Amazon Kindle 2 Features - Part 3

Here's the last set of my review of the Amazon Kindle 2 Features.

Experimental Features

The experimental category represents features we are still working on to enhance the Kindle experience even further. Try them out and let us know what you think.

Read-to-Me

With the Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read English newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you, unless the book's rights holder made the feature unavailable. You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can choose from both male and female voices which can be sped up or slowed down to suit your preference. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.

Unfortunately, not all books in the Kindle 2 support the Text-to-Speech function.  However, I find the function a lot better that old text-to-speech software used.  The speech is a lot more fluid like someone is really reading to you.  It's not perfect but it has gone a long way from robotic speech.

Basic Web Browser

Kindle's basic Web browser works well to read simple, text-centric Web sites such as Google and Wikipedia. Need to find a movie listing or look up a sports score? Now it's easier than ever to find the information you're looking for right from your Kindle. The experimental Web browser is not currently available for some customers outside of the U.S. Check your country

Included in the Box

Kindle electronic reader, U.S. power adapter (supports 100V-240V), and USB 2.0 cable (for connection to the Kindle power adapter or to connect to a computer).

 The only thing that I don't like about the Kindle 2 is the proprietary power adapter.  It is a USB 2.0 cable the the other end that connects to the Kindle 2 is proprietary.  This means that you'd have to lug around another item in your ever growing bag of power chargers.


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The latest book releases such as The Lost Symbol are now in the Kindle Store.  You won't miss out on the latest books with your Kindle 2.  Head on to Amazon now to get your Kindle 2.

Amazon Kindle 2 Features - Part 2

Here's part 2 of my Amazon Kindle 2 Features review. Part 1 is found here.

Carry Your Library in 10.2 Ounces

Image from Amazon.com

Holds Over 1,500 Books

The ultimate travel companion, Kindle weighs 10.2 ounces and holds up to 1,500 books. No longer pick and choose which books fit in your carry-on. You can always have your entire Kindle library with you.

Automatic Library Backup: Re-Download Your Books Wirelessly

Books you purchase from the Kindle Store are backed up online in your Kindle book library at Amazon.com. You can wirelessly re-download books available in your library. This allows you to make room for new titles on your Kindle. We even back up your last page read and annotations. Please see more information about your library content.

Can you imagine carrying 1,500 books in your pocket or in your bag?  Having your whole library with you when you travel is such a convenience!  You'll never have extra baggage to carry when going out on travels.

Can you also imagine having 1,500 books in your room?  I'm sure that would be a great thing to see, but housing that much would be difficult.

Enhanced Reading

Lose Yourself in Your Reading

The most elegant feature of a physical book is that it disappears while you're reading. Immersed in the author's world and ideas, you don't notice a book's glue, the stitching, or ink. Our top design objective was to make Kindle disappear—just like a physical book—so you can get lost in your reading, not the technology.

Paper-Like Screen

Utilizing the latest in electronic-ink display technology, Kindle provides a crisp black-and-white 6" screen with the same appearance and readability of printed paper. Sharp and natural with no glare or backlight, reading on Kindle is nothing like reading from a computer screen. Those who see it for the first time always do a double-take. The screen works using ink, just like books and newspapers, but displays the ink particles electronically. And unlike a laptop or smart phone, Kindle never gets warm so you can comfortably read as long as you like.

Read what some of our customers have to say about Kindle's screen:

"My first impression of Kindle's screen was: 'That's a screen?! It doesn't look like a screen.' When I got my own, I had the same impression again. It looks like a book page, only perfect. No grain or pulp." —Jeremy

"I love how the screen really looks like a page, because I do work at a computer all day, and the last thing I want to look at is another screen."
—Amy P.

"I found the contrast to be soothing and I was able to read in direct sunlight with no glare." —M. H.

"I use my Kindle for reading in bed and sitting at my desk. I also did a test read while sitting in full sun and the screen is even more readable."
—Dallas M.

"Everyone who has seen my Kindle is amazed at the clarity of the screen, ease of use, and plethora of features."—R.L.S.

