Kindle

Zimmerframe · 19-10-2011 8:15pm

Speedsie wrote: »

How do you use that site? All the books I've looked at on it say I'm in the wrong country to download them - looks like you need to be in the US, not Ireland!

Don't know if it matters, but when you buy the Kindle online, it comes from the US, well mine did anyway and all those books download fine to my Kindle, not that I want them.

I'm very happy with my Kindle keyboard 3g, IMHO the Kindle is absolutely brilliant for reading books and it's pretty useless for anything else. I don't see any benefit from a touch screen, although I admit, I had to fight myself to keep my grubby paws away from the screen the first day.

Speedsie · 19-10-2011 8:27pm

There are a few good ones - bit of a needle in a haystack thing to find them though!!

Thing is, I was given a Kindle that was bought in a bricks & mortar store in Dublin - so I guess it knows its Irish!!!!

I suppose I can live without!

friendlylady · 19-10-2011 8:36pm

Thanks very much for your post Richard it was very informative, I need some advice on buying an ereader. Like you I have read loads on the internet and the Kindle really does seem to be the best option at the moment but my dilemma is that I don't always have money to buy books on the internet and quite like borrowing from the library, as far as I know I can't borrow e books on the kindle, am I right?

Also I like reading in bed at night, is it comfortable to read at night with a low light? Or should I just go for the Sony E reader (currently 179e in Argos)? Though I believe the battery in these is crap.

Zimmerframe · 19-10-2011 8:58pm

friendlylady wrote: »

Thanks very much for your post Richard it was very informative, I need some advice on buying an ereader. Like you I have read loads on the internet and the Kindle really does seem to be the best option at the moment but my dilemma is that I don't always have money to buy books on the internet and quite like borrowing from the library, as far as I know I can't borrow e books on the kindle, am I right?

Also I like reading in bed at night, is it comfortable to read at night with a low light? Or should I just go for the Sony E reader (currently 179e in Argos)? Though I believe the battery in these is crap.

Books are like music m8, can be got from various sources enuff said.

Re. reading at night, its fine on a low light, if it's good enough to read a normal paper book it's good enough for the Kindle.
You could also attach one of those led "book lights" or buy the lighted cover (not cheap)

richardw001 · 19-10-2011 9:11pm

friendlylady wrote: »

Thanks very much for your post Richard it was very informative, I need some advice on buying an ereader. Like you I have read loads on the internet and the Kindle really does seem to be the best option at the moment but my dilemma is that I don't always have money to buy books on the internet and quite like borrowing from the library, as far as I know I can't borrow e books on the kindle, am I right?

Also I like reading in bed at night, is it comfortable to read at night with a low light? Or should I just go for the Sony E reader (currently 179e in Argos)? Though I believe the battery in these is crap.

The cover with the book light (official one from amazon) is well worth the money - its probably the most comfortable reading experience I've had for late night reading
Reading under low light without the cover is grand (as good as reading any real book) - however I would really recommend spending the extra money on the cover.
On books and prices - there's enough free books out there - that it shouldnt cost you anything if you are prepared to read new authors or classics.
There are of course illegal ways of getting best sellers as well in the same way as people can put torrent ed or borrowed music on an iPhone - however I wouldn't condone it.
Regarding borrowing ebooks from libraries - specifically kindle friendly ones - you should talk to your local library
I don't know the details however from what I gather that's going to be an option for kindles (at least in the us) soon

richardw001 · 19-10-2011 9:38pm

Speedsie wrote: »

How do you use that site? All the books I've looked at on it say I'm in the wrong country to download them - looks like you need to be in the US, not Ireland!

I've being using that search for the last 8 months or so and I very rarely do I get a location/not available on a book.
I do have an amazon.com account set up already - and have ordered stuff in the past - so don't know if that makes a difference.

One other tip that people might find useful - once I find a free one (in the haystack ! ) that I like and download - I then page down to "customers who bought this bought" - usually you can get one or two more cheap/free ones from that listing as well that are someway good.

friendlylady · 19-10-2011 10:19pm

Zimmerframe wrote: »

Books are like music m8, can be got from various sources enuff said.

