07-29-2010, 06:34 AM | #1 |
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PDF Handling on New Kindle
How is PDF support supposed to work on a 6" inch screen? Will it be using a reflow feature like the Sony PRS-505?
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07-29-2010, 08:05 AM | #2 |
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Hello
It looks not. From de description of the functionalities of the new Kindle on Amazon website: «Improved, Built-In PDF Reader Native PDF support allows you to carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go. With Amazon's Whispernet service, you can send your documents directly to your Kindle and read them anytime, anywhere. Now you can add notes and highlights, use the dictionary look-up, and read password-protected PDFs. You can also magnify PDFs by viewing them in landscape mode, and zoom into any area of a PDF up to 300% and pan to easily view small print and detailed tables and graphics.» Best regards, |
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07-29-2010, 09:04 AM | #3 |
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I prefer to view PDF files with my DX, but PDF on Kindle 2 isn't *too* bad. It actually works quite well on documents that are formatted with smaller paper sizes (A5 works for me) or very wide margins (Kindle automatically crops the margins). Viewing in landscape mode also helps when viewing letter or legal size documents, but trying to actually read full pages with zoom and pan is beyond awkward, and the main reason I opted to add a device with a larger screen to my e-book arsenal.
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07-29-2010, 01:29 PM | #4 |
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In the K3 manual I'm reading some truly exciting things about new PDF features. These are quantum leaps!:
"While reading a PDF document, you can zoom in or adjust the contrast to make the document easier to read" "Place Cursor in Page — displays a blinking cursor on the page. Use this option when you are zoomed in to a PDF page and you want to create a note or highlight, or use the dictionary lookup. Move the cursor to a location on the page, then begin typing to create a note or click to start a highlight." "Native PDF support via Adobe® Reader® technology." "Your Kindle is able to display most PDF documents, including password protected PDFs." Wow, just wow! |
07-29-2010, 01:57 PM | #5 | |
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07-29-2010, 03:34 PM | #6 |
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Yes, bit no reflow feature, right?
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07-29-2010, 06:24 PM | #7 |
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Sony's reflow still doesn't work seamlessly, but I sure can't imagine trying to read a PDF without reflow.
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07-29-2010, 07:16 PM | #8 |
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Reflow is only as good as the PDF's tagging. If the tagging is bad, as it often is, reflow won't work so well. But Amazon should add it anyway, even if it generates support calls for them (as it would).
I find landscape view sufficient for the most part when I need larger text. And there's pan/zoom. More critical, IMO, is lack of support for PDF links (used for TOCs, endnotes etc.). Hope they get around to adding that in an update. Annotation/highlighting was definitely a higher priority than links or reflow for me, however. Wonder if the annotations are proprietary or if they are PDF compliant (e.g. readable with Acrobat or other applications that observe PDF standards)? They aren't worth as much to me if they aren't, but still worth something. |
07-29-2010, 10:19 PM | #9 |
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No matter how good the new Kindle is, no matter how many features it brings, it will never meet my needs as a PDF reader. After trying 7 different readers including the very good PDF features on the Pocketbook e-readers, the 6" devices will never meet my requirements no matter how good or how feature-rich they are. The documents I work with are technical manuals, scientific papers with charts and equations that are formatted for larger displays. No way getting around that. I have pre-ordered the new Kindle for my wife, though.
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07-29-2010, 10:20 PM | #10 |
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If you want PDF, forget any reader with a 6" screen. None of them will do.
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07-29-2010, 10:26 PM | #11 |
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Agreed 100%. Trust me. I have put dozens of hours of work into making this happen for technical PDFs and scientific papers. It's no use. You need the larger screen for sure. As happy as I am for everyone else about the release of the new Kindle, it does absolutely nothing for me.
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07-30-2010, 10:51 AM | #12 |
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If you take an ALL or nothing approach, no ereader can deliver. The right question is to what extent a device can be helpful. For straightforward text-heavy PDFs, 6" devices with reflow are the best thing around - better than a larger screen for portability reasons. For more complex PDFs the DX is not bad though TOC capability would enhance it considerably as well as an optional reflow feature.
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07-30-2010, 11:48 AM | #13 |
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Can't you convert pdf into a reflowable format? What about pdf->mobi conversion?
P.S.: I do not own a kindle yet Cheers, Jens |
07-30-2010, 06:32 PM | #14 | |
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07-30-2010, 07:28 PM | #15 |
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hmmm, my 5" screen Jetbook handles PDF's like they were epubs or text with the new firmware. I can size the font or page without have to pan across. I'm looking for a 6" reader with e-ink and am doing some serious research.
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