Best eReader?

[terpkristin]

I'm a big fan of Kindle (I like Amazon's store), the Nook is certainly a decent option (and others here prefer it), and no way would I purchase an LCD screen to read on due to eye strain. Reading the eInk displays is just as easy as reading a book for me.

Agreed. I have a 2nd gen Kindle and love it. And I love amazon's interface. I've never played with a Nook and the Nook wasn't around when I got my Kindle. I wouldn't get the Nook Color because it's an LCD screen, and if I were to do that, may as well get an iPad or a decent Android tablet.

Although I have no real notion of how B&N is doing in general, the only reason I might be slightly preferential to Kindle is because I'd expect B&N to go out of business before Amazon.

/tk

[TexasT]

Agreed. I have a 2nd gen Kindle and love it. And I love amazon's interface. I've never played with a Nook and the Nook wasn't around when I got my Kindle. I wouldn't get the Nook Color because it's an LCD screen, and if I were to do that, may as well get an iPad or a decent Android tablet.

Although I have no real notion of how B&N is doing in general, the only reason I might be slightly preferential to Kindle is because I'd expect B&N to go out of business before Amazon.

/tk

+1

[Comey]

While I have an iPad, I use the Kindle app exclusively for my books. I just prefer it to what else is out there.

[TexasT]

+1

[wade moore]

As far as kindle vrs nook(b&w), I don't think the conversation has changed.

As for the LCD question, I would pay twice as much for an eInk display than I would for an iPad or similar device if I was looking to use it as a book reader.

It has changed. Kindle announced a week or so that they are going to start doing the whole library thing like the Nook does.

From my perspective, that was the only thing the Nook B&W had on the Kindle.

[Doug5984]

Thanks for all the help guys- I ended up going with the wi-fi only kindle. All things considered it looked like the better buy.

[Passacaglia]

It has changed. Kindle announced a week or so that they are going to start doing the whole library thing like the Nook does.

From my perspective, that was the only thing the Nook B&W had on the Kindle.

What does "the whole library thing" mean?

[wade moore]

What does "the whole library thing" mean?

Being able to check-out ebooks for free from your local library.

[wade moore]

Dola:

Coming to Your Kindle: Library Books - NYTimes.com (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/coming-to-your-kindle-library-books/)

[Wolfpack]

Nook Color recently introduced an app store since it's an Android OS underneath all the eReader veneer. However, I expect that B&N will keep a pretty stringent control over what appears in the app store as opposed to the greater free-for-all that the actual Android app store has. We went with the Nook Color because we knew it could be more than an eReader, but wouldn't tie us up in wireless contracts or cost an arm and a leg to get. No, it's not a full-blown Android tablet, but that option is there to do so if we want it to be.

[Passacaglia]

So I'm thinking of finally taking the Kindle plunge.

Does anyone know much about this $114 version with "special offers and sponsored screensavers that display when you're not reading"? Seems like that's a pretty minor hassle to deal with in order to save $25.

Is the 3G worthwhile? I was thinking it might be nice to have since I don't have a data plan on my smartphone, and it might let me check my email and maybe wikipedia every so often. But I dunno -- lurker says hers is too slow to bother using it, but I probably have more patience than her. On the other hand, I don't really get urgent emails, and probably don't need the distraction while I'm studying or reading. For those who have it or don't, what would you choose if you could do it again?

[MacroGuru]

So I'm thinking of finally taking the Kindle plunge.

Does anyone know much about this $114 version with "special offers and sponsored screensavers that display when you're not reading"? Seems like that's a pretty minor hassle to deal with in order to save $25.

Is the 3G worthwhile? I was thinking it might be nice to have since I don't have a data plan on my smartphone, and it might let me check my email and maybe wikipedia every so often. But I dunno -- lurker says hers is too slow to bother using it, but I probably have more patience than her. On the other hand, I don't really get urgent emails, and probably don't need the distraction while I'm studying or reading. For those who have it or don't, what would you choose if you could do it again?

My understanding is that the ads are on the screensaver and on your home screen with it.

I bought the wi-fi only kindle and I truly see no need for the 3G...I hit enough hotels and free wi-fi spots it does not justify the extra to me.

