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Get it, plain and simple. Its like a Tivo, hard to explain why you need it! Sep 08, 2008
You've read all the reviews, some nit pick, some complain, but everyone I've actually TALKED to who had one of these loved it. They said its like a Tivo or Blackberry, once you have it, you don't know how you did without it.
My complaints are minimal: Too easy to click "next page" and unit does not stay in the little book cover that well. Other than that, you must get one.
Battery life is DAYS if you leave the radio part off. No need to leave the radio on, unless you have bought something and are waiting for it. I suppose if you get a daily paper (which too me is kind of silly on this device) you would turn it on every day.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Encourage multiple purchases of Kindle Sep 08, 2008
I own the device because my ninety two year old father, an early Kindle adopter/owner, purchased Kindles as gifts for me and my sister. The result of his gifts? -- We both now love and swear by Kindle for the same reasons in thousands of testimonials. I won't bother to repeat the reasons, but will suggest small improvements on a great product.
One inconvenience I have discovered is that my wife also likes to use Kindle, but two cannot read simultaneously. Therefore, but for the high price, I am tempted to buy a second device for my wife so we can read our different books at the same time. Also, I would like to buy Kindles for our 5 children for birthday or Christmas gifts. My suggestion is to encourage multiple purchases by developing a price discount system based on the purchase of a second (or more) Kindle. Provide a 20 or 25 percent discount for each additional kindle. You will make less on the devices, but will make far more money on purchase of books and magazine subscriptions (like Kodak did with film; like H-P does with printer cartridges).
Another problem I encountered when my sister came from her South Carolina home to visit us in Kansas for a few days. During her stay we were always mixing up our devices. I was truly nervous that when she packed her belongings to return to her home that she would accidentally pick up the wrong Kindle. A simple marketing solution would be to provide different colors for the leather covers. It would add a touch of color and pizzaz to an otherwise extremely homely cover. And, while you are at it, place your stylized brand name "Amazon Kindle" on the front. Ipod did this with enormous success. Most Ipod owners own more than one device. It's "Style" and "Fashion" more than utility. Your are in position to make Kindle take off like a rocket. Do it soon so I can make kids Christmas wishes come true. I might even buy one for my wife.
Thanks. Great product.
Keith from Kansas
When Technology Actually Makes Life Better Sep 08, 2008
I have been lusting after this device since its announced introduction seeming so very long ago, but I have procrastinated to take the plunge until very recently. What on earth was I waiting for? Well, honestly, I was worried about first generation design flaws and software bugs. I was frightened by some negative reviews. And I was a bit stunned by the price. But, now that I'm in the pool there's no getting me out.
Based on my experience-to-date, I have to say that if the Kindle were to receive no further upgrade or revision it is (and will remain) a solid 5-star product. I have always enjoyed reading. I write this review surrounded by seven-foot-tall shelves filled with books. As I look upon their spines, I am spurred by happy memories of adventure and enlightenment. Reading is a joy and a privilege, but now it has gotten even better. I now have immediate access to thousands of books. I can effortlessly carry hundreds of them with me where ever I go. And, I can even access newspapers, magazines and blogs.
So often technological innovations promise to make life easier and more rewarding, but end up disappointing. This device actually helps me read more and enjoying it even more than before. The reflective display technology (with its adjustable font sizes) is very easy on the eyes. The built in dictionary never leaves me assuming a word meaning based upon its context. And, what I enjoy the most is the ease at which I can read multiple books concurrently utilizing the Kindle's auto bookmarking feature.
I said 5-stars right? Well I'm sticking to that, but this doesn't mean I can't recognize areas which might be improved upon. It is these points which slowed my purchase of the Kindle, but I ultimately decided to get over it. I list them here as constructive criticism:
Hardware (one thing)--
1) Page Turning Buttons:
This issue of their placement and access was stated repeatedly in reviews and seemed to cause owners the most trouble. This alone postponed my purchase by several months. Sadly, my fears were realized in this regard. Jeff Bezos, in his many interviews upon the introduction of this device, stated that chief among his design goals was to make the Kindle "disappear" like a conventional book does when the reader is carried away by the authors story. This is somewhat hindered by the placement of these buttons which requires me to carefully handle my Kindle so as not to accidentally turn a page.
Software (two things)--
1) Word Spacing:
The right and left justification format occasionally produces distractingly large spaces between words. In the books I have read there are sometimes spaces as large or larger than whole words between words.
2) Content Sorting:
As my library grows, I find it less convenient to find and sort items using the tools currently provided on my Kindle. A system of customizable folders or categories would help in this regard.
Content (one thing)--
1) Selection:
I know that Amazon's goal is to have every title ever published available to the Kindle. Today would be fine on this. Kidding aside, about half of the titles I've sought so far are not available. I tend to enjoy literary classics which seem to be under-represented. Example: Evelyn Waugh, W. Somerset Maugham, P.G. Wodehouse, etc. Also, some of my favorite magazines are absent. Example: The Economist, The New Yorker, The Utne Reader.
To conclude, I am exceedingly happy that I purchased my Kindle. I wish I had done so on the first day it was announced and I encourage you to do the same. Come on in -- the water is fine.
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Very Nice, A Few Quirks Sep 07, 2008
I like the Kindle very much. Some of the things that could be improved are as follows:
1. Bigger screen - Kindle is nice for reading novels and items such as the bible, however, the screen is a bit small and for this price, it could be much bigger. I read a lot of technical manuals with diagrams and the screen is too small to do it justice.
2. Direct sunlight on screen causes letters to wash out. I think the screen is light sensitive, when reading in super bright light such as sunlight; I have to close the cover when changing pages to keep the letters from washing out.
2. When buying a book with an accompanying CD, the CD is usually not available. This is a pet peeve and has made me buy the book anyway, just to receive the companion CD.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Basic Perfection Sep 07, 2008
It is pretty simple in my book. The Kindle is exactly as advertised! I have had my Kindle for a month now and would not change a thing. My only complaint is I have not stuck to my original plan to still get books from the library. I can't bring myself to read a paper book anymore!!!! Great buy and I recommend all the way!
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