Yet Another Kindle Thread...

[Skierchickie]

Okay, who has one of the new models that just came out? Specifically the Fire or the Touch? I'm looking for feedback on whether they're a good purchase or not. I don't mean that in terms of paper book vs ereader (not trying to start a war), but rather in terms of functionality, value, etc.

I pre-ordered a Fire for DH for Christmas (as a surprise), and it's on its way. Now I'm scared. Is it a good idea? I dunno. I've read a few reviews posted by people who have had trouble with them, and a lot of reviews by people who haven't had them long enough to really know yet. We don't have an Ipad or anything at this point, so this is a starter-type toy. And can't afford the Ipad right now.

Secondly, I think I want a Kindle Touch for Christmas. I handled a Kindle Keyboard the other day, and really liked it (although I was unable to really do anything on the demo unit). For those that have them, how is the Touch version? Worth it? I've read complaints about the setup for lefties, of which I am one. Any problems? Or something a left-handed person who has lived all her life in a right-handed world can adapt to? Can't really be any worse than a spiral notebook, can it? Or the chain on the pen at the bank teller window? I may be swayed by the perceived coolness-factor of the touch screen, but if the keyboard were better for some reason, I'd like to know.

I need to tell DH what I'd prefer. I thought about Nook vs Kindle, but we don't have a Barnes & Noble anywhere near here, so that really holds no advantage. And, doing some brief browsing, most of the books I read would be free from Amazon (Dickens, Trollope, Thomas Hardy, etc - things that were written at least 100 years ago, typically), and it didn't look like many were free from B&N. Oh, and I don't need (can't use) 3G. And I don't anticipate using it for anything but reading, so I don't think I need a microSD or to be able to play videos, etc. I can't imagine ever loading the 3000 books on it that they say they hold.

Thanks in advance! I'm frustrated reading the reviews and forums on the Amazon site - either haters, lovers, or "experts", in a lot of cases. Makes it hard to filter down to real, hard facts and figure out who has used the thing for more than 30 seconds.

[ridenread]

I have had a kindle for two years and love it. I just bought the Kindle Touch yesterday. My husband wants one for Christmas and I decided to upgrade mine as well.
It does take a few minutes to adjust as a leftie. So if you hold the kindle touch in your left hand you have to reach in about an inch to touch and turn the page.if you touch the left edge it goes back a page. It only took me a few pages to adjust to moving my left thumb in when I held the kindle in my left hand. I probably hold it in my right hand more often. When I read a regular book I turn pages with my right hand so didn't think this was a big issue.

[Biciclista]

I just got a kindle fire. I like it. It will be very useful. There are enough free books on Amazon that are good literature... and my public library will let me borrow "books" from them as well!
I think i want a rugged case for them but Otter box doesn't have my size/model yet. I am left handed and can't imagine why it might be harder for lefties to use. I have the standard issues of not knowing how to use the dumb thing. no, it's me, really. The keyboard is almost big enough when i hold it sideways. I'm at the bottom of the learning curve and 25% into my first book.

[SadieKate]

Nook is not tethered to B&N. Many local independent bookstores sell Google books, a format supported by Nook. As far as I know, you can't do that with a Kindle which made it an easy decision for me.

[SadieKate]

And for free books out of copyright, look up the Gutenberg Project.

http://www.gutenberg.org/

[Skierchickie]

Hey Mimi (or anyone else familiar with the Fire), you don't HAVE to spring for Amazon Prime to use the Fire, do you? I'm not real clear on that point, and $80 a year sort of defeats the purpose of the thing, to me. It sounds, from what I've read, like that just gets you faster shipping, free streaming video, and a few other things that aren't that important to us. Is that right? Or do you really need it?

I'm really afraid that DH won't like this thing. I only thought of it because he was hinting around pretty obviously about whether I might want an ereader, and then the day they announced the Fire (and it's price) he got all excited, and was suggesting that I'd want one. I'd really only use the thing for reading, so I starting thinking about the regular Kindle - I don't think I'd really utilize the Fire that fully. But I thought about it, and thought he'd probably enjoy it. Now I have buyer's remorse. We were at a store that carries them today, and I wanted to see his reaction, so I showed him the Kindle Keyboard, right next to it. Got him to pick up the Fire for a minute - he played with it slightly, then put it down. No "Ooh, cool", or anything. I'm a worrier. And this is his only gift this year. He's been unemployed and back in school for a couple of years, so money is tighter than I'd like, but he's a) turning 60 in a few days, b) graduating with a new degree at the end of the year, and c) going away for a year to do his internship. So this is one special gift to cover all 3. More than he's allowed to spend on my Xmas gift.

Anyway, I'm concerned about all the "Amazon content only" references. He's got tons of music on Itunes. But he has a Nano and an Ipod Touch for that. I don't know anything about this stuff - I'm getting farther behind the times. My cell phone doesn't even work at home, so I rarely use it, and I'm not even sure what an "app" is. And streaming video & Youtube are not really functional with our satellite internet. I'm hoping that he'll be able to check email, surf the internet, read stuff. Play. Play without spending gobs of cash on buying movies & stuff.

[Biciclista]

no you don't have to spring for Amazon Prime!! (NEVAH!!!!)
the thing can read PDF's and I believe some non-amazon formats like gutenberg's library.

[Fredwina]

Actaully Gutenberg does have its books in Native Kindle Format. And a kindle will read a PDF

[Biciclista]

ok. I have had my Kindle fire for less than a week and I am really impressed. So far the only thing I wanted to do with it that I could not was write myself a note. It has installed in it some kind of office program, but you have to buy the premier edition if you want to open a document and actually write something!!!! There are free apps but i was unsuccessful in installing one.
OTOH... I am loving BOOKS there are SO MANY to choose from, also IN ITALIAN! woohoo (did I say FREE books?) I might have to spring for an Italian dictionary (less than 10 bucks)
I can check my email!! the weather!!! send texts!! (google.com/voice)
It does not take pictures and it does not have a voice/telephone capability... but gosh, it does EVERYTHING else.
This is a great birthday present!!!

[limewave]

I am so tempted to upgrade. I have a Kindle 2 with G3. And I really, really enjoy it. Now I've started checking out library books, which is great--free books! But I have to download the library books to my computer and then from my computer to my Kindle. If I had a Kindle with wi-fi, it would go straight to the Kindle. It's a convenience thing.
. . . . Maybe next year. I am really hoping for running snowshoes for Christmas.

[jobob]

Rats, I wish we were up there Mimi, Lee or I would help you install a free notepad app lickety-split. It's easy, once you've done it (heh). Maybe there's someone up there you know who has a Fire, or is familiar with downloading free Andrioid apps from Amazon, that can help you out.

[Biciclista]

I found a kindle forum and someone made a link for me ... so when i get home I will have a notepad.. I think...

[SadieKate]

Have you looked on Youtube?

Seriously, I find many software how-to guestions answered on Youtube.