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Kindle latest version
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rick_694
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by grumpyoldbat:
“Why are you buying it? If you're buying it because you want the latest and greatest technology, then wait. If you're buying it because you want a really great ebook reader with access to a store with a wide range of books, then just buy one.

If you're holding off to get something more like Barnes & Noble's NOOK Color which is an ereader that's really a tablet, then that option is already available to you in the form of a wide range of Android tablets or the iPad.

For me, the Kindle's all about reading. I don't use it for anything else, and the e-ink technology is unlikely to be drastically improved any time soon.”

What I DON'T want is to pay full price for a model 3, then the next week I can get a model 4 for the same price, or a model 3 at a discounted price!

I'm actually buying one for my mum, for her 70th. But having seen how good they are, I'm going to have one for myself!
rick_694
06-08-2011
A bit of interesting reading!
http://goodereader.com/blog/
DJW13
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by Nasalhair:
“And what about Kindle owners who don't have a PC, or a computer of any kind?”

I'm guessing they probably don't have wireless either!

You may say that they will have access to 3G, but I suspect there will not be a lot of people in that category (3G but no PC) although I have no figures to support this contention.
Eater Sundae
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by Nasalhair:
“If you travel around, yes, it is worth paying for the 3G.

Yes you can surf the net with it - I took mine on holiday this year and looked at things like the news & the scores at Wimbledon on my Kindle. The browser is slow, black & white (obviously), a bit clunky, but it works for simple, text-based sites. Graphics do work but don't expect videos, or sound, or Flash. And don't use it for downloads (somebody once asked me if there is a "fair use" policy.)

Bear in mind the official purpose of the 3G is to let you access the Kindle store to download books while you're on your travels, and the web browser is tagged as being "experimental" - kind of a "it works, but this isn't its real purpose." It's a bit like there are also some games on the Kindle, but it isn't a games device, and you can also play MP3s on it but it isn't an MP3 player - it is an ebook reader.”

I pretty much agree with this. I started a similar thread a month or more ago, asking the same question. I subsequently went for the 3g version. I didn't NEED 3g, but decided to go for it purely for the very occasional, very basic browsing. As has been said it is very clunky and slow, but I still thought it was well worth the extra. I've not used it for downloading reading matter, the wifi is fine for that, and I don't need to download more books while away from home. However, when away on holiday it is handy to be able to access the internet (best for just simple sites with words, not graphical stuff), without carrying a computer.

I've had it several weeks now and am very pleased with it. I would still go for the 3g version if I were buying one now.
ironjade
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by DJW13:
“Surely if you don't have wireless you just plug the Kindle into your PC for downloads?”

That does rather defeat the object of Kindle.
DJW13
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by ironjade:
“That does rather defeat the object of Kindle.”

I thought that the object of the Kindle was to have a very good reading experience? Admittedly one of the selling points is that you can download books wherever you are (if you have access to a PC (either wirelessly or by a cable) or a 3G connection - but I wonder how many users actually do this?

Many of us tend to assume that our use of a piece of technology is the same as everyone else. For my part, I download books at home, normally by wireless, but occasionally by cable if there is a problem. I can see the case for 3G if you are out and about a lot, but for me a wifi conection is fine.

After all, as you can have 3,500 books on your Kindle (has anyone tested that number?) it is not too difficult to have sufficient books loaded at home for even a very long holiday!
Gormond
06-08-2011
Originally Posted by grumpyoldbat:
“the e-ink technology is unlikely to be drastically improved any time soon.”

I would say einks new colour screen (The Triton) is a massive leap forward from the pearl display used in the kindle - http://www.eink.com/display_products_triton.html

I have a kindle and really like it but I will be upgrading to one with the Triton display when it's available.
Nasalhair
07-08-2011
Originally Posted by DJW13:
“I'm guessing they probably don't have wireless either!

You may say that they will have access to 3G, but I suspect there will not be a lot of people in that category (3G but no PC) although I have no figures to support this contention.”

Plenty of people have Kindles but no computer and no wifi. They buy the 3G + wifi version so they can download books onto the Kindle directly from Amazon without the need for a computer - e.g. my grandmother for one.
gomezz
07-08-2011
Plenty of places out there that offer free wi-fi including pubs and coffee shops.
Nasalhair
07-08-2011
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“I would say einks new colour screen (The Triton) is a massive leap forward from the pearl display used in the kindle - http://www.eink.com/display_products_triton.html

I have a kindle and really like it but I will be upgrading to one with the Triton display when it's available.”

To be honest it depends what you read. If they release a Kindle with a colour display I'll be in no hurry to buy one as in the books I read the text is black and the page is white, so I have no need for colours. "Ah, but you'll see the cover in colour!" you say. Yes, but how long do I spend looking at the cover of a book?

I've also no desire whatsoever for a touch-screen Kindle. Such an idea makes me imagine an awfully messy screen - like on my phone - and also a shorter battery life as it would have to monitor the display for touches all the time.

Things I would be tempted by: A Kindle with a screen as it is now but a little larger, filling the front of the unit, maybe with a slide-out keyboard and the page movement buttons on the back.
IvanIV
07-08-2011
Colour could be interesting for the big DX Kindle, so one could actually enjoy illustrations in a proper size. So far ebooks were about text only, this may open other parts of the market. Although I would personally rather own such books in print.
Gormond
07-08-2011
Originally Posted by IvanIV:
“Colour could be interesting for the big DX Kindle, so one could actually enjoy illustrations in a proper size. So far ebooks were about text only, this may open other parts of the market. Although I would personally rather own such books in print.”

