If you are looking for a cheap ebook reader, but one that gives you the best digital reading experience, then the choice is between the Kindle ereaders (Kindle, Kindle Touch, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle DX) and the Nook Touch (Simple Touch reader- STR, with wifi, or wifi and 3G).  Both are great ereaders designed specifically for reading, and have highly favourable reviews from users.

In this Nook Touch review, we examine why the Nook is a popular choice, along with the Kindle.  Additionally, we ask why some user gravitate towards the Nook, while others prefer the Kindle.

Prices:

Nook Touch – from $99 … See latest sale price

Kindle – from $79 … See latest deals

The Good about the Nook

• Epub format

The format that the Nook uses to download and store books (epub format) offers users an open platform for buying and downloading books from many different sources.  In contrast, the Kindle is on a proprietary platform, allowing users only to purchase directly from Amazon.

While those who purchase primarily  from Amazon do not find this an issue, this alone is the number one reason why many who are not regular buyers of Amazon content choose the Nook.

• Memory

The Nook has a 2GB in-built memory, but an expandable memory with an SD card, ranging up to 32GB.

In contrast, the Kindle has a memory range from 2GB to 4GB, with an option of having free cloud storage on the Amazon cloud server up to 5GB, making it a cheaper alternative.  A 5GB memory is fairly decent as it can hold up to 4000 books, one that would fill a personal library over a lifetime.

 For those who prefer to have memory on a portable device (like an SD card), the Nook would be better.  Similarly, those who prefer not to worry about backups liked the Amazon cloud storage that comes with the Kindle.

 The downside about the Nook

• Customer Service – Some users who have had issues with the Nook have found the customer service experience not as pleasant as that in Amazon.  In contrast with Amazon, most users found that when issues arose they were  prompt and responsive.

The customer service then becomes an important factor to keep in mind, in the event that the Nook or Kindle you purchase needs to be replaced for whatever reason.

• Downloading books – Buyers have commented that many have found downloading books a lot faster and easier on Amazon.   This is not to discount the ease of downloading books with the Nook.  However, many felt that the overall experience with Amazon was better.

• Selection of books:  Those who have used the Amazon website find it far better than that on Barnes and Noble.  Additionally, they find a better selection and cheaper books on Amazon too.

• Syncing –  Books purchased from Amazon using the Kindle sync up easily with laptops and PCs.  In contrast, users found issues with the Nook sync feature as they do not always sync up.

• Screen contrast – Lastly, the screen color on the Nook is light grey.  Some users find this screen contrast to quite dim. Others felt that the reading experiemce with the Kindle felt more like they were reading off a real page in a book.

So, which is better – the Kindle Touch or the Nook Touch?

It all comes down to your purchasing needs.

While both the Kindle and Nook are very popular e-readers, the biggest advantage of the Nook over the Kindle is the epub format, offering books to be downloaded from many other sources apart from Amazon.  For those who are used to purchasing books from many sources, this will definitely serve as an advantage.

For those who primarily purchase content from Amazon, they would prefer the Kindle given the wide variety and range of books and other content available on Amazon.  Additionally, many books are available at a discounted price for Kindle users, making it a cheaper alternative in the long run.

Click here for latest Christmas Sale prices

Cheap ebook reader – How to Spend less and get more

cheap ebook reader

People are often amazed when they first hear how much a Kindle is.  Starting at $79 (Kindle 6′ wifi), it is a cheap ebook reader that over-delivers.   There are some cheaper alternatives, but with a Kindle, you are guaranteed the quality that will give the most pleasant reading experience with an e-book reader, and a storage capacity to hold books for a lifetime.

To avail of great deals on Kindle models (eg: Kindle Touch 3G, Touch Keyboard 3G, Kindle Fire):

 Click here for Christmas Sale Prices on a Kindle

 (Some Kindle models that currently on a pre-order list. Click on the above link to secure the model.)

Price Guide

• Kindle-$79,  Kindle Touch -$99,  Kindle Touch 3G -$149
• Kindle Keyboard- $99, Kindle Keyboard 3G -$139
• Kindle Fire-$199

More about the Kindle e-readers

Having always loved the feel of a book in my hands, I surprised myself at how much I have taken to reading books on the Kindle.  For me, its not about having a portable reader that I like the Kindle for – afterall a book in hand is portable too.

Its more about being able to read several things on the go in the size of 1 book, without the hassle of switching material and carrying bulk.  With a half hour to kill, I can read a synopsis of books, browse new books, and occasionally read work-related documents with a few minutes to spare here and there.

Why is the Kindle good-value and a cheaper ereader overall?

Apart from the pleasant experience of reading online without tiring the eyes, and the ease of using the Kindle, what I like about having a Kindle is having access to a world of Amazon material – many for free, with the majority of books for as low a price as $9.99!

With over 1 million books (for Kindle ereaders), and over 17 million songs and 100,000 movies (for use on the Kindle Fire), there’s an unending range of both general and niche material available.  To date, I’ve been able to find any book I’ve wanted.

So which ereader is the best?

The choices boil down to 3 categories:  3G vs Wifi,  Touch vs Keyboard, and lastly E-Ink vs Color.  If are unlikely to be travelling frequently, and if you are in a wifi-enabled location, a model without 3G will be more than adequate.

With 3G (wireless cellular connectivity akin to that on a cellphone), you have the benefit of downloading material anywhere.  The next option of either having a keyboard vs touchpad is simply down to personal preference.

I like the fact that I can carry several books while on holidays and not worry about finishing a book and not have another in store.  So for me, the 3G option is the best. While I love walking into a book shop and browsing their range,  it is a bonus to be able download a book on the fly if there’s only 5-10 minutes to spare and I don’t have time to walk into a store, or a wifi enabled place.  Having said that, more and more places are wifi enabled these days, eg: airports, gyms, etc.

The last choice: color vs e-ink (the black and white readers) is somewhat of a different offering.  The non-color E-ink readers are best for reading.  They carry a technology that removes glare and have less strain on the eyes.  It is made to replicate the experience of reading directly from a book.

