Amazon released the third iteration of their eBook Reader, the Kindle on 27 August 2010. Available for shipment to Australia the Kindle is fast becoming a very popular eReader amongst Australians looking for a cheap, but quality way to download and read eBooks.
So what exactly is a Kindle?
Since getting our Kindle in April 2011 we have been approached by complete strangers keen to know what the ‘grey slate looking device’ is that we have have in our hands (you may have seen people reading these ‘slates’ on the bus or train during your daily commute). Many people have heard of the Kindle but have never seen one and are unsure as to what it is exactly.
Well here goes…
It’s a dedicated eBook Reader. It was designed with one thing in mind: reading books.
So, don’t think of the Kindle as a competitor to the iPad. Whilst it does have a web browser and the ability to play music – which I’ll touch upon later – it doesn’t have nearly the same functionality as an iPad (and is a fraction of the price!).
Look and Feel
The Kindle 3G+Wi-Fi (and the Wi-Fi version) is 7.5 inches tall by 4.8 inches wide and weighs-in at just over 240 grams making it slightly larger than your average sized paperback. However, where it really excels is in the thickness of the device – at just 0.33 inches the Kindle is no thicker than a thin pamphlet! And, despite the smallness of the device you still get a 6-inch reading screen (remember, screen sizes are measured from the top corner to the opposite corner on the botton of the screen).
The Kindle feels sturdy and the screen is made of plastic making it somewhat scratch resistant (we certainly haven’t heard or read any complaints about the screens getting scratched or damaged). However, if you are going to take your Kindle out of the house – and why wouldn’t you? – then you should still invest in a good quality case and screen protector. Both of which should cost you around $30.
Readability
So what is the Kindle reading screen like?
I am particularly prone to getting eye strain from working all day with computer screens. The last thing I need when I come home is to sit down and stress my eyes further by trying to read from another electronic device. Again, this is where the Kindle is a far better eReader than the iPad.
The iPad has, what is known as, a backlit screen. Basically, just like your computer monitor the iPad emits light from the screen – it is this light that can cause eye strain. The Kindle however, isnot backlit and does not emit any light instead relying on the ambient light around you – indeed, the Kindle is perfect for taking outdoors and reading in the sunlight. It is for this reason, coupled with the e-ink technology, that the Kindle is very much like reading from a book. The one downside of not having a backlit screen is that in order to read your Kindle at night you will need an external light source – just like you would when reading a book. For about $60 you can purchase a Kindle case that comes with a built in light.
Every time I sit down with my Kindle I marvel at the clarity of the words on the screen. The e-Ink technology is really quite extraordinary. When changing pages the screen flickers and the letters dissolve to be immediately replaced by new letters. The transition between pages is quick and the flicker, dissolve and re-inking of each page does not distract from the reading. Indeed, it is no less intrusive than changing pages on a ‘real’ book.
Useability
The Kindle is driven from a number of buttons and function keys found at the lower end of the device. Most activities, such as searching the Kindle Store, downloading books, opening books etc can be achieved within two clicks making the Kindle reasonably intuitive. I say reasonably intuitive because it took me a while to work out how to delete an eBook – you click the left-arrow button on the four-way button cluster and confirm your deletion by clicking the centre-button (BTW, Amazon include a very comprehensive set of user instructions with your Kindle).
A keyboard is also included on the device. This is used to search for books and add notes whilst you are reading. Again, typing is pretty straight forward although to include numerical characters you need to select the Symbol button to bring up the Number Pad on the screen. Selecting numbers is then via the four-way button cluster. Certainly not as slick as the iPad but you have to remember that this is a reading device (and priced as such) and not a multi-function touchscreen computer.
Turning pages on your Kindle is simply a case of pushing a button on either the left or right hand side of the device. The lower button to page forward and the upper button to page back. As a result paging through a book can be achieved without having to move your eyes away from the screen.
Book Store
Buying a book is simply a case of connecting to Amazon via the inbuilt Wi-Fi or 3G connection and searching for your book or allowing Amazon to suggest books based on your reading habits. Once you have selected a book to read you can pay for it and have it delivered to your Kindle within about 5 to 10 seconds! Most books also have the option to download a free sample – a try before you buy, if you will.
eBooks on the Amazon Kindle Store range in price from free through to, on average, about $10. Most, if not all, eBooks are cheaper than their paper version. In Australia this typically means a minimum of a $20 saving as most paperback books costs in the region of $30 with their electronic counterpart costing approximately $10.
Additional Features
Now I have said that the Kindle is a dedicated eBook Reader, which is why it is so good at what it does. However, Amazon have included a couple of additional features that do expand the device beyond just an eBook Reader.
The Kindle has an inbuilt web browser. As you can image with no touchscreen and a four-way button cluster to navigate, the inbuilt web browser is a bit clunky to use. I have used it once and haven’t bothered with it since.
The other feature provided by Amazon is you can store your music on the Kindle and play it back whilst reading – music (and audio books and the inbuilt voice which can be used to read a standard eBook) can be played through your headphones or via the inbuilt speakers. I prefer to read in silence but there are plenty of people who enjoy listening to music whilst reading.
Summary
The Kindle is, without doubt, the benchmark for eBook Readers. With its e-Ink technology presenting a superb display, long battery life and access to hundreds of thousands of eBooks the Kindle offers a cheap, high-tech option for those people who enjoy reading (or those who struggle to get into reading) who wish to move to an electronic device without the eye strain associated with backlit screens.
The compact size of the Kindle means that it can easily be stored in a briefcase or handbag, even when protected within a leather case. Whilst the 1-month battery life (which can be achieved with Wi-Fi switched off) means that, unlike other portable devices, you are not having to recharge every day. This is a bonus when travelling, trust me!
All in all, I have been very happy with my Kindle.
Pro’s
- Much less eye strain when compared to a traditional computer screen
- No screen glare, either indoors or outside
- Beautiful ‘book-like’ readability
- Lightweight and sturdy design that is easy to hold
- Carries 3,500 books (internal storage is 4GB)!
- Long battery life (remember to turn the wi-fi off to extend the battery life between charges)
- Large book store to choose from
- Many free or low cost books available
- Price
Con’s
- Not as many books available for Australia (approx 600,000 titles at time of review) than the US (900,000 titles available)
- Not really a con but if you own a smartphone you’ll instinctively touch the screen! The Kindle is not a touchscreen device.
Amazon Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi
|
 List Price: $189.00 Sale Price: $189.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping 
|
Product Description
Buy Your Kindle or Read Reviews
Details
No features available.
