Amazon's leather case causes Kindle to crash

[SameOldStory]

Interesting.

"The problem isn't hitting everyone, as ABC reports, but it's a significant minority of US buyers who've had problems. Amazon is offering replacement covers or a full refund to anyone who asks on either side of the pond, and checking the low-end UK reviews shows much the same pattern so it's something worth watching out for if you're unwrapping a Kindle (with cover) at the weekend."


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"While no one's quite sure what could be causing the problem, Amazon support forums have lit up with the suggestion that the case's metal hinges are causing the problem. Users posit that the metal is somehow interfering with the Kindle screen, causing it to have a complete meltdown."

"complete meltdown" might be a little excessive

[ardeegee]

I saw reference to that over at Boingboing-- not having a Kindle, I'm never on the Kindle forum here, but I did some searching and found a thread relating to the problem:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=110682

[daffy4u]

There are quite a few threads on this. It is only the *non-lighted* cover that is having an issue. I have a lighted cover and it works fine.

ardeegee, your naked squirrel is scaring me.

[SameOldStory]

I've seen some strange things happen that appear to have no rational cause but do in fact have a reproducible and logical cause.

Has anyone made a list of common problems per individual reader models and in one place? Keeping track of such on a forum the size of MobileRead would tax the abilities of any moderator. But if anyone feels the calling to do so I wish him well.

[mldavis2]

I have posted my comments and experience with the unlighted covers on several threads. The problem (and real value and advantage at the same time) of MobilReads is that there is so much activity that active threads quickly become buried. New posters often do not spend adequate time searching before posting, and threads quickly become numerous and disconnected.

"Meltdown?" Really, now. Sounds like a post from a Sony fan?

[queentess]

I have a K3 and I've had problems with it crashing lately, but I'm using an M-Edge sleeve to store it. No metal hinges involved, though there is a magnetic closure...

I also take the K3 into the tub from time to time, so I put it in a gallon-sized ziploc bag (just like I did with my K2). Sometimes the bag generates a little static electricity during the cold months, so I'm wondering if that's my issue Never had a problem with the K2 though. K3 seems to be a particularly fragile beast.

[SameOldStory]

Originally Posted by mldavis2

I have posted my comments and experience with the unlighted covers on several threads. The problem (and real value and advantage at the same time) of MobilReads is that there is so much activity that active threads quickly become buried. New posters often do not spend adequate time searching before posting, and threads quickly become numerous and disconnected.

"Meltdown?" Really, now. Sounds like a post from a Sony fan?

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

"complete meltdown" might be a little excessive

I'll try to make it easy to understand.

I made "complete meltdown" bold to draw attention to their absurdity, and underlined little to emphasize that point.


"Sounds like a post from a Sony fan? "

It may take you a while to notice such things (being so new) but there is a way to see what readers (if any) people use.

And although I didn't think that I would like the Kindle I changed my mind after seeing the new Kindle in Target and have said so here on MR. In fact I've even made suggestions to some that they buy one.

Originally Posted by mldavis2

The problem (and real value and advantage at the same time) of MobilReads is that there is so much activity that active threads quickly become buried. New posters often do not spend adequate time searching before posting, and threads quickly become numerous and disconnected.

I agree with you on that. And that will always be a problem. The solution is to read EVERYTHING. And then read it all over again because others will be posting as you read.

As you've said, you've contributed to the situation;

Originally Posted by mldavis2

I have posted my comments and experience with the unlighted covers on several threads.

Lastly;
"Sounds like a post from a Sony fan? "

You have a problem with those that like Sony I take it?

[mldavis2]

Absolutely no problems with Sony -- I'm looking at one as an alternate to my Kindles. I like the reader, I don't like the prices. It's a more attractive alternative to stripping DRM and converting books I can't read directly on the Kindle, which are very very few so far.

I got the bold, just wanted to add to the sentiment.

It took me several days to read all the back post headers for a couple of weeks when I joined MR. I can't really blame newbies for not catching up quickly, but searching should be a priority when there is a specific question or problem. It's very unlikely that someone hasn't paved the road ahead of them.

[caleb72]

I don't have a Kindle cover at all and mine is crashy crashy la la.

I'm not that fussed, but if I'd been more organised I would have rung up and and asked for a replacement or something.

I think crashiness is more associated with the Wi-Fi only model. I have friends/family wth the 3G model and they are having no such problem.

It's not really affecting my reading - which is my main use for the device. It's more sometimes when I'm using other functions that involve alot of clicking around the place. Additionally, if I leave the device on screen saver overnight I'll often find it's rebooted by morning.

Again - not really disturbing my main enjoyment of the device, but I do bookmark when I've finished reading to protect myself.

Regards
Caleb

[Dulin's Books]

the idea that the metal hinge could interfere somehow with the Eink display is absurd. The metal wouldnt effect it anymore than it could an LCD display etc.

[Dulin's Books]

oh it seems "tgdaily" misrepresented the issues they link to. its not hinges but metal tabs that actually insert in the body of the kindle. the idea is that in some cases the tabs are touching or coming very close to a component inside causing crashes or freezing. that I can see

[ardeegee]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

oh it seems "tgdaily" misrepresented the issues they link to. its not hinges but metal tabs that actually insert in the body of the kindle. the idea is that in some cases the tabs are touching or coming very close to a component inside causing crashes or freezing. that I can see

The issue IIRC from the original article is that the lighted case draws it's power from the Kindle's battery, thus needing metal tabs to insert into the case. The unlighted case has metal tabs that are connected-- they are painted, but the paint can rub off. If the paint has rubbed off on spots of both tabs, it can cause a short circuit.

[Dulin's Books]

thanks spooky squirrel person!

[mldavis2]

There is, obviously, circuitry in the K3 that allows the K3 to draw power from the battery for the lighted cover. My K3 is a WiFi-only model -- I have two of them in fact -- and if you turn the K3 off before inserting the hooks, neither of mine have had any problems whatsoever. That does not require a total reboot to re-activate them, just the same 2 seconds as from sleep mode. If the K3 is off, or out of the cover, there should be no problem.

[queentess]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

I'll try to make it easy to understand.

I made "complete meltdown" bold to draw attention to their absurdity, and underlined little to emphasize that point.

It may take you a while to notice such things (being so new) but there is a way to see what readers (if any) people use.

You have a problem with those that like Sony I take it?

Whoa, calm down there. The post wasn't malicious. Poster was also making fun of the absurdity of "meltdown". And saying "sounds like a post from a Sony fan" rather captures the whole "troll/not-troll" thing that's been going on around here lately. And, honestly, asking someone to read everything before posting is just silly. Yes, the search should be used, but now you're being ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

oh it seems "tgdaily" misrepresented the issues they link to. its not hinges but metal tabs that actually insert in the body of the kindle. the idea is that in some cases the tabs are touching or coming very close to a component inside causing crashes or freezing. that I can see

Yeah, they're called "hinges". They were pretty common on cases even before the lighted case. See the second photo here. There were a lot of issues where people would just sort of rip the Kindle out of it's case instead of pressing the release hinge, or bending the cover back on itself would cause issues... many people cracked open the cases on their Kindles.