The color reader like the Kindle Fire, on the other hand, creates a totally different experience.  It is essentially a tablet.

To read more about a Kindle without the keyboard, see the review on the Kindle touch screen.

Kindle in Color (Kindle Fire)

At only $50 more than the non-color Kindle readers ($199), and at less than half the price of an ipad2, the Kindle Fire, is a steal.  While I would not have considered a tablet a year ago, having read the strong reviews on the Kindle Fire and at a price tag that is unbelievably low compared to its nearest competitor, it is worth a serious consideration.

Besides being an ereader, the 2 other biggest attractions for me in the Kindle Fire are:

i)     the ability to browse magazines in color;

ii)    watch movies while on the go (keep the kids happy on a long journey).

No wonder it carries strong reviews from both technology reviewers and major newspapers.

If you’re looking to buy a cheap ebook reader, but one that will last you the test of time,

Click here for Sale Prices on a Kindle

Many people today are spotted carrying a tablet, like the ipad or Kindle Fire.  Yet I ask:  “How useful is it to have a portable device like the tablet in our world today?  Will tablet uses become as commonplace as a having a personal PC and mobile phone?”

Having used the ipad at work, and acquired the Kindle Fire recently for my personal use, I must confess that while initially I thought it was a “nice-to-have” item, I find myself becoming very dependent on them.  They are just so useful.

While there is no “new” technology in them like the mobile phone had when it was introduced, or other technology that is “big” enough to replace computers or personal computers, I think there 3 things that will make them increasingly popular in our world.

1)      The way they are packaged

They carry all the functions we commonly use in our everyday world like: the web browser, document reader, music and video player, and apps.  Others like the ipad have additional functions like a camera, a GPS and an organiser.  So while technically there is nothing ‘new’ about these functions, having them all housed in one device makes it so handy.

 2)      Its portability – With it light weight and 7’ – 10’ screen size, it can be carried around easily. 

There is a lot to be said about its portability.  As communication becomes faster today, being able to check your mail, or join in on conversations on boards, twitter, facebook and other social network sites while on the go is now commonplace.  Besides a phone, having a device where one can type more easily than on a phone makes it that much easier.

 Talking about portability, it is interesting that while many like the screen size of the 10’ tablets, others find it too big to carry around and prefer the 7’ Kindle Fire instead.  This is the one of the reasons I chose the Kindle Fire over the ipad.  Although the screen size is notably 3’ smaller, it allows me to slip it into my bag like I would carry a book; not to mention that it is $300 cheaper than the ipad.

To find out more, see:  Kindle in Color.

 3)      Apps

Despite the fact that having an apps store is underplayed, I think this is one of the most important features in a tablet.  It allows us to customise the tablet in any way we wish to make it useful for each individual.

For instance, as a parent, getting a “peppa pig” apps was incredibly useful for me to keep my kids entertained.  Others I know have downloaded games, a location identifier, map, compass, RSS subscriptions;  depending their personal interests and needs.

Furthermore, the number of apps that stores can create has the potential to evolve over time.

And this, I believe, is going to be one of the winning formulas of all portable devices both for marketers and users alike.

So back to our question, how useful is it to have a tablet? 

True, I do not think that portable devices will ever replace home pcs and laptops.  But they serve a different purpose.  It is more short-term use, ie: when you have a few minutes here and there and wish to either blog, read email, play a game, read a document or book.

I also do not think it will ever reach that tipping point where everyone will have one, like a mobile phone, but they are making their use felt in our world.  If you liken the number of people whom you see carrying books and magazines while on the go, I believe a similar segment of people will carry a portable device like a tablet.

For now, I can safely say that tablets are here to stay and no doubt they will evolve in the future to what we, as users, want it to become.

Flash is used to create animation, videos and interactivity with moving images on web browsers.  It is commonly used for games, educational software and videos.  However, I only recently came to learn that Flash is not available on i-pads; and that it is on the Kindle Fire tablet.  This came as a surprise.

It is true that some people do not like having Flash on their PCs as they may find the “blinks” irritating on the screen.  Yet, it is hard to imagine why the i-pad does not carry it given that i-pad users show a preference for games.  Afterall, it is generally accepted that Flash is here to stay and used frequently for games.

As I go along using the Kindle Fire, I am finding little things like this that makes the Fire more attractive.  Certainly, the Kindle tablet appears to have an advantage over the ipad on this front as many moving images require Flash.  You probably have experienced this when trying to get a 360 degree pan of a room online.

I recently downloaded an interactive math software program for my 7 year old child onto my PC, and was planning to get a related puzzle game onto my Kindle Fire for use when we are “on-the-go”. I am glad that I will be able download it directly onto my Kindle Fire.

I am sure the i-pad has an alternative as you can watch movies and play games on the ipad too.  But if you are planning to watch or download video clips, games and particularly educational software, and to play them directly on your tablet, this is something to keep in mind.

The “text-to-speech” function is one great feature that is available on all 4^th generation Kindles.  The 4^th generation models include “The Kindle” (at $79), and its successors: the Kindle wifi, keyboard and DX.  It is one of the less used features but a highly considered and useful one to have.

The read-to-me feature allows the Kindle to read aloud to you, so that you can carry on doing your everyday tasks while listening to your books or newspaper completely hands-free.

Liken this to listening to podcasts, except that this time you can choose either a male or female voice.  This is a nice one to have as it allows you to switch between voices depending on the type of passage you are reading.  The page also turns with the reading.

Users have found this feature useful when they are in the middle of an exciting passage but have to go somewhere.  There is now an option to keep reading … or rather to keep listening.

I remember my grandmother falling asleep with a book in her hand after dinner in her favourite chair close to the radio.  The soft soothing sound of the radio voice in the background was one of the little joys she had of ‘winding down’ after a long day.  Now I find myself doing the same after the kids have gone to bed.  Having this feature with chapters being read in the background, it certainly feels like a modern day twist on something that has long been a tradition in many homes.

To find out more about Kindle models and the deals available on Kindles, see: Kindles on Sale.

