Kindle updates & Kindle Fire 3G?

I’m still loving my Ktouch, having thoroughly settled into its features. In fact, I’ve got four books (though one of them is technically six books) from the library and looking forward to more excellent reading in the new year.

Spouse is liking his Kindle Fire – at any rate has decided not to return it. The free apps have been a hit and the latest software update which allows carousel manipulation went over HUGE. He can check his secure work email, use Microsoft Office, play games and watch Netflix. He’s opted out of the Prime membership because he wasn’t that jazzed about the free (included) movie/tv selection.

Meghan asked if I thought Amazon would start offering 3g/4g service anytime soon. It turns out I DO have an opinion about this but I figured it would be longer than a comment. The short answer is no. With the regular kindle readers, the amount of information downloaded is pretty small given the size of book files. Of course, I don’t know the details of the whispernet deal but I’ve got to figure that even with the number of devices in use, the data chargers are fairly nominal.

The Fire changes that significantly, being as it is a device geared primarily for streaming. Whether it’s Netflix, prime service or music – that’ s going to add up to a lot of bandwith. Trying to spread that cost across devices would bring the price up to a point where people would start comparing the Fire and iPads as apples to apples and the Fire would come up short. As it is, one of the biggest complaints I’ve heard about the iPads is that in addition to a $400 device, NOW the user has to buy a data plan to make it functional.

That said, I see a definite market for Amazon to get into the data plan business. Without offering the more complicated network of cell service and all the pitfalls inherent to those sorts of plans, it wouldn’t surprise me if Amazon cut a deal with one (or more) cell carriers to offer strictly data service at a discount to their customers and at THAT point it would make sense for a 3g/4g Kindle Fire rollout with a wifi option.

Thus far, Spouse seems to be getting the use out of the Fire that he hoped for/expected. He’s mentioned on several occasions that he can do work on the Fire during meetings that he really COULDN’T do with a laptop because of the social implication that having the screen up on a laptop means you’re not paying attention. He gets to participate in the meeting but can also utilize his time wisely without an etiquette breach.

Kindle, my bizzle!

Xmas came early in the Wilder house.

I ordered a Kindle Fire for Spouse for Xmas and I did the preorder because I remember how previous Kindle rollouts have sometimes been delayed. This actually worked out well because the only thing on MY Xmas list was the Kindle Touch (wifi). So on the day his Fire showed up, I took my K3 to Target and did a trade-in (I got about $25 which was a bit less than I would have gotten if I’d done it online) and picked up my KTouch. (NB: You can also do this via Amazon. I used Target because I have access to an employee discount)

So. KINDLES ALL AROUND.

Spouse has been debating about a tablet, as the iPad/Xoom movement has been sweeping his workplace. I’ve got some iPad issues, not the least of which is the price tag, so we were talking about usage. He wants to be able to check work email and manipulate Office documents, plus use it for media purposes – which is what made me think the Kindle Fire might be perfect.

It’s a bit heavier than I would expect, having been spoiled by the Kindles, but the graphics are pretty sweet and the screen is very responsive. I got him a case that allows it to stand up and he hasn’t had any complaints about the touch keyboard. (I was a little worried on that point, I’ll admit) Today there was a free app (they do it every day and I kind of love that) called Enhanced Email which can be configured for his work account. There’s also an Office Pro app which allows you to create, edit and share Office docs and is compatible with Office 2010. With those few functions, he’s pretty much all set. The web browser seems to be pretty quick and Cloud access is definitely nice.

I don’t know that he’s gotten into the video yet but the Prime trial means he can watch Arrested Development streaming so I expect that to change soon.

As for me, the Kindle Touch is SWEET. I love the touch screen and I especially love that it allows me to turn the pages without moving my hand. Once you get used to touching the top of the screen for the menu functions (also like that on the Fire, btw) it’s a snap. Long touch something to add it to a collection or see other options, short touch to open it. Completely intuitive if you’ve been using the Kindle line.

