| IS THE KINDLE READER AS GOOD AS AMAZON | | | | books, and Amazon has provided a still |
| SAYS IT IS? - AND WHAT ABOUT THE | | | | experimental converter for unsecured PDFs}. |
| COMPETITION? | | | | There is, however, no way to read encrypted |
| With the recent release of the Amazon Kindle | | | | versions of either format- annotating articles isn't |
| ebook reader the Sony ebook reader range face | | | | possible - you're limited to the Kindle ebooks |
| some competition in this new and getting hotter | | | | available and their pricing structure, also remember |
| market. Interestingly enough, most reviewers | | | | that the screen is black and white so magazine |
| either love it or hate it - there doesn't seem to | | | | articles and pics will take some adjusting to. |
| be any middle ground, despite it having some | | | | The MP3 player seems to be causing some |
| really neat features. Admittedly, a lot of the | | | | problems as it will only random play and the user |
| complaints seem to be where buyers have a | | | | has little control over this aspect and users think |
| specific requirement and the Kindle doesn't offer | | | | that Amazon, with its own encrypted books, are |
| that function. | | | | trying to ensure that all content comes from |
| In all fairness, if you need it for something specific | | | | them and are just trying to exercise too much |
| then make sure that it can do it!. Users, whilst | | | | control. You can transfer over unencrypted |
| generally hating the design, really love the | | | | ebooks via SD card or even email them to |
| functionality of the Kindle reader in that the | | | | yourself but the latter choice incurs a 10c fee. |
| navigation buttons are on either side so left or | | | | There are a few options for storage if you |
| right handed people can use it with ease. The | | | | exceed the Kindles memory - you can store |
| display, a 6" diagonal E-Ink(R) electronic paper | | | | them onto a SD card and then transfer them to |
| display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, | | | | your PC via USB or Amazon can store them |
| 4-level gray scale which uses e ink {although | | | | online for you and it does seem possible that you |
| converted electronically} tries to emulate | | | | can access Streamload's site via the Whispernet |
| newsprint and as such can be read easily in | | | | facility to up and download as you wish. |
| sunlight without the normal glare associated with | | | | The main controversy that the Kindle reader |
| PC screens. The Qwerty keyboard is used to | | | | opens up is that of pricing, not only of the reader |
| control and take advantage of the Whispernet | | | | itself but of ebooks in general. Many users of the |
| technology for downloading and surfing - it's a | | | | reader are complaining about the price of some |
| direct connection and doesn't need Wifi hotspots | | | | of the ebooks where there is only a small |
| or ISP's. The battery, which takes about two | | | | reduction in price compared to the hard back |
| hours to charge will give you one week of reading | | | | copy. Ebooks are growing in popularity all the time |
| but much less if you're downloading but should last | | | | and it is going to be a while though before all |
| about 2 days. | | | | publishers and retailers will get their heads |
| You have access to Wikipedia, about 250 top | | | | together and sort out some commonalities. In |
| blogs and a whole host of Newspapers. The fact | | | | comparison the Sony ebook readers don't have |
| that it is only the size of a paperback and weighs | | | | the advantage of the e-ink screen and may be |
| just 10.3 ounces with a capacity of 200 books | | | | more difficult to read in certain lighting conditions |
| means you'll never be short of reading material | | | | but it does give you easier access to a wider and |
| and the easily adjustable font size allows you to | | | | cheaper range of ebooks. |
| find a comfortable reading level according to the | | | | So should you buy one? - if the higher price tag |
| ambience around you. It doesn't incorporate a | | | | doesn't concern you and you're one of the "gotta |
| backlit screen though so, if like me, you like | | | | have's" then you've probably already decided it |
| reading in bed you'll still be juggling about with the | | | | should be on your list - personally I'd look at some |
| torch! | | | | of the alternatives and wait for not only a later |
| If you're expecting an all singin' dancin' piece of | | | | version, which will probably be significantly cheaper |
| technology in this ebook reader you'll probably be | | | | anyway, but some of the niggling problem areas |
| disappointed since it doesn't fully support PDF | | | | may well have been sorted. |
| {The Kindle can read unsecured Mobipocket | | | | |