There are many cheap e-book readers available these days like the Nook, Kindle, Sony, Kobo e-readers.  But the ones that I think provide the best price for performance are the Kindle and Nook. I lean towards the Kindle for the massive online range of books that Amazon carries.

However whichever e-book reader you choose, there are several things to look out for:

• Adjustable font

Most ebooks screen sizes are 6’ – 7’.  While their font sizes are similar to that found in a book, the adjustable formats are particularly useful for those who need larger fonts.  This has helped many people I know, including myself.  I enlarge the font sometimes when reading something important, while when it comes to browsing I often adjust it back to the font’s normal size.

• Easy to read:  e-ink pearl

The Kindle e-book readers were one of the first to introduce this.  The advanced technology used in e-ink removes glare from pages, making long-term reading less strenuous on the eyes.  Increasingly, more e-book readers are starting to use this technology.

• Built-in storage

If you get a good e-book reader, I am sure you would not wish to replace it after a few years purely because of its filled its capacity of books.  So the key question to ask is how many books are you likely to keep in a lifetime?

Typically a 2G e-reader would hold 1400 books, whereas a 4G one would hold 3000 books.  For more information on storage capacity, see: Kindles on Sale (e-readers: Differences at a glance).

• E-reader formats

The open e-pub format is often cited as being better than the MOBI format used on the Kindle.  But this is an over-rated topic that really is a non-issue as the MOBI format can be converted fairly easily into an open format.  See our article on: “Converting e-book reader formats”.

 Conclusion

So at the end of the day, my recommendation would be to go with an e-book reader that fulfils the first 3 features and most importantly, ask yourself this:  Where are you likely to buy most of your online books.  If it is Amazon, clearly a Kindle e-reader, by far one of the leading makes of e-readers would be a natural choice.  If not, choose an e-book reader that best supports the format at the store where you are most likely to buy your e-books from.

When it comes to e-book readers, there are several proprietary formats that companies use.  Essentially, this means that one company may use a format for ebooks that is different to others.

This basically encourages users to buy directly from their own stores.  Many users feel that this limits their choices when it comes to buying.  However, this is not true.  So let’s examine this myth more closely.

It is true that these proprietary formats encourage users to buy directly from their stores.  However, it does not restrict them.  For instance, looking at the 2 more popular e-book readers, the Nook and the Kindles, the e-book formats they use are Epub and MOBI respectively.  However, both formats can be converted to from one format to the other.

For the Kindle, before converting the format, users would first have to remove the DRM (Digital Rights Management) format on the Kindle.

Next, to convert the MOBI format to the epub format, look for Calibre – a free software that is commonly used and available on the net.

It is worth noting that with the range of books that are available on Amazon for prices starting from $0.99, I have hardly found a need to source my books elsewhere.  Yet, it is handy to note that if there is ever a need to find a book elsewhere, one does not have to feel restricted in their choices.

So whether you decide if the Nook or Kindle is right for you, do not let “e-book formats” restrict you.  Let it first be the choice of the ebook reader first, followed by where you typically would be inclined to buy books from.

For related articles, see: Kindles on Sale

Kindles on Sale: Lower Prices, better value on Kindles

Since the first launch of the Kindle in 2007, Amazon has been going from strength to strength in the world of digital e-readers.  To date, there are several models of Kindles on Sale.  Some are new and some are “as-good-as-new”. Most of the models are e-readers, with the latest and most popular being the Kindle Fire tablet, launched recently in November 2011.

While several stores carry Kindle products, the place where you will find the latest deals on new and “as-good-as-new” kindles are at the official store, listed here:

Kindles on Sale

Price Guide – The Kindle family

• The Kindle (The New Kindle 4) – $79 (new)
  
• Kindle Touch wifi – $99 (new), or Kindle Touch (3G & wifi version) – $149 (new) (Limited used models from $59)
  
• Kindle Keyboard (wifi or wifi & 3G) –$139 – $189 (new) (Limited used models from $79 – $139)
  
• Kindle Fire tablet – $199 (The first Kindle in Color; currently not on sale.)      

About Kindles on Sale (30%-40% less than the regular prices)

If you are on a budget, and even if you are not, it is worth giving used Kindles sold by Amazon a serious consideration.  These used models are priced at least 30% off the regular retail price.  I would not consider buying a used model off any buyer.  However, the ones sold by Amazon are given the stamp of quality.

Firstly they are vetted by Amazon to ensure optimal performance. Some models are returned in view customers getting an upgrade, while others are models that have been used for demos. Secondly, all of the used Kindles sold by Amazon are given a year’s warranty.  Although they are highly in demand and in limited quantity, you may be lucky enough to find one.

To see if any of these models are available, click here.

The Kindle ereaders

The 3 Amazon Kindle ereaders are: The Kindle, Kindle Touch and Kindle Keyboard. These readers use the Kindle Format 8, providing rich formatting of text.  If you are looking for an ereader that is purpose-built for uncompromised, enjoyable reading over long periods of time, without eye-strain that is common with electronic devices, the choice really boils down to either the Kindle or Nook.

I prefer the Kindle for a few reasons.

1. Being a frequent buyer of books from Amazon, I have always been able to find the books I want in the store – be it fiction, factual, best sellers, or niche topics.

2.  Furthermore, a Kindle ereader also allows you to get many books for $9.99 or less, like:

The Mill River Recluse for $0.99 and Kingpin for $0.99, and The Help for $9.99.

The sweetener for me is that Amazon also offers special deals on electronic books, many of which cost $0.00 to purchase.

3.  Another reason I prefer the Kindle over the Nook is because of the page color.  The Nook has a grey background, whereas the Kindle has a white background.  It may be a minor point, but for me I found the grey background quite dark.  Perhaps over time, they would give users a choice to change this background color.

Some users may may that the experimental browser used on the Kindle makes it slow.  However, this is purely because many users are not aware of how work it properly.  There is information and tips to make the Kindle the best ereader for you.

