Amazon Announces 4 New Kindle devices...

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Wow... this thread has really drifted off topic.

The idea of a netbook I think is that you don't do much typing. The keyboard on my phone is tiny, but for the amount of "typing" I do on it, it is perfectly adequate.

BOb

Yes it has.... Now to get it back on topic seeing it was my posts that derailed it. I apologize it was all about the buttons! People here like their buttons I see that now!

The new K4 has brought out some new changes those who are not in the Kindle forum may not be aware about.

Amazon has brought in a Personal documents service with 5GB of free cloud space but as of now all new Kindles bought after Sept 28 will not have a unique Email address. So if you buy a K4 it will share your previous Kindle address and now as it changes even unique email address will be tied together if I am reading the Amazon forum right? It seems now all Pdocs go to all Kindles on your account, regardless of email addresses. You can disable the cloud or choose which Kindle receives Pdocs and which don't in MYK page but the change will be a huge inconvenience for some. So it looks likes a bunch of secondary amazon accounts people are going to have to make just so they don't have to share the service with say a sibling or roommate,

Some are reporting the K4 screen text is considerably lighter then the K3 or T1 I've seen 3 different reports now. Mine will be here tomorrow so I reserve judgment on this.

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by Blossom

That's good to know as I know that they were saying Desktop would be five years ago but I still prefer mine over any type of PC. I do not like the mini desktops I need something I can upgrade or replace parts on as it's ages.

The netbook is a separate issue to the question do people even use laptops anymore, It has nothing to do with the buttons statement. I see netbooks everywhere but I haven't seen a laptop in ages other hten my own. Hubby tried to use my netbook on campus but he hates the small screen.

As for tablets as they come down in price time will only tell if people buy them instead of a netbook. Of course I think tablets have a long way to go with software before they can compete with a normal PC. Office type apps are really limited on the Andriod OS but as MS release more PC type tablets that may change.

Haha, tbh, I'd probably say that who uses desktops anymore, but there's probably a statistic out there that'll show me I'm mistaken

[SCION]

Originally Posted by Blossom

... have a new preference on the Manage Your Device page called Screensaver Preferences. It looks like the K4 is going to have downloadable screensavers. As you get to choose what kind of SC you like in the new pref like Nature, People, Illustrations..etc I posted a pic in the Kindle forum...

Would be nice if they just showed book covers. I would've passed on the Special Offers model.

[MsAstoria]

I started out with K2 and then sold it when iPad 1 came out. I upgraded to the iPad 2 and glad I did. Love the ipad but its too heavy to casual reading in my opinion. I use it mainly for web surfing and video. Great entertainment value for my 4 yo grandson too! But I digress....... Bought the K3 for my hubby and he loves it! I was really impressed by the better quality contrast screen and the dark bevel makes reading much more eye friendly.
IPad due to its shiny reflective LCD screen sucks in sunlight so no reading on the porch. I missed my Kindle! So, now have Kindle Touch on pre order and looking forward to being to read where ever I want to. I ordered the $99 version wi-fi only. Dont see the need to have whispersync. If I am going to be traveling, I can always bring my iPad for internet. I pay $15 a months for ATT service and have never used the full amount allowed. I can download movies to it for watching offline if I want, but again, this is a rare thing. Yes, I know that whispersync/experimental browser is "free", but the browser totally sucks! If I want to browse, iPad is the way to go for me.
Since Kindle books sync via wi-fi, I can switch between either device and always be on the right page where I left off.
Looking forward to being back in the "Kindle" family again.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by MsAstoria

I started out with K2 and then sold it when iPad came out. Love the ipad but its too heavy to casual reading in my opinion. I use it mainly for web surfing and video. Great entertainment value for my 4 yo grandson too! But I digress....... Bought the K3 for my hubby and he loves it! I was really impressed by the better quality contrast screen and the dark bevel makes reading much more eye friendly.
IPad due to its shiny reflective LCD screen sucks in sunlight so no reading on the porch. I missed my Kindle! So, now have Kindle Touch on pre order and looking to being to read where ever I want to. I ordered the $99 version wi-fi only. Dont see the need to have whispersync. If I am going to be traveling, I can always bring my iPad for internet. I pay $15 a months for ATT service and have never used the full amount allowed. I can download movies to it for watching offline if I want, but again, this is a rare thing.
Since Kindle books sync via wi-fi, I can switch between either device and always be on the right page where I left off.
Looking forward to being back in the "Kindle" family again.