Re. reading at night, its fine on a low light, if it's good enough to read a normal paper book it's good enough for the Kindle.
You could also attach one of those led "book lights" or buy the lighted cover (not cheap)

Thanks lads, you made my mind up, Kindle it is so, though think I'll wait til January sales, might pick myself up a bargain. Not bothered at all with the touch, buttons will suit me fine.

richardw001 · 20-10-2011 11:35am

friendlylady wrote: »

Thanks lads, you made my mind up, Kindle it is so, though think I'll wait til January sales, might pick myself up a bargain. Not bothered at all with the touch, buttons will suit me fine.

Have to say I don't think that the kindle prices will come down much more - especially not in January.

The only possibility maybe on black friday (Nov 25th) - might be worth checking then on Amazon.com - and if you have someone/someway of ordering and shipping over a domestic US kindle you might pick up a bargain.
They might do something then as they seem to be on a marketing drive with Kindles.

I reckon theres a window of opportunity at the moment - before people realise that the nice new kindles aren't much better than the keyboard ones - and the small reduction (at the moment) is probably as good as it gets.

That's just my take on it

soc · 22-10-2011 12:01am

friendlylady wrote: »

Thanks very much for your post Richard it was very informative, I need some advice on buying an ereader. Like you I have read loads on the internet and the Kindle really does seem to be the best option at the moment but my dilemma is that I don't always have money to buy books on the internet and quite like borrowing from the library, as far as I know I can't borrow e books on the kindle, am I right?

Also I like reading in bed at night, is it comfortable to read at night with a low light? Or should I just go for the Sony E reader (currently 179e in Argos)? Though I believe the battery in these is crap.

My hubbie bought the latest SONY eReader (6" in size with touch screen) from Sony Store, PRS-T1 - it was only released in the last week or two (I think), anyway, it retails in Sony Store Jervis St for €150, or €170 in Blanchardstown (don't know why the price diff!). Anyway, I think it has a better battery than the older reader that is for sale in Argos PLUS AFAIK you can borrow books from some libraries in Dublin (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Libraries, South Dublin County Libraries), Kildare & Waterford.

Here is the eReader I'm talking about:
http://www.sony.ie/product/rd-reader-ebook?wep_landing

Here are the libraries that you can 'borrow' from:
http://www.sony.co.uk/discussions/community/en/community/reading/free_ebooks
Hubbies reckons you can borrow from Waterford - but it's not listed on this site

Piliger · 22-10-2011 6:26pm

It's all well and good buying a Kindle. A nice gadget. But be aware of the control it will have over your reading !

You have to buy at their prices, instead of having access to the fantastic range of indie book sellers across the web and self pub'ed titles too. If you decide later to change device you can't. You are controlled by their security software. There is the wireless delivery fee. And Amazon have complete access to your library, to remove titles if they chose or not. You pay almost as much for an eBook as a paper book. But you can't read it on other devices, lend it, keep it safe for ten years. You buy at full price but they only agree to 'lend' the eBook to you.

A tablet or smart phone is the only way to get value and a choice of where to buy at good prices. And learning to make backups on your PC, and remove DRM is the only way to keep your titles safe and available later if you change devices.

I use an iPhone and intent to use a tablet soon. I like the Kindles and would like to have one. But I am not going to hand control over my purchases to Amazon.

Zimmerframe · 22-10-2011 8:33pm

Piliger wrote: »

It's all well and good buying a Kindle. A nice gadget. But be aware of the control it will have over your reading !

You have to buy at their prices, instead of having access to the fantastic range of indie book sellers across the web and self pub'ed titles too. If you decide later to change device you can't. You are controlled by their security software. There is the wireless delivery fee. And Amazon have complete access to your library, to remove titles if they chose or not. You pay almost as much for an eBook as a paper book. But you can't read it on other devices, lend it, keep it safe for ten years. You buy at full price but they only agree to 'lend' the eBook to you.