Customer Feedback 

I did extensive research on the Kindle before purchasing it.  Boy, am I glad I bought it. It is much better to use in person… If you want the best experience, go with the Kindle. – Mr Goodwrench on Amazon on the Kindle Keyboard wi-fii

So which is better – The Kindle, Kindle Keyboard or the Kindle Touch?

There are common features across the Kindle ereaders, like:

• Free cloud storage
• E-ink technology to remove glare from the page
• Built-in wifi technology
• Adjustable text sizes
• Able to read pdfs and other personal documents
• Whispersync – Bookmarking your last page, so that you can resume from where you left off.

The main differences are in relation to: 1) Memory, 2) Touchscreen/Keypad/Buttons, 3) Battery Life

Kindle e-readers: Differences at a glance

Our observation

The touchscreen and keyboard versions are much easier to use, and faster when typing text.  So for quick typing, we prefer either the Kindle Touch or Kindle Keyboard – depending on your preference for a keyboard or touchscreen.

As to whether there is a need for 3G, it all depends on whether you have access to a high-speed wifi connection.  If you do, then the Kindle Touch at $99 would suffice.  However for $50 more, I would personally go for the 3G there is unlimited data downloads for life – this is a very good deal indeed given the high costs of data downloads.  Besides, I do not have to worry if places are wi-fi enabled, and to plug into a network before downloading.

The Kindle Fire tablet (aka: Kindle in Color – Price: $199)

This is an e-reader/tablet android, and the first tablet to be released by Amazon.  Launched in November 2011, it has been making news and generating a lot of excitement in the world of tablets for its price and the quality of features it delivers at such a low price.

With this Kindle in Color, think of it firstly as an e-reader that is built with a host of other features found in a tablet.  Users who look as an e-reader first, followed by a tablet are extremely happy with what it has to offer.

However, if you are looking for a pure tablet which offers more choices of apps and movie-storage, you may still consider the i-pad to be better.  And that is fine.  It appears that ipad users lean towards using these 2 functions more – games and apps.  On the other hand Kindle tablet buyers use it for reading first, followed by using the other features like apps/games and videos as complimentary functions.

“The Kindle Fire links with Amazon’s impressive collection of digital music, video, magazine, and book services all in one bundle. It also carries apps such as Netflix, Pandora, and Hulu. The Fire … is exceptional for the price.” - CNET

While there are many positive features, many have noted that one of the most main attractive features of this tablet is the entry- price.  True, even if it is priced at $199, it would not be of any use unless it was fit for purpose.  And that’s why the Kindle Fire tablet stands out.  Not only is it believed to be less than the cost to build it, it carries most of the features that an ipad has, except for a lot less.

For those who like buying reading material online, the Kindle Fire now gives them an added option of having an ereader, movie-player, music player, a browser & book reader in color all rolled into one – a luxury for many who would not have considered a tablet otherwise.

For more information from the official store, click here: Kindle Fire tablet

Kindle in Color

Since its launch in mid-November, more than 70% of early users have given the Kindle in Color (aka Kindle Fire) a 4-5 rating (out of 5) – an incredibly positive feedback given that this is Amazon’s first tablet to be launched.

So what are the attractive features of this tablet, and more importantly, have any of the drawbacks been addressed?

To see user comments, see: Kindle in Color

Firstly, let’s start with what users liked from the word go …

• Ease of use of the device.  Users from young to older age groups have found it simple to use.

• Users like the range of colors and the clarity of images on the screen.  Similar to other Kindle readers, there was little or no glare off the screen despite the overlay used on color screens.

• Free cloud storage up to 5GB.  Users do not have to worry about backing up their media for the 1^st 5GB.  This is sufficient to hold a lifetime of books.

• There is a one-month free access to Amazon Prime membership .  Users can have unlimited viewing of movies, and additionally, if they have a Kindle ereader, they can borrow books for free.

• Most users like the portability of this nifty 7’ inch tablet.  They can easily carry it in their hangbags.

However the first group of users experienced some drawbacks, namely:

• The slow touchscreen reaction
• The slow system speed, eg: slower page-turns.
• Apps on the carousel – all apps downloaded being displayed on the homepage.

However, these issues were resolved very quickly with an over-the-air software update in response to the early users’ feedback.  The feedback from users in relation to the first 2 issues are much better now.  As for the apps being displayed on the carousal, users can now hide them so they do not show up on the homepage.

There are however, 2 other hardware related items which are unlikely to go away in the near future.  Perhaps this is where we start making the distinction between users who prefer the Kindle vs the ipad.

•  Screen size for video viewing – For watching movies, some users find the 7’ Kindle screen somewhat small , and prefer larger 10’-sized screens.

In fact, if watching movies on the tablet is an important factor for acquiring a tablet, it may be better to hold off     until a larger screen is available with Amazon, or choose another tablet.

•  No HDMI – Following on the same note, any movies watched on the Kindle in Color cannot be transferred to an ordinary TV, unless there is a TV that has the capability for Amazon Instant Video streaming.  Mind you, there are over 200 models of TVs which carry this capability.

However, it is worth pointing out that the access to movies through Amazon Prime membership allows users to watch movies akin to renting them – except that they are free.  It is not the aim to sell them for building a movie library. However, if this is one of your primary needs, then you can either:

a)      Upgrade to a higher cloud storage service (above the free 5GB)to store your movies, or

b)      Check if your TV allows for Amazon Instant Video streaming to store them offline.

Apart from the hardware issues which Amazon cannot upgrade until possibly a future release,  it is reassuring to note that they have been very responsive to making software enhancements promptly without disrupting user experience.  Being with a customer-focussed company with a strong software team at its disposal is one of the reasons many choose to buy the Kindle in Color from Amazon.

                        To find out more, see:  Kindle in Color

Ebook readers and ebooks are currently the biggest hit. After a slow start about 4 years ago, ereaders and ebooks have crossed the tipping point to become one of the most well received and best-selling products of all time. Last Christmas, they were among the most gifted and most wished for item on the Christmas gift list. If you are reading this on ebook reader, then join in the widely expanding group of ebook readers!

