The Kindle DX With Global Wireless is Now Available

Let the rejoicing be heard from around the world! The larger 9.7 inch display Kindle DX is now available to be used in over 100 countries around the world (rather than just in the US.) This gives everyone a choice between the 6 inch "regular" Kindle (AKA "Kindle with Global Wireless") and the 9.7 inch Kindle DX.

While the difference between display size (the DX is significantly larger) and price points (as of now the DX is more than $200 more expensive) are the most obvious differences when comparing the two Kindles, they are not the only differences.

Another clear difference is that of memory. To go along with it's larger display, the DX also has a larger memory. It can hold about 3,500 books while the smaller version can hold "only" about 1,500 books. Now if you're like me you're probably thinking that 1,500 books is already far more than enough space so I'm not too sure about this being a major selling point.

Two other features that only the DX has are:

(1) An auto rotating screen (with the smaller device you have to manually adjust the screen) so that when you flip it on it's side the view automatically adjusts (this is good for looking at some visual material.)

(2) A built in PDF reader. Although a PDF reader can be added to the regular version.

Clearly these additional features are not huge selling points, I think this is largely a matter of size. If you want to have a bigger display then you want to get the DX. The larger display is especially helpful with reading newspapers (yes you can get a newspaper subscription that is automatically downloaded every day with this device.)

Both of these gadgets have the same ability to download (from anywhere, no hunting for a wi-fi spot) from a selection of 400,000+ books. And it only takes about 60 seconds to download an entire book. Both of them also have a basic web browswer designed for surfing text based sites such as Wikipedia. And there are no monthly wireless charges, once you buy a Kindle you have wireless service for life (sort of like a GPS unit.)

Buy Kindle DX with Global Wireless.

Differences Between the Kindle Wi-Fi and Kindle 3G As Available in the UK, And Kindle DX

There are now two types of Amazon Kindle available from Amazon UK, and the Amazon DX which at present you have to order from the States. Amazon has not done a great job making it easy for customers to identify the difference between the models so I will try and demystify below.

Kindle Wi-Fi.

Currently £109.00 including free shipping and this is the 'base' model available. This model has a 6 inch diagonal screen, 9mm think (less than a pencil), can hold up to 3,500 books, has a battery life of one month with the Wireless turned off and three weeks with the Wireless turned on. It downloads books from Amazon UK in 60 seconds, has Wi-Fi access for Internet browsing etc,

Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi

This is currently £149 in the UK and is exactly the same to look at the Wi-Fi model, but it has the addition of free 3G global wireless coverage for downloading books and Internet access in over 100 countries. It is very slightly heavier than the model above and the battery life with wireless on is reduced to 10 days. In all other respects it is exactly the same.

Therefore in deciding between the two models that consideration is whether you will be using the Amazon extensively outside the UK and wanting access to the free 3G network while you are away (you can still access the internet (with it's basic browser) using the Wi-Fi, in hotels, bars etc). I guess unless you travel a lot and need to access your e-mail etc while you are away and do not possess one of the latest smart phones such as an iPhone, HTC desire, Blackberry etc, then the more expensive 3G model may be what you are looking for. I suspect for the majority of people the standard Kindle Wi-Fi will be the most appropriate model out of these 2.

Kindle DX

This is currently $379 ( approx £250) and has to be purchased from Amazon.com although they ship to the UK. This has a 9.7 inch diagonal size screen, it still holds 3,500 books, includes the 3G access and has a reduced battery life of seven days with wireless on and 2 to 3 weeks with a wireless off it is also approximately double the weight and slightly thicker. So the difference other Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi being the screen size.

Conclusion

The Kindle Wi Fi is exactly the same as the Kindle 3G except it does not have 3G, so for use as a ebook reader only and not wanting to download books while out of the UK it is perfect. To surf the web, download books abroad and over the internet you need the 3G, and if you want a bigger screen then the DX has it and the 3G.

Overall I would suggest that for most people the basic Kindle Wi-Fi meets their needs and at £109 it represents a bit of a bargain. Having used the 6 inch Amazon Kindle (an older model) the 6 inch diagonal screen is perfectly adequate and I suspect is easier to read, than the larger screen, as there is reduced eye movement.

For those of you that are interested in how the Kindle has developed from the earlier generation, it has reduced in overall size and weight whilst maintaining the same screen size, increased the already impressive screen contrast by 50% and has increased the number of books that can be stored by nearly double and has an improved PDF reader along with various other improvements and of course reduced the price!

The Amazon Kindle does appear to be marking itself out as the way forward for electronic book reader's.

Buy the Kindle in the UK

Kindle Readers available in the UK

Kindle Available on Your Windows Phone 7

Amazon's Kindle e-book reader is now available for Microsoft Windows Phone 7 users, spreading the e-book reading joy across even more platforms. By adding the Windows Phone 7 to the already expansive list of Kindle apps available on iPhone, Android, iPad and Blackberry more people can read with their hand-held devices than ever.

The Kindle App rapidly became the most popular download for Windows Phone 7 users and has features not previously available. The new features allow users to take full advantage of the Amazon Buy Once, Read Everywhere approach to Kindle applications. This includes a nifty bookmark feature, which uses Whispersync across Kindle platforms that keeps your place, any highlights and notes, regardless of the Kindle e-book device you use.

With the ability to read in landscape and portrait mode, the Kindle app for Windows Phone 7 is user-friendly and adaptable. There are three different colored backgrounds and five fonts the user can choose from, allowing for a personalized reading experience.

Kindle also now comes with a personalized recommendations feature that is integrated into the home screen and even lets the user recommend their favorite Kindle e-books to their friends. The social component of reading has been introduced to the Kindle world with the ability to lend favorite books to friends for loan times of up to 14 days. Risk-free lending at its digital best!

The ability to re-download a Kindle purchase from Amazon is reassuring with the new Worry-Free Archive, so if you ever lose or damage your Windows Phone 7, any Kindle e-books will always be available to you. With access to 775,000 plus books at Amazon, the Kindle App ensures users will find it easy to amass an extensive e-library, even on their smartphone.

The stellar rise in popularity of e-book readers and apps such as the Kindle has taken the literary world by storm. With Amazon earlier announcing the development of Kindle apps for both Android and Windows based LCD tablets the interest generated in multi-use devices utilized as e-readers will continue.

Despite the increase in popularity of LCD tablets and smartphones as e-book readers using Kindle apps, people have appeared to embrace both multi-platform and e-readers to ensure all their reading needs are met. This has allowed Amazon to cover the market effectively by offering Kindle e-readers and cross-platform Kindle Apps to ensure the technically savvy can keep their favorite reading material at the tips, or brush of their fingers.

The Kindle App for Microsoft Windows Phone 7 is now available to download for free at the Windows Marketplace.

If you are looking for kindle covers, check out our kindle blog!

Top Rated Kindle Games Now Available on Kindle Touch

On this blog we will track down the latest Amazon Kindle news. We will keep you up to date with whats hot in the bestsellers section, including books, ebooks and blogs... and we will also bring you great Kindle3 tips and tricks along with reviews for the latest KindleDX accessories.

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