The Kindle reader rapidly rose to be the top selling item on Amazon. A quick look at the benefits on offer makes it clear why this is. There are a tremendous number of books available for immediate download to the Kindle. You will also be able to read your personal PDF files and receive a large number of periodicals. You can use it almost anywhere in the US, and many other counties as well. There will be no other cables, a computer or software required. The reader is ready to use straight out of the box.
Some of the basic features provided include a large, 6″ diagonal “E Ink (a registered trademark) electronic paper display.” This technology uses ink just like is expected with books and newspapers. The electronic ink display is easy to read and is much better than reading on a back-lit computer screen. You can select from six different font sizes.
Basically, all of your books can now be large-print text if you prefer. Images are presented in sixteen shades of gray which ensures images are bright and clear. They can also be rotated and displayed in full-screen mode. You can browse basic text-based websites and services for sport scores, images and maps.
Since there is no back-lighting involved, you will find there is no glare like with typical electronic devices. Users are very impressed with the ability to use a Kindle inside, or out on a sunny beach, with no loss of clarity. There is 2 GB of internal storage. With the wireless connection turned off, the battery will last for about a fortnight, so you will be able to carry it with you on trips.
It can be recharged with the included power adapter or the USB cable which can be plugged into a computer. This allows you to download reading material to your notebook or PC and then transfer it to your Kindle reader. There are applications that will sync everything for your hand-held devices or personal computer so you can always pick up right where you left off.
There are over a half-million Kindle books available at the Kindle Store and downloaded in about sixty seconds. You can download samples of any book on a “try before you buy” basis and then purchase it with a single click if you like it. There are also more than 50,000 audio books which you can download to a computer and transfer. The text-to-speech facility is available for use with many books so that you can listen to, rather than read, them.
The unit weighs only 10 ounces and will hold up to 1,500 books. As you build your personal library, all of your purchases are kept online and can be re-downloaded whenever you wish to add them. It is very thin – no thicker than a pencil – so it can easily be held and operated using one hand. The “next page” buttons are fitted on both sides of the reader so it’s easy to use whether you are left or right handed.
A Kindle reader will allow you to carry your personal library with you and keep track of where you left off in each book. You will be able to read what you want where you want on a computer or hand-held devices and keep them all in sync. Bookmarks, notations and clips saved will always be kept for your reference. Add some MP3’s for background music and reading will take on a whole new perspective.