I think I've mentioned here a few times just how much I like to read. In fact, if you were to visit our home and look around, you might be struck by the sheer number of books that we have here. My wife is also a reader, as are our kids. I have no idea how many books we have, but it's definitely thousands.
The only reason I give you this bit of background info is to illustrate why I was so stoked to get my latest gadget for Christmas - the Kindle DX by Amazon. If you haven't heard of this latest iteration of the popular e-reader, it comes with a 9.7" screen, and it can hold up to 3,500 books! Additionally, it has a basic web browser (not sure if I'll actually use it or not), and you can subscribe to newspapers and magazines as well, although the magazine selection is relatively slim right now. You can also pay a small fee to subscribe to some popular blogs (99 cents to $2.99 per month), but I would have a tough time justifying the extra expense for something I know I could find for free online, unless I were going for extended periods without computer access.
It's only 1/3" thick and it weighs a mere 18 ounces, but for the relatively steep price tag ($489), it seems like it should have come with some type of case or cover. Since it didn't, I have to be very careful not to leave it where our smaller kids can reach it, at least until I get this rectified soon.
I researched the other options on the market, but the ultimate deciding factor for me was the screen itself. It uses a technology called "electronic ink", which makes the screen very easy on the eyes, and more like an actual book page. Frankly, I have no idea how it really works, but it seems like magic. It actually appears as though the text is printed on the inside of the display. I guess it's a little tough to describe without seeing it first-hand. The screen is essentially glare-free, which was another big factor for me.
The menu and navigation are super-easy and intuitive, and books are downloaded within 60 seconds. The pricing for books is $9.99 or under, from what I've seen so far. Obviously, this is terrific for any "first run" books, but I will probably continue to use eBay and/or Half-Price Books for stuff that's older. The buttons are simple to understand and they are perfectly placed. It also offers a "text to speech" function, which makes it possible to convert any book to audio, but without emotion, since you must choose from the male or female robot voice that is the default.
Here's a video I found that gives a nice overview, although it was posted in May 2009, before the available catalog expanded dramatically:
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/05/06/kindle-dx-video-demo/
Overall, I would highly recommend this device for anyone who reads...a lot. If you're a more casual reader, this one is probably overkill for you. Just my opinion.
Thanks for reading this review!
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This is the first I've heard of the text-to-speech option -- did they put that on all the Kindles or only the DX? I have been reading ebooks for 8 years, but don't want to be limited by one format, so keep using my pocket PC's for portable reading :) It's great to carry around numbers of books in a tiny package!
Shoshana - I think this may be a new addition to the DX that wasn't on the older Kindles, but I'm not positive. I really enjoy it so far!
My Christmas came Dec 26th when Sarah Palin's Going Rogue and Ted Kennedy's True Compass downloaded to my kindledx. I love mine and am happy to see the marketplace getting more e-readers for the public. Consider placing your post on these 2 groups...whenever I post about my kindle, I get loads of questions!!!
http://activerain.com/groups/chicbookclub
http://activerain.com/groups/chicbookclub
Wallace - Those appear to be the same group? I will post it there!
Jason - good for you. I have heard great things about iot, most recently from our neighbors. Did you know there is a Kindle application for the iPhone so you can read books there too?
Happy reading AND Happy New Year! Best wishes for a fabulous 2010.
Jeff
Jason,
I was looking at Kindle for the Mrs. for Christmas this year, and passed. She was only lukewarm to it. But, I'm glad to see your review. Maybe next year. I think this is where books are headed.
Jeff - I have the Kindle app on my iPhone, and I even wrote about it here awhile back. The WhisperSync technology allows you to keep the same library in both places. I've used the iPhone version, but the huge screen makes it easier! :-)
I hope you have a terrific 2010, my friend.
Mike - I think books, magazines, and newspapers will migrate largely to a digital format, although I know that there will always be a good number of people who prefer ink on their fingers, so to speak.
Jason - These are cool. I still have affection to paper. The little book that you can abuse. How durable is the Kindle...never mind you just got it...don't drop it !
Cheers on getting an enviable gift...might have to get one after a nice closing as a reward. ....till then ....the library is still a pretty good deal here in Charlotte. Happy New Year. May 2010 be your year
Claude - Hard to say how durable it is this early in the game, but I intend to get a good case for it soon! I agree that it's hard to replace paper, but I enjoy gadgets, so it's a fun toy.
What a neat toy Jason!
It's amazing how many books you can carry around with you all at once!
Get yourself a cover quickly. That's too expensive a toy to not have protection for.
Try this link ----> Kindle DX Covers
Happy reading!
Craig - That's exactly how I felt. I think I found one that I'm going to order tonight. Thanks for the link!
Hi Jason... everyone I know who has one of those raves about it! You had mentioned you were thinking of asking Santa for one... glad to hear that he listened!
Looks like a very interesting present Jason and Santa Claus really came around for you!
"Happy New Year"
VB ;o)
Jason...
What's the battery life like? Is this good for a long flight or car ride?
Jason, I got one too, I love the DX and yes the voice is new in the DX.
My nice pink case arrive today and now I feel like I am holding a book.
Love it.
Jason;
Do you find it easier to read on than the screen of your computer? I write children's books as a paying hobby, and the growing popularity of the Kindle is on of the big questions in the publishing industry. One arguement is that it will never replace the 'feel' of a book and so on. Mixed thoughts in that industry for certain.
Good post as always.