Congrats on your new Kindle! Alot of people are canceling their 3G orders now Amazon confirm the 3G only allows access to their store and Wikipedia. I am getting a KT with WiFi only because of this and the weight. I have a K3 with 3G and it's heavy.

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Some are reporting the K4 screen text is considerably lighter then the K3 or T1 I've seen 3 different reports now. Mine will be here tomorrow so I reserve judgment on this.

I've had a thought about this. The new kindle does complete page refreshes every 6 pages (unless the setting is changed). I believe the partial page refreshes are what's causing the fainter font. If you take the K3, open a page with lot of text, and click the menu button twice to bring it up and then make it go away, you'll see the book text in the area below the menu space is fainter than the rest of the page. Bringing up the menu does a partial refresh, of course. Perhaps it's the partial refresh to blame, and maybe full refreshes will show the K3 and K4 displays to be identical.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

I've had a thought about this. The new kindle does complete page refreshes every 6 pages (unless the setting is changed). I believe the partial page refreshes are what's causing the fainter font. If you take the K3, open a page with lot of text, and click the menu button twice to bring it up and then make it go away, you'll see the book text in the area below the menu space is fainter than the rest of the page. Bringing up the menu does a partial refresh, of course. Perhaps it's the partial refresh to blame, and maybe full refreshes will show the K3 and K4 displays to be identical.

I will set it off once I update the firmware and see if I notice it is still lighter. I have decided if there is a noticeable difference I will keep it but cancel my KT order and go with a T1. I have a K3 to compare with that has really black text. Mine will be here tomorrow. It's at my local post office already.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by SCION

Would be nice if they just showed book covers. I would've passed on the Special Offers model.

We are now thinking the Prefs have to do with a Special Officers Screensavers only because of the way it is worded.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Congrats on your new Kindle! Alot of people are canceling their 3G orders now Amazon confirm the 3G only allows access to their store and Wikipedia. I am getting a KT with WiFi only because of this and the weight. I have a K3 with 3G and it's heavy.

I have considered changing my order due to this as well. I generally do not take my kindle "on the road" that much, it is mostly a use at home device. In addition my cell phone does do wifi tethering so in a pinch I could use that.

So, the next thought after that is, if I don't need 3G do I really need touch screen? I seldom if ever use the keyboard on my Kindle Classic and I can't see myself playing games on a kindle. Although the NYT crosswords are something I might be interested in.

One other consideration is dropping from the Kindle Touch 3G to the Kindle is a savings of $70... almost enough to by a second Kindle.

Decisions, decisions.

BOb

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I have considered changing my order due to this as well. I generally do not take my kindle "on the road" that much, it is mostly a use at home device. In addition my cell phone does do wifi tethering so in a pinch I could use that.

So, the next thought after that is, if I don't need 3G do I really need touch screen? I seldom if ever use the keyboard on my Kindle Classic and I can't see myself playing games on a kindle. Although the NYT crosswords are something I might be interested in.

One other consideration is dropping from the Kindle Touch 3G to the Kindle is a savings of $70... almost enough to by a second Kindle.

Decisions, decisions.

BOb

That what I told myself too. Do I need a touch screen? I've wanted one for so long but for me it will be how well I like the page turning buttons on the K4 and the quality of screen if I go ahead and keep the KT on order or get a T1 instead which can download library books directly.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by Blossom

...Alot of people are canceling their 3G orders now Amazon confirm the 3G only allows access to their store and Wikipedia. ...

I ordered the 3G model solely for purchases because I always have my tablet with me for web browsing. If they offered only a WiFi model I would've been happy with that. Just grabbed a 3G model to have.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by SCION

I ordered the 3G model solely for purchases because I always have my tablet with me for web browsing. If they offered only a WiFi model I would've been happy with that. Just grabbed a 3G model to have.

There is a WiFi only Touch model.

BOb

[SCION]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

There is a WiFi only Touch model.

BOb

I mean if they only offered a WiFi model. Sorry.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by tompe

I think wikipedia reflects the usage as I have seen it.

"A subnotebook (also called an ultraportable or mini notebook) is a class of laptop computers that are smaller and lighter than a typical laptop."

My point was further made when I spoke of UMPC Portal and Chippy the owner. I haven't looked at Wikipedia since I have been dealing with UMPCs for 6 years. The "ultra" side.

They are speaking of 5" screens usually, sometimes 7."

Another point is as time passes the designations of devices changes, but the most important point is:

I am in no way protesting you calling a 12.1 inch device anything you want.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by frahse

...

I am in no way protesting you calling a 12.1 inch device anything you want.

I think I'll call it George.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JlVqfC8-UI