Which Kindle should you buy? September 2012
On September 6, 2012, Amazon announced a new line up of hardware (both RSKs…Reflective Screen Kindles, and the Kindle Fire tablet line).
While we will know more after the user’s guides are released and after the devices get into customers’ hands, I can give you a pretty good idea of how you can you decide between the models.
I’m going to list them in order of price, lowest to highest. That in itself may be a surprise…you can get a Kindle Fire for less than some of the RSKs.
Definitions
RSK (Reflective Screen Kindle): an EBR (E-Book Reader) which does not have lighting behind the image. RSKs are particularly good for long form reading, have a long battery life compared to a backlit device. They can be read easily in bright light, because you read them by light reflecting off of them (the same way you read a paperbook). The technology does not “refresh the screen” quickly enough to handle video. While they can play some games, their primary function is reading. The screens on the earlier models used a brand name technology called E Ink. RSKs currently do not do color images.
Tablet: a backlit device, similar in that way to a laptop, desktop, or SmartPhone. You read what is on the screen by a light coming from behind it. In bright light, they can be hard to read, because the light coming from behind the screen is competing with the light hitting the screen from the front (the sun, for example). Tablets can do full animation (meaning you can watch movies and TV shows, and play games that require animation). They can show many colors. They are good for visiting websites. The software is flexible, and you can install many types of “apps” on them. The battery charge life is much shorter than on an RSK: a day of full use will require a recharge.
Wi-fi: a short-range wireless broadcast of the internet, typically the size of one building or so. Customers will usually use wi-fi they are broadcasting themselves in their own homes, or at a public wi-fi spot (many restaurants provide it)
3G: a method of connecting to the internet similar to a cell phone.
4G: another method of connecting to the internet, but faster than 3G
Special Offers: devices with “Special Offers” have their initial price reduced because they are supported by advertisers. You see advertising on the device when it is “sleeping”, and a small ad at the bottom of the screen where you select the book you want to read. The advertising does not appear in the books themselves.
Note: Amazon now allows customers to opt out of advertising which lowers the cost of the Kindle Fire tablet line for $15. You do not purchase a separate version, but presumably purchase the turn off after receiving the device. For that reason, a “non ad-supported” version of the Kindle Fires below is not listed as a separate device or a separate price point. If you would rather not have advertising, take into account the additional $15 on the Kindle Fire models listed below.
===
Priced at $69
Kindle (“Mindle”) with Special Offers
Available: now
Type: RSK
The Mindle (my name for it: it’s also called the “Baby Kindle” and the “Starter Kindle” and the “Kindle 4”) is the lightest Kindle, and the least expensive. It’s an excellent starter model, and can be good for children. If you just want something on which to sight-read books, it’s a good choice. It does not have speakers, so audiobooks are out, and there is no text-to-speech.
—
Priced at $89
Kindle (“Mindle”) without Special Offers
—
Priced at $119
Kindle Paperwhite wi-fi only with Special Offers
Available: pre-order now, released on October 1, 2012
Type: RSK
Like the Mindle, this is designed primarily for sight-reading: no audio. However, one of the key differences is a new patented light system. The light is still directed at what you are reading, and not your eyes. You can adjust the light for all conditions: bright light outside and in a darkened room. Even with the light being used, the battery life is twice that of the Mindle…reading half an hour a day with wireless off, the Paperwhite will last about eight weeks versus the Mindle’s four weeks. The Paperwhite has a touch screen, compared to the Mindle’s “five-way controller”. The touch screen has also been improved over there Kindle Touch, which it is effectively replacing. The Paperwhite also has these features which are not on the Mindle:
- X-Ray (background information about characters and things in a book with no wireless connection necessary to use it…a good study aid)
- Time to Read (estimates how long it will take you, based on your personal reading speed, to finish a chapter or a book)
- Instant translations
- Available cover (presumably costs extra) will automatically wake and sleep your Kindle
For someone who wants a Kindle for reading, but wants more…a high school versus a elementary school student, a serious reader who wants to read anywhere, any time, the Paperwhite is going to be the best choice.