The Stats
Amazon’s Kindle products sold more than 4 million in December 2011 alone, making it one of the fast-selling electronic devices to date. Other ereaders like the Nook displayed an increase in sales too.

How did they get so popular?
The interest in ebooks and ebook readers has been climbing steadily over the last few years. There is a lot to be said for it. Many users say that being able to hold several books in one portable device is one of the reasons they chose to have an ereader.

I first got an ebook reader when I was away for a 3 week work trip. As I did not wish to carry bulk – the ebook seemed like a good enough solution. Initially, I missed the feel of a soft-back book, but I surprised myself at how little I missed it after a few chapters.

Also, the fact that it slipped into any small bag easily made was great. I could read a pdf document at work and them very quickly switch back to my novel.

2011 was year that really saw the sales of ebooks and ebook readers take off on a flight. With the development of clever, android type ereaders like the Kindle in Color and the Nook in Color, carrying all the features of a regular ipad, except with a much lower price tag, it gives readers many sought after functions like the music and video players, besides the use of an ebook.

In fact, the low prices of the Kindle in Color (the Kindle Tablet) is believed to be priced below its manufacturing cost for a reason. Amazon knows that once a person acquires a Kindle ereader or Kindle Fire, it will lead to further sales on their ebooks and their growing video library.

Analysts believe that the trend towards ebooks and e-book readers will continue to grow. While it is true that physical, published books will continue to have their place in our world, the world of cheaper wireless ebooks is fast beginning to be bookmarked in our reading world.

To find out more about Kindle ebook readers, see: Kindle Touchscreen

To find out more about the Kindle Fire tablet, see: Kindle in Color

Stieg Larrson’s captivating series: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy” is now out on the Kindle edition.   If you are planning on taking a holiday at this time of the year and wish to read this enthralling crime series, you will be pleased to know that this is one of the books on the Kindle Best Sellers list.

If like many you were enthralled after the first 6 chapters of the book, this page turner will keep you glued to your seat until you get to the end of each book, and keep you yearning for the next book.

Read the first 5 chapters of the book for free, to find out if it is for you.

Priced at $29.99 for the bundle of 3 e-books , or between $8.99-$9.99 for each e-book old separately (the Kindle edition), the trilogy bundle comprises of:

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
• The Girl who played with Fire
• The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

Each book is a complete novel in itself, but there is common thread throughout the 3 books with the protagonists, Lisbeth Salander and the detective, reaching its final closure in the last book.  These books can be read either on a black and white Kindle ebook reader, or a Kindle in Color (Kindle Fire).

Other Kindle Best Sellers

1.        The Help  (by Kathryn Stockett) – $9.99

2.       Steve Jobs -  (by Walter Isaacson) – $14.99

3.       The Life and Death of Steve Jobs (Michael Essany)  – Free for Prime members, $2.99 to buy

4.       The Awakened (by Jason Tesar) – Free: Prime Members and $0.00 to buy

5.       The Detachment (by Barry Eisler) – Free for Prime members, $5.99 to buy

6.       Catching Fire (by Suzanne Collins) – Free for Prime members, $7.70 to buy

7.       Water for Elephants (by Sara Gruen) – Free for Prime members, $5.90 to buy

8.        Chasing China (by Kay Bratt) – Free for Prime members,$2.99 to buy

To find out more, see: Best Sellers Kindle

Many users of the Kindle, and others who like streaming videos are talking about the value of having an Amazon Prime membership.  So how useful is it, and how does it work? In this post, I’ll provide an overview of what is included in the membership and then share with you why it works well for me and my family.

Price Comparison

• Amazon prime – $79/yr ($6.58/mth) – Access to: Movies, free shipping, ebooks
• Netfix (streaming) – $96/yr ($7.99/mth) – Access to Movies

Amazon Prime Membership:  What does it give me?

The membership suits those who shop regularly at Amazon either for products/books  or ebooks, and increasingly, for those who watch/stream videos. There is 1-month free trial membership for users to see how well it can suit them, thereafter, and the annual membership is $79.  This includes:

• Products – Free 2-day shipping for products; and upgrades to 1-day shipping for $3.99;
• Videos - Unlimited instant videos;
• Videos – Instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows through Amazon Instant Video (at no additional cost) – more details about this to follow below.
• Ebooks/Magazines/Other publications – Kindle users also can avail of the lending library with a chance to borrow 1 book a month, including more than 100 current and former New York Times Bestsellers others at a very low cost (eg: “The Help” – at $1.99).

 Why the Prime membership is useful for me?

As I shop regularly for products (including small price-tag items for my kids), I like the idea of having free shipping included in the membership.  Increasingly though, I am enjoying others features that until recently, I did not explore:

• Instant Video Streaming capability;
•  Accessing ebooks (I am expected to get a Kindle ereader soon.)

Movies – Being a working parent and having little toddlers, I am completely happy with the instant video capability as I can choose any movie I want at a whim for the kids, without going to a rental store.  Besides, I do not have to watch the entire movie in one go.  There’s been times when I’ve tuned in the next day and the movie has picked up from where its left off.  A little benefit over doing a fast-forward, but a delight!

It also gives me and my husband the chance to watch any movie at a whim, or watch it in parts when we have some time, and not worry about returning movies, or daily rental charges if we do not get to watch an entire movie in one evening.  For this alone, I find this  brilliant!

It is worth pointing out that while Amazon has over 10,000 movies and TV shows on their streaming list, they are not as extensive as Netfix yet.  However, experts have been known to comment that they expect Amazon’s title list to grown extensively in the near future. For instance, Amazon has already signed to have Grey’s Anatomy (Season 7) and Lost on their list.

Books/ebooks – This is another thing I am excited about.  I am expecting to get a Kindle ereader soon as a present.  With the wide selection of physical books available to purchase at a discount, and the free ebooks available to borrow with the Kindle, it would make having the membership the icing on the cake.

How can I watch movies streamed from Amazon Prime?

