My, oh my! I am having so much fun with this thing! I have already downloaded a total of 19 books to my Kindle off of the Amazon website and I love how it reads. You can change the font size if your eyes get tired, there are a total of 6 different sizes. The thing automatically bookmarks the page you left off on if you want to change books. It has an option for Audio books, but I haven't looked into that yet, for some reason I like to read the story instead of listen to it. There is an automatic dictionary on the Kindle, and if you don't know the meaning of a word in a line, all you have to do is select that line, go to look up, and it will list the description of every word in that line for you. If you didn't have a computer in front of you, you can shop for books directly on the Kindle, and the search features are so easy to use. I love the mini QWERTY keyboard. I am so used to the sequences of the traditional computer keyboard that it is nice to keep using the same thing. The Kindle is extremely light in weight and I have no problem holding it in either my left or right hand. If I read the Owner's Manual correctly, the Kindle uses actual Ink and Paper Particles inside. I actually think it is true because the screen really does look like there is paper and ink under the glass. Whenever you change a page it will black out instead of blank out to re-assimilate the ink and paper particles. There is no backlight, so when you read at night you will need a lamp on, but at the same time, you don't have a harsh light going directly at your eyes when you are reading your Kindle. As you might be able to tell, I have a lot of good things to say about my Kindle and I so love it. Now my only problem is getting through all of my TBR pile so that the remainder of my reading can be done electronically 
My Kindle Rating on a 1-10 scale: 10!!!!
"Don't they say good loving is a cure-all? . . . . I think they do. And if they don't, I do." - A Cold Day in Hell by Stella Cameron
Great!
Loving mine and getting more familiar with it all the time. I like that it so easy to take with you and can hold so many books. I have five loaded to mine and will be loading more soon. I have browsed the store on mine but it's black and white so I use the Computer to order books but they are still sent straight to my Kindle almost immediately. My kids gave me the perfect gift for Christmas. I'm so looking forward to vacation and leaving all that extra suitcase room for souvineers instead of having to pack all those paperbacks.
Great to travel with!
I am looking forward to that too. On my last vacation, even though I read only 4 books, I brought 8 with me to choose from because you never know what kind of mood you will be in for reading. I'm possibly traveling to Alberta Canada in March, so I'll be able to try the traveling thing then! Yay!!
"Don't they say good loving is a cure-all? . . . . I think they do. And if they don't, I do." - A Cold Day in Hell by Stella Cameron
Keep me posted
Keep me posted on anything new you learn. I'm very technology challenged. I need all the help I can get. My bag is already lighter as I was carting around two or three books everyday. My son says it has GPS capabitlities if you know how to use the browser. Told him he can check it out next time he's here. Thought that would be pretty cool.
Jealous!
Oh I am jealous!! I keep telling myself that the cost is too much to justify but then I read a review like this and... darn it, I want one!!
OOOoohhhh GPS!!!
Now that is interesting! I didn't read that in the manual. I know that you can download anywhere because of the free wireless transfer, but I think anything outside of the Book shop on the internet you might be charged for. I will have to re-read the manual to check that out. Thankfully though I do have free GPS on my cell phone :)
My Husband is a techie geek and I think that after three years of marriage he is finally rubbing off on me technologically
"Don't they say good loving is a cure-all? . . . . I think they do. And if they don't, I do." - A Cold Day in Hell by Stella Cameron
The Price is Worth It!!!
After reading about it before I got it, I still would have saved up for it. I know the price can be a bit of a shock, but it is so worth it if you can save up for it.
"Don't they say good loving is a cure-all? . . . . I think they do. And if they don't, I do." - A Cold Day in Hell by Stella Cameron
I'm not considering one, yet, but
I'm excited that it's been developed. Are the books cheaper there than at other eBookstores? I wondered b/c of what the CEO said when it launched. I have a hard time paying $16 for an eBook (actually, I don't buy them at that price -- see, it's too hard for me!).
So, I'm hoping that the Kindle takes off and really gets the eBook solidified in the reading community and that it brings down the price of eBooks everywhere.
I'm so excited for both of you!
Penn
Formats?
Does the Kindle only read kindle books? Or can you read PDF files on it?
Kindle info
ftworthmom - The majority of books that are tradeback and hardback are $9.99. There are a few that are above that mark, but the rest are regularly 20-30% off retail. It makes getting paperbacks a bit more affordable.
debiw781 - If I read correctly, for e-books purchased outside of the Kindle store, the format best read in download is through mobi-pocket. I don't recollect if PDF can be read or not. You would basically have to download it to your comuter first and then transfer it through a USB cable that is provided with the Kindle. I haven't tried it yet, but there are some eharlequin bundles I would like to purchase that aren't available on the Kindle bookstore. I will let you know if it works.
"Don't they say good loving is a cure-all? . . . . I think they do. And if they don't, I do." - A Cold Day in Hell by Stella Cameron
I am keeping this in mind
I have put this thread as a fave cause I want all the input you are putting here. Like Penn, I can't do it right now ... but....... I do want to get something like this for when I travel. I can't imagine not taking 10-15 books with me in the suitcase. Another possibility was mentioned in the blogs as a SONY book reader. I hope more people stop by that have either the Kindle or the Sony or other products so we get a lot of input.