For me the kindle is great for normal books but for PDFs, manga, text books and so forth I use my iPad. A colour kindle would go some way to solving this. Also with touch, colourand faster refresh the web browsing experience would be alot better and also pave the way for apps.
ironjade
08-08-2011
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“For me the kindle is great for normal books but for PDFs, manga, text books and so forth I use my iPad. A colour kindle would go some way to solving this. Also with touch, colourand faster refresh the web browsing experience would be alot better and also pave the way for apps.”

Then it would cost about £500 and it would be another iSlab.
Gormond
10-08-2011
Originally Posted by ironjade:
“Then it would cost about £500 and it would be another iSlab.”

How so? The wholesale cost of einks new screen are no more than the pearl at launch. Imho The next kindle will be massive upgrade with no additional cost.
Kedece
10-08-2011
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“For me the kindle is great for normal books but for PDFs, manga, text books and so forth I use my iPad. A colour kindle would go some way to solving this. Also with touch, colourand faster refresh the web browsing experience would be alot better and also pave the way for apps.”

I wouldnt want a colour screen for my Kindle, I like the screen as it is, I certainly dont want any kind of apps for it. If I want fast web browsing, colour and apps Ill go for an ipod touch or an ipad. I want my Kindle for reading books, nothing more
Gormond
10-08-2011
Originally Posted by Kedece:
“I wouldnt want a colour screen for my Kindle, I like the screen as it is, I certainly dont want any kind of apps for it. If I want fast web browsing, colour and apps Ill go for an ipod touch or an ipad. I want my Kindle for reading books, nothing more”

You sound like my dad when he says all he wants a phone to do is make calls lol

Things advance, most ppl want multi purpse devices, there is no reason eink devces can't be more functional. They will still be good for normal reading but just do more to reach a wider audience.
Kedece
11-08-2011
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“You sound like my dad when he says all he wants a phone to do is make calls lol

Things advance, most ppl want multi purpse devices, there is no reason eink devces can't be more functional. They will still be good for normal reading but just do more to reach a wider audience.”

If you want a multi purpose one buy an ipad

Ive got an ipod touch for music and apps, a BB for phone/text and internet on the go. What I want my Kindle for is reading books. I dont want a backlight, colour, apps or anything else, if I did, Id buy an ipad or something similar

I dont know why people think EVERY device has to do everything
Anika Hanson
11-08-2011
Originally Posted by Kedece:
“If you want a multi purpose one buy an ipad

Ive got an ipod touch for music and apps, a BB for phone/text and internet on the go. What I want my Kindle for is reading books. I dont want a backlight, colour, apps or anything else, if I did, Id buy an ipad or something similar

I dont know why people think EVERY device has to do everything”

I agree. My kindle is for reading and my iPhone is for everything else. Making it multi- functional will only lead to a decrease in battery life.
Gormond
11-08-2011
Originally Posted by Kedece:
“If you want a multi purpose one buy an ipad

Ive got an ipod touch for music and apps, a BB for phone/text and internet on the go. What I want my Kindle for is reading books. I dont want a backlight, colour, apps or anything else, if I did, Id buy an ipad or something similar

I dont know why people think EVERY device has to do everything”

Colour eink screens have all the advantages of current monochrome screens. They are not backlit, but do have a much better refresh rate for moving images. Also battery life is still every bit as good and still quoted in days and not hours.

Rumours are going about that amazon are going to start using Android as amazon already have a Market place. They also sell movies and music, it makes sence for them to do a multifunction device.

The new colour eink displays have a better refresh rate and higher pixel density so they will be even better fir reading books than the current model but there is no reason they can't do more!
gomezz
11-08-2011
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“Rumours are going about that amazon are going to start using Android”

For me that is a deal-breaker right there.
Gormond
11-08-2011
Originally Posted by gomezz:
“For me that is a deal-breaker right there.”

Why? Android is an excellent OS and alot more functional.
gomezz
11-08-2011
Sticky little fingers.
Gneiss
11-08-2011
Originally Posted by gomezz:
“Plenty of places out there that offer free wi-fi including pubs and coffee shops.”

Either that or BT hotspot and I've even posted on here from the Kindle...
grumpyoldbat
13-08-2011
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“I would say einks new colour screen (The Triton) is a massive leap forward from the pearl display used in the kindle - http://www.eink.com/display_products_triton.html

I have a kindle and really like it but I will be upgrading to one with the Triton display when it's available.”

OK, that's your choice but as the majority of people (myself included) are buying a Kindle to just read books which are black print on white, the colour screen is of no extra benefit. Of course, for a few people, who maybe use it for carrying text books with photos, it would help there. I'd definitely suggest that's the minority of people though.
Nigel Goodwin
13-08-2011
Originally Posted by grumpyoldbat:
“OK, that's your choice but as the majority of people (myself included) are buying a Kindle to just read books which are black print on white, the colour screen is of no extra benefit.”

Yes, it's a replacement for paper books, anything else is an added bonus - there seems no need for colour for the VAST majority of users, and those that want colour should perhaps be looking at a completely different device?.
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