Jason - I am so waiting to get a kindle. I know I'm going to love it. ~Rita
Steve - Actually, Santa forgot, so my mom had to buy it. ;)
Bob - Indeed. It's a great gift.
Richard - With the wireless turned on, the battery is supposed to last for four days. Without the wireless function (which isn't needed if you're just reading), it will last up to FOURTEEN days! Nice, huh?
Missy - Cool! I need to get a really durable cover because of the kids, etc.
Paul - Yes, it's much easier on my eyes. I agree that there will always be a market for "real" books, but this makes them supremely portable.
Rita - I'm sure you will love yours, too!
Ok, once again I'm relying on my Jasonpedia. You are the KING of researching it for all of us and putting it into plainspeak. I hope to have a Kindle soon, but will wait for prices to come down. Very jealous though as I read about you and Missy using yours! Happy New Year to you and your family too. I wish you all the best!
Overall, I would highly recommend this device for anyone who reads...a lot.
I have mixed emotions about the Kindle. I love to read, but I'm also one of those people who folds the corner of important pages and underlines things! :)
Colleen - Thanks for saying that. It means a lot to me, truly. I understand about waiting awhile for prices to decrease.
Bruce - If underlining is important, this might not be the best device/idea for you. ;)
I like the weight. That's always an issue for me. I don't read as much anymore, since holding books can make my neck hurt. Yeah... stuff as stupid as that can hurt. But this sounds like a great alternative.
Jason been playing with the idea of getting one. My brother-in-law and his wife have one they love it. I might get one for the wife for her birthday.
Very Cool Jason! Sounds like a very nice gift, and to have that many books all in one place is amazing! I can see that this would be an awesome tool for college students - any student who did not want to haul around a bunch of books.
Jason, The first time I experienced the Kindle was in a class. One of the agents had my book downloaded and a "man" was reading my words. Almost as exciting as reading your review of Real Estate the Rome Way Now you can download the Kindle on the computer and the iPhone.
Jason, I just saw this on Amazon.com. Looks neat and convenient, but my problem would be how do I put in my bookmark? Happy New Year
Lisa - Believe me, I understand that. My wife's fibro has been tougher this past year. This version of the Kindle weighs just over a pound - would that help?
Larry - If your wife is a big reader, I think this would be an awesome gift idea.
Mary - Agreed. It would be terrific for that purpose.
Margaret - That would be fun to hear, I bet! I actually wrote about the Kindle iPhone app here on AR awhile back. I like it, too, but the small screen makes it less exciting for reading at long stretches. :)
Ed - You can actually put in a virtual bookmark on anything you're reading. Even without that, it will automatically return to whatever page you were reading if you switch around to different books.
hi, Jason:
I'd mentioned before that I was scoping out the Sony, and I did get one for Ellen. Kindle does have a lot of nice features including what I have heard is the most addictive: the ability to immediately download the next book in a series when you have completed it. One of the deciding factors for me against the Kindle was I do not like how Amazon picked their own ebook format. This is a major drawback to me as a consumer, when a product does not play well with others, in an attempt to corner the market. Boo... Amazon...Thought I thought I read they were implementing PDF support.
On the same note: I posted a link to this on Facebook earlier this week. Amazon Kindle is second only to Google Books at tracking what and when you are reading... But if you want to know who they will share this information with see this article: Electronic Frontier Foundation
My daughter is up on this device. She reads a lot and wants daddy to buy her one. I may give in. Happy New Year Jason.
Those readers are pretty neat. You are right about the way they look, very neat and hard to describe untill you see one.
I think my wife may need to get one.....
Jason, I love the feel and smell of a real book. I've been known to go into book stores just to stand and smell them! I'm glad you like your new toy though! Happy 2010! Looking forward to more from you in the new year!
Susan - Me, too! Bookstores and libraries are probably my favorite places apart from my home. I just like the idea of ALWAYS having something to read. :-)
Jason, Santa brought my wife a Kindle and she's thrilled. Since she travels on planes a lot it solves the problem of lugging around a big heavy book to read on flights or in airports. It slips in her purse perfectly. She also got a tablet style cover/case for it, it allows her to prop the book up on her lap and read, and you can also hold the book with one hand and read while in the case.
We purchased one for my parents this year, and they're hugely excited about it. Overall, very cool gadget!
If you are a fast reader holding 3500 books, you certainly will not run out of things to read on a plane will you. How is the battery life on the thing though? I'd be more worried about that than how many books it can hold. It is like these portable DVD players that won't even last a complete flight.
That's an awesome new thing you got! I hope you find the time to real all 3,500 books! I'm looking forward to them getting cheaper in the future.
My wife really enjoys hers. Books are cheaper to buy and no waiting in line at the store to get them.
Todd - If you aren't running the wireless on it, the battery seems to last forever. I haven't charged it in well over a week. The documentation says it will last 14 days without a charge. Incredible!
I am a total book addict as well. I got a Kindle for Christmas, and spent the past few weeks weeding through my bookshelves and trying to thin out the piles.
I too am a huge Kindle fan. I was forever running out of books to read and my town doesn't have a bookstore!!! With the leather cover, it is exactly like reading a 'real' book and I love that you can hi-light areas (underline) you can automatically research something that comes up in a book that you want more info on. You can write notes . . . it is just an amazing creation. Did I mention how fantastic the screen is and how you can change the size of font if you don't want to wear your readers, say in bed?!
Anyone who says they love real books too much without actually trying the Kindle . . . do you still enjoy your 8 track tapes too ? I still have my LP records but I also have an ipod :0)