Product Description

Introducing Kindle™ Three years ago, we set out to design and build an entirely new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. The result is Amazon Kindle. We designed Kindle to provide an exceptional reading experience. Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, you’ll find reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot, and is designed for ambidextrous use so both “lefties” and “righties” can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time. We wanted Kindle to be completely mobile and simple to use for everyone, so we made it wireless. No PC and no syncing needed. Using the same 3G network as advanced cell phones, we deliver your content using our own wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet. Unlike WiFi, you’ll never need to locate a hotspot. There are no confusing service plans, yearly contracts, or monthly wireless bills—we take care of the hassles so you can just read. With Whispernet, you can be anywhere, think of a book, and get it in one minute. Similarly, your content automatically comes to you, wherever you are. Newspaper subscriptions are delivered wirelessly each morning. Most magazines arrive before they hit newsstands. Haven’t read the book for tomorrow night’s book club? Get it in a minute. Finished your book in the airport? Download the sequel while you board the plane. Whether you’re in the mood for something serious or hilarious, lighthearted or studious, Kindle delivers your spontaneous reading choices on demand. We’re very proud to introduce Kindle and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. - The Amazon Kindle Team

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1 in Amazon Devices
• Color: Bisque
• Brand: Amazon
• Dimensions: .70" h x 5.30" w x 7.50" l, .65 pounds

Features

• Revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper.
• Simple to use: no computer, no cables, no syncing.
• Wireless connectivity enables you to find, buy, and read instantly—whether you’re in the back of a taxi, at the airport, or in bed.
• Shop the Kindle Store directly from your Kindle.
• Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute.

Customer Reviews

The Most Useful Gadget I Own
My Kindle is my new best friend. If my little Kindle was just a book reader, I would love it. Add the fact that I can look up information on the internet (at no charge) while I'm reading, and this is the best gadget I've ever owned.

The screen is easy to read, even in bright light. I like to change font sizes depending upon whether I'm wearing my glasses or contacts.

And although the page-turn buttons do take some getting used to, I find that I can hold the book pretty much any way I want to and still turn a page. So, I can't complain about the buttons.

I have started reading more than ever, thanks to not having to make trips to the bookstore. I like being able to "surf" Amazon's Kindle book selections, and I like being able to see recommendations and reader reviews right there on my Kindle. My only complaint is that sometimes it's hard to tell what kind of book a book is... For example, you can always tell a trashy novel by its cover at the bookstore. I think maybe Amazon could do a better job of categorizing books on the Kindle site. I downloaded and tried to slog through "The Shack" because it is a Kindle bestseller before I realized it is a "Christian" book.

I have never used another book reader, so I guess I shouldn't say this, but I don't understand how anybody could give this product one star. I don't think any other product comes close to being as "cool" as the Kindle (what with the internet access and all). I think Amazon has figured out how to bring reading back to the masses.

kindle
The Kindle is terrific except it is not back lit so that you can read in a dark room. I know I can buy a light however it is not convenient.
It is really easy to order a book with out your computer

The iPod for books!
Just as the iPod and similar devices allow us 24/7 access to our personal music library, the Kindle allows us to read anywhere, anytime.

It is light-weight -- about the weight of an average magazine, adding virtually no weight to your briefcase or bag.

It is small enough to hold with one hand -- AND turn the pages. Try that with a magazine or newspaper or book.

Granted, as most reviewers have pointed out - you have limited choice of thumb space on the front of the Kindle with which to hold the thing. I expect that the next version will shrink the keyboard and page turn keys, so that accidental hand-shifts don't create accidental page and menu changes.

I have been pondering purchasing the Kindle for about 6 months. I have to admit that, even though I could easily afford it, the price put me off. I am an avid reader. It is nothing for me to take a trip to Barnes and Noble and walk out with 10 books -- and go back again 2 weeks later for more.

An upcoming vacation brought me back to the Kindle. Well, it's not really a vacation. It's kinda complicated and quite private, but I will be in a not very interesting American city for 6 days with very little to occupy my days.

I started contemplating a trip to B&N to stock up and then thought about the sheer weight of all the reading material I might bring, now that we must pay for checked bags (which is more annoying than a financial inconvenience, truth be told). I had one of those "eureka!" moments, when I realized I could take 100s of pounds of books, magazines, and newspapers with me -- in my carry-on luggage.

I am now completely and utterly in love with my Kindle and I am thinking of all of the barriers in everyday life that conspire to limit one's reading:

Recognize yourself in any of these scenarios?

***Crowded subway or train.

Too difficult to read more than one page of the paper or a magazine? Need one hand to hold on - can't turn pages? Can't spread out the front page of the newspaper to read?

Kindle's solved that. Once you work out the mechanics, it is easy to hold the Kindle with one hand and turn the pages.