[jeff061]

I did just read a new Nook that competes with the Kindle is about to be announced, may want to wait.
Gadgetbox - Barnes & Noble announcing new e-ink reader on May 24? (http://gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/17/6661459-barnes-noble-announcing-new-e-ink-reader-on-may-24)

As for the $114 version, yeah, I though it was a great idea until I saw it still costs $114. I personally don't think it's worth it.

[Passacaglia]

My understanding is that the ads are on the screensaver and on your home screen with it.

I bought the wi-fi only kindle and I truly see no need for the 3G...I hit enough hotels and free wi-fi spots it does not justify the extra to me.

Oh yeah, I just noticed it does say the bottom of the home screen -- so that means it will take me longer to scroll through everything? Does it have folders yet?

[tyketime]

So I'm thinking of finally taking the Kindle plunge.

Does anyone know much about this $114 version with "special offers and sponsored screensavers that display when you're not reading"? Seems like that's a pretty minor hassle to deal with in order to save $25.

Is the 3G worthwhile? I was thinking it might be nice to have since I don't have a data plan on my smartphone, and it might let me check my email and maybe wikipedia every so often. But I dunno -- lurker says hers is too slow to bother using it, but I probably have more patience than her. On the other hand, I don't really get urgent emails, and probably don't need the distraction while I'm studying or reading. For those who have it or don't, what would you choose if you could do it again?

Hey Pass - I bought the Kindle 3 Wi-Fi edition. I didn't want to pay extra for the 3G. My phone serves as a hot spot, so if I absolutely had to, I could connect it via my phone from pretty much anywhere in US. My limited experience with the EMail & Web-browsing was very poor, so I would not consider that "worth" the extra bump. I don't have the newer "ad-sponsored" version, but I just read an article that said it was the best selling model.

[MacroGuru]

Oh yeah, I just noticed it does say the bottom of the home screen -- so that means it will take me longer to scroll through everything? Does it have folders yet?

You set up collections and add what books you want.

I have

Fesist Collection
Jordan Collection
Clancy Collection
GRRM Collection
etc..

I open the collection and my books are right there..

With the ads on the home screen it just means you lose a little screen space while you look at what your books are.

[Passacaglia]

I did just read a new Nook that competes with the Kindle is about to be announced, may want to wait.
Gadgetbox - Barnes & Noble announcing new e-ink reader on May 24? (http://gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/17/6661459-barnes-noble-announcing-new-e-ink-reader-on-may-24)

As for the $114 version, yeah, I though it was a great idea until I saw it still costs $114. I personally don't think it's worth it.

How much money would you have expected it to cost?

[jeff061]

From the hip? I don't know, well under 100. I don't think it costs Amazon anything to make the Kindle, especially with how much they make on the eBooks.

I fully expect them to be pretty much free, maybe with some type of eBook purchase commitment, within the next couple years. But that's a different discussion :D.

[Passacaglia]

You set up collections and add what books you want.

I have

Fesist Collection
Jordan Collection
Clancy Collection
GRRM Collection
etc..

I open the collection and my books are right there..

With the ads on the home screen it just means you lose a little screen space while you look at what your books are.

Sounds cool -- when I got the one for lurker, it didn't have any folders. I'm planning to put a lot of study manuals on there, and don't want them to clog up the home screen. Thanks!

[Passacaglia]

From the hip? I don't know, well under 100. I don't think it costs Amazon anything to make the Kindle, especially with how much they make on the eBooks.

I fully expect them to be pretty much free, maybe with some type of eBook purchase commitment, within the next couple years. But that's a different discussion :D.

Definitely. If you're looking at price points, sure, a $99 Kindle would have made sense. But if you look at it the other way, $40 seems like a lot to pay in order to get an ad-free model.

I'm still not sure -- I'm going to buy one that was a gift that the recipient didn't want, and I don't know which kind it is yet, so I'm debating whether to try to return it and get a different kind.

[tyketime]

You set up collections and add what books you want.

I have

Fesist Collection
Jordan Collection
Clancy Collection
GRRM Collection
etc..

I open the collection and my books are right there.
Doh! I never knew about the collections functionality :thumbsup:

[jeff061]

I spend to much money on all sorts of dumb crap, so not the best person to ask :D. But in these situations the idea of that ad being there for as long as I own it, everytime I see it in my head I'm going to be thinking $25 lousy bucks. One of those OCD tics.

[MacroGuru]

From the hip? I don't know, well under 100. I don't think it costs Amazon anything to make the Kindle, especially with how much they make on the eBooks.

