I have very recently become the proud owner of a second-generation Kindle e-book reading device (6" display, U.S. & international wireless), a.k.a. Kindle 2.
I shan't bore you with my descriptions or critiques; a simple peek at this site (and especially the videos embedded therein) will make all that you need to know self-evident.
I shan't bore you with my descriptions or critiques; a simple peek at this site (and especially the videos embedded therein) will make all that you need to know self-evident.
How about the issues discussed in this review [http://www.amazon.com/review/RV0R3AODMRNJZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RV0R3AODMRNJZ]?
ReplyDeleteIn view of my usage requirements, I find that the only real downside of my Kindle 2 is the one mentioned in point 9 of the review: the absence of a slot for SD cards. One can compensate, however, by storing more content via USB from a computer.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, to avoid the risk of paying extravagant GPRS fees to the local telecoms operator, I have not used the Kindle's wireless function thus far: all my ebooks have been downloaded to (and stored in) my computer and transferred via USB to the device. The whole process, from purchasing online to storing on the Kindle, takes around 2 minutes.
The Kindle 2 is far from perfect, yet I consider it to be quite good in terms of 'value for money'. I have been reading from it every night for the last 10 days, and I haven't had to recharge the battery yet.
Thanks a lot Armando. I have the impression that the Kindle is mostly aimed at readers of fiction, books that you read once and then "throw away". My question is whether the Kindle would be useful for academic and reference publications, that need to be kept for the long-term future. What is your opinion about this?
ReplyDeleteThanks Jorge.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say that the Kindle is for "throw away" books; I certainly don't spend money on them!:-).
For a discerning reader, I suppose the device could be used for works which one intends to keep in a portable electronic library, to return to more than once in a lifetime, such as "quality" fiction or literature, "elevated" non-fiction (history books, biographies, popular science, etc.), and other worthy publications that one can read continuously in a single direction.
You have placed the finger on the Kindle's weak spot: it is not very user-friendly for technical works or for academic research, where one needs to cross-reference and move back and forth within a publication.
(There are, however, several note-taking and bookmarking functions, plus a browser, integrated in the Kindle.)
Obrigado. I am still thinking... But I noticed that when you go the Amazon website and select Macau, the site says this specifically about Macau: "Free Wireless: Free 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle. No monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots. For non-U.S. customers, there are also no additional charges for wireless delivery in or outside your home country."
ReplyDeleteTheoretically that's true, but knowing how the local telecoms utilities operate, I am not willing to risk paying additional charges for the wireless service here in Macau.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I did turn on the wireless once, and guess what happened? Only GPRS was available! No 3G!
You know, I do not require the wireless function at all. When I travel abroad, I'll just stock up on a few ebooks via USB from my computer before departing. Moreover, I do not intend to subscribe to any magazines or newspapers.