A tablet or smart phone is the only way to get value and a choice of where to buy at good prices. And learning to make backups on your PC, and remove DRM is the only way to keep your titles safe and available later if you change devices.

I use an iPhone and intent to use a tablet soon. I like the Kindles and would like to have one. But I am not going to hand control over my purchases to Amazon.

You can read your kindle book on every pc, every mac, every iPhone, every iPad, every windows mobile, every android phone every android tablet and every blackberry etc.

You can, and I do have hundreds of books on my Kindle, none of which came from Amazon.

Far as I know, there is no wireless delivery fee, on any purchase.

richardw001 · 22-10-2011 9:43pm

Piliger wrote: »

It's all well and good buying a Kindle. A nice gadget. But be aware of the control it will have over your reading !

You have to buy at their prices, instead of having access to the fantastic range of indie book sellers across the web and self pub'ed titles too. If you decide later to change device you can't. You are controlled by their security software. There is the wireless delivery fee. And Amazon have complete access to your library, to remove titles if they chose or not. You pay almost as much for an eBook as a paper book. But you can't read it on other devices, lend it, keep it safe for ten years. You buy at full price but they only agree to 'lend' the eBook to you.

A tablet or smart phone is the only way to get value and a choice of where to buy at good prices. And learning to make backups on your PC, and remove DRM is the only way to keep your titles safe and available later if you change devices.

I use an iPhone and intent to use a tablet soon. I like the Kindles and would like to have one. But I am not going to hand control over my purchases to Amazon.

Well have to say (typing from my iPhone) there's no comparison in reading on a tablet or iPhone to reading on an ereader
Re the kindle i think it offers the best value and is arguably the most mainstream ereader
The control aspect in terms of buying from the amazon store and ownership afterwards is something I can live with - as I can buy from other sources and transfer onto the kindle if I want a book
One nice thing is that at least I know that new releases can be preordered and will download automatically and there is a better chance of getting them on the same date as the proper book comes out - given amazons clout in the market place.
There is of course book ownership issues on amazon store purchased content - however for popular fiction is more a disposable purchase than something that you want to keep and treasure ! For those special books that you know you will re-read I would recommend buying somewhere else and keeping in calibre - you can always download to the kindle
Removing drm is a whole different thing and I'm not sure if it is something discuss able on boards

Kernel · 23-10-2011 3:25pm

richardw001 wrote: »

Removing drm is a whole different thing and I'm not sure if it is something discuss able on boards

I don't see why not, it's not a crime as far as I am aware. It's copyright infringement maybe, or maybe even as minor as breaking the terms and conditions.

japanesebanana · 23-10-2011 7:52pm

Has anyone used the kindle for reading technical pdfs or journal articles?

Zimmerframe · 23-10-2011 8:00pm

japanesebanana wrote: »

Has anyone used the kindle for reading technical pdfs or journal articles?

Yep, it's ok .ish

As I said earlier, imho it's brilliant for reading books or newspaper articles, I don't think its very good for anything else including pdf's, browsing etc.
For technical manuals, pdf's, I reckon you need color and probably touchscreen like an iPad or similar.

Jimoslimos · 23-10-2011 8:05pm

Piliger wrote: »

I use an iPhone and intent to use a tablet soon. I like the Kindles and would like to have one. But I am not going to hand control over my purchases to Amazon.

Ironic much, coming from an iPhone user.;) In many ways Amazon is trying to mimic Apple's success with iPods/phones and iTunes.

cyprien · 25-10-2011 9:43pm

I'd like to know when the Kindle Touch is available in Ireland too, have just discovered release date Nov 21 is for USA only. Was all set to buy one in PC World for Xmas!

NicoleL88 · 25-10-2011 10:29pm

ctlsleh wrote: »

Where does that leave you in terms of buying books? If you buy the kindle from amazon us, does it mean that you only get US books?
What's the difference if you buy it from PC world in terms of the books you can buy?
Thanks.

