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The wife wants a Kindle.......
I know nothing about them........
Any advice on options or alternatives?
Cheers.
I know nothing about them........
Any advice on options or alternatives?
Cheers.
In reply to fil:
Wife here has one and loves it. Best advice is get the one where the screen lights up as in the dark a normal Kindle is useless.
You can get Kindle reading apps for most other devices but you don't get e-ink.
Wife here has one and loves it. Best advice is get the one where the screen lights up as in the dark a normal Kindle is useless.
You can get Kindle reading apps for most other devices but you don't get e-ink.
In reply to fil: Kindle White is the lighty up one - I've got one and it's ace.
In reply to fil:
If I was getting a new Kindle now I would also go for the Paperwhite model.
If I was getting a new Kindle now I would also go for the Paperwhite model.
In reply to fil:
any viable alternatives...err, like books maybe??
Ok, i admit to owning a kindle...but only because i live abroad in a non-english speaking country and cant get the books i want easily.
If i was still in the UK i would just read normal books and get everything i wanted to read for free from the library.
Quite unnecessary technology imo
any viable alternatives...err, like books maybe??
Ok, i admit to owning a kindle...but only because i live abroad in a non-english speaking country and cant get the books i want easily.
If i was still in the UK i would just read normal books and get everything i wanted to read for free from the library.
Quite unnecessary technology imo
In reply to kieran b:
Typical UKc arse type post that is tha main reason I don't post here often. Thankfully there have been some helpful replies, thankyou.
Typical UKc arse type post that is tha main reason I don't post here often. Thankfully there have been some helpful replies, thankyou.
In reply to fil:
kobo or the nook.
Kindle has the advantage of the better established store but those two get fairly good reviews.
personally i went the kindle route though.
> (In reply to fil)
> Are there any viable alternatives?
> Are there any viable alternatives?
kobo or the nook.
Kindle has the advantage of the better established store but those two get fairly good reviews.
personally i went the kindle route though.
In reply to fil:
really? i wasnt trying to be a knob, just expressing my opinion....please dont take it personally
Crikey, can you get this worked up about whether a kindle is a good idea or not ??
Relax, its christmas time
really? i wasnt trying to be a knob, just expressing my opinion....please dont take it personally
Crikey, can you get this worked up about whether a kindle is a good idea or not ??
Relax, its christmas time
In reply to kieran b:
Even my parents now have Kindles so I think we can be sure the tech is here to stay!
It had been proven that people who own ereaders actually read more. This makes them a good thing in my view.
Even my parents now have Kindles so I think we can be sure the tech is here to stay!
It had been proven that people who own ereaders actually read more. This makes them a good thing in my view.
In reply to fil:
I read way more on the kindle than not. It's good, get one.
Cavet:
Privacy concern, books read is a nice way to profile people
Amazon can and has in the past remotely deleted books, so don't count on having your ebooks forever.
I read way more on the kindle than not. It's good, get one.
Cavet:
Privacy concern, books read is a nice way to profile people
Amazon can and has in the past remotely deleted books, so don't count on having your ebooks forever.
In reply to fil: If she wants a Kindle, just get one. She will be happy!
In reply to fil:
The Kindle app on the iPad 3 is a good alternative to a 'real' Kindle. The iPad 3 screen is pretty much as good as a Paper White Kindle for reading, the earlier iPads don't have the same resolution. Battery life isn't as good but the user interface is better and the iPad does a lot more stuff than an eReader.
The Kindle app on the iPad 3 is a good alternative to a 'real' Kindle. The iPad 3 screen is pretty much as good as a Paper White Kindle for reading, the earlier iPads don't have the same resolution. Battery life isn't as good but the user interface is better and the iPad does a lot more stuff than an eReader.
In reply to kieran b:
Sorry Kieran, long day and I HATE Christmas shopping! Plus I have some experience of books so didn't really need a review of that forma
Merry Christmas!
Sorry Kieran, long day and I HATE Christmas shopping! Plus I have some experience of books so didn't really need a review of that forma
Merry Christmas!
In reply to fil: I love my kindle. Really got me back into reading. I would deffinatly recommend one.
In reply to fil:
What phone have they got? I've got a Kindle reader on my Galaxy S2 and that's pretty good - the S3 has an even bigger screen.
The main thing I've got against the Kindle is that that's all it does (unless I'm missing something) - I'd be inclined to get them a cheapie Android tablet that can also be used for email and web surfing (if that's their thing) and download the Kindle reader on that.
What phone have they got? I've got a Kindle reader on my Galaxy S2 and that's pretty good - the S3 has an even bigger screen.
The main thing I've got against the Kindle is that that's all it does (unless I'm missing something) - I'd be inclined to get them a cheapie Android tablet that can also be used for email and web surfing (if that's their thing) and download the Kindle reader on that.