Read in Sunlight with No Glare

Image from Amazon.com

Kindle's screen reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, eliminating the glare associated with other electronic displays. As a result, Kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.

Sharp Display of Images and Photos

Kindle's high-resolution screen boasts 16 shades of gray, so images and photos are sharp and clear.

Image from Amazon.com

Adjustable Text Size

Because one size doesn't fit all, you can increase the text size of your favorite book or periodical with the push of a button. If your eyes tire, simply increase the font size and continue reading comfortably. Kindle has six adjustable font sizes to suit your reading preference. Now every book in your library can be large print.

Manual Screen Rotation

Manually rotate the display from portrait to landscape to view maps, graphs, tables and Web pages.

The Kindle 2's screen is not like your PDA or cellphone screen.  It's not an LCD screen that uses light to show the text or image.

It's like a blank page with erasable ink.  The Kindle 2 only uses electricity when the screen changes that's why the Kindle 2's battery can last long.

 

Built-In PDF Reader

Unload the loose documents from your briefcase or backpack, and put them all on Kindle. From neighborhood newsletters to financial statements to case studies and product manuals--you can take them all with you on Kindle. Native PDF support allows you to carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go. With Amazon's Whispernet service, you can send your documents directly to your Kindle and read them anytime, anywhere. Some features such as annotations and read-to-me are not currently supported for PDF. You can magnify PDFs by viewing them in landscape mode. You also have the option to have your PDF document converted to the Kindle format so that it reflows.

The PDF reader lets you read other ebooks that you have that were not purchased from the Kindle store.  This means you won't need to buy a separate ebook reader for your other ebooks.

Read-To-Me Feature

With the experimental Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read English newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you, unless the book's rights holder made the feature unavailable. You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can choose from both male and female voices which can be sped up or slowed down to suit your preference. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.

Newspaper Reading

Using Kindle's 5-way controller, you can quickly flip between articles, making it faster and easier to browse and read the morning paper. Want to remember the newspaper or magazine article you just read? Clip and save entire articles for later reading with a single click. Newspapers are auto-delivered wirelessly to Kindle before they hit news stands.

Bookmarks and Annotations

Image from Amazon.com

By using the QWERTY keyboard, you can add annotations to text, just like you might write in the margins of a book. And because it is digital, you can edit, delete, and export your notes. You can highlight and clip key passages and bookmark pages for future use. You'll never need to bookmark your last place in the book, because Kindle remembers for you and always opens to the last page you read.

Full Image Zoom

Images and photos display crisply on Kindle and can be zoomed to the full size of the screen.

Personal Document Service Via Whispernet

Image from Amazon.com

Kindle makes it easy to take your personal documents with you, eliminating the need to print. Each Kindle has a unique and customizable e-mail address. You can set your unique email address on your Manage Your Kindle page. This allows you and your approved contacts to send Word, PDF documents, and pictures to your Kindle via Whispernet for a small fee—see details. Kindle supports wireless delivery of unprotected Microsoft Word (DOC, DOCX), PDF, HTML, TXT, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PRC and MOBI files. Some complex PDF and DOCX files might not format correctly on your Kindle.

You can transfer personal documents to your Kindle via USB for free at any time. Learn more

Built-In Dictionary with Instant Lookup

Image from Amazon.com

Never get caught without a dictionary. Kindle includes The New Oxford American Dictionary with over 250,000 entries and definitions, so you can seamlessly look up the definitions of English words without interrupting your reading. Come across a word you don't know? Simply move the cursor to it and the definition will automatically display at the bottom of the screen. Never fear a sesquipedalian word again–simply look it up and keep reading.

Wireless Access to Wikipedia

Kindle also includes free built-in access to the world's most exhaustive and up-to-date encyclopedia, Wikipedia.org. With Kindle in hand, looking up people, places, events, and more has never been easier. It gives whole new meaning to the phrase walking encyclopedia.