You have to buy books from Amazon.com, yeah.

cyprien wrote: »

I'd like to know when the Kindle Touch is available in Ireland too, have just discovered release date Nov 21 is for USA only. Was all set to buy one in PC World for Xmas!

There is no set date for the Kindle Touch or Kindle Fire to be released in the UK yet, let alone Ireland. Keep checking both websites for info.

pauleoin · 26-10-2011 11:33am

Tesco Nutgrove shopping center have the new keyboardless kindle on sale a E115 2 security taged boxes on display this morning. Think it was this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0051QVF7A/ref=sa_menu_kdptq2

They also have the keyboard model for around E175

saraocallaghan · 28-10-2011 12:54pm

Thanks for your post Richard!

So if I buy my kindle in PC World/Curry's, it's cheaper than buying online and I'll be downloading my content from amazon.com? Not that it makes a bit of difference!

richardw001 · 28-10-2011 2:09pm

When I bought - the prices worked out less - and I think they still are. What you don't have to do is wait for the mail - and you can bug the people on the currys/pc world boards forum if you have problems :-)

I've heard rumours that Tesco sell them as well - not sure if they are selling them in Ireland though.

The cheapest option - is to buy the ad supported version in the US. If you have a way of getting it shipped to a postal address in the states and then pick it up. Aside from that option everything else seems to be more expensive than going into a local PC World.

Regarding buying books - with Calibre you can download from pretty much where ever you like and convert. Of course you also have the convenience of being able to download from Amazon.

Here's something else that might interest people

http://overdrive.com/news/OverDrive-and-Amazon-launch-Kindle-compatibility-with-Library-eBooks

Not here yet unfortunately - if you had a NY library card - you could probably dispense with buying from amazon completely :-)

positron · 29-10-2011 2:16pm

Huge pile of Kindle 4s as you enter Tesco Drogheda as well - €115, I think they will shift thousands this Christmas season. Come Jan most bus/train commuters will be reading Kindles..!

PaddyBloggit · 02-11-2011 12:53am

And I see them being advertised on the telly so the chances are they'll be a big Christmas hit.

Tar.Aldarion · 12-11-2011 11:15pm

Can you even get the non-3g wifi only kindle any more?

Biggins · 13-11-2011 12:34am

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

Can you even get the non-3g wifi only kindle any more?

Yes. Absolutely.

See link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HFS6Z0/ref=famstripe_kk

Tar.Aldarion · 13-11-2011 1:52am

Biggins wrote: »

Yes. Absolutely.

See link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HFS6Z0/ref=famstripe_kk

thanks but if i try to get that 99$ kindle to ireland it is 146E in my basket at checkout

Biggins · 13-11-2011 4:14am

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

thanks but if i try to get that 99$ kindle to ireland it is 146E in my basket at checkout

Ouch!

RonMexico · 13-11-2011 6:29pm

Have been torn between the Kindle Keyboard and the Sony T1. Had a hands on look at them at the weekend and I have to say I preferred the Sony. The kindle is just...kind of horrible and too grey plastic looking.

The SG card option on the Sony is also great. I am just wondering if you can convert kindle books to read on the Sony?

Biggins · 13-11-2011 6:44pm

RonMexico wrote: »

The SG card option on the Sony is also great. I am just wondering if you can convert kindle books to read on the Sony?

http://calibre-ebook.com/

RonMexico · 13-11-2011 8:11pm

Biggins wrote: »

http://calibre-ebook.com/

Wow fantastic

Spotted the Sony T1 in Easons for €149. Think I'll go for it over the kindle.

Tar.Aldarion · 13-11-2011 8:17pm

Only had the new one with no keyboard in pc world today, oh well. Might take a look at some of the other e-readers. it was a pain in the ass to search/type etc on it. Plus it has less functionality than the older kindle, makes no sense to me! Still would do me grand I suppose, just prefer at least the option of audio/SD and so on.

what annoyed me is dropping from 4gb to 2gb for the new version???

belle87 · 13-11-2011 8:42pm

Thinking of buying a kindle for my father for christmas and am looking for some advice as I dont know too much about how they operate.