Amazon says that Prime instant videos can be watched instantly on a Kindle Fire, Mac, PC and nearly 200 models of Internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray players.  In addition, there are set-top-boxes that are compatible with Amazon Instant Video.

For a list of suitable devices, see: http://www.amazon.com/gp/video/ontv/devices  

Customer reviews from BogleHeads Forum  “… i’ll just mention what Clark Howard said on his radio show last week.  Amazon prime just signed an agreement so that the number of titles they offer will greatly increase and will soon be roughly equal to what netflix offers…”  “I’ve been an Amazon Prime customer for a few years just for the shipping … Customer service at Amazon is the best; they’ve never given me any flak about returns (granted, I don’t return many things, but still).”

Conclusion

If streaming is one of your primary needs and you are already with a company like Netflix, then stay with them. However if you like the idea of enjoying a plethora of things, including watching movies instantly, reading, having ebooks available to rent, then the Prime Membership at &79/year or $6.58/mth is a no-brainer.

To find out more, click this link.

Amazon Cloud Storage – What is it useful for?

Amazon Cloud Storage is extra storage space that is provided for free up to 5GB to all users of the Kindle family – ie: Kindle, Kindle Touch, 3G, Keyboard, DX and Fire.  It essentially is extra external storage space held on an Amazon server that is provided to all users of Kindle products for all of their Amazon content.

What this means is that you have the option of either storing any Amazon media (movies, books, magazines) either locally on your Kindle, or on Amazon’s massive server network, which will release internal storage space on your ereader or tablet.  If you require more cloud storage beyond 5GB, there are incremental storage space that can be purchased up to 1TB, based on an payment annual plan.

At this point, it is worth distinguishing between the Kindle ereaders and the Kindle tablet (the Fire).  With the ereaders, storage space is not likely to be an issue as the number of books you can store ranges from 1000 books (for the 2GB ereader) to 4000 books (for the 4GB reader).  With an ereader, the main advantage of storing on the cloud server is in the event the ereader is damaged, your content will not be lost.  (A user once said they accidentally put it in the wash, after it was left in the back pocket.)  In that case, having your favourite books on a server can save you a lot of pain!

However if you are using the Kindle Fire (8GB) and plan to use it to hold movies, you will only be able to hold up to 10 movies.  And that’s where the cost of storage will be something to consider.

If your plan is to keep many movies on your tablets (either locally or on the cloud server), then you are likely to go beyong the 5GB space allocation.  In which case, it is worth considering the annual payment plan to see if this is an expense you plan to cater for in the long run.

Since the release of the Kindle Touch screen, there has been many questions and discussions comparing the Kindle Touch and the ipad.  To that end, I created this post so that readers can ask if they are making the right comparisons.

Kindle Touchscreen & ipad: Different makes for different purposes

The Kindle Touch screen is essentially an e-book reader.  It is purpose-built for reading.  The ipad, in comparison, is built for a multiple of pc-related functions.  Essentially it captures some reading functions, but it is mainly a scaled-down version of a MAC with iphone type functions.

To make any reasonable comparison, compare the ipad and Kindle Fire – as they are both tablets.

To read more about the ipad vs the Kindle Fire, read the Kindle vs ipad review here…

To read more about the Kindle tablet, see:  Kindle Fire

Back to the Kindle Touchscreen – As far as ereaders go, it is hard to compare any other ereader that stands up to the touch screen.  There are many little details that have been considered in building it that is far ahead of its competitors – the scalable font size; eink technology used to display the characters on screen, screen designed without an overlay used to in other color screens to deliberately remove glare; sharing functions from friends and the Amazon library, or simply the number of free books, or low-cost of books … Its made to create the simple pleasure of reading straight out of a book.

                                 To see a Kindle in action, see this video on the Kindle Touch…

If you are unsure of the two, walk into a store to compare the 2.  Perhaps the one thing that may come into mind this what one user said about reading from an ebook reader:

“Read from a Kindle first, then  from the ipad … By the end of the first chapter, you’d be dying for the Kindle…”

While there’s a lot that has been said to describe how good the Kindle Touch screen is, eg: lack of glare, made to look like reading a book, built with functions to share books, passages, etc, as always, a picture tells a thousand words.

Attached here is a video showing the Kindle Touch screen in the hands of a user.  This is not a jazzed up advertisement, but a plain, no-nonsence, amateur- made video.  It gives an unbiased account of the Kindle from a user’s perspective.

What you would notice first of all is that the Touchscreen ebook reader is in black and white.  It lacks the vibrant colors that seen in the ipad, or even the latest Kindle Fire release.  This is done deliberately.

Why so?  Full colored screens, like the Kindle Fire carries an overlay over the screen, which gives off some glare when reading.  While this is not a problem when reading for short periods of time, it can be tiring for the eyes if reading novels, or reading any material for long periods of time.

The Kindle Touch screen however is built to be an ereader.  The black and white screens with the advanced e-ink technology that the characters carry are made to remove glare from the screen.  This will make reading for long periods less strenuous for the eyes, and thus a more enjoyable experience.

Between the 2, the Kindle Touch screen is better for reading, whereas the Fire is better for browsing, reading magazines and reading for shorter periods of time.

Kindle vs Nook vs ipad

Why the huge price difference?  What’s the catch?

Amazon’s kindle Fire (Kindle in color) has finally been launced at $199.  This may seems very low a price to pay for a tablet. So the natural question is: Why it  is priced so much below the ipad and Nook? Are the makers delierately doing this with the aim of placing a Kindle-in-color in every home, or are the specs up to scratch?

Functions
The Kindle Fire/Kindle in color features an ebook-reader, movie player and music player, email, streaming for music and movies. The  ipad has got an advantage in this particular area because it also has photo stream as well as a calendar.
When you first look at the touch screen tablet, it jumps out as a well-designed, sleek product with crisp-sharp, and radiant colors on its screen; making  reading magazines, your child’s books, and surfing very enjoyable.

Differences between the Kindle vs Nook vs ipad

In relation to the specifications, you will find 3 most important differences between your ipad, Nook and Fire.