—
Priced at $139
Kindle Paperwhite wi-fi only without Special Offers
Available: pre-order now, released on October 1, 2012
Type: RSK
Kindle Keyboard 3G
Available: now
Type: RSK
This one does not have several of the features listed above the Paperwhite: it’s effectively last year’s software. It does, though, have a physical keyboard, which some people prefer. It has twice as much onboard memory than the Paperwhite. This one has 3G: you’ll likely be able to connect at the beach and in the park. It does not have a built-in light. It does have audio, including text-to-speech (TTS), which reads the books out loud to you. It can play MP3s (albeit with limited control over them). The selling points really are the keyboard, the audio, and the 3G. The 3G and the keyboard arguably make it friendlier for those who are less comfortable with technology (the 3G requires no set up). It does not appear to be available without special offers, so I don’t know if you can “buy your way out of them”.
—
Priced at $159
Kindle Fire 7″ SD
Available: September 14
Type: tablet
Video, apps, web-surfing…and the it’s 40% faster while the price has been dropped to $159 ($40 less than when it sold out). It’s not as sophisticated as the other more expensive Kindle tablets: the screen isn’t as good, and it has a “two-point multitouch screen” rather than a ten point. It does not have the Bluetooth or the HDMI output of the other ones. Still, this is a really bargain price for a very serviceable tablet. I’ve been happy with the one that I had that is now sold out…and this one is better for less.
—
Priced at $179
Kindle Paperwhite 3G with Special Offers
Available: pre-order now, release on October 1st, 2012
Type: RSK
—
Priced at $199
Kindle Paperwhite 3G without Special Offers
Available: pre-order now, release on October 1st, 2012
Type: RSK
Kindle Fire HD 7″ 16GB
Available: pre-order now, released on September 14, 2012
Type: tablet
This is the next gen tablet. The screen is better than the SD. It has an HDMI output, so you can plug it into a TV to play your video. If you combine that with Prime, you might be able to cut back on your cable bill. It’s new wi-fi system makes it 40% faster than the iPad 3. A front-facing camera will enable integrated Skype. It has Dolby sound. It’s introducing some interesting new features:
- Immersion reading lets you listen to an audiobook and see the text on the screen
- You can also sync an Audible audiobook with what you are sight-reading…sight-read, and then pick up in the car with the audiobook recording where you left off
- X-Ray for books comes to a tablet for the first time
- X-Ray for movies: pause a movie, and get IMDb fueled information about the actors in that scene
- Whispersync for games…if you’ve unlocked levels on one device, you can continue from that point on another device
- Kindle FreeTime brings robust parental controls: you can choose which books and other content each child can access…not just “all books yes or no”. You can choose how much time a child can have each day for different types of content
Nicely capable tablet 7″ tablet.
—
Priced at $249
Kindle Fire HD 7″ 32GB
Available: pre-order now, released on October 25, 2012
Type: tablet
—
Priced at $299
Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 16GB
Available: pre-order now, released November 20, 2012
Type: tablet
Not only is it somewhat bigger than the 7″, it has a couple of special features for students. There is X-Ray for textbooks, which will also pull in relevant content from YouTube and Wikipedia.
—
Priced at $369
Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 32GB
Available: pre-order now, released November 20, 2012
Type: tablet
—
Priced at $379
Kindle DX, Free 3G, 9.7″
Available: now
Type: RSK
The software is now back a couple of generations, and the screen isn’t as good as current models. It is the largest screen Kindle, and is the large screen RSK. It has a physical keyboard, which some people prefer. Some people will be surprised to see this on the list, but it is still available new from Amazon. With the free 3G, it’s easy to use for a non-techie. For someone who isn’t comfortable with gadgets and doesn’t need a tablet…and wants a larger screen, this might work quite well.