Jeannie
Yes I am a readalholic and I don't want the 12 step program!!!
I'll be looking out for when you try it!
The only bad thing is that all my ebooks are mainly in PDF format but I'll be curious to see how that works for you.
on the info
I read how to do all that and told my son I want to load audilbes to mine so he will help me next time he's in. Sometimes it's just easier to listen when I need to do those mundane things. I read on Amazon that the wait is now about six weeks or more as they are so in demand. So hopefully that will bring the price of downloads down for everyone.
Price is Worth It
I really liked my price since my kids gave it to me. Aren't they wonderful. Wanna borrow them.
I recieved a Nokia 770 over
I recieved a Nokia 770 over Christmas, does pretty much the same thing as a Kindle or Sony Reader, but smaller. And I can surf the internet on it. I love it, fits into my purse, and no more dragging books around.
Nokia
Think my son has that. It does a lot of stuff. Probably too much for me. I need easy and less features.
Wanna borrow them.
Yes.....mine is in Masters Program at Columbia. She works part time teaching but I still pick up the credit card bills and front her money when she needs it.
Your's seem a bit better off Deb...... how long do I get to keep them before I get the Kindle? LOL
Kim - about the Nokia 770 - is it a mini computer or PDA? can it hold database info like from Access? I have been thinking of getting something like that to stop the duplicates. I have quite a few so far and have not even gone upstairs... sigh....soooooo many books.
Jeannie
Yes I am a readalholic and I don't want the 12 step program!!!
PDA's/Kindle/Sony
Hello All... I've spent the last two weeks delving into this.. I actually ordered the Kindle but just stopped the order and instead placed an order for a PDA. Why? Because I buy a lot of books that are protected and NOT through amazon. At first this didn't concern me, I figured I'd just upload them. And what was a few emails if I was able to bring the books every where with me? But after buying a few ebooks and tyring a few things out I discovered that I can't upload a protected doc to the Kindle.
That goes for Adobe or MOBI! So if I buy books directly from Harlquin... I can't read them on the Kindle. I was so disappointed. I can't tell you!
I looked into the Sony too... but ran into similar issues. In the end I like I said, I've bought a PDA - a My Pal a626 Ultra slim PDA. It does everything I wanted, like be wireless so I can make a purchase anytime, anywhere, for anything I want and works with ALL the ebook formats.(This is big... so many of the ebook readers out there aren't as compatible) The only thing it didn't have(but that I really wish it did) is the paper like screen of the Kindle or Sony. Sigh... I've been blogging about this for the past two weeks because I really wanted that Kindle. I just wish it did the rest of all I wanted besides having that lovely screen.
I see a couple others on here have a PDA of sorts? Do you guys like it? Does the small screen bother you?
Cole
Nicole Reising
www.nicolereising.com
www.nicolereising.com/blog
I have a Dell Axim Pocket PC
I have a Dell Axim Pocket PC which does have a very small screen. But that's OK usulaly since I can change font size as needed. What I haven biggest problems with is glare. Even with the backlight on the lowest setting it can be without going dark, it gets to me after a while. But I manage pretty well in spite of that.
Go visit my blog for the 2007 10K Challenge!
Shewolf0316 --
Thanks for answering!
I bought my PDA through Dell but they don't appear to have the Axim anymore. Not sure why. I'd actually gone there looking for it, I'd seen someone else refer to it as a good buy but its been taken off the list.
Anyhow, the guy I spoke with (the sales guy to whom I picked his brains for a very long time on this)recommended the My Pal and I've since then been pouring over the net and think it is the right one for me. I've just been a little concerned about that screen size. I guess I was really sold on the 'new' kind and size of screen that came with the Kindle.
I'm glad to hear that it doesn't bother you! I've been hoping to run into someone else who had a PDA and could give me personal feedback.
Thanks!
Cole
Nicole Reising
www.nicolereising.com
www.nicolereising.com/blog
Wanted to add---
I'm sure Alwsoprano can verify this, but a couple of you talked about the PDF's or MOBI's and uploading bundles from Harlequin---
You can NOT upload either Adobe or Mobi if they are protected to the Kindle!!!
All forms of ebooks that come from Harlequin are protected!!!!
I know, I have emailed Harlequin on this because first I tried the email convert that the Kindle talks about with one of the books I'd bought in Adobe and was informed from Kindle that they can not convert protected files. I then bought five books in MOBI thinking I could upload those to the Kindle and wrote to Harlequin hoping to get my other books from them changed into a MOBI---Harlequin very nicely pointed out that it does say clearly in the Kindle description page that the Kindle is NOT compatible with uploading protected work in either Mobi OR Adobe.
Obviously I was very disappointed. I love buying the bundles and specials from Harlequin or Brava or any of these places. Essentially it meant the book had to be listed on the Kindle Amazon site if it was protected for me to read it on the Kindle.
