Kindle DX Portable eBook Reader - Did Amazon Get it Right This Time?

Amazon.com's new Kindle DX portable ebook reader follows the phenomenally successful Kindle and Kindle 2 portable book readers. Formally called a "wireless reading device", the Kindle DX, as did it's predecessors, is capable of downloading books and newspapers wirelessly over cellular phone data transmission systems. It is about the size and thickness of a letter-size notepad. While you must pay a fee for each book you download, there is no fee for the wireless data connection that connects you to Amazon. Amazon makes some publications available for no charge, including an electronic edition of the New York Times. Such advantages must be taken into consideration when looking at the Kindle's higher purchase cost of $489.

Size Matters

The 9.7" high display of the Kindle DX is the most obvious advantage over previous readers. The screen is two and a half times the size of the Kindle 2. This improves the reading experience of any book, and is especially helpful with reading newspapers, which allow you to scan a full page, then zoom in to an article. The next major difference is the 3500 book capacity, over the 1500 book capacity of the original Kindle. This difference may seem unimportant if, like most of us, you are not going to be reading even 1500 books on the reader, but with increasing use of graphics and the ability to store your own files, extra storage is nice to have. With 276,000 electronic books available for the Kindle DX, you certainly could fill it.

Formats

Of particular importance (and a deal maker/breaker for me) is that the Kindle DX is the first Kindle reader to allow native storage and viewing of the popular Adobe PDF format, the most commonly used format for electronic books. It was possible to view PDF files on previous Kindle versions, but the file had to be converted, with some quality loss compared to Amazon's proprietary AZW format. Other formats viewable include HTML, TXT, Audible, Doc, JPEG, GIF, and PNG. Files can be loaded via either USB cable or via the Internet through Amazon for a small fee. Another new feature is subtle, but nice: If you rotate the Kindle DX from portrait to landscape position, it will automatically adjust the page so that you are viewing it properly.

The first two Kindle versions have been wildly successful with rave reviews. As a full-fledged PDF format reader with a much larger screen, the Kindle DX overcomes the greatest weaknesses of it's predecessors, offering what may be the best ebook reading experience on the market, though only for those readers not put off by it's premium price.

Wade Watson is a writer, computer technician, web designer and self-confessed gadget enthusiast who has over 27 years of experience with computers and computer-related devices.
Learn more about the Amazon Kindle DX portable ebook reader at Amazon.com.

iPad Versus Kindle - Which eReader is Right For You?

The past couple years have been an interesting time for book readers. We have seen quite a few eReader devices released from companies like Amazon, Sony, and Barnes and Noble. Now that the iPad has been released, another major player has entered the eReader market.

Ultimately, choosing an eReader is a matter of personal preference. All devices have pros and cons. This article will take a look at some of the differences between Amzon's Kindle and Apple's iPad.

1. Full Color Vs. Black and White

While the Kindle utilizes an e-ink black and white display, the iPad uses a full color computer display. The e-ink display is easier on your eyes. However, the iPad display, is certainly much more attractive. It will also be possible for authors to include extras in their books that would never be possible with a Kindle. You might expect exclusive author interviews or a full-color interactive map of Middle Earth when you are reading Lord of the Rings.

2. Battery Life

One thing that has contributed to the rave reviews of the iPad is its long battery life. You can use the device for up to ten hours at a time. While this is pretty good, the Kindle's battery life is even better. The Kindle can hold a battery charge for up to 2 weeks as long as the wireless connection isn't turned on. Ten hours will probably be plenty of battery juice as long as you can charge it up every night, but if you often take long vacations off the grid, the Kindle may be the better choice.

eBook Selection: Quantity Counts

This has always been perhaps the most important factor in an eReader. If you don't have access to the book you want to read, then what is the point of having an eReader? This has also been the primary reason that Kindle has always been number one. After all, Amazon is the world's #1 bookseller, so it is natural that they would have the largest selection of books for the Kindle. However, the iPad book selection is practically guaranteed to surpass that of the Kindle. The reason is that in 2009 Amazon developed a Kindle App for Apple. This app allows users to access the Kindle Store and download books directly to their iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad. iPad users will not only have access to the Kindle store, but they'll also have access to Apple's new iBookstore. If an iPad user can't find the book he wants in the iBookstore, he can simply peruse over to the Kindle store to find it. Kindle users won't have this luxury.

eBook Prices: Deals and Steals

For much the same reason as above, iPad users will always be able to get the best book price. While Kindle users will be forced to pay the price at which Amazon offers the book, iPad users will be able to compare prices between the two stores. The App Store also allows free downloads, an option not available in the Amazon store.