—
Priced at $499
Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G LTE 32GB
Available: pre-order now, released on November 20
Type: tablet
This has twice the memory of the 8.7″, but that’s not all…it has 4G. That means you’ll be able to connect many more places. It also means you need a data plan for when you use that 4G…but they’ve got an incredible deal with AT&T, where it is $49.99 for 12 months for 250MB per month. They’ll have plans with additional data for more. You’ll also get 20GB of Cloud storage, and a $10 credit at the Amazon Appstore. 4G will be easier than just wi-fi, but it is going to cost more money.
—
Priced at $599
Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G LTE 64 GB
Available: pre-order now, released on November 20
Type: tablet
===
That should help. 🙂 If you have specific questions, feel free to comment on this post to ask them.
Update: thanks to reader Helen Burns for suggesting more clarity in the formatting of which prices go with which models.
Update: thanks to reader Jeanne for correcting the release date on the 32GB Kindle Fire HD 7″.
This post by Bufo Calvin originally appeared in the I Love My Kindle blog.
I Love My Kindle 
September 7, 2012 at 10:28 am |
Great summary but which price goes with which product is confusing. Might want to edit punctuation!
September 7, 2012 at 11:45 am |
Thanks for writing, Helen!
Thanks! It was quite a bit of work, and eye-opening for me. I even changed my order…I canceled the 8.9″ Fire and switched to the 7″ Fire HD. Why? I want to get the new software to try out in weeks, not months.
I’ll change the way the post looks to make it clearer…thanks for the suggestion.
September 7, 2012 at 10:43 am |
The only new feature I was hoping for was TTS. After going through 4 kindle keyboards, I gave up on that model and went to the basic (the Touch wasn’t out when I ordered the basic) and the fire. None of the new features are enough to make me upgrade. I was ready to purchase any new model that had TTS. The new features are interesting but not any that were enough to make me hit the Buy Button. I had hoarded gift cards and was ready to order anything that had the TTS, so I guess I’m able to empty my wish list now for books. Hopefully someone will develop an app or Amazon will put it in the next hardware development. For now the basic kindle and the Fire cover enough of my needs. Can I be selfish and be sad? I used TTS daily on the K2, and the KK. I miss it terribly. At home I could do chores listening to the book I had been sightreading, listen to driving to and from work, listen to at work while stuffing mailings, or doing other busy hand work, and keep sight reading in between and never loose my place. I even enjoyed the computer voice and chuckled over the mis-read words. I have audible books, but without being able to pick up sight reading when I quit listening, it makes it less desirable option. I’m an oddity, I guess. I don’t need parental controls, I’m happy without HD and dolby. I like the paperwhite, but without TTS it isn’t worth upgrading to since I have a lighted cover for the basic. They have options on paperwhite which is great, why not one more option with speakers for TTS/Audiobooks? I’d pay the extra for the speakers option.
Poor Amazon – trying to keep all us customers happy! I don’t envy them.
Thanks so much for putting everything together into one easily-understood comparison. When the news broke you’re the first place I went to for a true, easy to understand, complete listing. You did not fail to provide all that. My subscription is worth it every single month! You really are my “go-to” for all things Kindle!
September 7, 2012 at 12:16 pm |
Thank for writing, Sheryl!
I’m with you! I would think another tier of RSK with audio would make sense. For you and me and some others (especially those with print disabilities), it would be text-to-speech. However, I would think music and audiobooks are also pretty big draws, and people would pay $20 more for it. Of course, it would require some real redesign to get speakers into something that doesn’t have them…I wonder if the multiple levels of screen for the integrated lighting created a significant barrier, maybe in terms of depth or weight.
September 7, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Moreover, they apparently have not enabled TTS for the Fire HD reading app. Since K2 TTS has always differentiated Amazon’s offerings from the competition. It is disappointing to see this feature go by the wayside. The audiobook sync feature seems great but is not a substitute and will only ever cover a relatively small fraction of published content.
Note that along with audio being gone, 2GB storage disappeared as well (leaving 2/3 of what KT/KK have). This will be disappointing to folks who like to keep 3000 books on their Kindle (I cannot imagine WHY they want to do this, but it’s still true). There is the personal document cloud storage, but it still doesn’t support KF8.