Search

Kindle's keyboard makes it easy to search within a book, across your library, in the Kindle Store, or even the Web. To use the Search feature, simply type in a word or phrase you're looking for, and Kindle finds every instance in your book or across your Kindle library. Looking for the first reference of a character in your book? Simply type in the name and search. You can extend your search to the Kindle Store to find related titles you may be interested in. Explore even further by searching Wikipedia and the Web. Web access is not currently available for some customers outside the U.S. Check your country

Audiobooks

With Kindle, you are able to download and enjoy more than 50,000 audio titles from Audible.com, including bestselling audio books, radio programs, audio newspapers, and magazines. Due to their file size, audiobooks are downloaded to your PC over your existing Internet connection and then transferred to Kindle using the included USB 2.0 cable. Listen via Kindle's speakers or plug in your headphones for private listening.

Read Kindle Books on your iPhone or PC

With our free Kindle for PC and Kindle for iPhone apps, you can read Kindle books even if you don't have your Kindle with you. Our Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes your reading location across your Kindle(s), iPhone and PC. Read a few pages on your iPhone or PC and pick up right where you left off when you return to your Kindle.

Among the other functions, the dictionary function of the Kindle 2 is one of the most useful.  If you encounter words in the book that you don't understand, you don't need to run and look for a dictionary.  Simply point the cursor to that word and the dictionary immediately shows the meaning.


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The Kindle 2 is loaded with features which are very useful for people who love to read.  Head on to Amazon now to get your Kindle 2.

Amazon Kindle 2 Features - Advanced Design - Part 1

In this post, I'll be commenting on the different features presented in the Amazon Kindle 2 site

Here's the excerpt from Amazon:

Image from Amazon.com

Advanced Design

Sleek & Light

At 10.2 ounces, Kindle is lighter than a typical paperback and as thin as most magazines. Barely a third of an inch in profile, you'll find Kindle fits perfectly in your hands.

Simple to Use, No Computer Required

Unlike most electronic devices, we wanted to keep Kindle simple. Kindle is wireless and ready to use right out of the box–no setup, no cables, no software to install, no computer required.

Ergonomic Design

Kindle is easy to hold and read. We designed it with long-form reading in mind. When reading for long periods of time, people naturally shift positions and often like to read with one hand. Kindle's page-turning buttons are located on both sides, allowing you to read and turn pages comfortably with one hand from any position.

Precise 5-Way Controller

Kindle has an easy-to-use 5-way controller, enabling precise on-screen navigation for selecting text to highlight or looking up words.

The Kindle 2 is really very sleek.  See my comparison of the Kindle 2 with the Ipod Classic and Ipod Nano here.

I think it's wireless capability has made it very useful.  Since books you bought from the Kindle Store are sent directly to your Kindle 2, this lets you use it independently from a computer.  This means you can continue reading your favorite books without needing to carry your laptop all the time.

The 5 way joystick is quite useful too.  Others are saying that a trackball type controller like those found in the Blackberry would be more useful.  I would disagree.  Navigating the menus is simply up, down, left or right.  You're not surfing the web here so the 5-way joystick is enough.

Long Battery Life

Long Battery Life—Read for Days Without Recharging

With Kindle's long battery life, you can read on a single charge for up to 1 week with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low-coverage areas or in EDGE/GPRS-only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.

Charge Via USB

Kindle ships with a U.S. power adapter and a micro-USB cable for charging your Kindle from a computer USB port. The U.S. power adapter supports voltages 100V-240V.

At first, we were worried that we got a broken Kindle 2 because the battery runs out after just 3 hours from a full charge.  Later on, we learned that you need to turn of the Wireless Access OFF when not in use.  When turned off, the Kindle 2 runs for about a week from a full charge.

Wireless Access With Whispernet


Get Books in as Little as 60 Seconds

Whispernet utilizes Amazon's optimized technology plus a high-speed data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, and download content on the go. Your books and periodicals are delivered via Whispernet in less than 60 seconds. And unlike Wi-Fi, you never have to hunt for a hotspot. Wireless download times can vary based on 3G or EDGE/GPRS coverage, signal strength, and file size. See wireless coverage map for availability.

No Monthly Wireless Bills

No monthly wireless bills or commitments. Amazon pays for Kindle's wireless connectivity so you won't see a monthly wireless bill. There is no wireless setup–you are ready to shop, purchase, and read right out of the box. See Wireless Terms and Conditions.

