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Amazon Kindle for SA
- Thread starter rpm
- Start date
Amazon Kindle Review
Hi guys. Just finished my first book (Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz) on my Kindle. What an awesome read - the book and the device, that is
Firstly, some physical aspects of the Kindle. The Kindle is slightly larger and heavier than my physical Dean Koontz novels. It is roughly the same size and weight as my "Spud" books. Hope that kinda clarifies the size and weight By the ways - obviously a lot thinner than the novels (about the thickness of a pencil).
I didn't buy the "official" Kindle cover but rather opted for the Belkin cover. I prefer having a cover that is not physically attached to the device. This way I only need the cover for storage/transportation and it doesn't get in the way when actually using the device. Personal opinion here
The actual reading experience I believe can be quite subjective. I, honestly, am quite a "perfectionist" (some pp. just say I'm an*l - ha ha) - I have a "phobia" of books with a bent/damaged spine! I tend to read all my books without creasing the spines - they basically look brand new when I return them to my shelf. So, lying in bed with a bedside lamp off to the side, I tend to move the physical book around quite a lot to get the light shining just right on the page (without opening the book too far so as not to crease the spine). Honestly, this is not the most comfortable way to read Reading on the Kindle has totally solved this challenge. I basically lie up in bed, balance the Kindle on my chest and hold it up with one hand. No need to adjust after moving from the left page to the right page - seeing there is only one page. Awesome!! Basically you find a comfortable position and stick with it So in my opinion I find it easier and more comfortable to read on the Kindle than to read a physical book. Remember, this can be very subjective, I just prefer the Kindle
Battery: I've been using my Kindle quite heavily over the past few days - browsing the store, played with the web browser quite a bit, downloaded about 10 books etc etc. I have also kept my wireless on all the time. Battery lasted me a full 3 days before it started getting low. It is still the first charge so should improve slightly over the next 3 or 4 charges. Honestly, I think 3 days was pretty awesome considering how much browsing I did. Busy charging it now again and will actually keep wireless off to test the battery life then…
As far as content on the Kindle Store is concerned - as a South African, honestly, pathetic!! I am fortunate enough to have a "US Amazon account" and thus have access to an awesome selection of books So, if possible, try not to use a South African account - you WILL be disappointed.
Can't really think of anything else now, if I do I'll be sure to add it to this post
Enjoy guys!!!
Hi guys. Just finished my first book (Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz) on my Kindle. What an awesome read - the book and the device, that is
Firstly, some physical aspects of the Kindle. The Kindle is slightly larger and heavier than my physical Dean Koontz novels. It is roughly the same size and weight as my "Spud" books. Hope that kinda clarifies the size and weight
By the ways - obviously a lot thinner than the novels (about the thickness of a pencil).I didn't buy the "official" Kindle cover but rather opted for the Belkin cover. I prefer having a cover that is not physically attached to the device. This way I only need the cover for storage/transportation and it doesn't get in the way when actually using the device. Personal opinion here
The actual reading experience I believe can be quite subjective. I, honestly, am quite a "perfectionist" (some pp. just say I'm an*l - ha ha) - I have a "phobia" of books with a bent/damaged spine! I tend to read all my books without creasing the spines - they basically look brand new when I return them to my shelf. So, lying in bed with a bedside lamp off to the side, I tend to move the physical book around quite a lot to get the light shining just right on the page (without opening the book too far so as not to crease the spine). Honestly, this is not the most comfortable way to read
Reading on the Kindle has totally solved this challenge. I basically lie up in bed, balance the Kindle on my chest and hold it up with one hand. No need to adjust after moving from the left page to the right page - seeing there is only one page. Awesome!! Basically you find a comfortable position and stick with it So in my opinion I find it easier and more comfortable to read on the Kindle than to read a physical book. Remember, this can be very subjective, I just prefer the Kindle Battery: I've been using my Kindle quite heavily over the past few days - browsing the store, played with the web browser quite a bit, downloaded about 10 books etc etc. I have also kept my wireless on all the time. Battery lasted me a full 3 days before it started getting low. It is still the first charge so should improve slightly over the next 3 or 4 charges. Honestly, I think 3 days was pretty awesome considering how much browsing I did. Busy charging it now again and will actually keep wireless off to test the battery life then…
As far as content on the Kindle Store is concerned - as a South African, honestly, pathetic!! I am fortunate enough to have a "US Amazon account" and thus have access to an awesome selection of books
So, if possible, try not to use a South African account - you WILL be disappointed.Can't really think of anything else now, if I do I'll be sure to add it to this post
Enjoy guys!!!