The Audible implementation on K3/KT is seriously flawed, perhaps Amazon mis-read lack of usage to mean it wasn’t worth improving or maintaining First of all the only option for wireless download is to download the highest quality audio format. That meant download times at least twice as long and twice as much storage required. Second audiobooks should play in the background so if you also have the text you can follow along there (as you can with MP3 audiobooks). Finally you should be able to cancel audiobook download without restarting the Kindle. An errant tap on the Archives listing can easily initiate a download that takes an hour or two to complete (with no confirmation).
But I still pre-ordered KPW+3G… Fire HD’s look great but I already have tablets that meet my requirements. If Amazon improves the Fire reading app as well (XRay, Translate, navigational TOC, TTS) that might make it easier to justify buying one.
September 7, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Thanks for writing, Tom!
I’ve been told specifically that the Kindle Fire HD will have text-to-speech (TTS). I’ve asked for a clarification to see what software is being used (Vocalizer from Nuance, for example, versus Pico which we have on the now sold-out Kindle Fire).
As far as the memory, for other people reading this, you are comparing the Paperwhite to the Kindle Touch and Kindle Keyboard, to be clear. I do think people who think of their Kindles as storage devices (and I haven’t been one of those since the Kindle 1), could find a reduction in content space disappointing, as you say. Memory is expensive (in computers…forgetting something is expensive in real life). 😉 I think downward price pressure for less memory, as well as increasingly intricate operating systems taking up more memory, will eventually train more people to use the Cloud.
The
has X-Ray for books (and movies), and reportedly, has TTS. I use ATOCs (Active Tables of Contents) on my Fire now, and I don’t think that will go away. I think that just leave translation on your list… 🙂
September 7, 2012 at 8:25 pm
(Replying to your reply below since I can’t do so directly:) My wife has commandeered our Fire for some months now so I’ve never seen ATOCs on it. If they’ve added TTS to Fire HD reading app (especially if voices can be customized), that’s great. Missed the XRay mention (though it was just a video thing). Thanks for the clarifications! Might get one eventually but not right away.
Wonder if Fire 1.0 will get an update.
September 7, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Thanks for writing, Tom!
The Fire 1.0 is being reborn as the
Kindle Fire 7″ (I think the slang with be the “Kindle Fire SD”)
Yes, it’s being updated:
40% Faster
Twice the Memory
Longer Battery Life
It includes Kindle FreeTime and X-Ray (both for books and movies)…and it’s only $159!
As for the existing F1s…hard to say. With half the memory and complaints already about the lack of personal space, it might be hard to update the features much.
September 7, 2012 at 11:32 am |
I will not buy the Paperwhite, which is what I want, until I know you can read it in sunlight.
September 7, 2012 at 12:18 pm |
Thanks for writing, Cecilia!
It should be fine: it’s a reflective screen device like the original Kindle…it just has a built-in light layer. The light can be turned off, and the light comes from in front of the image, not behind it. It’s possible that the additional layers may add glare (although I doubt it), but it won’t have the same issue as a backlit tablet.
You can wait for feedback from actual users…it won’t be long.
September 7, 2012 at 11:40 am |
[…] of e-books « Amazon to start collecting sales tax in California on September 15 Which Kindle should you buy? September 2012 […]
September 7, 2012 at 1:25 pm |
Hi Bufo -Nice summary!
Just to note, though, the Kindle Fire HD 32 GB for $249 is to be released October 25. The September 14th release date is for the 16 MB version. I’m not sure why they’re staggered like that, perhaps to make the first flush of sales run smoother *shrug*.
Again, nicely done -Thank you for taking the time. : )
September 7, 2012 at 1:48 pm |
Thanks for writing, Jeanne!
Whoops, missed that! I’ll update the article…thanks!
