The estimated reading time for this post is 5 minutes
Are you considering getting a Kindle but are not sure if you would like it or how you would use it? Maybe this will help with your decision:
- Picture this: your daughter has a paper to write on Aesop’s Fables that’s due tomorrow. She forgot the book at school and it’s late enough that the school is locked up tight as a drum. Your local Borders store closed last week and the closest Barnes & Noble is over 45 minutes away. All of her classmates need their books to write their papers and the library is closed, so borrowing a copy is out of the question.
What to do? - Imagine this: your mother’s eyesight has been fading for years, to the point where she has difficulty with her favorite pastime – reading books. Large print books are too heavy for her and she has dropped out of her book club. You miss seeing the light in her eyes when she talks about her new favorite book.
How can you help? - Consider this: your son was assigned A Tale of Two Cities in English class but there are a lot of new vocabulary words for him in that novel. He slogs through the book, spending more time with the dictionary than with Dickens. He loses his place repeatedly as he is stopping too often to look up words, failing to appreciate the novel or get immersed in the plot.
How can he improve his reading? - Another scenario: you are packing for a weeklong trip and you are close to the weight limit on your luggage. You have a choice of packing either another outfit or the novel you want to read, the 1000+ page book Under the Dome, by Stephen King.
Which to choose?
A Kindle eReader ($139 for the Wi-Fi model on Amazon) solves all of these problems. How can Kindle help?
- You whip out your Kindle and download Aesop’s Fables for free. That’s right, $0. The book is on your Kindle within seconds from when you go to the Kindle Store on your device (Go to Menu, Shop in the Kindle Store, Search for the book and press Buy). Your daughter can even search for terms on the Kindle by typing words on the Kindle’s keyboard. No late night trips to the bookstore only to find the book is sold out. Easy, instant and free!
- You give your mom a Kindle and help her increase the font size to where she can read the words easily. (This is easily done by clicking on the AA button on the keyboard and selecting the font size that works best for her). You show her how easy it is to find the book she wants to read on her Kindle, no computer necessary, and download it for her. You smile with delight a week later as she excitedly tells you about her new favorite book, The House at Sugar Beach, by Helene Cooper, and that she has re-joined her book club.
- You hand your son your Kindle with A Tale of Two Cities ready for him on the screen (this book is also free on the Kindle). He moves the cursor to a word he doesn’t know and sees the dictionary definition pop up on the screen. He finishes the book before the due date and gets an A on his English test.
- You tuck your Kindle into your purse (or man-purse/murse), as it only weighs 8.5oz (240g) and is small in size, 7.5″ x 4.8″ x 0.335″ (19cm x 12cm x 0.85cm). You pack your extra outfit in your suitcase plus have room leftover for souvenirs. No need to pack the power cord as the charge on the Kindle will last a month. You smile as you read Under the Dome on the beach while sipping your piña colada, knowing that the money you saved on buying the Kindle version of the book paid for your drink!
Plenty of other reasons exist to get a Kindle, including having the ability to highlight your favorite passages and share them on Facebook and Twitter, or the ability to share your books with, and borrow books from, other Kindle users. You can browse the web with the Kindle and check email. You can even read the Kindle in the bathtub or swimming pool with the help of a gallon-sized Ziplock bag. With the money you save on buying eBooks, the Kindle might even pay for itself.
Many people ask me why I have a Kindle if I have an iPad (the iPad has a Kindle app available so you can read your Kindle books on your iPad). I still enjoy reading on my Kindle over my iPad because my Kindle is lighter weight and easier on the eyes (see, Tech-Knowledgy) as the Kindle uses E Ink on its screen while the iPad has a backlit screen. I compare it to having a camera when you have a cell phone with a camera. The cell phone camera is fine for everyday pictures, but for more important pictures, I still want to use my camera.
People tell me they don’t want to read eBooks because they like the feel of a book in their hands and they enjoy the smell of books. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to take books away from anyone. You can still read paper books (the tech world calls them DTB, Dead Tree Books) even if you have a Kindle. But you may find many instances in your life when having a Kindle can be wonderful.
