New Kindles

[rogo]

Just went to buy a new e-book and I see that amazon has just bought out the next gen of kindles. The colour one and a lighter version. This lighter one is only 6oz - 170gm. Holds less books than the last gen but still ample storage. Thinner than a magazine and lighter than a paperback, so the blurb says. No keyboard only the 5 way button, or whatever they call that.

But the best is the cost US$79. I just wonder if e-readers will, in time, be given away like a mobile used to be. Buy a few books and the reader is free. But even at this price if you damage it it is fairly affordable to replace. Damn technology, the moment you buy it, it is outdated.

For me it is still one of the best gifts I have had in years.

[ninjapuppet]

Fantastic arent they!

I never really used the keyboard on the kindle 3, so these newer generation kindles are the go. I havnt really tested my battery life to the max yet but I noticed how they are so proud to advertise their 1-month battery life. however note that its not 1 month on continuous, but rather on for half an hour a day! How sneaky is that claim? if i did that to my smartphone, I'm sure it can last for more than it's current 1 day battery life.

[Nuts]

Well... hey, the colour version is a bit of a let down battery wise... and where did that extra weight come from The $79 model would be a bargain if you ever carry a book..

[Nick S]

Yeah I've had my kindle for a few weeks and they bring out an update! The kindle touch looks the go. Ive never used the keyboard either..
Whatever though, they are cheap as..

And the colour kindle is like an iPad so not comparable to e-ink I think.

[Son of a Beach]

Kindle "Fire" looks more interesting (not yet released). Based on an old version of Android, and much modified, but will be very cheap for a tablet.

[Packo]

I have never used a Kindle, or even seen one for that matter but for 79 USD I think I will give it a go. Checking some of the books on offer I see that they are cheaper than paperbacks too. I hear a lot of good feedback with the Kindle but not any bad.... is their any?

[gayet]

I have a Kindle, purchased only for camping expeditions. I love books and have a large collection, but they are bulky and heavy (even pb's) and to carry enough to last a week or more of rain takes quite a bit of space.

Consider looking for books at Project Gutenburg - these are free. Lots of classics and obscure titles, plenty to choose from if your tastes run in that direction. I considered buying 'The Three Musketeers' as a hard cover edition at about $70, but downloaded it fro free from PG. If I enjoy it I may still get the HB.

All good feedback - don't miss the lack of colour for reading but if I start trying to load maps and other none literary items it may become more of an issue. The small page size is a bit of a bother, have to keep thumb on the next page button. And while font size can be altered and page orientation changed to improve holdability, a larger screen and smaller font wouldn't go astray.

[Bushman Ben]

One thing you should be aware of is that some of the new cheaper kindles come with Advertising built in. There is an advertising and non-advertising model, just be aware of that if you have any issues with Advertising coming up on your screen. At the moment it only comes up when you put the kindle to sleep or on standby, but its worth knowing about none the less.

The other big thing to be aware of; is that the Kindle doesn't support ePub, which isn't the biggest deal, but it is technically the standard DRM free format, so some free online book communities use it.

Weighing those things up against the fact that you're basically in the green after your 3rd book, if you're anything like me, I made my money back on my Ebook reader (I chose the Sony) within the first 8 weeks. (4 books!) I recon that the Kindle is pretty amazing at that price.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Just arrived back home with a Kindle 3G, Waited for a few weeks for the local Dick Smith Store to get them in stock.

Can't wait to go hiking so I can read.

[wayno]

and if you get desperate, you can do a bear gryls and short the battery to kindle a fire......

[ULWalkingPhil]

Just be aware, from all reports the new Kindle 4's have 3G turned off for web browsing. You can only access the Amazon Store and possibly Wikipedia with 3G. You are only able to connect to the web for surfing using WiFi.

The current generation Kindle Keyboard 3G/WiFi has free 3G access. For this reason alone I will not purchase a Kindle 4.

In saying this, this could be different for the Australian version of Kindle 4. Only time will tell.

I think the Kindle Keyboard with the built in 3G is much better value, because you get free broadband. I find it very useful to be able to access the net for free, such as checking emails and the weather etc. of course if you own a iPhone, this is probably not of concern to you, but the iphones are way over priced. Looked into a iPhone plan yesterday, decided against it.

[ninjapuppet]

phillip, thats interesting.

Are reviews already out? i thought they wont be released in the US till 21 november?

[ULWalkingPhil]

phillip, thats interesting.

Are reviews already out? i thought they wont be released in the US till 21 november?

I been wary of this for some time. Amazon have confirmed this. Ill see if i can find where i read this, but its also mentioned on the amazon site. In my opinion it's a big deal breaker for me.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Here's a link I think you will find interesting.

http://www.slashgear.com/amazon-cuts-ki ... -03184830/

When you can get free internet access anywhere that 3G is covered with the present generation Kindle Keyboard 3G/ WiFi. To me thats a good deal better than the new Kindles with no free 3G web browsing.

[ninjapuppet]

thanks champ!

i was just about to get rid of my older 3g kindle to upgrade to this one, but without free net access, this new one is a deal breaker for me too.
its just so handy to be able to fly overseas like NZ and check the net for free anywhere theres mobile access on your kindle.
Not such a big issue in australia as mobile phones work australia wide, but try data roaming in nz!.. my last phone bill while surfing the net in nz was horrendous

[Packo]

Thanks mate,

After reading the info on that site I have updated my Amazon wishlist to the older kindle... Now I just have to hope my wish comes true

Thanks for the headsup

[ULWalkingPhil]

Just be wary, that i'm not 100% certain that this will be the case with the australian version of the Kindle 4 Touch 3G, but my guess is it will be. There's so far no word on availability for Australia on the Touch Kindles.

The Kindle Fire should work fine over here, because it does not come with a 3G adaptor built in. The fire can only be used WiFi.

I hope my Kindle Keyboard 3G lasts forever. I like having access to free broadband where ever I go. It is in black and white, but that don't bother me. I've just setup a gmail account on my Kindle.

[cdg]

Do you have to be in mobile range or wifi range to use the kindle ? what if i whip it out in the middle of the dargo high plains ?

[ULWalkingPhil]

Do you have to be in mobile range or wifi range to use the kindle ? what if i whip it out in the middle of the dargo high plains ?

no, not at all. You dont need 3G or WiFi to read books, You can read your books at anytime, books are stored on the kindle.

[Nuts]

A friend has been asking about the new kindle and i'm interested too. I was under the impression that the newer models dropped the web browser. According to the comparison on Amazon they all appear to have it. Anyone have the newer model? Do you have the free i/net access, experimental browser? Is it useable with 3G? ('experimental', perhaps that's a hint that they could drop the service..hmm.. ?)

[John Sheridan]

They don't have GPS and a Compass in the news ones do they ????


That would be handy

Cheers.

[Nuts]

You can load map bits john a bit slower but with a compass you 'should' be able to navigate (even just using map bits).

[ULWalkingPhil]

If you want to gain free Internet use using the 3G service, you'll have to purchase the keyboard version. I believe the web browser on the newer models are there only for purchasing books on amazon. Unless you use WiFi you will not have free Internet. The keyboard version is the one with free 3G broadband, I hope they never remove this feature.