Buy Now And Save
The Kindle Wireless Reading Device is much more than just a gimmick. It has a range of features that make its price at over $100 seem like a total give away. This review will talk about where to get a Kindle as well as discuss some of the reasons why we may be resistant to making the switch from “hard books” to “soft books”. Of course, this sort of device will only be of use to people who read books in the first place.
One of the most amazing things about a cheap Kindle reader is the amount of “books” or texts that are available for free download. This is completely legal and is because of a huge number of titles being out of copyright. So far there are over 1.8 million free titles. These include loads of popular stories by authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Jane Austin.
View technical specs on Amazon
One of my worries about the Kindle Wireless reader was the screen. I know what happens to my eyes if I am in front of my computer constantly. I see reading a book as a form of relaxation and certainly did not want to strain my eyes by looking at a bright computer screen. However the Kindle screen surprisingly looks very similar to printed paper. It is hard to describe but it is kind of like a book’s page but clearer. It screen is 6″ and is completely in focus and natural looking. It is of course electronic however is totally different from computer screens. There is no glare or backlighting. The way it works is by displaying text ink particles electronically. When you first see a Kindle screen you are bound to be surprised by the way it looks. The 6″ screen size refers to the diagonal length, top left to bottom right (or top right to bottom left). The dimensions of the whole device are 8 inches in length, 5.3 inches wide and 0.36 inches thick. This makes it smaller and easier to carry around than a huge number of “real books”. The technical aspects of the Kindle Wireless Reading Device are amazing in and of themselves however this is not what impresses me most about this reading system. If you decide to buy a Kindle Wireless reader you may well agree with my assessment.
When I first heard about the Kindle Wireless Reading Device I thought the whole idea of reading “books” this way was tantamount to blasphemy. However initial reactions can often ignore important facts. Indeed I did not take the time to actually research this advanced reading tool until later. It was at that time that I discovered how many cool features the Kindle reader has. I still like the idea of books, holding them in my hands, being able to smell the print and enjoying the cover art. However we live in a world where technology is advancing at an incredible pace. Video recorders being replaced by DVD players; the advent of digital TV; MP3 players becoming more popular than CD players are just a few examples of the change we have seen recently. So there is no good reason for a new way of reading “books” to be stifled. Indeed before paperbacks we had hardbacks. And of course centuries ago people were reading scrolls and parchment. I do not support change just for the sake of change but when technology can be used to bring us something that we can benefit from then I will certainly support it. This is where the Kindle Wireless Reading Device comes in. Of course there is romanticism associated with owning and reading books. However there are some Kindle features that will appeal to the most ardent technophobe. For me it is both the technical ability of this electronic book as well as the facilities offered by Amazon that make it really attractive. You can wirelessly download books and newspapers directly to the Kindle and you will only be charged for what you buy. Kindle owners are not charged for the wireless connection itself. Also prices for Kindle books are often much cheaper than the hardback and paperback versions. It is the sort of thing that people may argue will never catch on. However often these sorts of technological advances become used widely all over the world.
Technically, the Kindle is amazing too. You can read about the full technical specifications on Amazon. Some of the features that really impress me are the adjustable text size; the text to voice function; being able to read a Kindle in sunlight because the screen looks just like normal paper under sunlight; the PDF reader lets you read computer documents on the go; as well as the way you can control and flip through the pages that you are reading. Once you own a Kindle the next step is customization. There are a range of products to keep the device protected, including things like waterproof Kindle covers. As always it is best to compare prices before you buy.
Kindle cons
So far I have only been discussing the pros as I see them of the Kindle reader. The only cons that I can think of are that loosing your Kindle or having it stolen would likely feel just as bad as losing your wallet. Also I am not yet sure exactly how sturdy it is. I do not fancy dropping it just to find out! Also as new developments take place will we need to purchase new Kindles as the technology improves? However at the moment I still think it represents good value for money if you buy a Kindle from Amazon.
Read here about the latest Generation Kindle with 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity.
