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good point.......
there are graphic novels mmmmm :twisted:
there are graphic novels mmmmm :twisted:
Talk to me about amazon kindle
- Thread starter the great roberto
- Start date
A few points:-
1. I've got a Kindle, think it's a great device, I read a lot, but also listen to audiobooks - I'm not about to suggest that everybody should rush out and get one - and I have no real argument against the "what's wrong with normal books?" perspective. I just like the ability to store many books on such a relatively small device, and some of the other features it has.
2. The text-to-speech works surprisingly well - at least in terms of pronunciation - very similar to text-to-speech on sat navs - but manages to sound surprisingly natural on that front. It's more the tempo and natural pauses that maybe still need some work in the logic - seems to get commas, full stops and paragraph breaks, but still seems to run some things quickly - it's this aspect that can make it sound unnatural, as opposed to the sound of the voice.
3. I've got many ebooks, haven't yet paid a penny for them ;-) But seriously, there are plenty available for free. New releases or books with commercial interests in them, though, and you're either going to have to pay for them (probably DRM'd) or "download" them.
4. calibre is great, freeware software for ebook readers - for conversion of ebook formats (as long as they're not DRM'd), populating metadata, organising, and transferring to ebook readers. Calibre "knows" the Kindle as a supported device, and is great for managing and converting content to go on it.
5. Kindle doesn't natively support epub (although Calibre will convert them). It does support pdf, txt and several other formats. mobi seems the preferred format. Text-to-speech didn't work on any of my pdfs, but once converted to mobi, does.
6. The screen isn't backlit. It is e-ink, so is effectively always on (no current required, so I understand, only for changes). So if you want to read at night, you'll need to do the same as for a normal, physical book - book light, or lighted room. Amazon sell some leather cases with integrated lights (white LED - that use the Kindle's battery - can't imagine they'd make good conversions to bike lights, though ;-)) - they are pretty pricey, though - around the £50 mark, although are clearly a Kindle product and fully integrate with the Kindle. A good case is worthwhile, they are thin devices, and made of plastic. Not touchscreen, but a screen protector is probably a good idea. The screen is easily viewed with reasonable amounts of ambient light, if you've not seen an e-ink display, before, you'll probably notice how clear it looks compared with normal displays on similar types of devices. One other thing that bowled me a googly - when you get a Kindle out of it's box for the first time, it has some protective covers on, once you remove them, there's some setup instructions on-screen - and I was looking for some other screen covering to remove - it's the e-ink display, as soon as it's powered on, it will change.
7. Audio books are supported, so can be bought (probably DRM'd) from audible, or ebooks (probably DRM'd) from Amazon. I've got plenty of audiobooks (mp3 format), but haven't yet tried them on my Kindle, yet. There's a folder structure for audible audiobooks, but there's normal mp3 support (haven't checked about playlists / m3u support, though) so mp3 audiobooks should be OK using mp3 support.
8.The 3G option is free-for-life once paid for (makes the Kindle price around £150), the normal Kindle being WiFi. Books / content can be transferred via USB, too. I guess 3G is useful for those that want new content when they're out and about - say new newspapers or magazine content whilst they're commuting on a train, for example. Otherwise, if that sort of thing is not important, then the normal / WiFi one is probably good enough. I suppose it depends on your needs / wants - the price difference doesn't seem very much for lifetime 3G access - and there is a (experimental) browser on the Kindle - although I've never tried using it. I've setup WiFi on mine just to get it synced with my Amazon account, but after that WiFi has been turned off, and all the content I've added has been done using USB.
9. Features like being able to add annotations / comments / notes, and bookmarks to books you read are touted. I guess it depends on the type of reading you do. Personally, I've just used it so far for reading and bookmarks, rather than anything more in terms of customising or adding to the content.
1. I've got a Kindle, think it's a great device, I read a lot, but also listen to audiobooks - I'm not about to suggest that everybody should rush out and get one - and I have no real argument against the "what's wrong with normal books?" perspective. I just like the ability to store many books on such a relatively small device, and some of the other features it has.
2. The text-to-speech works surprisingly well - at least in terms of pronunciation - very similar to text-to-speech on sat navs - but manages to sound surprisingly natural on that front. It's more the tempo and natural pauses that maybe still need some work in the logic - seems to get commas, full stops and paragraph breaks, but still seems to run some things quickly - it's this aspect that can make it sound unnatural, as opposed to the sound of the voice.
3. I've got many ebooks, haven't yet paid a penny for them ;-) But seriously, there are plenty available for free. New releases or books with commercial interests in them, though, and you're either going to have to pay for them (probably DRM'd) or "download" them.
4. calibre is great, freeware software for ebook readers - for conversion of ebook formats (as long as they're not DRM'd), populating metadata, organising, and transferring to ebook readers. Calibre "knows" the Kindle as a supported device, and is great for managing and converting content to go on it.
5. Kindle doesn't natively support epub (although Calibre will convert them). It does support pdf, txt and several other formats. mobi seems the preferred format. Text-to-speech didn't work on any of my pdfs, but once converted to mobi, does.