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Do you have a Kindle? Has it ever come to your rescue, getting you out of a bind? Do you still read paper books even though you have a Kindle? Let us know in the Comments section!
This article is part of The Wonder of Tech All Star series to satisfy your tech cravings while Carolyn is on vacation. This article is an update of an article that was originally published on The Wonder of Tech on February 22, 2011. You can access the article here if you would like to read the comments on the original version. You can leave comments below and Carolyn will respond after she returns from her vacation on August 20.
* Picture by Frantisek Fuka
The kindle is a good invention and it’s different from its other friends on the market. We will see it gradually develop into an even more powerful tool, but the fundamental principle [behind the type of screen print] it uses, will always distinguish it (some like the fact, some don’t). I refer to the glare-free screen print type that the kindle uses. Ironically, the ‘kindle’ doesn’t use light and so you don’t have to worry about glare and you can read it from any angle. However, you can’t read it in the dark!
Hi Desmond, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I completely agree with you about the Kindle, the eInk technology makes reading on a Kindle as easy on the eyes as reading a book. Actually, Kindles can be easier to read than books because of the ability to change the size of the font to the size that’s easiest on your eyes.
I also like that I can read my Kindle in the sunlight without a problem, something I can’t do on my iPad.
I wish Kindle had a backlight for reading that you could turn on and off. My first black and white Palm Pilot had that capability, but it didn’t use eInk.
I have a special light to read my Kindle at night but, ironically, I can’t see the screen because of the glare the light causes.
Thanks so much, Desmond, for your visit and insightful comment!
Why not ask all your readers to nominate you for the blog contest? I just did for the 4th time.
It is difficult to find the page something you read before on Kindle.
Hi Jerry, I was away on vacation, and off of the internet, so I was unable to post the link for the nominations. But thank you very much for voting for The Wonder of Tech!
The good news is that The Wonder of Tech received enough nominations to become a finalist for Philadelphia’s Most Valuable Blogger award!
Please help by clicking on this link, scrolling down and voting daily for The Wonder of Tech:
http://philadelphia.blogger.cbslocal.com/most-valuable-blogger/vote/misc/
That is, of course, if you consider The Wonder of Tech to be Philadelphia’s Most Valuable Blog!
Back to the Kindle…
There are several ways to find your place on the Kindle. You can save bookmarks on the Kindle or type in a keyword and search for all mentions of that word in the book.
Thanks so much, Jerry, for all of your support of The Wonder of Tech!
I’ve got Kindle for PC, which a great little piece of software. (I’ve tried different ebook software; Kindle is by far the best.)
But it won’t replace my DTBs, wonderful as it is. My connection with paper books is not tactile or olfactory, and claiming that a Kindle is no replacement for the feel and smell of a paper book is like saying music used to be a lot better when all we had were player pianos and wax cylinders. I am pro-technology.
My argument is that:
a) hardware is still a couple of generations from ideal usability and experience; reading on a screen is still a bit of a chore
b) a paper book demands a lot more commitment from you, as printed materials do not multitask. They are meant to be read, and that’s it. They demand that you concentrate on them, and through that you learn the difficult discipline of sustained attention. You work on your attention span. A machine with Internet access presents a huge potential for distraction
c) paper books do not require batteries — once the original energy required for manufacture is spent, the work is done. Reading hardware, on the other hand, is a recurrent drain on energetic resources
I find these things cause for concern. I fear that our technology outstrips our intelligence and maturity as a civilization.
One reason I still read paper books is, I find myself unable to relax with a reading device. Because I know I can readily access the Internet, check my e-mail, play a game or whatever, and because devices make it so easy to just stop reading and do something else.
Let me just conclude by saying that ebooks are a great idea — I was able to buy stuff I wanted very badly that’s been out of print for ages. However, I do not see print and ebooks as mutually exclusive. They said cinema would do away with theater. It didn’t. Then radio was supposed to kill the movies. Didn’t happen. Give it a couple of years, and then TV was the death of radio.
