple of hours with it.
More picturesIt's an e-Reader, a type of device with a display that uses a relatively new screen technology called e-ink. It has an extremely readable screen. (This one is grayscale, color e-ink exists and will probably follow). You can read the display in any light that would work for reading a newspaper. The brighter the light, the more readable the screen. It also uses very little power.
It has enough built-in memory to store around 20 books and an SD slot. I bought a 2GB SD chip for $35. 2GB will store about 500 books.
This device has a wireless connection -- it uses Sprint's cellular network, so any place you could make a cell phone call, the device will work.
The Kindle costs $400, but the price will drop, and the wireless connection is included -- no separate signup needed.
MY NOTES
Overall, a really nice first cut at a reader. Not as slick as many other consumer devices, but it has a lot more capabilities than many. The wireless connection is a big win.
Next and last buttons too large -- thumb size would be fine, located just above the normal holding position. I can see the logic of two "next" buttons, but then why not two "previous". Another reader I have (eflybook) lets you swap the functionality of the left and right buttons. That would be my preference.
Not enough space to hold it without having your fingers on a button.
Keyboard (numbers and letters) is small but works.
Shape -- points for trying something new, but it doesn't add anything for me. I'd prefer a simpler shape. The "ledge" on the left side does make it easier to pick up, but then the right side offers little resistance. A notch on the left (and right?) might serve the same purpose.
Menu in some cases brings up a list starting with Close. Since this just closes the menu, the top choice might better be Home.
Home should have a link to the Amazon store.
A readme.txt file or similar on the disk would be helpful. Supported formats, etc. I suppose it's in the documentation.
The device mounts as a removable disk when connected to a PC, so MC can transfer files to it. We should be able to treat it as a portable device/handheld.
MP3 files can be played, but the player is either on or off (ALT-P). It's called "experimental" for now.
JPG image files are partially supported, but you have to e-mail the files to your Kindle e-mail address. We may be able to find a way to convert to a format that works. The display is only fair and it's only grayscale.
The store works very well. I bought a copy of the New York times for 75 cents and it appeared on my Kindle in about two minutes. I bought a copy of Alan Greenspan's "The Age of Turbulence" for $10 (hard cover price is $25).
A very nice device. Expensive now, but the price will decline and the quality will improve.
Author
Topic: Amazon Kindle -- First look (Read 2981 times)