September 7, 2012 at 5:12 pm |
I have a kindle fire and live in Canada half the year.(I am registered as living in US and US cc.) Will this be a problem with the 4G fire? Presently I cannot download videos in Canada, but can when I am in the US. What about buying new app’s. Can it only be done in the US? Are there any plans to have the fire available for purchase in Canada? Is the $50./yr data plan included in the price for the 4G? I ordered one and didn’t see an option to buy it. Will there be some kind of warning when you approach the 250 MB monthly allotment? I am assuming that this model (like the kindle 3 3G) will try Wi-fi first and then go to 4G, is this correct?
Thanks for your help
September 7, 2012 at 5:39 pm |
Thanks for writing, Kathy!
Until recently, apps could only be purchased in the USA, but Amazon did recently open a European (but not, I think, Canadian) Amazon appstore.
My guess is that the 4G connection wouldn’t work in Canada, but I think it would depend on the data plan, which we haven’t seen yet.
The data plan will be in addition to the purchase price, and will be able to be purchased from the device (as would larger data plans than the 250MB a month).
Amazon has not mentioned any future plans for Canada of which I am aware. Two of the new Kindle Fires can be pre-ordered for Europe, but not the 4G one.
I don’t know that there would be a warning when you are approaching the plan limit…again, we haven’t seen that yet.
You may want to check with Kindle Support on these questions:
http://www.amazon.com/kindlesupport
You will see a
Contact Us
button.
If they do give you definitive answers, I’d love to hear about them! 🙂
September 7, 2012 at 9:42 pm |
I think Whispersync for Audio is brilliant. I can use the Audible app on my Android phone for listening on the go, then sync to that place using my very old RSK (1st AT&T 3G Kindle with keyboard). Perfect! I check The Help which I had bought in ebook form last year. There was a little window on the product page that said I could Whispersync since I already owned the Audible version as well. I didn’t have to do anything to link the two.
September 8, 2012 at 3:00 am |
Thanks for writing, Jamie!
Wow! That’s a great field report…I really appreciate that. 🙂
September 7, 2012 at 9:51 pm |
I’ve been waiting for a 4G version, but I’m confused about the offer of a year of 4G for a set price. Is that included in the price of the Kindle Fire 4G, or is it a separte purchase? If it’s a separate purchase, I couldn’t find a way to add it to the cart.
September 8, 2012 at 2:27 am |
Thanks for writing, Lady!
It’s a separate purchase, but I believe you don’t do it until you have the Fire 4G in your hands. You’ll then be offered a choice of plans right there on the device, including that 250MB one for $49.99 for 12 months…and two larger ones.
September 9, 2012 at 3:22 am |
The folks at Amazon might want to rethink the logic of that. I want the 4G because I don’t have access to wi-fi, so if it didn’t come with 4G already enabled, I’d have to go in search of a public wi-fi spot in order to get to the 4G.
September 9, 2012 at 12:50 pm
@Lady Galaxy, I have a new ipad 4g ( which I’ll probably sell if the Fire HD lives up to expectations) and it doesn’t come preactivated either. With the ipad you have to go into settings and enter in your info and your choice of service as well as your payment method. I am guessing the method will be the same for the Fire.
September 9, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Thanks for writing, Lady!
I’ve thought about it, and my guess is that the way it will work is that you’ll be given the option to select your data plan while you are offline, and then based on that decision, you’ll connect through 4G. We’ll see soon, though. 🙂
September 9, 2012 at 11:30 pm |
I’ve thought about getting an iPad. All my computers have been Mac’s, but the iPad doesn’t appeal to me. I test drove one at an Apple store and it just felt bulky and uncomfortable. The Kindle has always felt “just right.” I recently bought a MacBook Pro, so I’ll probably make the leap to wi-fi before the new Fire’s are released. Even then, I think I’d still want the 4G version so that I could have a way to connect when the power goes out.
September 10, 2012 at 4:12 am
Thanks for writing, Lady!
If the power went out, you might be able to tether your Fire to your SmartPhone (assuming you have one). I have not been getting 3G models, trusting that wi-fi will generally be available…or that I’ll be able to last long enough with what I have downloaded. Having a SmartPhone makes that an easier choice…yes, I have the Kindle app on it. 🙂
September 8, 2012 at 3:06 am |
I pre-ordered the 8.9″ HD 32GB. I rarely use my current devices where I don’t have access to WiFi and have no trouble downloading content when I do.