We still have all those forms and channels. They’re complementary. As long as there’s a market, they will subsist and maybe even thrive.
Hi Bell, Welcome back to The Wonder of Tech! I found your comment fascinating, first of all because the PC is the one place I don’t use my Kindle app. I have read entire Kindle books on my iPhone, but I haven’t ever opened my Kindle app on my PC. I agree, internet access is much too distracting.
But I want to address each of your astute points individually…
1) I obviously am pro-technology too, but I understand people who say they love the feel and smell of DTB’s. They truly enjoy the sensory experience of a book and miss that when they read using technology. There are some who love listening to music on their record players, complete with the scratches and lower quality sound. For them, the experience is what counts.
a) I also find reading on a screen to be a chore, except on the Kindle screen. The key for me is whether I can forget I’m reading on a device. I can with the Kindle, the eInk is so easy on the eyes. I don’t find that to be the case, however, with a backlit screen. So reading on the PC, iPhone, iPad, etc. is difficult for me, but reading on the Kindle truly isn’t a chore, but a delight.
b) I agree with you that internet access is very distracting. If I try to read a Kindle book on my iPad, sure enough, I find myself checking my email, Twitter, blog, etc. But I don’t do these things on the Kindle so distractions aren’t an issue. Games are now available on the Kindle, but I don’t download them to avoid distractions. If I want to play a game, my iPad is what I will use for a richer experience than the Kindle.
So reading on a Kindle isn’t any more distracting than a book for me.
c) True, paper books do not require energy to read. But they do require energy to print and distribute. Experts don’t know which format leaves more of a carbon footprint or has a more negative environmental impact than the other, and seem to disagree as to which form of reading is more ecologically harmful. Here is a link to a site that lists various studies on this issue: http://www.ecolibris.net/ebooks.asp
The Kindle battery lasts a very long time (weeks) and the device warns you ahead of time when the battery is running low so I’ve never had a problem with my Kindle battery dying on me in the middle of reading a book.
2) I agree with you about technology having the potential to outstrip our maturity and civilization. Technological advances can have unintended consequences.
True, tv didn’t replace radio and radio didn’t kill movies. But the cassette tape killed LP’s and cd’s killed cassette tapes. I don’t think ebooks will kill DTB’s, but consider this:
Amazon has said it wants to have all books in print available on the Kindle. If it achieved most of that goals and offered access to all Kindle books for a monthly subscription fee, say $9.99 a month, would you sign on? I imagine most people would. Then what incentive would you have to purchase a DTB when you could essentially get an ebook for free?
A world without DTB’s would be a scary place. I don’t want one corporation owning all the rights to printed words. But if bookstores go the way of record stores, that could be the case.
I hope ebooks and DTB’s are complementary. I sincerely do. Ebooks offer many advantages over DTB’s, but don’t want ebooks to eliminate DTB’s either.
Thank you so much, Bell, for your visit, tweet, and amazing comment. I thoroughly enjoy all the insights that you bring to the conversation. 🙂
Good reasons to buy a Kindle and I’m certainly in line for one though I still prefer my DTBs. I think a lot of us will continue to do so despite foreboding murmurs about their imminent demise.
A Kindle is good for precisely the four reasons you gave but it lacks the emotional relationship with and commitment to the real thing. The argument against it might be that will future generations ever develop a true love for books? Can they love an e-book on Kindle the same as a real one? Treasure it, keep it to reread or for future reference. Or rather, will it be just one more title among thousands downloaded making it similar to a seen episode in a TV series?
Kindle still has a long way to go and so does the book market, which may appear to be wobbly while it steadies its old base or finds its new legs. I’m sure that Kindle is the future, but a more advanced version of the one currently in use, and where it will place vs. the DTB market.