Weight: Lugging Around Your eBooks

The Kindle easily wins this one. One thing many iPad users have noticed is that the device is heavier than they expected. While much of this can be attributed to the quality of the device, the fact is that your arms and hands may grow weary from holding 1.5 lbs in front of you for a long period of time. The Kindle weighs less than half as much as the iPad, and it is much more comparable in weight to a standard sized paperback.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best eReader

Although there are pros and cons to each device, each user must prioritize their needs to decide which device is best for them. Overall, the iPad is probably a better value for most readers. The battery life isn't much of an issue, and the book price and selection is a huge factor for the heavy reader. Additionally, while the Kindle is a dedicated book reader, the iPad is a multimedia device for complete entertainment where users can watch videos, run applications, and browse the full Internet.

Find reviews on all the best iPad apps at AppCraver.com, a website dedicated to app reviews for the iPhone, iPod and iPad devices.

Kindle Vs Kindle DX - Which Wireless Digital Book Reader is Right For You?

Features That The Kindle & The Kindle DX Share

(1) Download books anywhere in just 60 seconds with 3G wireless. No monthly fees. No hunting for wi-fi hot spots.

(2) "Paper like display" with no glare even in bright sunlight.

(3) Free book samples. It's free to download & read the first chapters of a book so you can see whether it's worth your money to buy the whole book.

(4) Wireless with long battery life so you can read your books anywhere without worrying too much about recharging.

(5) Both Kindles are as thin as most magazines and they are both lighter than the average paperback book.

(6) "Text to speech" software included with the Kindle will actually read your books to you. This feature works for every book, newspaper, and magazine unless the publisher has specifically disabled it.

(7) Read books, magazines, newspapers, and even blogs. There's a selection of more than 350,000 books, magazines, newspapers, & blogs available at The Kindle Store. With subcriptions to magazines, newspapers, & blogs the new issues will be downloaded to your Kindle automatically.

Kindle DX Improvements

(1) The display is larger. 9.7 inches instead of 6" inches.

(2) It can hold more books. It holds about 3500 books rather than 1500. Of course for most people, 1500 will be way more than enough already!

(3) Auto rotating screen. The Kindle DX will automatically rotate from a portrait display to a landscape display as the reading device is turned so maps, graphs, & tables can be viewed in their full width.

(4) Native PDF reader. Unlike the original Kindle, the Kindle DX comes with a PDF reader.

Price Difference

As of right now the new & improved DX is selling for $489 while the regular Kindle (second generation) is selling for $299.

Kindle DX Review: More info on the Kindle DX including how it can be ordered online 24/7/365.

Global Kindle: With the new "global" Kindle, the device works in over 100 countries around the world.

The Kindle DX and Kindle 3G, Which One Is Right For You?

So you have decided to buy an Amazon Kindle but you are not sure which model is right for you. No problem, let's get you straight on the different models, their features and how those features will determine the right one for you.

To start with, congratulations on deciding to buy a Kindle in the first place, as there are other wireless reader's on the market. I congratulate you as you are in the position of many a like mind at all the major tech review sites, such as cnet, gizmodo, engadget, tabletpcreview and others, giving the Kindle DX an average star rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

"Best ebook reader to date" was one of the comments that I read on gizmodo, so this is certainly a good choice for the following reasons:

1. Excellent display, easy to read e ink technology, good contrast

2. Easy to use, no distractions like you would experience on a pc such as email, ims and others

3. Usable keyword and toggle button

4. Good battery life

5. Improvement in many areas over the previous model

The basic difference between the models goes like this:

A. Entry level Kindle WiFi 6 inch screen no 3G - price $139

B. Top level Kindle WiFi plus 3G 6 inch screen - price $189

C. Largest reader, the Kindle DX a 9.7 inch screen, WiFi plus 3G - price $379

That's the basic feature list, of course it goes further than this but the common features will be found on all models and can be discovered if you read more on my website listed below. So how do you decide on which one is right for you?

If you are after a simple electronic book reader, you like to read on the bus or train while commuting to work, have access to a wifi hotspot at home or work and no need for international download access to over 100 countries, the this light weight (easy to hold in one hand) Kindle, the base model would be your obvious choice.

However if the idea of being able to take advantage of the 3G access that comes for free, requires no account anywhere or contract of any kind, sounds appealing then the Kindle 6 plus 3G is the choice for you.

Setting aside just using the Kindle for reading electronic books, you may be interested in using it to read the daily news in a format that is almost like holding a real newspaper in your hands. Reading pdf's is also easier on the eyes on the larger model and then there is the notion of using this for reading text books or journals. Here is where this model stands apart from the other smaller units. With the ability to search on your Kindle, the idea of using this to study is simply brilliant.

If you are comfortable reading a newspaper with two hands, then the Kindle DX is going to fit right in to your day.

So that is it, you now have only to decide if you want to go with graphite or white as your color choice for your new Kindle. To find out more on Kindle where to buy and more, please visit my site, at homeblvd.com/kindle-where-to-buy-kindle/