We have a broadband connection already set up in our home, would the wireless kindle model be suitable to use with this?? And any preference between the touch screen and keyboard models from anyone's experience?

Just looking for some reviews I guess before I purchase!

Tar.Aldarion · 13-11-2011 8:48pm

the touch isnt out yet and doesnt deliver to ireland, only in the US.

the wireless will work fine on all of them, however you wont really even need it as you can just get the books from your pc onto it!

i just tried to order a kindle from the uk, apparently none of them ship to ireland, what is that about?

Biggins · 13-11-2011 9:49pm

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

...i just tried to order a kindle from the uk, apparently none of them ship to ireland, what is that about?

Daftness isn't it? Something to do with where its registered to and subsequently the books you can buy.

Here's a review of the newest one by the way: http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/review/2121968/amazon-kindle-2011-edition-ebook-reader

Tar.Aldarion · 14-11-2011 4:19pm

Got this

+ this

for the price of this

Kindle%204.jpg

Biggins · 14-11-2011 5:04pm

Nice one.
Trust me, you will be quite happy if you had of got either when it just comes to reading books.

molly111 · 14-11-2011 5:56pm

Hi Tar.Aldarion

Where did you get the case - I love it?

Does it have a light?

Molly

Tar.Aldarion · 14-11-2011 6:51pm

Biggins wrote: »

Nice one.
Trust me, you will be quite happy if you had of got either when it just comes to reading books.

Yep I would have got either in the end but i preferred the hemp case on this one. I was even looking up case reviews

I wonder can i read a book and listen to the audio version on this at the same time no?

molly111 wrote: »

Hi Tar.Aldarion

Where did you get the case - I love it?

Does it have a light?

Molly

It doesn't have a light, I really love this case, I got it from amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eco-Nique-Natural-6-inch-Amazon-Wireless/dp/B003ZUXVSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321292816&sr=8-1

they have other more expensive similar hemp cases too. It's supposed to make it feel more booklike :pac:

Biggins · 14-11-2011 7:00pm

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

I wonder can i read a book and listen to the audio version on this at the same time no?

Yes.

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

It doesn't have a light...

I recommend these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mighty-Bright-Black-Xtraflex-Light/dp/1933622709

Far better than others I have used.

Tar.Aldarion · 14-11-2011 7:02pm

thanks youve been a good help! she should get that. personally would never want a light myself...with my array of lamps

the person i sent the kindle to in the uk didnt know what one was and asked if there was a large amount of liquid in it for her flight home hehehe

Biggins · 14-11-2011 7:32pm

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

thanks youve been a good help! she should get that. personally would never want a light myself...with my array of lamps

The wife has that very lamp too on her side of the bed! LOL

ixoy · 14-11-2011 11:46pm

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

Got this

+ this

That's my Kindle set up too! If you get the Mighty Bright (and I recommend it - batteries haven't gone yet) then you'll be completely copying me..

vibe666 · 15-11-2011 1:19am

i bought a kindle for my wife about a year ago and she uses it all the time (daily) and loves it. i primarily bought it for her as she was always reading on the way to/from work and usually ended up with at least 2 big books in her bag, so the kindle worked out great for her.

she's on maternity leave now and keeping all sorts of odd hours with the baby and i quite often wake up to find her reading something or other with a little clip on led light i got for it, so it's still getting plenty of use.

i got her this case to go with it btw.

opinions so far? Calibre is a godsend.
the kindle wipes the floor with the sony e-readers once you've used both for a day or so. i have a mate who had a sony reader and we swapped for a couple of days just to see what the grass was like on the other side, so to speak.

i hated the sony and he sold his on ebay and bought a kindle the next day, so 'nuff said on that i think.

