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.com
• 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

Kindle does make me read more!
I've had mine about 5 weeks. I've read 3 books when I have not read for pleasure in 4 or more years. Needless to say I like it a lot. Whispernet is cool and useful feature. As is mentioned by others some pictures are garbage. Is it the scan or the e-paper itself. I vote a little of both, you see all the books I downloaded to my Kindle I own hard copy of too.

If you have ever wished the type face of a paperback was bigger, you will love the Kindle. I have found that the 6 font sizes cover most of the documents and books I've read so far.

The screen can have some glare depending on the angle of your light, but it is easily adjustable due to it's size and format. I was amazed at how close the tactile experience of read a book fits with this device for me.

It is pricey, and I know when I bought mine that the new version was due out (5 months ago when I started my research, they had not announced the new model, but rumors were strong). Still I like it!

The only gripe I have is that the price of an electronic book is too high! I would buy books 'out of my normal scope', if they price was lower. They loose a sale because my risk of disappointment is higher vs. cost.

Amazon and publishers need to embrace this revenue stream in our current economic downturn or they will die a slow death...or is that how markets are supposed to work?

Lacks PDF support
This looks like a good product, but the way that I'd use it, it's not complete yet.

If it had color capability, that would be good, but that's not critical. See below.

The thing I'd use it for is to store and organize the hundreds of scientific papers that I work with (I'm a physicist.) They are all available as .pdf files, and not jpgs, gifs, or word documents. If this device could store and manage .pdf files, I'd get one in a heartbeat, even for $100 more. But the headaches of reformatting papers is a killer - I'm still worried about having to e-mail them to the device. If it could tap into the internet (like it does for wikipedia,) and get .pdfs, it would be a killer device, and almost every working scientist would have one within 2 years.

Regards,
Martin

An Indispensible Pleasure!
My reactions to the pictured product were underwhelming; I thought it looked klunky and suspected it to be very much "first generation." Now that I've owned it for six weeks I STILL rank it below the iPod league in cool and I can think of at least half a dozen ways to improve it ergonomically and operationally.

Do I regret the buy?

Not for a moment!

Its joys and benefits GREATLY outweigh any legitimate objections. The free wireless linking and the ability to hold a library in your hand and a world of reading in a few portable ounces has made my Kindle indispensible. My first reaction on turning it on was "too dim." I was used to the bright white background of a laptop and not prepared for the grey page of this reader. But within an hour I had discarded this objection: it's actually easy on the eyes and the sharpness of the "electronic ink" makes reading easy and effortless.

Improvements in design and software are needed and inevitable, but even if they arrive tomorrow I wouldn't regret for a moment my purchase; as it stands this is a delightful device. The main pro's:

* Easy downloading of both purchased material AND free reading from such sites as Gutenberg
* The choice of font sizes makes reading smooth and strain-free
* Automatic bookmarking keeps your place and allows you to "pick up" your reading choices from where you left off (a major plus for those of us who like to keep a roster of reading choices going)

The main con is, thankfully, one that will probably be addressed in a
software improvement:

* the current software does not allow you to sort your library into categories like folders. A mild irritation when you've loaded your Kindle as I have!

* You should also be aware that the current technology is NOT well suited for material that depends on pictures or graphs or diagrams. That tends to disqualify it for (say) an economics treatise. It also means that magazines and newspapers will be limited on the Kindle to their TEXT content. Actually, though, I find the device's easy navigation of such material (and the exclusion of ads!) a compensating benefit...