Kindle touch does its job.... well! 13 May 2012
By Yorkshire Chap
Increasing health problems have meant that reading and holding conventional printed books is now difficult most the time, and sometimes impossible. I was bought, as a gift, one of the newly released Kindle Touch (UK release April 2012)with the view that it might bring back the pleasure I used to have reading.
So far, after 2 weeks of use, there have been no problems with the device at all and its performance has exceeded expectations. Now, I must admit that this is my first experience of an e-reader device (I have not used any tablets yet, either) so I am in no position to compare with other similar technology. But, here is my take on the pro's and con's of the Kindle Touch (2012 vintage).
The set-up of the Kindle was fairly straight-forward - after reading the manual from cover to cover (I am one of those saddo's who download manuals on their laptop so they can swot-up before the device has even been delivered!). The setup of the Kindle account/ wireless connection/ e-book management system (called "Collections") is not too deep in the menu system as to be user unfriendly. Anybody who is a technophobe could get a techie friend set up in a few minutes - thereafter..... don't need to do anything more!
Things I like:
1.The device is easy to hold (about 330g with extra protective case; quite compact);
2. Screen very easy on the eyes, less fatiguing;
3. Font changeable and re-sizable;
4. Touch screen Navigation of books, mini-onscreen keyboard and menu system is surprisingly precise - even with nerve damaged, ill-coordinated digits!;
5. Able to carry around loads of books (and PDF/ Word DOC documents!) without knackering myself!
6. Easy to purchase books from Amazon.
7. The Daily Deal - books for 99p. Excellent!
8. Long charge-life of battery.
Things I Don't like:
1. The robot sounding text to speech facility;
2. The naff products that some publishers are putting out for Kindle - check the book & newspaper/ magazine reviews for KINDLE versions on Amazon before buying (if they offer a trial or sample to download - do that, before you part with hard earned cash!). eg some books etc are put out as Kindle versions, but do not have necessary pictures converted and included in the new version :o( BUYER BEWARE!!
3. Not able to use the Kindle with e-books from the electronic UK Library - the DRM protected E-PUB format that UK libraries use is not usable with Kindle devices.
4. Unable to bring onboard anyother formats of e-book other than the Kindle formats (MOBI; AZW; PRC) -Amazon, I suppose have to make a living. I normally buy my books via Amazon, but I would like the option. Not everything I would like is available in Kindle version.
Handy things to know:
1. Can convert E-PUB books (non-DRM protected) into Kindle format using free software (Google "Calibre").
2. Loads of free e-books available on Interweb (and indeed, to their credit, Amazon - look for "Free book collections" for out of copyright stuff).
Summary: For what I wanted, reading books with less physical effort, it does a stormingly good job. Just don't expect to play "Angry Birds" on it!
ps don't reply if you have found a way to do that - I'm not interested!!
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