also, amazon were awesome when he broke his kindle screen running for a bus when it was a couple of weeks old. he did tell them he didn't know how the screen broke, but they were great about it and sent him a replacement out immediately and gave him a month to send back the broken one.

don't waste your time with the non-3G model if you have the choice as 3G access is totally free worldwide, forever (on the older model at least), anywhere you can get a mobile signal on it and with the experimental (albeit limited) web browser, that means free gmail/hotmail access and basic web browsing (inc. boards.ie, news sites, etc.). it's not exactly a 21st century browsing experience, but worldwide and free on a device with a battery life of up to a month, is pretty impressive imho.

i've heard rumours that the newer model kindles coming out now don't have that available in the same way as the older ones, so it may be that amazon are able to charge for usage on the new models coming out, or it may not even be present any more, i can't say for certain.

the new kindles are shipping in the US right now, which is bang on time for the kindle fire, but a week or so early for the kindle touch. i just got an email from amazon a couple of hours ago to say my kindle fire has shipped today to my US forwarding address, so hopefully it will be there in a couple of days and fingers crossed the kindle touch is about to ship too, so i can get them both forwarded on to me here in sunny ireland by the end of next week!

neither one is for me btw, the kindle fire is for my wife for xmas, the touch is for my dad.

i might inherit the old kindle tho from my wife if i'm lucky, assuming she's happy using the fire for her late night reading, but i guess time will tell on that one altho i'm told it does have a "night reading" mode on it so fingers crossed.

either way, i'll be having a good play with both of them before they get wrapped up for xmas.

pleasant Co. · 15-11-2011 11:56pm

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

+ this

Awesome case!
I'm still hooked on paper and hardback but a case like that would make me seriously consider a kindle.

Tar.Aldarion · 16-11-2011 12:36am

and my gf thought i was crazy drooling over a case and looking at it on youtube :pac:

think i might have seen you mention it ixoy!

Biggins · 16-11-2011 9:14am

If you really want to make everyone else jealous, get these:
* http://www.oberondesign.com/Kindle3.php
* http://www.oberondesign.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_list&c=81
* http://www.oberondesign.com/Ereader_Sleeve_S.php

They are not cheap but I think most agree they are beautiful.

Example:

Tar.Aldarion · 16-11-2011 2:51pm

I don't buy leather but if I did these would be the first!

This is nice

garysully1986 · 17-11-2011 12:56am

Hey Guys,

I really want the new kindle, not really interested in the keyboard one, I priced them today in currys and the old keyboard one was 179. Has anyone bought the kindle from amazon? How much did it cost in total? I know its $79 but am just wondering how much it costs overall?

Tar.Aldarion · 17-11-2011 1:05am

add it to your basket and see...when i tired that it went up to near 150e

I got the keyboard wifi one for 80£ but you need to ship to uk.

sounds like you should buy from an irish shop tbh.

vibe666 · 17-11-2011 9:48am

garysully1986 wrote: »

Hey Guys,

I really want the new kindle, not really interested in the keyboard one, I priced them today in currys and the old keyboard one was 179. Has anyone bought the kindle from amazon? How much did it cost in total? I know its $79 but am just wondering how much it costs overall?

new kindle from amazon.co.uk = £89 (€104 at todays rate, checked via www.xe.com), with free supersaver delivery to UK addresses.

go to www.deliverme.ie and register and they will send you an address in Northern Ireland to use as your UK address for amazon. They then contact you when it's delivered and charge you €22 to forward it via next day courier to your IE address, so that's a total of €126 delivered.

OR, if you don't mind waiting a few days extra, you can do something similar and order it (as a US customer) from amazon.com for $109 (€81) (or $79/€59 if you don't mind the odd sponsored advert, which i'm not even sure you'll get outside of the US) and use www.viaddress.com to forward it to your IE address for $38 (€29) for a delivered total of €110 (or €88 with the ads one).

OR, you could splash out on the new Kindle touch for $99 which will be released in the next couple of days in the US and have it in time for xmas before it's even released over here.

Kindle

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