A few kindle questions

[ficbot]

I am thinking of buying a Kindle. I have lately been finding that my Sony 505, while excellent, has some drawbacks for me that the Kindle seems to address. For example it seems non-English dictionaries are now supported, so I would be able to read in French. Also, I am very interested in the 'read to me' feature. I am not very into music and get bored carrying my ipod with me for walking to the subway (admittedly not a far walk) and while shopping. I like the idea that I could spend an hour in the grocery store, have it read to me the whole time, then when I get home, I could turn off the read to me and read it the regular way.

But before I pull the trigger, I have a few questions:

1) Does it come with a case or protector of some kind? I just want to be able to carry it in my bag without damaging it.

2) Is it lighter to hold than a Sony 505? I find my hand gets a bit numb after a time if I hold the 505 one-handed.

3) Should I just convert my LRFs to mobi using Calibre, or is there a benefit to re-downloading my Fictionwise multiformat books or books from here?

4) Does Amazon only store/collect data on books on the Kindle you buy from them? For example, if I buy a book from Fictionwise in secure eReader, liberate it, and load it onto the Kindle via USB, will Amazon know?

5) Do you find subscription newspapers to be a good value? Does the 'read to me' feature work with them?

6) In Canada, I am assuming I can use the wireless (while in Canada) and the USB for free. Does the 'email this to my Kindle' feature have a charge?

Any assistance or advice appreciated. I was very tempted to wait awhile and see what comes out, but I have weighed the options and really feel that there are features here I would like to use. I am just hoping they get folder support soon as I have over 500 books...

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by ficbot

But before I pull the trigger, I have a few questions:

1) Does it come with a case or protector of some kind? I just want to be able to carry it in my bag without damaging it.

You must purchase the cover separately.

2) Is it lighter to hold than a Sony 505? I find my hand gets a bit numb after a time if I hold the 505 one-handed.

Kindle = 10.2 oz, 505=9oz, I now own both and can't tell the 1 oz weight difference.

3) Should I just convert my LRFs to mobi using Calibre, or is there a benefit to re-downloading my Fictionwise multiformat books or books from here?

I don't know. I would think conversion would be fine but do a test with one book as a converted to .mobi. and a re-downloaded version. Which ever you like best is what you should use.

4) Does Amazon only store/collect data on books on the Kindle you buy from them? For example, if I buy a book from Fictionwise in secure eReader, liberate it, and load it onto the Kindle via USB, will Amazon know?

Amazon stores your Kindle books on their servers and sync you notes, bookmarks and last page read. You have to option to turn off syncing. You must also sign-in to see your notes online.

I don't think they care about books you get from other sources. In 2 years I've never heard of an issue. People read darknet books on the Kindle and nothing has come of it.

5) Do you find subscription newspapers to be a good value? Does the 'read to me' feature work with them?

Calibre is a less expensive alternative but yes TTS works on newspapers. Here is a video of TTS with the New York Times.

6) In Canada, I am assuming I can use the wireless (while in Canada) and the USB for free. Does the 'email this to my Kindle' feature have a charge?

You can use wireless in Canada (no browser though) but you should check the wireless map to confirm coverage in your area. Emailing documents to your Kindle will cost $0.15 per 1 MB (rounded up).

[julian1982]

I have a kindle 2 international. I can change with your sony 505 if you like

[Nathan Campos]

I think not, but it's not recommended.

[coolbreeze]

Originally Posted by ficbot

1) Does it come with a case or protector of some kind? I just want to be able to carry it in my bag without damaging it.

No cover included, but I *highly* recommend this cover:

http://www.amazon.com/OCTO-Leather-K...2017943&sr=8-2

Perfect for using the K2 "naked." It protects the device very well.

[Mike L]

Be aware that, although Amazon sell various covers for the Kindle, many of them are not available outside the US. Worse, the product description pages often neglect to tell you that, and you have no way of knowing until you reach the checkout.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Mike L

Be aware that, although Amazon sell various covers for the Kindle, many of them are not available outside the US. Worse, the product description pages often neglect to tell you that, and you have no way of knowing until you reach the checkout.

M-Edge does sell internationally.

[HarryT]

I'm very happy with Amazon's "standard" Kindle cover. Works well, and gives good protection.

[grownupboy]

i ended up with the timbuk2 sleeve for my k2 and i love it! it closes with velcro so i don't need to worry about it opening in my bag when i'm out and about. inside is super soft micro fiber so it's extra gentle on my kindle. here's a link to it on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&s=electronics

comes in 3 color variations - looks like black is in stock right now...

k

[ficbot]

Julian, what don't you like about your Kindle?

Thanks everyone for your great answers. I am surprised it doesn't even come with a sleeve or anything! How do they expect you to carry it around?

I have tried the Calibre news feeds with my Sony and find them a little clunky. I guess I had the idea that a paid subscription would be more professional somehow. If I got a paid subscription of a magazine, could I leave them all on my Kindle forever, or do they auto-delete? And could I download a backup copy to my computer?

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by ficbot

Thanks everyone for your great answers. I am surprised it doesn't even come with a sleeve or anything! How do they expect you to carry it around?

My theory is that so many people complained about the cover that came with Kindle 1 (which was adequate but had some issues), that Amazon decided to leave it up to the purchaser to pick their own cover.

I have tried the Calibre news feeds with my Sony and find them a little clunky. I guess I had the idea that a paid subscription would be more professional somehow. If I got a paid subscription of a magazine, could I leave them all on my Kindle forever, or do they auto-delete? And could I download a backup copy to my computer?

Navigating news feeds on the Kindle is very different than from the 505. It's much easier because of the joy-stick. Also the Calibre newspapers are nearly identical to the Kindle version except they're free and will include pictures if you set up your recipe that way (rare to have pics in Kindle newspapers).

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by coolbreeze

No cover included, but I *highly* recommend this cover:

http://www.amazon.com/OCTO-Leather-K...2017943&sr=8-2

Perfect for using the K2 "naked." It protects the device very well.

Sleeves are silly unless they can incorporate the device with a cover. Sure, the sleeve will protect the K2, but it won't protect the K2 when you have it out of the sleeve and drop it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by grownupboy

i ended up with the timbuk2 sleeve for my k2 and i love it! it closes with velcro so i don't need to worry about it opening in my bag when i'm out and about. inside is super soft micro fiber so it's extra gentle on my kindle. here's a link to it on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&s=electronics

comes in 3 color variations - looks like black is in stock right now...

k

Does it fit the K2 with a cover?

[julian1982]

i have a problem with the screen contrast. reading more than a hour is e torture for me and it costed to me more than the average month salary here in albania (about 250 S).

[Sydney's Mom]

I got this one, because I like to hold the K2 naked. But I still hope to get my purple Roof of Heaven Oberon cover converted from K1 to K2.
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Neopren...XAVB6NJGHF2F4Z