The clarity of the screen is great, the ads are unobtrusive and only visible as either screensavers or on the menu screens. Page turns are also noticeably faster.

I’m adjusting to the size which is simultaneously great and crazy small. Like, I can’t believe how much smaller it is but I don’t feel as if I’ve lost anything but HOLY SHIT LOOK HOW SMALL IT IS. It’s pretty fantastic. I haven’t hooked it up for social networking but I WILL say that the touch screen made it hella easier to enter my securely ridiculous long wifi password.

Unrelated to the tech, I decided to change my collections on the new device to simplify things a bit more.

Definitely related: if you own a Kindle, you should definitely have Books on the Knob on your RSS feed. They do an amazing job of rounding up free/cheap books and the app of the day.

Back to unrelated: Anyone on G+ adopting Google Music yet? I dropped the app on my phone and I’m currently uploading my collection to the Cloud.

Further unrelated: I heard someone on NPR refer to 2012 as the Year of Dickens due to a number of adaptations in the works. Anyone want to (re)read some classics with me?

Books and ebooks

I’ve got several started on my K3 but as I was cleaning last week, I found three hardcopies that I haven’t read yet. Once upon a time i would have told you there was NO WAY I’d enjoy an e-reader because I love books. I loved the feel, the smell of the pages and all the sounds associated with reading. Now I look at this tiny pile of books (three, actually) and wince. The idea of having to lug one around, keep my place… it’s just a hassle.

It was noticeable last night when I was plowing through Deadline. No hand cramping, no pages lost when I got up to let the dog out. I clicked through those pages so smoothly and quickly that it still impresses me how much they improved since the last gen. All of that is just to say it’s official – the Kindle has utterly converted me away from carrying text and preferring my e-Ink. Technology win.

K3 also gets extra bonus points for currently holding a couple hundred books on it, guaranteeing that I’m NEVER reading something I don’t want to be.

Additionally, I’m considering a new skin for the K3. My netbook skin arrived and has been inspiring (thanks, Decal Girl!).

Kindle 3 redux

So my disappointment with the Kindle 3 (3G +WiFi) was primarily because they seem to have reduced the size/quality of the antenna, resulting in less 3G connectivity in my rural area than I received with the Kindle 2. Annoying. That said, when I purchased the Kindle 2 I also used it to check my email with some regularity. Since I’ve gotten my HTC Eris, I never use the Kindle’s connectivity for anything but buying books. My phone is my primary internet mobile device and I like it like that.

The Kindle 3 is definitely lighter – something that’s not as noticeable at first as it is when you’ve been reading for 20 minutes. Using the alt+top row shortcuts for number input has also solved one of my other tiny complaints. I’m still finding the five way controller to be a bit too sensitive but it’s a pretty minor annoyance.

I don’t travel that much, honestly. I mean I commute to work but if I’m going to download a book I generally do it from home anyhow. The WiFi connection is great and I haven’t had any issues with it. For travel purposes, it’s not like every Starbucks, McDonald’s and bookstore don’t offer free WiFi these days so I’m not too concerned about lack of connectivity. Along the I-70 corridor the 3G signal is very strong as I’m sure is the case for more urban areas. Even in my small town there IS connectivity, I’d just been spoiled by the K2. What I discovered through this experiment is that the WiFi K3 is more than sufficient for my needs.

The reason I decided to keep the Kindle 3 – not just keep it, but I grabbed a WiFi only version for myself and gave the 3G version to my husband – is because of the changes in clarity. Not only are there three font choices and additional options for line spacing, but the color gradient improvement is shocking. Black is much blacker, white is much lighter. Reading experience = vastly improved. I’m also tempted for the first time ever to actually utilize the .mp3 function on the Kindle.

Don’t get me wrong – I love my K2 and I’m tempted to keep it as a backup but it makes more sense to me to let someone else try the e-reading experience at a lower cost. I don’t have any doubt they’ll be converted.