In reply to fil: Got my girlfriend the Kindle Fire for her birthday, she loves it. Easy shopping options for books and also handy for streaming films (get a mini HDMI and you can stream through your TV). Think the Kindle library should be up now as well so plenty of free books around...
Good luck!
Good luck!
In reply to fil: The standard Kindle (i.e. not Fire or Fire HD) is great for just reading, that's pretty much all it does. The e-ink & battery life is what separates it from the tablets. Personally I love having the 3g, it's great when I travel, free basic web browsing (even abroad), which is good enough of for gmail at least (and obviously you can shop for books when you don't have wi-fi around).
The only negatives I've read from other Kindle owners is durability. All I can say is I haven't had any problems with mine, I've had it for 2 years, I carry with me nearly all the time, and use it ever day.
The only negatives I've read from other Kindle owners is durability. All I can say is I haven't had any problems with mine, I've had it for 2 years, I carry with me nearly all the time, and use it ever day.
In reply to LastBoyScout:
I don't really get the argument that a tablet or an app is better than an e-reader. The battery on most smartphones isn't good enough for prolonged reading and if you already have access to a laptop or computer then a tablet as well as a smartphone seems overkill. Personally I got a kindle because I wanted to read books on it so as long as I can do that I'm happy!
I don't really get the argument that a tablet or an app is better than an e-reader. The battery on most smartphones isn't good enough for prolonged reading and if you already have access to a laptop or computer then a tablet as well as a smartphone seems overkill. Personally I got a kindle because I wanted to read books on it so as long as I can do that I'm happy!
In reply to 1poundSOCKS:
I have the 3g one and abused the free data so much while I was in Norway! Being able to get the weather forecasts without paying data charges was brilliant.
I have the 3g one and abused the free data so much while I was in Norway! Being able to get the weather forecasts without paying data charges was brilliant.
In reply to fil:
They are great, particularly for going away on holiday when you can take loads of books without tight weight or space restrictions.
BUT if they crash you are buggered, particularly if you are holidaying in the back of beyond.
They are great, particularly for going away on holiday when you can take loads of books without tight weight or space restrictions.
BUT if they crash you are buggered, particularly if you are holidaying in the back of beyond.
In reply to fil: Possibly my favourite possession. Great if you read a lot. Free wifi abroad on the 3g is a nice bonus, weeks of battery life make it incomparable with apps on other devices. If you're concerned about the fact that you don't 'own' ebooks that you have paid for, get Calibre and back your books up.
Durability may be an issue; I've been lucky; mine died 11 months outside warranty and Amazon replaced it for free. (and upgraded it from non-3g to 3g) They are cheap enough and I use it enough to happily buy a new one every year if I had to. Get the wife a Kindle!
Durability may be an issue; I've been lucky; mine died 11 months outside warranty and Amazon replaced it for free. (and upgraded it from non-3g to 3g) They are cheap enough and I use it enough to happily buy a new one every year if I had to. Get the wife a Kindle!
In reply to Trangia:
On balance this is a price worth paying, because when holidaying in the back of beyond the last thing you want to be carrying is 10kg of books ... and a single book, although reliable compared to a kindle, just won't last long enough on a holiday more than a few days in length.
> (In reply to fil)
>
> They are great, particularly for going away on holiday when you can take loads of books without tight weight or space restrictions.
>
> BUT if they crash you are buggered, particularly if you are holidaying in the back of beyond.
>
> They are great, particularly for going away on holiday when you can take loads of books without tight weight or space restrictions.
>
> BUT if they crash you are buggered, particularly if you are holidaying in the back of beyond.
On balance this is a price worth paying, because when holidaying in the back of beyond the last thing you want to be carrying is 10kg of books ... and a single book, although reliable compared to a kindle, just won't last long enough on a holiday more than a few days in length.
In reply to fil: I found this comment on a website..
The web browser in new kindles is restricted to internet access to only amazon and wikipedia (probably because unlimited 3G is not cheap for them and they wanted to lower the price of new kindle models).
Does anyone have the new Kindle 3G & know if this is true? My old keyboard Kindle isn't restricted, but if it broke I'd be looking at the new 3G model.
The web browser in new kindles is restricted to internet access to only amazon and wikipedia (probably because unlimited 3G is not cheap for them and they wanted to lower the price of new kindle models).
Does anyone have the new Kindle 3G & know if this is true? My old keyboard Kindle isn't restricted, but if it broke I'd be looking at the new 3G model.
In reply to climbingpixie:
I read on my iphone and never use my kindle anymore. Why? Not because its better, but because it is always with me.
And yes, you do get used to the size...seems fine now.
And no, the battery life is not good on an iphone but it still sees the day out most days
> (In reply to LastBoyScout)
>
> I don't really get the argument that a tablet or an app is better than an e-reader. The battery on most smartphones isn't good enough for prolonged reading and if you already have access to a laptop or computer then a tablet as well as a smartphone seems overkill. Personally I got a kindle because I wanted to read books on it so as long as I can do that I'm happy!
