Is the Kindle Keyboard a good choice?

cob · 12-04-2012, 10:19 AM

Hi,

I need help to choose an eReader.
Of all the options I prefer the Kindle Keyboard because the TTS function, I am not an English speaker and I will use the eReader to improve my vocabulary so the dictionary function and the TTS are very important to me.

I have read several threads and viewed some videos about the Kindle Keyboard but I still have some doubts:

1) I dont live in the US so I cant access to all the content in the kindle store.
Could I use books from another sources (gutenberg.org, local library) in Kindle?

2) As far as I understand the Kindle Keyboard is a 3rd generation Kindle.
Is there too much difference in the display quality and firmware of this device and the 4th and 5th generation?

3) Does the TTS worth it or should I go directly for a Kindle Paperwhite?
Can I use the TTS with mobi or txt books?
This is a dealbreaker for me because I will use it to improve my English vocabulary (pronunciation).

Thanks

pdurrant · 12-04-2012, 10:27 AM

1) Yes. The Kindles read any non-DRM Mobipocket files, and calibre will convert almost anything into Mobipocket format.

2) No difference between KK3 and Kindle Touch. The Paperwhite's display is slightly higher resolution, as well as having the frontlight.

3) The TTS is better than nothing, but it isn't brilliant as a guide to English pronunciation, especially for unusual words.
It certainly works for Mobipocket books. I think it would work on plain text, but easy to convert to MObipocket if not.

cob · 12-04-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

1) Yes. The Kindles read any non-DRM Mobipocket files, and calibre will convert almost anything into Mobipocket format.

2) No difference between KK3 and Kindle Touch. The Paperwhite's display is slightly higher resolution, as well as having the frontlight.

3) The TTS is better than nothing, but it isn't brilliant as a guide to English pronunciation, especially for unusual words.
It certainly works for Mobipocket books. I think it would work on plain text, but easy to convert to MObipocket if not.

Thanks, I will order one.

usuallee · 12-04-2012, 11:29 AM

I like my trusty K3 very much, although the TTS capability leaves a lot to be desired. I rarely use it.

jbcohen · 12-05-2012, 07:44 AM

In addition to the book reader that you have contemplated I would like to make a few more recommendations. translate.google.com, can help by translating to English and from English and try openoffice.org, its a free suite of software that speaks over 105 different languages, its a pretty remote chance that openoffice does not speak your language like a native.

12-04-2012, 10:19 AM	#1
cob Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2012 Device: none	Is the Kindle Keyboard a good choice? Hi, I need help to choose an eReader. Of all the options I prefer the Kindle Keyboard because the TTS function, I am not an English speaker and I will use the eReader to improve my vocabulary so the dictionary function and the TTS are very important to me. I have read several threads and viewed some videos about the Kindle Keyboard but I still have some doubts: 1) I dont live in the US so I cant access to all the content in the kindle store. Could I use books from another sources (gutenberg.org, local library) in Kindle? 2) As far as I understand the Kindle Keyboard is a 3rd generation Kindle. Is there too much difference in the display quality and firmware of this device and the 4th and 5th generation? 3) Does the TTS worth it or should I go directly for a Kindle Paperwhite? Can I use the TTS with mobi or txt books? This is a dealbreaker for me because I will use it to improve my English vocabulary (pronunciation). Thanks

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12-04-2012, 10:27 AM	#2
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 73,800 Karma: 315126578 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	1) Yes. The Kindles read any non-DRM Mobipocket files, and calibre will convert almost anything into Mobipocket format. 2) No difference between KK3 and Kindle Touch. The Paperwhite's display is slightly higher resolution, as well as having the frontlight. 3) The TTS is better than nothing, but it isn't brilliant as a guide to English pronunciation, especially for unusual words. It certainly works for Mobipocket books. I think it would work on plain text, but easy to convert to MObipocket if not.

12-04-2012, 11:29 AM	#4
usuallee Media Junkie Posts: 278 Karma: 2039392 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Device: Kobo Libra H20, Kindle PW	I like my trusty K3 very much, although the TTS capability leaves a lot to be desired. I rarely use it.

12-05-2012, 07:44 AM	#5
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,031 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	In addition to the book reader that you have contemplated I would like to make a few more recommendations. translate.google.com, can help by translating to English and from English and try openoffice.org, its a free suite of software that speaks over 105 different languages, its a pretty remote chance that openoffice does not speak your language like a native.

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