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Anarel · 08-26-2010, 02:37 PM

Here's my first impressions. If you have any questions about anything, my k3 Tansen and I are here to answer them!

Just when you thought it couldn't get better.... it did, August 26, 2010

Having signed up immediately after the Kindle 3 was announced on July 28th, I was expecting my new Kindle tomorrow. Release date delivery.

I got it today, a full day before the official release (I had amazon prime one day shipping). Go Amazon!

So on to the review. I had a k2 and recently got a Graphite Kindle Dx, which resulted in an immediate dislike to my K2... the Pearl e-ink screen on the DX ruined me for all previous generation Vizplex screens. I had always thought my K2 screen as beautiful, with great contrast, but after having the GKDX, my K2 looked hazy, dull grey, and indistinct next to the new screen. It really is the difference between a newspaper and a paperback- the pictures just don't do it justice. You have to see it for yourself. So if you're thinking of upgrading for the better screen, it is definitely worth it, go for it!

So what's new about it? It's smaller and lighter, obviously,and while I don't have my K2 any longer to compare the weight, I can say that it feels very light. Almost ridiculously light. Reading one handed will be no problem, especially with the nice (I wouldn't say rubberized) back that replaced the metal back of the K2. Reading with one hand is also easier because now there are previous and next page buttons on both sides of the device, so whether you're a rightie or a lefty, the K3 will suit just fine.

As to the page buttons, I'm a bit mixed on them. Yes they're a good deal more quiet. They're also a good deal smaller than what I am used to, and it will take me some more time to get used to it... they don't need as much press as the K2's buttons did. When you press on the button, it depresses out, towards the edge, I mean. The k3 doesn't have the need-to press-in-the-center button like the K2 did to correct the K1's too-easy-to-press buttons, but because there is space between the screen and the button, you can rest your thumb in between and change the page with the outer side of your finger, very easy!

Now, onto the 5 way rocker. Do I miss the joystick? Nope. The rocker is all one button and you just use your finger in the direction you want the cursor to go. It has a raised edge which is easy to find with your finger even if you're not looking at the keyboard. While I can see why some early reviewers said that the menu and back buttons are a little close to the rocker directional pad, I haven't actually hit one or the other while trying to navigate. I guess your mileage may vary.

No numerical buttons! Why Amazon, why? There's clearly space for it..... Now if you need to enter in any number you either have to hold ALT and press one of the top keys on the keyboard (Q=1, W=2 E=3 R=4), or use the SYM button. Each has its own advantage. Using the top keys, you can enter as many numbers as you like quickly, but seeing as the number each key correlates too, one might not remember which is which. Unlike the Dx, there really isn't any room on these rounded buttons to print the corresponding number. Maybe above the themselves the numbers could have been printed on the Kindle? Maybe a skin can help out. The numbers are also located in the SYM section, and the sym menu stays open while you make your selections. This makes it preferable to the top-key usage except for the fact that you have to hit SYM to close the window.

Did I mention the k3 is FAST? Fast at everything, turning pages, showing menus, everything. Hopefully software update 3.0 (which is on the k3 and not any other Kindle as of yet) will be coming to the other Kindles. I definitely want the speed (and PDF annotating abilities) for my Graphite KDX.

I don't know what else there is to say. I had thought that the Kindle couldn't get (much) better, and it far exceeded my expectations. It's definitely worth the upgrade. If I have anything else to add over the next few hours (and days) I'll add it in the review here. And if anyone has any questions, leave a comment and I'll be happy to try it out for you.

08-26-2010, 02:37 PM	#1
Anarel Evangelist Posts: 424 Karma: 61399 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: K1, GKDX, K3	K3 Here, Have any questions? Here's my first impressions. If you have any questions about anything, my k3 Tansen and I are here to answer them! Just when you thought it couldn't get better.... it did, August 26, 2010 Having signed up immediately after the Kindle 3 was announced on July 28th, I was expecting my new Kindle tomorrow. Release date delivery. I got it today, a full day before the official release (I had amazon prime one day shipping). Go Amazon! So on to the review. I had a k2 and recently got a Graphite Kindle Dx, which resulted in an immediate dislike to my K2... the Pearl e-ink screen on the DX ruined me for all previous generation Vizplex screens. I had always thought my K2 screen as beautiful, with great contrast, but after having the GKDX, my K2 looked hazy, dull grey, and indistinct next to the new screen. It really is the difference between a newspaper and a paperback- the pictures just don't do it justice. You have to see it for yourself. So if you're thinking of upgrading for the better screen, it is definitely worth it, go for it! So what's new about it? It's smaller and lighter, obviously,and while I don't have my K2 any longer to compare the weight, I can say that it feels very light. Almost ridiculously light. Reading one handed will be no problem, especially with the nice (I wouldn't say rubberized) back that replaced the metal back of the K2. Reading with one hand is also easier because now there are previous and next page buttons on both sides of the device, so whether you're a rightie or a lefty, the K3 will suit just fine. As to the page buttons, I'm a bit mixed on them. Yes they're a good deal more quiet. They're also a good deal smaller than what I am used to, and it will take me some more time to get used to it... they don't need as much press as the K2's buttons did. When you press on the button, it depresses out, towards the edge, I mean. The k3 doesn't have the need-to press-in-the-center button like the K2 did to correct the K1's too-easy-to-press buttons, but because there is space between the screen and the button, you can rest your thumb in between and change the page with the outer side of your finger, very easy! Now, onto the 5 way rocker. Do I miss the joystick? Nope. The rocker is all one button and you just use your finger in the direction you want the cursor to go. It has a raised edge which is easy to find with your finger even if you're not looking at the keyboard. While I can see why some early reviewers said that the menu and back buttons are a little close to the rocker directional pad, I haven't actually hit one or the other while trying to navigate. I guess your mileage may vary. No numerical buttons! Why Amazon, why? There's clearly space for it..... Now if you need to enter in any number you either have to hold ALT and press one of the top keys on the keyboard (Q=1, W=2 E=3 R=4), or use the SYM button. Each has its own advantage. Using the top keys, you can enter as many numbers as you like quickly, but seeing as the number each key correlates too, one might not remember which is which. Unlike the Dx, there really isn't any room on these rounded buttons to print the corresponding number. Maybe above the themselves the numbers could have been printed on the Kindle? Maybe a skin can help out. The numbers are also located in the SYM section, and the sym menu stays open while you make your selections. This makes it preferable to the top-key usage except for the fact that you have to hit SYM to close the window. Did I mention the k3 is FAST? Fast at everything, turning pages, showing menus, everything. Hopefully software update 3.0 (which is on the k3 and not any other Kindle as of yet) will be coming to the other Kindles. I definitely want the speed (and PDF annotating abilities) for my Graphite KDX. I don't know what else there is to say. I had thought that the Kindle couldn't get (much) better, and it far exceeded my expectations. It's definitely worth the upgrade. If I have anything else to add over the next few hours (and days) I'll add it in the review here. And if anyone has any questions, leave a comment and I'll be happy to try it out for you.