Just got a new toy.

Cattusbabe · 06-26-2008, 01:02 PM

Well, rather I just got one for my husband. I bought one of those Kindle reading devices that Amazon is promoting. Talk about love at first use. I got it for DH since he is a avid reader and his eyes are no longer co-operating with him, you can adjust the font larger and it is not back lit like a computer screen and you can read outdoors, in full sun if you wish. I breaks my heart seeing him struggle doing something he loves so much. This way he can read with out having to hold the book and a magnifying glass. ( I am not too far behind his so I may get one of these for myself.)

ProspectiveBum · 06-26-2008, 01:12 PM

Those are definitely cool gadgets! I may wait to see what kind of enhancements they come up with in version 2.0 (as yet unannounced), but I'm sure I will own one of these soon.

I can't imagine it'll be too long before these are standard issue for college students (replacing all their textbooks). It'd sure save a lot of trees!

Leonidas · 06-26-2008, 01:15 PM

That's a very thoughtful gift.

Did you look at any of the competitors? I saw something similar at ~~Barnes and Noble~~ Borders and was wondering how it compares. The Kindle is interesting, I'm not in the market just yet, but it's something I might buy in the future.

Moemg · 06-26-2008, 01:35 PM

It's definetely on my wish list . What a thoughtful gift .

Cattusbabe · 06-26-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProspectiveBum

Those are definitely cool gadgets! I may wait to see what kind of enhancements they come up with in version 2.0 (as yet unannounced), but I'm sure I will own one of these soon.

I can't imagine it'll be too long before these are standard issue for college students (replacing all their textbooks). It'd sure save a lot of trees!

Boy if they can merge this thing with an I-pod..........

Cattusbabe · 06-26-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonidas

That's a very thoughtful gift.

Did you look at any of the competitors? I saw something similar at Barnes and Noble and was wondering how it compares. The Kindle is interesting, I'm not in the market just yet, but it's something I might buy in the future.

I did look at the competitors. Went with this because of not needing a computer to download books, its light weight to name a few. Can't wait for DH to get back from his motorcycle trip to see it.

**ziggy29** · 06-26-2008, 01:40 PM

My wife really wants one. I'm holding out to avoid the early adopter tax. It's already come down $40, but if it can come close to the $200 price point I might be interested.

Cattusbabe · 06-26-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy29

My wife really wants one. I'm holding out to avoid the early adopter tax. It's already come down $40, but if it can come close to the $200 price point I might be interested.

I hear what your saying about the "early adopter tax" and I did think long and hard before making this purchase however tomorrow in not promised to anyone and my husband's vision is such that it needed to be sooner than later. I was going to give it as a Christmas gift but got it now. DH says to just give him a card for the holiday... for the Kindle and the months of reading enjoyment. Hearing that makes paying the "tax" worth it.

There will be advancements....there is a color version in the works but that will be a few years. Thats technology for you.

**Sarah in SC** · 06-26-2008, 02:56 PM

So he has the "old folks eyes" and needs reading glasses? And the Kindle makes it possible for him to read without glasses or a magnifier?
Hmmmm, that would make a great gift for my DH as well.
Glad to hear the positive review, thanks Cattusbabe!

**Khan** · 06-26-2008, 03:22 PM

Are there places a kindle can be tested hands on?

ProspectiveBum · 06-26-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan

Are there places a kindle can be tested hands on?

As far as I know, Amazon.com only sells them through their site. Since other people want to get hands-on before buying, it looks like they're using their early-adopter evangelists to demo the product. They have a forum on the Kindle section of their web-site where prospective buyers can hook up with owners to try one out and chat about it.

Here's the thread for Columbus (not sure if that's anywhere near you). If you're not near there, you could start a thread for your city/town.
Amazon.com: Customer Discussions: Columbus, Ohio

Nords · 06-26-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Just got a new toy.

When Cattusbabe posts threads with titles like that, I was hoping for pictures...

I've read a couple Kindle reviews (like this one) and I'm surprised how lukewarm they are. I have my eye on one of these puppies for my next celebration toy, too.

You'll have to let us know how he likes it, and what subscriptions he buys!