I fully expect them to be pretty much free, maybe with some type of eBook purchase commitment, within the next couple years. But that's a different discussion :D.

With the travel you plan on doing for work...trust me, it will turn into a blessing when you get one.

I was packing 3 books a week with me for my flights and evenings in hotel rooms.

[Passacaglia]

I spend to much money on all sorts of dumb crap, so not the best person to ask :D. But in these situations the idea of that ad being there for as long as I own it, everytime I see it in my head I'm going to be thinking $25 lousy bucks. One of those OCD tics.

haha I can totally see that -- although another thought is that it's not like you get your choice of screensavers on the ad-free model -- it's pictures of random authors. So you might be thinking "I could have saved $25 and not have to look at a picture of Jane Austen all the time"

[Passacaglia]

Definitely. If you're looking at price points, sure, a $99 Kindle would have made sense. But if you look at it the other way, $40 seems like a lot to pay in order to get an ad-free model.

I'm still not sure -- I'm going to buy one that was a gift that the recipient didn't want, and I don't know which kind it is yet, so I'm debating whether to try to return it and get a different kind.

Oh, I should have said -- I do know it's the wifi, just not which one. She said "it's going for $114 now" which seems to imply that she didn't pay that much for it, but she just thinks that's how much it costs now. I asked her, but I bet that's what it is. I also don't know the color -- I hope it's graphite, but I guess I'll get a case, so that's not a huge deal.

[Doug5984]

So I'm thinking of finally taking the Kindle plunge.

Does anyone know much about this $114 version with "special offers and sponsored screensavers that display when you're not reading"? Seems like that's a pretty minor hassle to deal with in order to save $25.

Is the 3G worthwhile? I was thinking it might be nice to have since I don't have a data plan on my smartphone, and it might let me check my email and maybe wikipedia every so often. But I dunno -- lurker says hers is too slow to bother using it, but I probably have more patience than her. On the other hand, I don't really get urgent emails, and probably don't need the distraction while I'm studying or reading. For those who have it or don't, what would you choose if you could do it again?

That's the one I ended up getting- and the ads are no big deal at all, I kind of like them- the first one I got was a $20 Amazon gift card for $10, so I did that and used it to buy my first few books- a few days ago another ad was buy one of these best sellers and get a $10 gift card, some of the books are $5- so I download one of those and get $5 free...just haven't figured out which one I want yet.

[ISiddiqui]

I have a 3G Kindle. It's nice, but not necessary. As said, plenty of wi-fi areas around, but it tends to be nice to load up a new book on the train when I finish a previous one.

[sabotai]

From the hip? I don't know, well under 100. I don't think it costs Amazon anything to make the Kindle, especially with how much they make on the eBooks.

I fully expect them to be pretty much free, maybe with some type of eBook purchase commitment, within the next couple years. But that's a different discussion :D.

They might not cost a lot to make, but I'm pretty sure they license the eInk technology that's used. I doubt that comes cheap.

[jeff061]

Right, but I think the majority of the money is made from their books though. So having a device in the hands of more people will be beneficial. I'm not criticizing them, especially since they have consistently lowered their prices. I just think they will continue to consistently lower them until it hits zero. Especially if the Nook keeps the heat up.

[ISiddiqui]

I doubt it'll be 0. The device is fairly nice in and of itself. Yes, you want the device in the hands of more people, but if you start giving one away for free, people are going to think its somewhat junky... besides, why not profit somewhat from the device itself. I think $100 will be the final settling point, as new devices end up costing from 100-200 (esp when color e-ink becomes a settled technology).

[jeff061]

why not profit somewhat from the device itself. I think $100 will be the final settling point, as new devices end up costing from 100-200 (esp when color e-ink becomes a settled technology).

To keep people from going to a competing device and losing all the book sales that go with it(which are more important than the device itself). If the Nook drops down to 99, which wouldn't be shocking, I fully expect the Kindle to undercut it by $10. I'd say the only reason the Nook doesn't cut it's price is because they know Amazon is willing to go further.

[MacroGuru]

Love my kindle...

Just copied over a boat load of PDF's I have of a variety of books...works great...

[DaddyTorgo]

That's the one I ended up getting- and the ads are no big deal at all, I kind of like them- the first one I got was a $20 Amazon gift card for $10, so I did that and used it to buy my first few books- a few days ago another ad was buy one of these best sellers and get a $10 gift card, some of the books are $5- so I download one of those and get $5 free...just haven't figured out which one I want yet.

