Anyone else get or give a Kindle this Christmas?

[loutent]

I almost bought my wife (an avid reader) a Kindle last Christmas, but we jointly agreed that it would be too much bother to use (for various reasons) and it's not really a "book" that you can hold and enjoy in the traditional sense.

Well this year, I went ahead and bought her the 3G & WiFi version with a nice cover - she loves it and frankly, I do too. It is pretty awesome to be able to buy a book and start reading it within a minute - she just downloaded another of her favorites from Dortmunder Series (Get Real) by Donald Westlake.

The Kindle is extremely easy on the eyes - not at all what I thought it would be like (I thought computer screen-like.) I also thought you would need Wi-Fi in the house (we don't) but with the 3G version, it downloads anywhere a cell phone works. It accepts e-mails, documents, pdf's etc plus many word games.

Anyone else get or give one? What are your thoughts?

 

[walnutred]

We gave our daughter a Kindle this year. Hers has a voice app that will read books as well. I'm in the Health and Safety field and expect something similar will almost be required for us in a few years. Most US regs are available in electronic format. Having an entire reference library in a device the size of a stenographers notebook will be just too tempting for most of us to pass up.

 

[Onomea]

Here's an earlier thread on Kindles. http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/157300-whats-kindle-thingy.html

I'm a fan. Bought one last May or so and per my archived items have read some forty-odd books on it since, mostly mystery novels. Love the convenience. I don't use it for anything other than reading.

 

[Pop's2]

A neighbor has one and it seems to work pretty good out in the boonies where we summer; so I downloaded the free version for PC's and have gone through four of John Ringo's books all FREE. Many of the free books are from the classics or so called "christian" authors but can be interesting reads. I like the bookmarking and the automatic back to where you left off features. So if you don't know if you would like a Kindle try the free software and many books

 

[RonJ]

I also downloaded Kindle for PC just to see if I would like reading electronic books. I do like it because I can enlarge the fonts to accomodate my failing eyesight. I'm a little leery of buying the Kindle 3 because there are rumors that a color version is due out soon. That could be nice for downloading magazines.

The wifi version doesn't have to be in a hotspot? Just where there is cell service?

 

[Coker_rat]

I bought a Kindle for myself in October. I really like it. I have been working outside the US for a while and the ease of transporting books on the e-reader is great.

A good program to have is Calibre - it reformats text, pdfs and other formats into a file that is very readable in the Kindle or other readers.

I know the Kindle has direct support for text and pdfs, but Calibre file is usable with all the features - such as scalable fonts. and reformated screen size.

I use the standard WiFi because the 3g is not readily supported outside the US especially in the 3rd world places I have worked.

 

[Onomea]

I think the wifi function means that if there is a wifi connection available, such as a wireless router at your house or connections in many hotels and airports, you are good to go. The 3G function is for use wherever there is cellphone coverage, which is, of course, much more extensive and darn near universal. I have the latter, and it works fine in Japan, the US and Hong Kong, based on experience, and I believe it would work in many countries. But you need to buy the "Global Edition," or something like that, as it is designed for international use. The US 3G version only works in the US, and maybe Canada.

I've also used my netbook to read Kindle books, when I forgot the Kindle charger on a long trip, and it works okay. But the backlighting on a computer screen is much harder on the eyes than the non-backlit Kindle screen, and the size and weight of the Kindle makes for a much more handy and comfortable reading device than does a computer.

 

[zoom6zoom]

If I were to upgrade me K2 to the newest model, I wouldn't bother with the 3G. I rarely turn on the wireless on mine, only when I want to download something. Battery lasts much longer that way.

If you're someone who likes to read in the tub, stick your kindle in a ziplock bag... instant scuba suit!

 

[PRC74]

I bought 3 for Christmas gifts. One for my daughter, one for my granddaughter and one for me. They were the wifi only version. I really enjoy mine. It is easy on my old eyes.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

My wife bought me a Cruz reader from Costco. It's color, and functions much like a small computer. It is Wi-Fi enabled, has an MP-3 player, and a browser (internet). I'm still learning how to use mine, but I'm pleased with how simple and easy it is to download books on it. A major bummer - I wanted to buy a copy of one of my favorite books of all time - "The Right Stuff", by Tom Wolfe, and it's not available in electronic format, yet. By the way, it also has a "day/night" mode, which is really cool! This allows you to have white font on a black "page" for night time reading. This is easy to read, doesn't disturb others, and I think, is more battery friendly.