I really just wanted more space since Amazon doesn’t store magazine issues in your account forever and they do take up space.
I was going to get the Kindle Fire 2, but then thought that the larger screen would be nice for magazines which is what I use my Kindle Fire for the most.
Mine will be the experiment. Most of the family is just fine with their current Kindles and Kindle Fires.
I’m not replacing my Kindle Keyboard. I don’t like the touch devices, I’d much rather press a button to turn pages. It’s bad enough to have fingerprints all over my phone. The built-in light in my case works just fine and I don’t use it much anyway.
September 8, 2012 at 4:08 am |
[…] Which Kindle should you buy? September 2012 […]
September 8, 2012 at 3:05 pm |
When I first saw the specs for the new Fire 7″, I thought “perfect just what I need for work (not to work to use on my lunch while at work–Iwanted bluetooth for an external keyboard). And started planning on how to save up for one. But then I noticed that all the new Fire versions have ads with no way to turn them off. Do you have any insight on if there will be ad free options in the future. A lot of people say, “if you don’t like it don’t buy it” but like me, you have been with the Amazon ecosystem since the K1, so you what an investment in drm’d digital products mean to a consumer. As long as my K3 continues to work, I’ll be OK. But what about the future? Am Imgoing to be locked out of all future Amazon products if I refused to buy ad supported devices?
Amazon seems to respond to you quickly, have you any news or insight on the ad supported model Amazon seems to be embracing?
September 8, 2012 at 4:10 pm |
Thanks for writing, Paula!
What I’m hearing from Amazon is that the Special Offers/ads can be opted out on the Paperwhite (paying the difference in initial purchase price, I assume)), similar to the other RSKs (Reflective Screen Kindles), but not on the Fire tablets.
September 8, 2012 at 4:15 pm |
Just a couple of quick updates on the original repriced ($159) KF: the internal RAM was doubled — not the onboard media storage (listed as 8GB on the Amazon web site — same as original KF); they also said the processor on the $159 KF was 40% faster than on the original KF.
Personally, I thought they would be more aggressive on pricing. OTOH there is this WSJ headline:
“WSJ UPDATE: Amazon Kindles Price War in Tablet-Computer Market”
(google above to bypass WSJ paywall).
Of the devices announced, the KFHD was the most interesting to me (I will order a WiFi 32GB one).
Many will find the “Paperwhite” nice (some columnist wag says the name is suspiciously close to “paperweight”) — I’ll stick with my KT.
The “time out” features for children on your Amazon account was interesting — as was the $50/year data plan. The latter which goes along with the 4G/LTE versions of the KFHD gives you 250mb/month of download which on a 4G link isn’t much — to me the plan is more like a “teaser” data lock-in. I wonder what happens if you go over the limit, or if you can buy more. The additional cloud drive storage is nice, but I think if that’s all you need, it will be cheaper to buy it separately.
Many (most?) locations in the US don’t have access to 4G/LTE yet, and the rollouts are proceeding slowly — spectrum is an issue.
Amazon seems to be deciding on a terminology of “Fire” for the tablet devices, and “Book Reader” for the e-ink devices (based on their new product web pages) — all under the “Kindle” rubric — so now we have KFs and KBRs.
Amazon has done a really nice job (IMO) in laying out their product pages for the new devices with a really useful comparison matrix of detailed features across all kindle models (both KF’s and KBR’s).
The KDX is still in the mix — I’m perplexed as to why — for what you get it’s wildly overpriced. Can they actually be selling any of these? Is it a placeholder for something else? For $369 I can get an 8.9″ KFHD with 32GB — why would I want a KDX at $379?
I found Bezos’ comments that kindles are services not devices; and we want to make money when customers use our devices — not when they buy them to be both pithy and apt.