>
> I don't really get the argument that a tablet or an app is better than an e-reader. The battery on most smartphones isn't good enough for prolonged reading and if you already have access to a laptop or computer then a tablet as well as a smartphone seems overkill. Personally I got a kindle because I wanted to read books on it so as long as I can do that I'm happy!
I read on my iphone and never use my kindle anymore. Why? Not because its better, but because it is always with me.
And yes, you do get used to the size...seems fine now.
And no, the battery life is not good on an iphone but it still sees the day out most days
In reply to fil: I posted a thread about this a couple of months ago asking for recommendations... I ended up going for the Kindle Paperwhite and it's great - definitely recommend it. I also got the cover which goes with it, which would also recommend getting (though it's not that cheap) - when you open the cover the kindle starts automatically and when you close it, it shuts down - just like a book
I'm still reading 'normal' books at home, but it's great for taking on journeys or reading for 10mins on the train to work.
I'm still reading 'normal' books at home, but it's great for taking on journeys or reading for 10mins on the train to work.
In reply to All:
Thanks very much for all the advice. I went for the Kindle Paperwhite in the end as it seemed to fit the bill.
Hopefully she'll be happy..................
Merry Christmas.
Thanks very much for all the advice. I went for the Kindle Paperwhite in the end as it seemed to fit the bill.
Hopefully she'll be happy..................
Merry Christmas.
In reply to All:
Whoops......wrong login!
Thanks very much for all the advice. I went for the Kindle Paperwhite in the end as it seemed to fit the bill.
Hopefully she'll be happy..................
Merry Christmas.
Whoops......wrong login!
Thanks very much for all the advice. I went for the Kindle Paperwhite in the end as it seemed to fit the bill.
Hopefully she'll be happy..................
Merry Christmas.
In reply to fil:
Kindles can't read epubs: the main file format for electronic books. So they're kind of like a web browser that can't read html.
There are tons of free epubs out there plus there's free software to convert or even make you're own - so shopping lists, phone number lists, addresses etc can then be added to your book reader.
I got a Kobo Glo from WH Smiths. Very similar to Kindle but reads epubs. It also has a back light which is great for improved contrast in places with poor light.
The best ebook readers I think are Onyx - the OS is more open so you can add your own apps and they can even do stuff like play music.
If you need to use it for PDF's get a large (9") screen.
Kindles can't read epubs: the main file format for electronic books. So they're kind of like a web browser that can't read html.
There are tons of free epubs out there plus there's free software to convert or even make you're own - so shopping lists, phone number lists, addresses etc can then be added to your book reader.
I got a Kobo Glo from WH Smiths. Very similar to Kindle but reads epubs. It also has a back light which is great for improved contrast in places with poor light.
The best ebook readers I think are Onyx - the OS is more open so you can add your own apps and they can even do stuff like play music.
If you need to use it for PDF's get a large (9") screen.
In reply to fil: i got the basic one for christmas. after a bit of faffing trying to get my card registered, and not having a keyboard, I would have preferred one with a key board.
I was quite surprised how good it is and would def recommend it.
I was quite surprised how good it is and would def recommend it.
In reply to fil: The case is too fragile...consider an alternative but I guess see if they have solved this problem first as e-ink is good.
I have had two (keyboard version) and (very) minor trauma to (plastic) case has resulted in it clicking off its retaining clips and permanently damaging the screen. Amazon refused to replace it second time and are not acknowledging there is a design flaw.
This problem would be averted by using it in a strong case (I was using a foam one) but they are quite expensive and heavier/more bulky.
I have had two (keyboard version) and (very) minor trauma to (plastic) case has resulted in it clicking off its retaining clips and permanently damaging the screen. Amazon refused to replace it second time and are not acknowledging there is a design flaw.
This problem would be averted by using it in a strong case (I was using a foam one) but they are quite expensive and heavier/more bulky.
In reply to fil: you're not much better yourself
In reply to kieran b:
Here here
> (In reply to fil)
> really? i wasnt trying to be a knob, just expressing my opinion....please dont take it personally
>
> Crikey, can you get this worked up about whether a kindle is a good idea or not ??
>
> Relax, its christmas time
> really? i wasnt trying to be a knob, just expressing my opinion....please dont take it personally
>
> Crikey, can you get this worked up about whether a kindle is a good idea or not ??
>
> Relax, its christmas time
Here here
In reply to fil: my wife wanted a kindle to use whilst breastfeeding Amber, I got her a galaxy tab 7", why it does all and more. She loves it. Her laptop is redundant. My choice was based on using a galaxy note 2. Which is all I use these days and what I'm typing on right now. She got me a beautiful daughter. Her tab is filled with pictures and videos of daughter. Happy days
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