6. The screen isn't backlit. It is e-ink, so is effectively always on (no current required, so I understand, only for changes). So if you want to read at night, you'll need to do the same as for a normal, physical book - book light, or lighted room. Amazon sell some leather cases with integrated lights (white LED - that use the Kindle's battery - can't imagine they'd make good conversions to bike lights, though ;-)) - they are pretty pricey, though - around the £50 mark, although are clearly a Kindle product and fully integrate with the Kindle. A good case is worthwhile, they are thin devices, and made of plastic. Not touchscreen, but a screen protector is probably a good idea. The screen is easily viewed with reasonable amounts of ambient light, if you've not seen an e-ink display, before, you'll probably notice how clear it looks compared with normal displays on similar types of devices. One other thing that bowled me a googly - when you get a Kindle out of it's box for the first time, it has some protective covers on, once you remove them, there's some setup instructions on-screen - and I was looking for some other screen covering to remove - it's the e-ink display, as soon as it's powered on, it will change.
7. Audio books are supported, so can be bought (probably DRM'd) from audible, or ebooks (probably DRM'd) from Amazon. I've got plenty of audiobooks (mp3 format), but haven't yet tried them on my Kindle, yet. There's a folder structure for audible audiobooks, but there's normal mp3 support (haven't checked about playlists / m3u support, though) so mp3 audiobooks should be OK using mp3 support.
8.The 3G option is free-for-life once paid for (makes the Kindle price around £150), the normal Kindle being WiFi. Books / content can be transferred via USB, too. I guess 3G is useful for those that want new content when they're out and about - say new newspapers or magazine content whilst they're commuting on a train, for example. Otherwise, if that sort of thing is not important, then the normal / WiFi one is probably good enough. I suppose it depends on your needs / wants - the price difference doesn't seem very much for lifetime 3G access - and there is a (experimental) browser on the Kindle - although I've never tried using it. I've setup WiFi on mine just to get it synced with my Amazon account, but after that WiFi has been turned off, and all the content I've added has been done using USB.
9. Features like being able to add annotations / comments / notes, and bookmarks to books you read are touted. I guess it depends on the type of reading you do. Personally, I've just used it so far for reading and bookmarks, rather than anything more in terms of customising or adding to the content.
yep i get all my books for free on my phone
just look in the right places (pm me if you need help)
i have a few terry pratchet ones (and in audio book too which are good for when im in bed going to sleep)
they are e books, not aure what that format means (if it is a format?) but could find out if needed
just look in the right places (pm me if you need help)
i have a few terry pratchet ones (and in audio book too which are good for when im in bed going to sleep)
they are e books, not aure what that format means (if it is a format?) but could find out if needed
my daughter has just started devouring books, and ive discoverd this thing called a library, its great. its like a big book shop but they dont charge you to take books home as long as you bring them back and has a huge sellection of dvds for £2.50 for a week. you can also download audio books from their website. 
Mine never remember to take them back... despite repeated reminders (and the main offender going to school where the library is located 
)
Just stuck a couple of books on Kindle for Android (on my SE X10) and I'm pleasantly surprised at how readable it is..
Downloaded a freebie from Amazon (Alice In Wonderland) to start with..
)Just stuck a couple of books on Kindle for Android (on my SE X10) and I'm pleasantly surprised at how readable it is..
Downloaded a freebie from Amazon (Alice In Wonderland) to start with..
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Reading south the ernie shackleton book, on the touch can't complain about the cold after the suffering those lads endured.
I was dubious about these when I first heard of them as I hate reading large amounts of text on screen. After buying one for my disabled mother though I was very pleasantly surprised at the readability.
As most of my reading is older non commercial stuff anyway, it's would also be very cheap/free for me to stock up. Unfortunately as my mother has devoured so many books over the years and likes quite popular authors, she needs to buy expensive new releases. I still can't get used to the fact that you have to pay for stuff with no physical presence. Apparently, some people actually pay for software!
One of the primary advantages for my mother is its lightness and compactness. She used to struggle with thick heavy crime thrillers. (What is it about old ladies and murder?) She says it's far easier to hold, even while reclining in bed.
As most of my reading is older non commercial stuff anyway, it's would also be very cheap/free for me to stock up. Unfortunately as my mother has devoured so many books over the years and likes quite popular authors, she needs to buy expensive new releases. I still can't get used to the fact that you have to pay for stuff with no physical presence. Apparently, some people actually pay for software!
One of the primary advantages for my mother is its lightness and compactness. She used to struggle with thick heavy crime thrillers. (What is it about old ladies and murder?) She says it's far easier to hold, even while reclining in bed.
gibbleking
Old School Grand Master
i use an android pad(7 inch moving to 10 soon)...it has free book reading apps plus it has a free kindle app,it also reads most formats as well as android comic viewer..plus it does tonnes of other stuff...mp3 player ect all for 70 quid ish pending on which one you get..ps if you already own the books you want in e format then downloading the electronic version is just backing up what you own.....check on youtube for android slates...(there are loads of types to choose from)
