Kindle reviews 2011 – Part 1

Just in time for the 2011 Holiday Shopping Season, Amazon has rolled out FOUR new Kindle eBook Readers, with varied technology and price points.

Entry level Kindle - picture: Amazon.com

The newest Kindle with the lowest price comes at the appealing price tag of $79 and offers a surprising array for features for such a modest investment.

With the introduction of these four new models, there have been necessary adjustments in how each Kindle Versions is now named. This is the simple model now available and is referred to just as “Kindle”.

It actually comes in two versions – one version with advertising — called Special Offers, is priced at $79. The version without Special Offers sells for $109.

Unlike other model variations, in this case the ONLY difference is the Special Offers option. Everything else is exactly the same. 

If you like what you’ve read so far, then keep reading!

• Kindle now comes with a new user Interface

Differing from all of the other current models, the “Kindle” is the only one with a simple and easy to use 5 way controller as its reader interface.

This new interface allow for exact on screen navigation whether you are looking up words or highlighting text, and, because you fingers are not touching the screen, you won’t leave smudges!

With dimension of 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches by about .34 inches thick and weighing only 6 ounces, this model Kindle is lighter and smaller than a paperback book. it is the perfect pocket size to grab as you run out the door.

It has been designed for reading over long periods of time and features page turning buttons on each side. This means that you can shift your grip and still easily turn the pages or even read with one hand.

And, if you one who has noticed how hot your laptop can get over a long session, you will be pleased to note that Kindle technology stays cool!

• Wi-Fi Access

 This model Kindle comes equipped with built-in Wi-Fi. It will automatically detect any wireless network nearby. If you are in a hotel and need to use a password to access the Wi-Fi system, you will only need to enter the password once. The Kindle’s system will store it for future use and will automatically connect the next time you are in the vicinity of that hotspot.

Kindle is also set up to utilize free Wi-Fi through the AT&T network, free of charge. You don’t need to register or sign in or use a password to access the AT&T system. How simple is that?

• Easy Reading

In spite of its compact size, reading is easy thanks to two features, the latest generation of E Ink technology — e Ink Pearl and the new page turning technology.

E Ink Pearl offers crisp, print like text as a result of the actual ink particles used in the display system. The proprietary fonts — alphabets — used come in 6 different sizes and have been carefully designed to display as clearly as possible.

The Page Turning technology now provides faster page turns.

To add to the viewing experience, images and photos are displayed crisply. In addition, you have the option to zoom in to full screen mode as well as to rotate between landscape and portrait orientations.

Another convenient development is the ability to reference page numbers accurately corresponding to actual print versions of a book. This is available for tens of thousands of kindle books, including the top 100 Kindle books that also have matching print versions. In this model, page numbers appear when you press the menu button.

• Storage Capacity

 With just 2GB of storage, this is about half the storage capacity of the other models. Amazon says that this model will hold about 1,400 books. Do remember that you will have additional Cloud storage, so if you do want to keep more than 1,400 books, you can easily move them back and forth between the device and your online storage.

Get more details and reviews on the Kindle here

• Special Offers and Screen Savers

 On the Kindle Special Offer model, the screen saver displays ads and ads also appear on the Home page, covering about 1 inch of the bottom of the screen. Because of their placement, they do not affect the reading experience in the least. In addition, you have the ability to set personal Kindle Screen saver Preferences. This lets you tell Amazon what you would like to see in the way of sponsored screen savers.

• Kindle Customization Options

 Kindle comes in several default languages: American English or UK English, French, Spanish, Italian, German or Brazilian Portuguese.

Utilizing a Category system, your book collections can be organized the way you want it. The ability to add one book into multiple categories adds to the Kindle’s organizational flexibility.

In addition, you are able to lock your Kindle using the built in password protection function.

• Sharing Your Reading

Kindle now has a variety of options allowing you to do such things as:

• Share Meaningful Passages – The interface between Facebook and Twitter means that you can share directly from your book, without leaving the page.
• Enjoy Popular Highlights – if several other readers have highlighted a specific passage of a book, that passage will be highlighted in your book along with a notation about how many people marked that passage.
• Lend Your Ebook – eligible ebooks can now be lent once for a period of 14 days. Keep in mind that not all Kindle books are enables for lending.
• Public Library Books – Certain books are now available to be checked out from a participating library and can be read on a Kindle or Kindle APP. This is a new program, so be sure to look for more information.

Kindle Basic – Specifications

With the advent of the new $79 Kindle, ebook reading has entered the realm of impulse purchase. With the new ease of use and variety of options, it may be time to put aside print and embrace E ink!

Get more details and reviews on the Kindle here