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Crusader
Executive Member
Good feedback. Have you tried converting PDF/TXT files and transferring those via PC? It might help to give people an idea of the process involved.
With the wireless off the battery should aparently be able to last about 2 weeks. Waiting to hear your actual results.
With the wireless off the battery should aparently be able to last about 2 weeks. Waiting to hear your actual results.
Haven't converted anything yet. Will see if I can find something worthwhile and will try converting it sometime.
Apparently you just mail the attachment to [email protected] and they'll mail you a link back to download the converted file. You then just transfer it to your Kindle for free via USB
And how exactly do YOU plan on getting around the ever-so-minor problem of the book-selection in South Africa?
Honestly, I cannot understand why as South Africans, we would even CONSIDER this device. Why would you pay R3,000 for a reading-device that won't let you read a book that you could otherwise stroll into Exclusive Books and buy off the shelf anyway?!
Maybe it's not Amazon's fault, maybe its the publishers, maybe it's South African law, I don't know... All I know is, the selection-issue is a DEAL BREAKER! There is simply no talking around it!
rapidblue, you're one of the lucky ones, and I envy you. I think the Kindle is a GREAT device, and I *WANT* one... But goddamn, I am bitter about this problem of books.
lol. i've search 5 books i want already and all 5 are available in SA.
I've search 3 books my sister wanted, and all are available in SA.
So, seems like its good for me. And if its not, I will open a US account or get someone I know to do it for me.
I've search 3 books my sister wanted, and all are available in SA.
So, seems like its good for me. And if its not, I will open a US account or get someone I know to do it for me.
Crusader
Executive Member
Sadly the geo-restriction problem isn't only limited to Amazon. More and more ebook stores are being forced to implement it. There are some exceptions and doing some searching around you can often find one that doesn't have restrictions in place, but that's why it's good to have an open format that's not locked to just one store.
It's just insane to think that you can order the paperback from Amazon, but you aren't allowed to order the ebook version. Publishers will seriously need to rethink their strategy. The major advantage of ebooks are the fact that you are exposed to a GLOBAL market. Having idiotic restrictions in place doesn't make any sense.
It's just insane to think that you can order the paperback from Amazon, but you aren't allowed to order the ebook version. Publishers will seriously need to rethink their strategy. The major advantage of ebooks are the fact that you are exposed to a GLOBAL market. Having idiotic restrictions in place doesn't make any sense.
agreed. the technology and the way its marketed now is still young. hopefuly in the near future processes will be changed.
...
Can't really think of anything else now, if I do I'll be sure to add it to this post
Enjoy guys!!!
How about build quality? If you fall asleep and it drops off the bed, is it goodbye Kindle?
Build quality feels pretty solid. Dropping it on carpet - should be fine. Tiles, eish I don't know :erm:
AirWolf
Honorary Master
Then you'll have to use your Kindle as kindle for the fireplace?
He he
Is that like a digital book burning ceremony?
Crusader
Executive Member
E-ink devices are quite sensitive to any twisting or pressing forces. I wouldn't advise sleeping on your Kindle or carrying it in any way were something hard could press on the screen. It might survive a fall, but don't try your luck. Treat it like a baby and you should be fine
I might be speaking too soon, but looking at the Kindle store today, it would appear that Amazon have expanded their available books...
Some of the titles I was searching for a couple of weeks ago without success are now available (eg. Jodi Picoult novels).
Can anyone confirm? Has anyone here actually received one yet and can give some "impressions" on the device and its function in South Africa?
Some of the titles I was searching for a couple of weeks ago without success are now available (eg. Jodi Picoult novels).
Can anyone confirm? Has anyone here actually received one yet and can give some "impressions" on the device and its function in South Africa?
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Check what your region is set to on the top left of the page. If it is set to Africa then your will see a limited selection. If it is set to Unites States then you will see the whole range (about 360 000 books). I use a US Amazon account here in SA - just gives you waaaaay more variety
If you look back in this thread - I've posted a short review of the Kindle here in SA