Posts tagged reader
version 2.5 software update for Amazon Kindle reader
Jun 15th
Amazon has just released a new software update for your Kindle reader that brings a lot of great new features to the platform.
New features in the version 2.5 software update include:
- collections: the ability to create folders for organizing your books and audio files
- PDF pan and zoom: ability to zoom into PDFs and move the viewing window around
- password protection: allows you to password protect your Kindle
- better fonts: the fonts are now sharper and two larger font size options are included
- social media: highlights from your readings can be shared using Facebook and Twitter
If you want to get your software update and new features now, here’s the link to download the 2.5 update for your Kindle.
Related Posts:
Kendall book reader: Amazon Kindle DX review
Sep 20th
UPDATE [25 November 2009]: There’s a new software update for the Kindle DX that provides for better cropping of PDF files to maximize the amount of content on the screen.
So I am sure by now you’ve heard of the new digital book reader by Amazon, the Amazon Kindle DX
A while ago I reviewed my Kindle 2. The DX includes Kindle 2 features such as free wireless delivery of books purchased from Amazon, long battery life, text-to-speech, and mp3 audio file playback (with stereo audio jack as well as built-in speakers), so here I will concentrate on the main new features the DX brings to the reading experience.
The most obvious difference is the size of the display. The DX is larger, with a diagonal screen size of 9.7″.The screen size of the DX is more like that of a textbook, rather than the Kindle 2’s paperback size format (screen size of 6″ on the diagonal).
There are also a few cosmetic changes. The Next Page and Previous Page buttons are now only along the right side of the border. I actually welcome this change, since I can now easily hold the Kindle without worrying about accidently turning the page. Also, the keyboard on the bottom border is smaller – numbers can now be typed using an Alt-letter combination on the DX whereas the Kindle 2 had a dedicated row of number buttons. Again, I like this change, since it devotes more of the usable space on the device to the screen for reading. Moreover, I do not often need to type in numbers using my Kindle, and so when I do I do not mind using the Alt-letter combination.
Unlike the Kindle 2, the Kindle DX now includes native support for viewing Adobe pdf documents. This is a big win for me, since most of the documents I read are in this format. As an example, below is an image of the Kindle DX displaying one of my pdf slides.
This image also captures the another new feature in the Kindle DX – auto screen rotate. Simply turn the Kindle on its side and the display will automatically rotate. This effectively zooms in on the page being displayed.
In my opinion the e-ink display is more readable in the Kindle DX than the Kindle 2. Also, the display works better when trying to render dark fonts on a light background, as shown below. Here is where the Kindle DX shines when rendering pdf documents, as even equations are very legible.
So in summary, the Kindle DX brings a larger viewing format to the digital book reading world. The Kindle DX also supports viewing pdf documents. Text and images look great on the larger screen, and with the DX’s 4GB of internal storage, you can carry up to about 3,500 books, magazines, and documents in one slim device. This is a boon, especially for folks who travel.
I personally prefer the Kindle DX, since the larger format and pdf support better suit my needs. My wife however prefers the smaller size Kindle 2 for reading science fiction novels.
Oh, and if you are going to get the Kindle DX, I would also recommend a case for it. This Belkin Neoprene sleeve case
Available from Amazon here
Related Posts:
review of the Kindle 2 book reader
Mar 1st
UPDATE [25 November 2009]: The Kindle 2 now has support for viewing PDF documents with the 2.3 software update! This update also allows for screen rotation, so you can read your books in portrait mode or landscape mode.
UPDATE: I’ve posted my review of the Kindle DX ebook reader, here. You might say it’s the new Kendall book reader, since my wife swiped my Kindle 2 (review below of the Kindle 2).
So I just received the new Kindle 2
The design and build quality of the new kindle book reader (now called the kendall book reader by my wife) is much improved over the original kindle. The next-page buttons are better-placed, the case is sturdier, it holds a lot more books (about 1500), and the 5-way direction stick allows for easier navigation and selection.
Buying any of the over 240,000 available books (with more being added daily) is very easy, as is subscribing to magazines, newspapers, and blogs. Reading text with the e-ink display and turn-page buttons makes the device “disappear” — you aren’t constantly reminded that you are using an electronic device to read a book, as perhaps with other book readers or devices (like your cell phone ?!).
Battery life is great, since the e-ink displays do not drain the battery to refresh the screen — only on the turn of the page (which may confuse some flight attendants).
The cellular, free connectivity is very handy, especially since I am often on travel and without an Internet connection — you can download new books, surf, and access your content even if you are not near a wifi network using Amazon’s Whispernet service. Again, for free. This means you can access Amazon and even the WWW via the built-in web browser without having to be tethered to your computer or be near a wifi access point. (Note that some websites are creating mobile versions — webpages that look good when rendered on a small mobile device screen.)
In addition to reading commercial content, you can view your own documents or documents sent to you from other people. Amazon charges a small fee to convert these documents for wireless download to your kindle (which some people gripe about), but I figured out that this conversion service is actually free if you send the converted pdf/document first to your computer, then to your kindle, rather than directly to your kindle over the cellular network from Amazon.
The kindle also plays audio books from Audible.com (review) as well as mp3 files — you can even have your favorite song playing in the background while you read your book.
The graphics are much improved over the original kindle, as can be seen in the images on this page.
In case you want to travel with your kindle — which is one of the main benefits of the kindle, since you can carry a truck load of books with you in the palm of your hand — you may want to purchase a travel case in which to carry your kindle, such as the Belkin Neoprene Sleeve Case
I should point out that this device is not an iPhone — you can’t interact with the device by touching the screen, for example, and other user-interface decisions are different from the iPhone experience. But this device provides a reading environment better than any other electronic device. In addition, it provides other advanced features (such as text-to-speech, and taking notes within the book) that are way-beyond the capabilities of other devices.
In all, the Kindle 2