Essentially, the 3 differences are as  follows:
1.    Memory: Firstly, the Kindle Fire has 8G and 512MB RAM, whereas the Nook has 6G and 1G RAM.
The ipad carries several models from 8G onwards.

2.    Connection: The Fire and Nook currently only have got wifi at the moment, however the ipad has options with wifi (only) and/or wifi&3G.

3.    Battery: The Fire is anticipated to have 8-hours’ battery ife, whereas the Nook & ipad are expected to have 10 hours of use time.

Considering the variety of functions, buyers rightly question the memory and processing speed as they have a direct impact on the performance of the tablet.  So let’s explore this first.

Memory & Processing SpeedSpeed

At first, the Nook may seem to score on memory with 1G RAM. However with memory, there are many things that can potentially affect  processing speed.  What we think is that even with 512MB of RAM, the Kindle Fire posseses an advantage.

The Kindle Fire connects directly to Amazon’s web-services cloud utilizing the massive Amazon web server. Essentially, this makes it possible for users of  the Kindle in Color tablet to access to the huge network of Amazon’s cloud server.

When watching a exhibition of the Kindle Fire, it was amazing to see how the screens changed at such a fast speed.

If you are familiar with android phonesphones, you may have noticed ow long it takes sometimes for a page to load, or to move from  one screen to another. With the Fire, the screens change unblievably fast! (BTW, the ipad has a similar cloud feature too have performs virtually the same speed.)

Connectivity

Presently, both the Nook and Fire are wifi enabled, whereas the ipad has models that carry 3G; hence the difference in the cost.

While Amazon’s Kindle tablet works efficiently in places that can access high-speed wifi connection, without access to wifi places, it would be best to  either consider the ipad 3G, or wait for a future model of a Kindle tablet with 3G access.

Battery Life

And lastly, the battery life. At 8 hours, the Fire has less battery than the Nook and ipad. Is this a big difference? We all love more battery  life, but working with a PC than has 6 hours of battery life on the specifications, but with only about an hour in real world, it is one of those things that  we can’t fully judge by looking at the specs.

Overall, a year ago, the only real offering in the market was the ipadipad.  But now with the new Kindle Fire,we are given a real choice for our money.  Mind you, for some, the lack of the 3G model may be a  drawback.

But overall, having seen the demo of the Kindle Fire, it  seems clear that people can now have a tablet for much less than other makes in the market. So unless 3G access is necessary, it is definately voted as an  excellent buy at $199.

Click here for the official Kindle Fire store

Kindle in Color – An outstanding tablet at a low price

As a user of the Kindle in Color (Kindle Fire), I am giving it a thumbs-up.   At $199, and less than ½ the price  of the ipad2, and $50 less than the Nook, this 7’ full color Amazon Kindle tablet comes at a refreshingly low price tag for the outstanding features it carries.  Although this first Kindle color release comes with wifi only (no 3G), it has received raving comments from early reviewers like: Gizmodo, The Chicago Sun Times, New York Times, Technology Review.

See latest news/price at the official store…

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What’s unique about the Kindle in Color

People always compare the Kindle Fire to the ipad.  It is not as flashy nor does it carry a camera, GPS, or organiser like the ipad.  But it is $300 less, or carries more than its worth at the price tag.

The Fire is a touchscreen, multi-colored Amazon Kindle android.  The other previous kindles were primarily ebook readers, albeit with sharing/browsing features.  This tablet carries an ereader, movie and music player, email, streaming functions for music and movies, and a huge apps store.  For me, these serve the key functions in a tablet for my needs.

With so many functions, it is natural that the processing speed is a key consideration for many a buyer.  This is where the Kindle Fire has excelled itself.

Faster processing speed with Amazon Silk

Amazon Silk is a cloud service that connects the tablet directly to directly to Amazon’s web-services cloud (AWS).  Initially, there were issues with processing speed.  But a few weeks into its launch, Amazon rectified this.

So although the Fire only carries an 8G storage, and 512M of RAM, most of the processing within your device is shifted to the huge network of the powerful AWS server, making it work at an amazinglyly fast speed.  I find the processing speed to be very fast when I am in a place with high speed wifi connection.

Additionally, with Amazon cloud storage, I have free use of their cloud server.  If I choose to increase the storage space on their server (to store movies, etc), I can choose to increase in incremental amounts for a fee, if I wish.  However, I do not expect I will need this. Instead, I will transfer whatever I need onto a portable storage device like a USB.

The 2 biggest winners for me as a user

Like any other tablet, there are many features that are taken for granted in a portable device these days, eg:  email, browsing the net, music.  But for me, these would not sway me over to purchase one, as they are also available on an android phone.

The 2 biggest winners for me as a user are:

1)  the ability to view magazines in color; and

2)  being able to play movies for the kids while we are in transit.  Watching movies while on a short break, or browsing through a magazine while waiting in queues – are for me are 2 strong additions to current day portable devices.

Key Features compared to other tablets

Kindle - Read in Color

Full Color

While the Kindle ereaders are made specifically for reading books (eg: the Kindle Touch screen), anyone who likes browsing through magazines would know that without the color feature, a magazine would just not read the same way.  The same goes with children’s books.

This is where the full vibrant color range of the Amazon Kindle color stands out.

Movies and Screen Size

Another feature I like is the ability to stream and watch movies on it.

Many movie watchers feel that the 7′ screen is somewhat limiting when it comes to watching movies.  There is a point in this.

But I feel that the 7′ screen size it one of the winners for me.

At 7′, this makes it highly portable.  If it were any larger, I would not be able to carry it as easily.  True, if watching movies is the main reasons, you would be better off waiting shopping for a 10′ screen.  However if like me you expect to carry it around more often to do a mulitple of other tasks, like browsing, emailing, reading, blogging, surfing, etc; then it is worth asking if you will find a 10′ screen as handy to carry around.

Possible Drawbacks

Wifi-enabled, but without 3G

No 3G – There are many things in the Kindle that technology reviews have given their thumbs up to – the full range of color, fast browsing speed, touch screen, easy of use, free cloud storage for amazon content, etc.