Cattusbabe · 06-26-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan

Are there places a kindle can be tested hands on?

Yes. Amazon has a list of sites.

Cattusbabe · 06-26-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords

When Cattusbabe posts threads with titles like that, I was hoping for pictures...

I've read a couple Kindle reviews (like this one) and I'm surprised how lukewarm they are. I have my eye on one of these puppies for my next celebration toy, too.

You'll have to let us know how he likes it, and what subscriptions he buys!

OOOOOOOOOOO I've got a rep.

Well deserved. We love it. I'm not much of an exhibitionist however. The spouse on the other hand is another story so don't encourage him.

shiny · 06-26-2008, 08:04 PM

I've thought about buying one of these to use while traveling (much better than hauling travel guides around!) but then I thought - we'd have to buy 2 or DH and I would still have to lug reading materials with us.

We were impressed though, so we did buy one for our BIL who just deployed to Iraq. He had a good time setting it up and all (before he left), I hope he gets some good use out of it over the coming year - I'll get the full report before we go buying 2 for us!

Rustic23 · 06-26-2008, 09:07 PM

Dual-display e-book concept mimicks reading, makes complete sense - Engadget

This is another display that is being looked at. Not on the market, yet.

lazygood4nothinbum · 06-27-2008, 12:04 PM

really so great what is possible today. i remember a friend's father who loved to read. but his eye sight was failing so he had this huge machine to increase the print size for him.

it's been a long time since i saw him (since died). the machine looked something like this...

Rich_in_Tampa · 06-27-2008, 12:19 PM

Cattusbabe,

Your DH needs a magnifying glass to see the print 14" in front of him, and is on a motorcycle trip?

As Nords mentioned, I was surprised how tepid the reviews were. I read a few of them and I think the reviewers were stuck on comparing it to either a computer or the Sony product. If you actually focused on what the Kindle itself has to offer, it sound very cool. The whole thing will revolve around Amazon making their book-server as good as iTunes is for media.

I definitely have my eye on a Kindle. Keep us posted.

Cattusbabe · 06-27-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

Cattusbabe,

Your DH needs a magnifying glass to see the print 14" in front of him, and is on a motorcycle trip?

As Nords mentioned, I was surprised how tepid the reviews were. I read a few of them and I think the reviewers were stuck on comparing it to either a computer or the Sony product. If you actually focused on what the Kindle itself has to offer, it sound very cool. The whole thing will revolve around Amazon making their book-server as good as iTunes is for media.

I definitely have my eye on a Kindle. Keep us posted.

Scary huh? Seriously he has no problems with distance vision. He made it home today safe and sound by the way.

**CuppaJoe** · 06-28-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords

....
I've read a couple Kindle reviews (like this one) and I'm surprised how lukewarm they are. I have my eye on one of these puppies for my next celebration toy, too....

You'll have to let us know how he likes it, and what subscriptions he buys!

LOL, that review is hilarious. Photos IMO are fine and what it does really well is (formated) newspaper delivery, the one I subscribe to is updated three or four times a day. (NY Times headline articles at 1.99/mo.) The way Amazon does it, is they give you a free 14-day trial, I currently have the freebee for "The Washington Post," last week it was "The International Herald Tribune." Going thru the freebees one at a time, I'll have an extra paper or blog for another year or two. I use a calendar planner someone created for the Kindle ($1.59) to remind myself when to cancel the freebees.

I read this thread on the Kindle but had to wait to post until I got to a regular computer with internet connection. If anyone figures out how to post from the Kindle, let us know, I got as far as typing into the title area, couldn't type in the message area and could not post that.

BTW, they have already done an update of sorts. The current version is 1.0.4 which was delivered wirelessly (in Feb., I think). Very impressive, apparently they tinkered with the internet connection and added some additional screen savers.

I also use the adjustable type size, #5 is good and big but #6 is too big.

Great gift, Cattusbabe!