Seriously? So some of the ads are even Amazon coupons? Win-fucking-win!!

[Doug5984]

Seriously? So some of the ads are even Amazon coupons? Win-fucking-win!!

The one this weekend was download any one of this list of books for $1- I stopped going through the list around 150 books or so and decided to get the hunger games (it was on sale for like $5 so only saved $4- but it was the only book on the list that I knew I wanted to read soon- they had some other good books I've heard of that were around $10 but I wasn't planning on reading those soon), I won't have time to read it for at least a few weeks but it was was worth it for $1

I'm really glad I got the one with the ads, they are never in the way of anything- and the amazon ones are awesome deals.

[Passacaglia]

I got the Kindle with ads, also. I haven't taken them up on anything yet, but the amazon deals are nice. I could do without all the cover girl and oil of olay ads, though.

[samifan24]

The one this weekend was download any one of this list of books for $1- I stopped going through the list around 150 books or so and decided to get the hunger games (it was on sale for like $5 so only saved $4- but it was the only book on the list that I knew I wanted to read soon- they had some other good books I've heard of that were around $10 but I wasn't planning on reading those soon), I won't have time to read it for at least a few weeks but it was was worth it for $1

I'm really glad I got the one with the ads, they are never in the way of anything- and the amazon ones are awesome deals.

Those special offers sound great. I wonder if there's a way regular Kindle owners can access them?

[gstelmack]

Kindle 3G with Special Offers is $140 at Best Buy (typical price) but it comes with a $30 gift card...

[rowech]

I've been disappointed with the whole ebook process. I can't believe the amount that publishers are charging for ebooks. $22? Really? $15 for a book that's in paperback? I wish people would stop paying these insane prices or that the authors would start offering their books for download from their website so as to pocket all of their money directly.

Feel like buying an ereader was a waste really.

[gstelmack]

I've been disappointed with the whole ebook process. I can't believe the amount that publishers are charging for ebooks. $22? Really? $15 for a book that's in paperback? I wish people would stop paying these insane prices or that the authors would start offering their books for download from their website so as to pocket all of their money directly.

Feel like buying an ereader was a waste really.

I make sure not to buy any book priced higher than the paperback, or really over $10 unless it's more of a text book / research piece. Agreed that publishers are really gouging when the cost to produce the book is minimal and there are no recurring materials costs.

[Doug5984]

I've been disappointed with the whole ebook process. I can't believe the amount that publishers are charging for ebooks. $22? Really? $15 for a book that's in paperback? I wish people would stop paying these insane prices or that the authors would start offering their books for download from their website so as to pocket all of their money directly.

Feel like buying an ereader was a waste really.

Is this for the kindle? I just ask because none of the books I've bought yet were over $8, and just quick browsing the amazon top 100 most are under 10, with a few at $12- just wondering if I am in for a surprise once I get caught up and start reading more current books.

[gstelmack]

Is this for the kindle? I just ask because none of the books I've bought yet were over $8, and just quick browsing the amazon top 100 most are under 10, with a few at $12- just wondering if I am in for a surprise once I get caught up and start reading more current books.

Yes, Kindle has this. However, Kindle also has lots of smart publishers, especially smaller houses. I've bought books I'd never have tried simply because the author released a sequel and did the smart e-business thing of dropping the price on the first one drastically.

My reading is turning out like my video watching these days - I'm finding enough inexpensive-but-surprisingly-good options to avoid paying what the price-gouging conglomerates want me to pay for the mainstream stuff.

[rowech]

Here are some examples...

Amazon.com: The Lion: Nelson DeMille: Books (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055X4T2C/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=044657967X&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=05FT549RC205WZQ33YT0)

Amazon.com: American Assassin: A Thriller (9781416595182): Vince Flynn: Books (http://www.amazon.com/American-Assassin-Thriller-Vince-Flynn/dp/141659518X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311617125&sr=1-1)

Amazon.com: Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War (9780143111979): Nathaniel Philbrick: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Mayflower-Story-Courage-Community-War/dp/0143111973/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311617145&sr=1-1)

[jeff061]

I've been disappointed with the whole ebook process. I can't believe the amount that publishers are charging for ebooks. $22? Really? $15 for a book that's in paperback? I wish people would stop paying these insane prices or that the authors would start offering their books for download from their website so as to pocket all of their money directly.