Regards,

Dave

 

[deadin]

"The Right Stuff", by Tom Wolfe, and it's not available in electronic format

It's available on Kindle.

Bought my wife one last Xmas. Had to buy myself one about 4 or 5 months ago, as she wouldn't let me use hers. (Needless to say, we really like it.!!)

 

[sigp220.45]

I got one for Christmas, and I love it.

I was surprised True Grit wasn't available - I wanted to read it again after seeing the new movie.

Any suggestions on good books?

 

[bulletproof-791]

kindle

i gave my wife a Sony e-book and she loves ...could not find a kindle...either 1 is A+++ in my book

 

[oldguy66]

Got one for my wife this Christmas. She has it set up for WiFi and is in the learning curve mode now, playing games. Looks great.

 

[blujax01]

I bought a Nook based on my daughter's recommendation. It's cool and if anything goes wrong, there's a Barnes and Noble within driving distance. I got the WIFI version because I'm thinking that 3G will be replaced with 4G will be replaced with ... And besides, I have a wireless modem in my home. I actually use my computer to order the books because of keyboard ease-of-use and they're instantly transmitted to the Nook. I went black and white instead of color because, as I understand it, the color version is backlit making it like a computer screen, which tires my eyes. The base version is exactly like reading a book. You need proper light, and it will put you to sleep!

I recommend the Stieg Larson trilogy, starting with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

 

[doublesharp]

My wife wanted an e reader so Santa put $500 in her stocking and said have fun. UPS man brought a Nook yesterday.

 

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, All,

I got Sweet Bride and couple of Christmas gifts this year. First off, she got a new Petzl Tikka XP2 led headlamp, for backpacking, camping, and emergency situations. We have owned and used older Petzl headlamps, the rotary incandescent type, for many years, and the new Petzl lamps put the old ones to shame in all ways!! She loves it!

Then, I got her a museum grade reproduction of a 17th Century Flemish table knife, made by Ken Hamilton, to go with her reenacting kit. We are deep into 18th century reenacting, and she was thrilled to get this wonderful and lovely knife to add to her kit, in which it will be "the knife that Grandmother gave me".

Last, and most certainly not least, was a brand new Kindle 3G, WiFi, e-reader! As much as she loved the first two gifts, she was wowed by receiving the Kindle, and it's red leather cover to go with it!! She can't put it down, and has already downloaded several books that she wanted to read! Hers has the extending light that pulls out from the top right corner, and she has been using it every night since Christmas!! She travels a lot in our business, so the 3G WiFi version was a good thing for her needs. She loves it, and that's exactly what I'd hoped for in buying it for her!! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc (and Sweet Bride!)

 

[safearm]

I received a Kindle 3G version. Except that photos are not very clear, everything else is great. There's a wide variety of books available, from nothing in cost to as much as hardback books. If anything, it can get very addictive buying the books from the Amazon site with one click. I've bought more books in the last two weeks than I've boughtin the last year.

 

[Stainz]

I ordered the latest base version ($139 - free s/h!) 12/9 - it arrived 12/14. My wife's Christmas gift, she has already spent a bundle on books she wanted - mainly Christian fiction. I got a Best Buy $100 gift card for Christmas from my son - couldn't find a thing at the store - noted Amazon gift cards at the Kindle display, where they had an assortment of Kindle covers left - if you like purple. Swapped for two Amazon $50 cards, which she used shortly after we got home. Within days, she has become a Kindle-nut! She loves it - I like the big type capability.

Stainz

 

[DavidA]

Mrs. Santa got one for my Christmas present. I really like it. There is a small learning curve but I am not having any problems. I am busy reading "Samples" of books and already have five to order when I get ready for them. I did not get a cover or carry case. I need something like that. Anyone have any suggestions?