Hi Penelope, Some people may be affected by reading a book on the Kindle, but for me, I am passionate about good books whether I read them on the Kindle, as DTB’s or as an audiobook. In fact, I particularly enjoy listening to books as audiobooks because the characters come alive with a great narrator.
I sincerely hope the market for DTB’s begins to thrive again, I don’t mean for ebooks to totally replace DTB’s. But there are many times when having access to ebooks can be very helpful.
Thank you so much, Penelope, for your visit and valuable comment!
Hi Carolyn,
I really would like to get kindle as soon as possible. I got interested in the device when I published my first book in there. And I checked in one of the blog, Kindle can be shipped to India too however the custom duty is a deterrent. But I am sure I will get it one day.
Meanwhile I would use my Galaxy tab to get a few books on kindle app. Thanks for informing me about that on my blog. I feel books cannot be replaced however we need to look at the convinience of reading while we are travelling for e.g.. Nothing beats that.
Great post and I liked the scenarios that you have put.
Have a great day
Hi Ashvini, We are honored to have a Kindle author visit The Wonder of Tech! I am so sorry to hear that the customs duty is prohibitive in your getting a Kindle. It just doesn’t seem fair that a Kindle author can’t get his own Kindle. Perhaps this fall, when the price of the Kindle is predicted to drop even further, the customs duty won’t be so restrictive.
The convenience of ebooks cannot be beat. When we were on our cruise ship, my Kindle 3G picked up signal when my other devices couldn’t. We downloaded my oldest daughter’s summer reading book which she then was able to read and finish while on the cruise. The bad news was that I didn’t have access to my Kindle when she was doing her summer reading.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Ashvini. Thank you so much for your visit and wonderful comment.
For those of you who would like to check out Ashvini’s Kindle book on Amazon.com, click here: http://www.amazon.com/want-entrepreneur-Become-successful-ebook/dp/B005DR34YO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1313940475&sr=1-1
I’ve bought my copy already, but the good thing about ebooks is that they don’t sell out so there will be plenty for all Wonder of Tech readers to enjoy! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I am much thankful to you for such a great comment. You have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have had the pleasure of getting comments from you on my blog which put my ideas into perspective.
And you are the first one to buy my ebook as well which was extremely motivating.
I think your blog is an excellent hangout place. “Have fun while learning” . This is probably kind of the school I always wanted to go to :).
I am sure I would get my kindle soon 🙂 and since I am fond of reading, I would make most of it.
Have a great day and thanks for all the kind words :).
Hi Ashvini, Wow, thank you so much for your kind words about me and my blog. I didn’t know I was the first one to purchase your Kindle book, but I know I won’t be the last!
I truly enjoy not only the content on your blog, but your attitude in engaging with your readers. You inspire lively discussions and are willing to debate issues in a calm and intelligent manner. I feel like I’m attending class with my favorite professor when I read your blog. Have you ever thought about teaching? Now that you’re published, you might consider the possibility?
So glad to have you here at The Wonder of Tech. Always an honor! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I don’t really need any tips on why I need to buy a Kindle, because I already have one.. and it’s just awesome. It’s probably the device I use the most, even more than my computer. I love to read on it, and I use it for PDFs all the time. I highly recommend it to every person I talk to 🙂
Jens
Hi Jens, It’s great to hear from another Kindle fan! I agree, I love reading books on my Kindle. Were you able to get Delivereads on your Kindle?
My daughter’s school sent her pdf files for her to read the first three chapters of her history book and she was able to read them on the Kindle, so that was very handy for her.
Thanks so much, Jens, for your visit, brilliant comment and awesome tweet! 🙂
Wasn’t really a fan in the beginning, since i’m a paper books worm, but there’s no denying that Kindle represents the future of reading, there’s no point in fighting it anymore.
I plan on buying one in the next couple of months.
Carolyn,
Last weekend flying back from FL the woman next to me had a Kindle so I got an upclose tutorial. I was blown away and think that is my next birthday present (in Sept!!).
Your column confirms it.
thanks,
Lee