But one thing worth noting is that the Kindle in color is currently only wi-fi enabled, and not 3G.

For those who have access to wifi, and with the growing number of wifi hotspots, this may not be an issue for many.  However if you cannot access wifi hotspots easily, it may be best to wait for a future release.

Screen Size: 7’ – Admitedly, while a 10′ screen size could be better, the question I ask always ask is:  If it were bigger, would it be as convenient to carry it around?

For me however, the smaller screen size is another of its selling points (besides the price).  I like the fact that I can slip the tablet into my bag easily.  It is like putting a novel in your bag.  Any bigger and I would not carry it around.  Hence, I cannot envision myself having a 10′ tablet.

Additionally, I prefer the 7′ screen size to a 10′ tablet as it is easier to have some level of “privacy” while reading.  With a 10′ tablet, it is easy to look over someone’s shoulders and see what others are reading.

What reviewers had to say

“Consumers will see the iPad and Kindle Fire … and ask ‘why does
the iPad cost $300 more?’ They will look at the features -… the Kindle’s million e-books, streaming TV shows – and pick the Fire.” - Extreme Tech

Summary of Features:

• Vibrant Color Touchscreen, no keyboard
• 7’ tablet
• 8 hours battery life
• 8G memory: 10 movies, 800 songs, 6000 books
• Wifi enabled only
• Free cloud storage
• Dual-core processor – fast performance
• Built-in Amazon based apps
• Download apps and games
• Fast web-browsing with Amazon Silk
• Read best sellers, watch movies, hold music library, read docs, use email
• Access to Lending Library with prime membership:  See over 10,000 movies, 5000 books to borrow from the library, share movies and books with other owners (author-rights apply).
• Access to over 100K movies and TV shows, 1 million books and 17 million songs, including new releases

 Summary: Kindle in Color

If the primary aim is to read for a long period of time, the Kindle ereader is still the best for reading (See: Kindle Touch screen).  It is purpose-built to remove glare and make the reading experience a comfortable one for your eyes.

If however the aim is to have a tablet with amazingly outstanding features, that is well-designed and sleek, the Kindle Fire is a fantastic choice, and currently comes at a refreshing low price tag of $199.

 To buy a Kindle in Color, click here.

Kindle Touch screen:  Check out before prices rise

Kindle Touch screen

The Kindle Touch ($99) and Kindle Touch 3G ($149) are the 2 most wished for ereaders.   The Kindle Touch screen (with wifi/without 3G) is a choice buy if you have access to a high-speed wifi connection.  The Kindle Touch 3G is the best option if you cannot access wifi hotspots easily, either at home or elsewhere.  Although $50 more, this ereader is a very good deal as it gives users free 3G access for life!

  Click here to reserve at this price…

(Currently on a pre-order list)

ps- The prices are $40 higher if you opt not to have any ad display when you are not reading.  Most users opt for the lower price and find the ads helpful as it alerts them to discounts and deals.

How different is the Kindle Touch screenfrom its predecessor

Capacity – Apart from the obvious (ie: touch screen Kindle vs a 5-way control on the earlier model), the Kindle Touch screen holds twice as many books (3000 books) and has twice the battery life (2months) as the Kindle.

This is reassuring as one can hold a library of books that lasts a lifetime and not have to upgrade the book reader from time to time, unlike a PC.  Also, while we all would like solar-powered devices and not worry about charging them, as such a device is yet not available with ereaders, one cannot complain about having to charge the ebook only once in 2 months.

Speed – The download speeds is reportedly much faster with the touchscreens.  On trials, it is reported that a book can be downloaded in 60s.   If you have a slow PC, you will appreciate how a 60-second download time seems like a dream!

Other Features reviewers like:

Sharing Feature – Borrow from Public Library/Share books/Share passages on Twitter & Facebook  The sharing features that were available in the earlier digital book readers is carried over here.  So customers can borrow from the Amazon public library, or review a book before buying; share passages on twitter and facebook with friends and family; share books with others (author restrictions apply on certain books), take notes, etc.

E-ink technology – The pearl e-ink technology makes reading seem like reading straight out of a physical book, is once again available here.  Users like the fact that this Kindle screen has no glare and no reflection.  While I have to print off documents off a PC for reading, I am still surprised how with the e-ink technology, my eyes do not tire even when reading directly from a Kindle for a long time.

Free Cloud Storage – And unlike computers where we worry about backup and storage to prevent losing any data, with the Kindle, there is a free archive cloud storage for all amazon content.  So there is peace of mind in knowing that even if you accidently damage your Kindle, your treasured books will be kept intact.

Possible drawbacks

Special Offers – The lower price tag for the Kindle comes with an advertising banner.  Some find the advertising banner somewhat distracting when its on the home page. (The advertising banner takes 2 lines off the bottom of the homepage).  However, others find it a non-issue, and like the fact that they have the option to view great deals instead, eg: $1 books from favourite authors, $5 off a $10 purchase, etc.

Black screen flash

In earlier models, users had found the screen to go black briefly after a few page turns.  While this is not ideal, there is a firmware update to ‘refresh’ the screen to address this issue.

Additionally, if users are not happy with the results, it is reassuring to know that with a large, reputable company like Amazon, they offer a free replacement.  Some users who have asked for replacements have found the black screen issue to occur still, but less frequently, or more like a ‘shadow’ than a black screen.  Regardless, the best way forward appears to be to refresh the screen.

While we await a future version that completely eliminates this issue completely, it does not take away any of the pleasures of reading from an ereader.  z

 What reviewers say about the Kindle Touch

“To get a device with touch navigation and lifetime 3G and
two month’s battery life for $149 is a staggering proposition.” OnlyGizmos.com

Other Features:

• Adjustable Text Sizes, Fonts
• Carry pdf and word documents
• Free Amazon Games
• Access to Newspapers & Magazines, Blogs,
• Text to Speech: Great for audio books

To reserve/buy a Kindle Touch screen, click here…