Unprotected PDF's or MOBI's can be uploaded... I tried that and that does work. You can convert the PDF's yourself if they are not protected to MOBI and upload the story to the Kindle. But MOST of anything I buy is protected. I'm for the author having their work protected so its kind of a catch.
Anyhow, I just wanted to pass this on so that others don't get in the same bind I did or have expectations that aren't going to work. I think the Kindle is looking to be a great product... but has some gliches yet. Like I stated in another post, I wish it was a PDA with a Kindle screen.
Cole
Nicole Reising
www.nicolereising.com
www.nicolereising.com/blog
Great information!
I've been thinking about a book reader but other than a bit of research I've not been too motivated - there are so many to choose from. I loved the reviews of the Kindle but, unfortunately, the wireless part doesn't work in Canada (something to do with our communications regulations.) Amazon's solution for Canadians was to download on your computer than transfer to the Kindle. Kind of defeats the purpose when the big attraction (and expense) is the wireless feature.
Has anybody tried the eBookwise? I have heard that you are limited to purchasing books from them too. So I guess that wouldn't work with eharl.
Well, this has whetted my appetite to seach for a new gadget. I still love my paper books but it would sure be nice to travel with something so small. 30 books can be a bit heavy!
I just bought a new gadget - a cutecat bar code scanner. I've finally decided on a book/library database and my project this year to is log all my books (2000+ I think!) This will keep me busy!
ElleJay
There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the pleasure is having lots to do and not doing it.
glad to be of assistance
glad to be of assistance Nicole. I never heard of the MyPal befor eyou mentioned buying it. I'm not in the market for a new PDA since mine's only a year or so old, but I am curious about the one you got so I'll have to look at it.
Go visit my blog for the 2007 10K Challenge!
Some you can't get
It is aggravating that some you want you can't get but most of the Bestsellers you can and I can get enough to make me happy. I still like holding a colored book in my hand so I wouldn't want a reader for everything. I have downloaded some more eH from Amazon and guess will just do it that way. My favorite Harlequin authors I want the book anyway so that part doesn't bother me at all. Love the no glare on the Kindle it is easier on my older eyes. Enjoying this thread.
eBookwise and Palm PDA
We bo't my mom an eBookwise last year. We love it. ChrissieSue bo't one during their year-end sale and her initial reaction was less than stellar so you might go see her and see what she thinks now.
I use my dh's older Palm PDA. I like it fine. I was worried about the small screen b/c I'm a fast reader but it hasn't been a problem.
I wrote several blog entries last year during the challenge about my steps into the 21st century and when I get time, I'll copy them over to new blog entries and update them (for example, when we bo't my mom's eBookwise, I didn't consider one for myself b/c they didn't sell harlequins for it but now they do).
Penn, who must go now to get the troops ready for the day
This has been great!
I wanted to thank Anna who started this post! I'm finally finding people who understand what I'm asking and talking about! (I don't know anyone personally who owns a reader of any sort) So thank you to everyone who has posted here!
Penn and Kelly -- I just discovered you'd both commented on my own postings on this subject... I was waiting for that email letting me know I'd gotten comments like the one received from wordpress, never thinking to look.
Yeah, I'm a goofball. 
I feel entirely better about my purchase hopefully to arrive on Friday
thanks to all of you willing to share both the good and the bad. I would still love to see what you said last year on this Penn! And as I just wrote in a new blog posting(not yet up as I did a book review that got first dabs at today's post because I loved it so much
)
I would love the PDA companies to combine all they are with the new screen of the Kindle or Sony. That swould be my 'ideal' product.
Feel like I'm describing my ideal man! LOL too funny.
Anyhow, thanks to everyone!
Cole(who now has to rush and get the kids off to school)
Nicole Reising
www.nicolereising.com
www.nicolereising.com/blog
Thanks Penn
I forgot about your 2007 blogs on this - I do remember reading them, just didn't do anything with the info. I will ask ChrissieSue if she likes her ebookwise now.
ElleJay
There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the pleasure is having lots to do and not doing it.
OH MY GOSH!!
I don't log on for a couple of days and everything comes flooding in!! I'm glad to hear that there are quite a few other ebook readers out there. **Yes, the docs have to be unprotected to download outside of the Kindle bookstore in both PDF and MOBI. That is the only problem I am finding. The prices for books are generally the same price or less than other ebook stores, I just wish I could get the extra 10% off that I do at eharlequin and get the bundles as well. Oh well! All I know is that my Hubby will go nutz if I buy too many more paperbacks. My TBR pile is rediculous.
Thank you all for responding! I think this is my first blog ever that has had this much response, and I am learning more and more as I go along. BTW - I know there was talk about GPS on the Kindle a while back, if I remember reading the manual correctly, there was no mention of GPS at all, so I don't think that is a Kindle feature.
~Anna
"Don't they say good loving is a cure-all? . . . . I think they do. And if they don't, I do." - A Cold Day in Hell by Stella Cameron