I just finished a luxurious hour floating in my swimming pool, noodle under my arms, lightweight Kindle in my hands, reading a good book.

Before the Kindle, I had stopped reading in the pool, because the mechanics of holding the book and turning pages without getting them wet got to be too difficult. I had to limit myself to reading material easily held in one hand - pretty much magazines; and there are only so many magazines I am interested in reading (well, other than professional journals, I am a New Yorker girl through and through; everything else is fluff, IMHO).



***Almost done with a book - can't bother to carry the heavy thing with you because you are close to the end, but you really want to finish it?

Old school (pre-Kindle) you would have 2 choices - take a different book with you and finish the nearly done one another time -- or carry 2 books with you (ugh, the weight!) so that you could finish the first and still have something to read for the ride home. Now, with a Kindle, you can take both (and 100s more) with you whereever you go.



****Strangers checking out what you are reading and/or commenting/trying to create a "connection" through your choice of reading material?

Kindle offers Complete Privacy!

The only thing I will miss as the Kindle becomes ubiquitous is the delight of seeing what other people are reading.

And the occasionally interesting conversations that come up on public conveyances as readers meet each other -- "I see you are reading __________, how do you like it? Have you read his/her other works?". "I see you are reading the Nation; are you going to the protest rally on Thursday?"

Some of us do not enjoy such encounters/come-ons and would prefer that one's traveling and waiting-room companions not have such an easy conversation-starter. The Kindle provides you with complete anonymity and privacy to enjoy your choice of reading materials.

If you take a guilty pleasure in reading popular novels, but it conflicts with your image as, say, a buttoned-down accountant -- now there will be no tell-tale bright book cover to give you away!



****How about the unexpected delay that leaves you somewhere without anything to read and no laptop or internet connection?

Sure, you can always pull out your cell phone and play 100 games of "Bejewled" -- but with the wireless Kindle, you can quickly purchase and read that novel you've been saving, or anything else your heart desires.


****I don't waste my money on hard-cover editions -- I can wait 6-12 months for the paperback version.

This was me, big time, before the Kindle.

As much as I would like to support the authors and publishing houses by buying hardcover editions, the cheap-skate inside me just can't do it.

Over the years, I have purchased only my most favorite authors in hardcover, because I just couldn't stand to wait. This also means that I have missed out, because I am not organized enough to keep a list of what I want to get when it is available in paperback form, some books that caught my interest have permanently slipped my grasp in the delay between printings.

Most Kindle titles are less than $10, which means you can read the newest books for the price of a paperback version, without the months-long delay.


****Books just take up too much space in my house/apartment. I hate throwing them away when I am done with them, but I have run out of room to store them.

Duh!

With Kindle, you can story a library in the space a single paperback takes up.

If you still want to be pretentious and carefully seed your coffe-table with "must-read" books, or lend them to your friends -- "You MUST read this", you can always purchase the physical book.



My best argument for Kindle, however, is environmental.

No paper. No trucks delivering the books to stores. No you driving to the bookstore to buy books.

I'm sort of surprised that other reviewers haven't mentioned this aspect of the Kindle. Live lightly on the land -- read e-books!

I do hope that Kindle doesn't become so popular as to destroy bookstores, in the same way that the iPod killed Tower Records (ah, such a bright and vibrant place to hang out); but it probably will and many of them need to go the way of the dinosaur, anyways.

So many malls house lifeless bookstores, populated by non-readers picking up the latest "thriller" or "romance novel". I once visited one of these mall establishments, and after more than an hour of happy shopping, hefted 10 books onto the counter to purchase. The clerk (a reasonably dressed mid-30's woman, who didn't appear at first glance to be a moron) looked at my stack and then at me like I was crazy: "You gonna read all of those?", she asked.

I didn't know what to say.

If Kindle can remove these "bookstores" from the malls and make room for more sneaker stores, I would consider that to be a benefit to America.

I only hope that the real bookstores, where actual readers gather for inspiration and companionship will be able to hang on.

I also know there's nothing I can do to prevent the inevitable loss of the community book store. For years, I walked right past B&N and their tempting 15% off offer to shop at a true community bookstore, where the clerks displayed their latest favorite picks and I always found more than one surprise. My $ made no difference - it closed 2 years after B&N moved in up the street.

The internet and all these electronic gadgets have made us all more connected in so many ways, yet so disconnected from physical connections to others.

But, reading is, and always will be, largely a solitary adventure.

Owning a Kindle will, someday, be like being accidentally locked in overnight in the reading room of the NYC public library - all by yourself with all the books you ever wanted to read, but never had the time!

Just go ahead and spend the money, even if it means that you will pay again for the more ergonomic model sure to be coming out down the road.