September 9, 2012 at 11:35 am |
[…] https://ilmk.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/which-kindle-should-you-buy-september-2012/ […]
September 9, 2012 at 1:32 pm |
What about file format? If I convert a Word Document to a Mobi format file, will the file work in all versions of the Kindle? Duh!
September 9, 2012 at 1:45 pm |
Thanks for writing, Alan!
I’m not quite sure if you are asking a question? Documents converted through Amazon’s personal document service would be available to all of the Kindles I’ve listed in the post, so it wouldn’t be a determinative factor as to purchasing one over another.
September 9, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Dear Bufo Calvin- I’m speaking from the point of view of someone who self publishes books and sells them as downloads on Amazon. Will all versions of the Kindle be equally happy with a Mobi format file?
September 10, 2012 at 3:46 am
Thanks for writing, Alan!
What happens is that you send a file to Amazon, and they convert it to a Kindle format…that’s based on Mobi, but it’s been made into a proprietary format.
The only issue would be if you had a complex file with interactive elements and went with KF8 (Kindle Format 8).
For a bit more information on that, you can see this Amazon help page:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_200934760_tables?nodeId=200934760#tables
September 10, 2012 at 11:24 am
Thank you Mister Calvin, my question is answered. Have A Nice Day!
September 15, 2012 at 11:48 pm |
Wow. So confused on page turns. The mindle has page turning buttons right? It doesn’t look to me like the paperwhite does. How do you change pages with the paperwhite? Is it as easy as the Kindle Keyboard (what I have now).
September 16, 2012 at 2:41 am |
Thanks for writing, Matt!
Yes, the Mindle has page turn buttons. The Paperwhite is like the Kindle Touch…it is a touchscreen device. It looks like it will work the same way as the Touch: you tap the screen to “change the page”, or you can swipe (by rubbing your finger across it). I do find the buttons a bit easier, but using the touchscreen is not difficult.
September 18, 2012 at 5:24 am |
I think pushing a button is more satisfying. I like the feedback a button gives but I know I can get used to a touch screen. Thanks for the info! Ill probably keep my Kindle Keyboard. Like you, I really appreciate the speakers.
September 18, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Thanks for writing, Matt
I think the actual mechanics of using the physical button are much easier. When I’m holding a Kindle with physical buttons, I can just flex my thumb to turn the page. With a touchscreen you have to (ooh, shudder) actually move your finger or thumb. 😉 I feel like George Jetson complaining about that. 🙂
September 26, 2012 at 4:08 pm |
[…] this head to head. I’m going to talk about both reflective screen devices and the tablets. I compared the Kindles in an earlier post and if you are already settled that you want an Amazon device, that one will […]
October 19, 2012 at 12:42 pm |
Interesting comparison! As far as I know, you don’t get ‘special offer’ versions in the UK. I have the Kindle Keyboard 3G, which is good for me as my primary uses for it included beta-reading my own work (the keyboard is handy to make quick notes of things to change) or reading obscure mythology books for research (again, making notes is easier with a keyboard). 🙂
October 19, 2012 at 1:12 pm |
Thanks for writing, Miriam!
I don’t tend to make actual notes on my reflective screen Kindles much. What I do is highlight something I want to address, and maybe add a word or two to remind me.
This is still something that I’d like to see improved for me on the Kindle Fire HD. I have a Bluetooth keyboard for it (I type pretty well on a full-size physical keyboard), but there is this issue with repeating letters. I’m hoping that gets resolved with the updated coming before the end of the month.
It’s interesting that advertising is still as local as it is, if people are shopping online. Movie release dates aren’t simultaneous, and certainly, we see ads (or adverts, if you prefer) 🙂 for movies.
I wonder how different the markets are for people who would shop through a Kindle Fire in the USA or in the UK, for example?
October 19, 2012 at 3:02 pm
I doubt there’s much data, given that we only just got the Kindle Fire in the last month or something! Ehehe 😀
Generally there seems to be less in the way of advertising on UK products. I’m not sure what it is but maybe people hate them more, because we’re less used to them (after all, we have the glorious of the BBC). Or maybe I am just misinformed.