Customer Reviews:
  great idea, ugly design November 25, 2007
6 out of 60 found this review helpful
I've been waiting for something like this for years -- I love to read but hate carrying around paper bags. But why is this thing SOOO ugly? Why didn't Amazon hire a professional stylist to make something sexy looking like the Apple iPod or some of the newer cellphones? It looks like one of the first smith corona typewriters from the 80s'. I bet Mr. Bezos couldn't keep out of the look-n-feel of the final design. It's even in white! I put it will look all smudged up. Completely Ugly - I'll wait for Apple to release an iPod version that looks sexy. Mr. Bezos, stick to business and stay out of the look-n-feel.
 LOVE the concept device is so so November 25, 2007
31 out of 41 found this review helpful
Have used my Kindle for a few days now. Love the concept and the service. Shame the SD reader is not SDHC as it would be nice to use it with some of my larger cards. I'm not so sure it was USB 2.0 the transfer was a little slow but I did walk away from it when moving files to my Kindle. I cant stand the Page next and Prev page buttons. I seem to always be hitting them. Would be nice to be able to lock one side or the other. The amount of plastic sucks. For the price it should have been a nice metal. And ugh! No power on the USB port. So forget a usb light.
 Not for me November 25, 2007
12 out of 69 found this review helpful
1. Does not have PDF Support.
It is an absloute must as most of the technical documents I have are in PDF format and being able to read them is essential to me, while on the go. Now that I still have to use my laptop to read them, it does not make any sense to carry the kindle along as an added weight.
Kindle will revolutinize the way we read November 25, 2007
30 out of 35 found this review helpful
The Kindle will revolutionize the way we read, just like the iPod changed the way we buy and listen to music. I haven't bought a CD in several years; I download all my music and always have my library with me either on my laptop or on my iPod. I predict that the Kindle will do the same for books. I was one of the lucky (and smart) ones who bought a Kindle in the morning on the first day they were on sale. WHAT AN AMAZING DEVICE! I doubt if I will ever purchase a "paper" book again.
The methodology and services:
1. KUDOs to Amazon for the brilliant and well thought-out internet accessible process. It was registered and I had a dedicated page on the Kindle site from the moment the reader was purchased. I actually selected and downloaded several books before my Kindle had even been delivered. As soon as I turned it on when I did receive it, the purchased books were downloaded automatically within a couple of minutes. Having all my books on the Amazon server is great peace of mind if I should ever lose or break my Kindle. The books will always be there to download again.
2. The ability to buy and download books no matter where I am is not a new concept, but the ease by which Amazon has made the process is nothing short of brilliant. And, adding newspapers, magazines and blog subscriptions really sweetens the pot! I travel a lot for business and being able to select and download books it minutes is going to make my traveling much more palatable. No more lugging around heavy books! And, the cost of ebooks on Amazon is MUCH less than any other ebook site. Hey, there are even classic books on sale for 25 cents!
3. Integrating a dictionary, wikipedia, and the ability to add multiple bookmarks, highlight and add personal notes makes this device all the more valuable. AND, the highlighting/notes are tracked to the book copies on the Amazon server in your account.
4. Audio books can also be purchased from audible.com or iTunes and can easily be downloaded to Kindle.
5. While Basic Web is still in experimental mode and can be a little clunky on some websites, it is still amazing that Amazon is offering this internet access for FREE. It's great for a quick look-up, but not to surf for long periods of time. I can research an item when it is fresh in my mind and I don't have to go sit at a computer to do it.
6. "Ask Kindle NowNow" is waaaay cool! You can ask ANYTHING, and you will receive 3 answers in 10 minutes! Amazon elves are available 24/7 just waiting to help you out.
7. And, if all this isn't enough, Kindle can also play music while you read. It basically operates like an iPod shuffle; you can store music in memory or add an SD card. It won't replace my iPod anytime soon, but having the ability to add a few tunes for enjoyment is a nice touch!
The Kindle device:
PROs:
1. The size is perfect and it weighs less than a pound. It's about the same size as a DVD case. Easy to handle, easy to stow in a purse or carry-on travel bag. Having a nice, white surface without distraction from what is being read is a plus.
2. The new e-ink technology makes devices like the Kindle and the Sony eReader pioneers in the development of electronic readers. For the first time, ebooks can be read for hours without eye strain. E-ink is unbelievably amazing! It looks like you are reading PAPER. Absolutely no glare! Sooooo many early comments/ratings were so unfair and, frankly, stupid. For example, "The Kindle doesn't have a brightness control" or "It's bad because there is no back lighting." Obviously, these "informed" individuals should do their homework before they publicly make comments that embarrass themselves....brightness and back lighting are EXACTLY what was intentionally eliminated!!
3. There are six different text sizes so that readers can adjust the text to what is comfortable for them.
4. The scroll wheel/bar is incredibly easy to use. It automatically positions itself to the most obvious menu choices, such as "close" once you navigate to where you want to go.
5. It charges very quickly and stays charged for days if you don't leave the wireless feature active.
6. After a few minutes of no activity, there is an automatic screen saver with beautiful or uniquely interesting random pictures.
7. The next page bars are on both sides of the screen, making them easy to access for both left and right-handed people. This is also convenient for different reading positions. I like to lay in bed and read. I no longer get aches in my arms from holding a book while I'm laying on my side. I prop up the Kindle with my comforter and only have to touch it to change the page.
8. The keyboard buttons are laid out with enough space between them that it is easy to "type" words when on the web.
9. Although everything you need to do to manage "reading" is on the Kindle, the added feature of connecting to a computer to transfer documents (for free) is very nice. And, you can email documents to your Kindle through Amazon for a mere 10 cents! And this feature allows you to send the document back to your computer for free.
CONs:
1. The off/on and wireless switches are on the back. When the cover is on (which is recommended for protection and screen safety) it's awkward to stick your finger in between the cover and the device to turn the switches on or off.
2. While I like having the next page bars on both sides of the device for ease of use, it is also a challenge to handle the Kindle. Almost every time I pick it up while it's on, I accidentally hit the next page or previous page bars and then have to change the page back again. I'm learning to grab it with my hand reaching to the center of the screen or on top of the keyboard (which isn't active when in the middle of a book).
3. There is no way to manage your "library" other than by title, author, or most recent read. I wonder what I'll do when I have a couple hundred books, magazines, or newspapers loaded. It would be nice if custom folders could be created. Otherwise, I'll eventually need to scroll through pages of titles to find what I want without having to resort to typing in a word search.
IN SUMMARY, I've come up with 16 positives and only 3 negatives...which are definitely not "deal breakers." For a first generation device, I think Amazon should be applauded! Superb first release!
A comment to all of the one-star whiners...the Kindle is a BOOK READER...it was not meant to get up and fly around the room and out-do computers, MP3 players, gaming devices, video players, cell phones or vacuum cleaners!
And one more thing...it is worth every penny of the $399 price tag. If nothing else, it will save trips to the chiropractor for pulled back muscles from lugging around tons of books in a backpack!
 $400 !!!! too pricey for a basic device November 24, 2007
40 out of 220 found this review helpful
When I first checked out this item, I thought "Cool!" buy a membership, then they give you the device to view newspapers, magazines, etc....
$400!!! I have an 80 gig ipod that plays music, movies, TV shows, podcasts and audio books and that costs me $400!! This thing is just a digital reader! So whats with the hefty price!
Amazon better rethink this price fast! Maybe people will buy it for the "wow" factor, but your never going to get the majority of people to buy a glorified PALM pilot!
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