Get Kindle 4 or wait for possible Kindle Touch in UK?

[jamiethehutt]

So I'm in the UK and Amazon have released the new Kindle here, however there is no sign of the Kindle Touch ever being released, Amazon say "stay tuned" which is the same thing they say about the Kindle DX in the UK.

I'm quite desperate to get a new eBook reader after my Cybook Opus' screen broke and Bookeen wanted to charge the price of the new Kindle to have it fixed...

So my dilemma is: Do I get a Basic Kindle now or do I keep waiting for an unknown period, potentially (even probably) in vain for Amazon to release the Touch? Also possible is I order the Basic and Amazon release the Touch a week later...

Basically do you good folks think Amazon are releasing the Touch to the UK within the next 6 months?

(I'm not wanting to import it as I've realised eBook readers need good warranties, if I were willing to risk it I'd wait to see the Cybook Odyssey )

[HarryT]

Within the next 6 months? Yes. Before Christmas? No.

[jamiethehutt]

I think I can wait 6 months, touch seems a far better way of using web sites (also I think entering any text on the basic seems a real hassle) and the headphone jack means I wouldn't need an MP3 player...

It is rather frustrating having had an eBook reader to be without one, even months after my Opus broke... (I've been waiting for the new Kindles before I ordered anything)

I guess patience is a virtue which I lack. :P

[michaelryannh]

I had bought the Kindle 3G + Wifi literally a week before the new Kindl4 came out. Being under Best Buys extended warranty plan, I chose to stay with the Kindl3 under the impression of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

There is not very many new features of the Kindle 4 that would convince me to get it over my Kindl3. It is essentially the same bookreader except a little smaller.

[HarryT]

Amazon UK currently have some refurbished K3 3G's available for £116. That's a very good price.

[jamiethehutt]

I'd never really considered the 3G, I have a phone with does tethering really easily and live in an almost constant shower of WiFi. It does give an MP3 player and I rather like the idea of free wikipedia on the go: http://xkcd.com/548/

I don't really like the extra size of the Kindle with keyboard, as I said my last reader was a Cybook Opus, but it does solve the problem of not liking the look of that on screen keyboard the basic kindle has...

Decisions decisions! Someone pointed out in another thread that you can't stick the touch screen kindle in a zip lock bag to take it into dangerous environments (like the beach) which I did a few times, even used my Opus in the bath (while in a "safe" zip lock bag) a few times.

[michaelryannh]

Originally Posted by jamiethehutt

I'd never really considered the 3G, I have a phone with does tethering really easily and live in an almost constant shower of WiFi. It does give an MP3 player and I rather like the idea of free wikipedia on the go: http://xkcd.com/548/

I don't really like the extra size of the Kindle with keyboard, as I said my last reader was a Cybook Opus, but it does solve the problem of not liking the look of that on screen keyboard the basic kindle has...

Decisions decisions! Someone pointed out in another thread that you can't stick the touch screen kindle in a zip lock bag to take it into dangerous environments (like the beach) which I did a few times, even used my Opus in the bath (while in a "safe" zip lock bag) a few times.

Good luck with your choice! All I can tell you is I am very happy with my Kindl3, and if it ever breaks *KNOCK ON WOOD*, I will be searching for a new Kindl3, not a Kindl4. I am just too happy with it to switch to what is basically what I call a "mainstream" Kindle, made for competition between other retailers of e-readers.

Even if the price is cheaper on the Kindl4.. Kindl3 all the way for me.


Oh, and as for the size. I find it really does not get in the way too much, the font of the kindle (Caecilia), plus the bright contrast of the e-ink, and along with the sheer lightness of it simply makes the reader dissappear, the only thing you see is the words in the book. At least for me.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Within the next 6 months? Yes. Before Christmas? No.

Agreed. If Amazon was going to release the Kindle Touch internationally before Christmas they would have said so at the announcement.

[Andy_T]

I've just got my Kindle 3rd gen Keyboard about 3 weeks ago and already broken the screen simply by putting it into my bag together with my iPad and iPod touch (secured in a padded pouch).

So I am not sure any more if a touchscreen on an e-reader with e-ink display is a very good idea...

Best regards,
Andy

[Abtacha]

Originally Posted by Andy_T

So I am not sure any more if a touchscreen on an e-reader with e-ink display is a very good idea...

How do you draw that conclusion form a broken screen? The screens remain the same, there's just a grid of IR sensors at the side.

[mrklaw]

Originally Posted by jamiethehutt

I'd never really considered the 3G, I have a phone with does tethering really easily and live in an almost constant shower of WiFi. It does give an MP3 player and I rather like the idea of free wikipedia on the go: http://xkcd.com/548/

I don't really like the extra size of the Kindle with keyboard, as I said my last reader was a Cybook Opus, but it does solve the problem of not liking the look of that on screen keyboard the basic kindle has...

Decisions decisions! Someone pointed out in another thread that you can't stick the touch screen kindle in a zip lock bag to take it into dangerous environments (like the beach) which I did a few times, even used my Opus in the bath (while in a "safe" zip lock bag) a few times.

kindle with keyboard is only a little bigger really.

and the UK 3G one offers full web browsing, not just wikipedia (albeit with edge speeds and limited capability). So you can check your email/facebook for instance.

[Andy_T]

Originally Posted by Abtacha

How do you draw that conclusion form a broken screen? The screens remain the same, there's just a grid of IR sensors at the side.

Indeed. I draw my conclusion not so much from one broken screen, but rather from the ease with which the screens break. I will definitely not apply pressure to the e-ink screen of my new (thanks Amazon for the replacement) device. In fact, I have just ordered the Kindle Fire mainly because it should be more robust.

Best regards,
Andy