Global Coverage

Uses GSM technology—the most popular mobile wireless standard—with wireless coverage in over 100 countries. See wireless coverage map for availability.

Travel the Globe with Kindle

Travel the globe and still get books in under 60 seconds. Download books wirelessly in over 100 countries around the world, such as Australia, Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, Norway, Spain, South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK), and many others. Stay in touch with news from home by having your newspaper and magazine subscriptions delivered wirelessly while you travel. See wireless coverage map for availability.

For U.S. customers traveling abroad, a $1.99 fee currently applies when downloading books or single issues of periodicals wirelessly from your Archived Items or the Kindle store while traveling internationally. For details on periodicals and personal documents, click here. To avoid any fees, you can always download books, periodicals, and personal documents via your computer and transfer to your Kindle using USB.

I believe this is what's going the Kindle 2 unique from all other electronic book readers.  It's like having the Amazon bookstore always with you.  So as soon as you finish a book, just log on to the Kindle Store to buy a new book!  For other ebook readers, you'd have to download a pdf copy and sync it with your ebook reader.

Unfortunately, not all countries still have the global service.  For such cases, you'll have to download the book via your computer and sync with your Kindle 2.  To check if your country has the Whispernet service, visit the Kindle 2 main site.


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The Kindle 2 is going to give you your money's worth.  This is a must-have devices for bookworms!  Head on to Amazon now to get your Kindle 2

Why get the Kindle 2 (Amazon Kindle Wireless Reading Device)

We were contemplating why we should get the Kindle 2 when we can buy books from our local bookstore.  Add the fact that the Kindle 2 is worth $259 for the international version.

After having the Kindle 2 for just a few days, we felt that it was worth it.

If you love to read, here are the reasons why you should get a Kindle Wireless Reading Device:

1.  It's easier to carry when traveling - Imagine how much space 2-3 books will take in your hand-carry/check-in bags?  With the Kindle 2, it's just like you're carrying a thin book, BUT you can bring all the books that you want in it!

2.  Save the trees! - when purchasing electronic books, we save on paper.  That means we get to save more trees.  Remember what we learned in school, that trees help clean the air and prevent floods and soil erosion.

3.  Save on book purchases - Since we're not cutting up more trees so we can have more paper for our books, Amazon is selling electronic versions of your favorite books at discounted prices!  Imagine that, not only do we save trees, we save on money too!

For my wife, reason #1 alone is enough to make the Kindle 2 worth it.  She can consume a thick book in 2 days so going on long business trips meant 2-3 books are in her bag.  If she finishes them all, she goes to the bookstore and buys a few more books.  Just imagine carrying 3-4 books and the space they take in your bag!?

If you have other reasons why you got your Kindle 2, hit the comments.  Thanks!

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Can't wait to get your hands on a Kindle 2, head on to Amazon now by clicking on the image link on the left.

Unboxing the Amazon Kindle 2 (Kindle Wirelss Reading Device)

Look what arrived at our doorstep!?

It's the new Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)!!!

Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

Well, it wasn't really delivered to our doorstep. Since we reside in the Philippines, we had one of our friends buy it in the US and bring the Kindle 2 when she came home.  We saved a lot on shipping and taxes this way.

The Kindle 2 comes with an instruction booklet and a USB charger that has a wall plug adapter.

from L-R: instruction booklet, Kindle 2, USB/wall charger

First look, we were all surprised how sleek the Kindle 2 is. Here's a comparison with the Ipod Classic 80Gb and an Ipod Nano 4G

from L-R: Kindle 2, Ipod Classic 80Gb and Ipod Nano 4G

Of course, the Kindle 2 is a lot bigger so that you can easily read the text, but it's really quite thin as you can see from the side shot below.

 

from Top-Bottom: Ipod Nano 4G, Ipod Classic 80Gb and Kindle 2

I'll be writing a more detailed hands-on "Amazon Kindle 2 Review" in a while so stay tuned!

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The Kindle Wireless Reading Device is a really neat device for you, book readers.

Head on to Amazon now and get yourself one!