06-26-2008, 01:02 PM	#1
Cattusbabe Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 387	Just got a new toy. Well, rather I just got one for my husband. I bought one of those Kindle reading devices that Amazon is promoting. Talk about love at first use. I got it for DH since he is a avid reader and his eyes are no longer co-operating with him, you can adjust the font larger and it is not back lit like a computer screen and you can read outdoors, in full sun if you wish. I breaks my heart seeing him struggle doing something he loves so much. This way he can read with out having to hold the book and a magnifying glass. ( I am not too far behind his so I may get one of these for myself.) __________________ Any day your on this side of the grass is a good day. Last edited by Cattusbabe; 06-26-2008 at 01:47 PM..

06-26-2008, 01:15 PM	#3
Leonidas Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,306	That's a very thoughtful gift. Did you look at any of the competitors? I saw something similar at ~~Barnes and Noble~~ Borders and was wondering how it compares. The Kindle is interesting, I'm not in the market just yet, but it's something I might buy in the future. __________________ "If everything is under control, you are going too slow." - Mario Andretti Last edited by Leonidas; 06-26-2008 at 01:37 PM.. Reason: changed store name

06-26-2008, 01:40 PM	#7
ziggy29 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 3,087	My wife really wants one. I'm holding out to avoid the early adopter tax. It's already come down $40, but if it can come close to the $200 price point I might be interested. __________________ FIRE Clock: 11:27 PM. FIREd at midnight but very subject to change.... waiting for the government to privatize the gains and socialize my losses in my 401K...

06-26-2008, 02:56 PM	#9
Sarah in SC Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,920	So he has the "old folks eyes" and needs reading glasses? And the Kindle makes it possible for him to read without glasses or a magnifier? Hmmmm, that would make a great gift for my DH as well. Glad to hear the positive review, thanks Cattusbabe! __________________ "Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." - Mark Twain DINKS, 38 and 46, plan for his ER at 50, mine few yrs later. Boy it sucks getting older and having to edit your sig line to reflect that!

06-26-2008, 03:22 PM	#10
Khan Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Greater Dayton area Posts: 3,411	Are there places a kindle can be tested hands on? __________________ "Candle wax and red wine can do interesting things to a keyboard."

06-26-2008, 01:12 PM	#2
ProspectiveBum Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 217	Those are definitely cool gadgets! I may wait to see what kind of enhancements they come up with in version 2.0 (as yet unannounced), but I'm sure I will own one of these soon. I can't imagine it'll be too long before these are standard issue for college students (replacing all their textbooks). It'd sure save a lot of trees!

06-26-2008, 01:35 PM	#4
Moemg Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sarasota,fl. Posts: 3,264	It's definetely on my wish list . What a thoughtful gift .

06-26-2008, 08:04 PM	#15
shiny Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tokyo Posts: 652	I've thought about buying one of these to use while traveling (much better than hauling travel guides around!) but then I thought - we'd have to buy 2 or DH and I would still have to lug reading materials with us. We were impressed though, so we did buy one for our BIL who just deployed to Iraq. He had a good time setting it up and all (before he left), I hope he gets some good use out of it over the coming year - I'll get the full report before we go buying 2 for us! __________________ Time is the coin of your life... Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. Carl Sandburg

06-26-2008, 09:07 PM	#16
Rustic23 Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake Livingston, Tx Posts: 1,102	Dual-display e-book concept mimicks reading, makes complete sense - Engadget This is another display that is being looked at. Not on the market, yet.

06-27-2008, 12:04 PM	#17
lazygood4nothinbum Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,897	really so great what is possible today. i remember a friend's father who loved to read. but his eye sight was failing so he had this huge machine to increase the print size for him. it's been a long time since i saw him (since died). the machine looked something like this...

06-27-2008, 12:19 PM	#18
Rich_in_Tampa Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tampa Posts: 6,007	Cattusbabe, Your DH needs a magnifying glass to see the print 14" in front of him, and is on a motorcycle trip? As Nords mentioned, I was surprised how tepid the reviews were. I read a few of them and I think the reviewers were stuck on comparing it to either a computer or the Sony product. If you actually focused on what the Kindle itself has to offer, it sound very cool. The whole thing will revolve around Amazon making their book-server as good as iTunes is for media. I definitely have my eye on a Kindle. Keep us posted. __________________ Rich Tampa, FL (10% retired) As if you didn't know..If the above message happens to contain medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any medical purpose whatsoever. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.