Feel like buying an ereader was a waste really.


This is what my mother ran into. I bought her one and she loves the device, but she doesn't have a lot of money to spare and won't spend the money on books. I showed her all the free and cheap books out there, but they don't seem to interest her.

[Doug5984]

This is what my mother ran into. I bought her one and she loves the device, but she doesn't have a lot of money to spare and won't spend the money on books. I showed her all the free and cheap books out there, but they don't seem to interest her.

Just an idea- does her library do e-books? Mine does but I haven't tried it yet. It looked like a very very simple process- the library can only rent x number of copies of each book, but my girlfriend looked and they have all the books I'm reading available right now.

[jeff061]

Yeah, they have limited Kindle support, not enough to fix her problem. I believe the Kindle is going to support the same system the Nook does(if it doesn't already), but she has friends with Nooks and they say even with them the choices at the library are very limited. If they expand it that would be perfect, she is a library fiend as is. But I think part of the problem is some publishers straight up refuse to allow their ebooks to be available through libraries.

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

I am really digging the kobo app on the ipad. It has this thing called reading life that keeps all sorts of stats on how many books you have read, how fast you read etc has charts, graphs. Fun to nerd out to and a good motivator to keep reading.

[Passacaglia]

I want to buy a case for my Kindle, and a while back, it had some special offer for a deal on Kindle accessories, but now it's not there. Does anyone know if I can find it, or when it will come back?

[Doug5984]

I want to buy a case for my Kindle, and a while back, it had some special offer for a deal on Kindle accessories, but now it's not there. Does anyone know if I can find it, or when it will come back?

There is a screen to see the active special offers, I'm not sure if you have to be in the store- or where it is, but it'll say "View Special Offers" and like the other night there were 4 for me.

[MacroGuru]

So I go to turn on my kindle tonight....it looks like someone sat on it...however, I know that no one has because I was reading it last night...The LCD is shot.

Call Amazon support not but 10 minutes ago, they trouble shoot it, it doesn't fix it and they are sending me a new Kindle, 2 Day air and sending me a return label to ship it back..

Awesome customer support and they rock.

[SackAttack]

I've been disappointed with the whole ebook process. I can't believe the amount that publishers are charging for ebooks. $22? Really? $15 for a book that's in paperback? I wish people would stop paying these insane prices or that the authors would start offering their books for download from their website so as to pocket all of their money directly.

Feel like buying an ereader was a waste really.

I've got a few hundred ebooks on my nook.

Maybe a third of those I paid for at all, and on virtually none did I spend more than $5.

Barnes and Noble likes to do a monthly $0.99 selection, they have a free selection every Friday (although I only snag the ones that look interesting), and between Project Gutenberg, the Baen Free Library, and periodic sales, that's the rest of my collection accounted for.

I don't know how open the Kindle setup is for that kind of thing, but when I got my Nook when MSRP was still $250, I have around 300 books on there, and the amount I've spent on books is still less than what I spent on the Nook, it's hard to call it a 'waste.'

Just my two cents.

[stevew]

When I see a paperback for 8.50 on amazon, and the kindle edition is like 11.00, I'm reminded why I don't buy ebooks. Same thing with software too. The traditional model had all kinds of middlemen, but now you've largely eliminated them, plus moved into a situation where you produce no excess physical inventory. And that's supposed to cost more?

CDs too. Like I feel like I could put together a reasonable quality recording studio with a few thousand dollars. But I somehow have to believe that Watch the Throne needs to sell for 14.99 so you can make videos with Aziz Ansari and destroy 350K Maybachs?

15.99 for an audiobook I will listen to once?

Do people realize how badly this is turning out for the customer?

[Groundhog]

I agree. Part of me is also happy because the artists themselves, the non-superstars in particular, are able to make actual money from their music/books/etc., rather than just a couple of cents per sold copy. But yeah, no excuse for them to be more expensive than physical copies, and at this stage in Australia eBooks/iTunes albums are both considerably cheaper than what you pay in stores for albums or paperbacks.

[TroyF]

When I see a paperback for 8.50 on amazon, and the kindle edition is like 11.00, I'm reminded why I don't buy ebooks. Same thing with software too. The traditional model had all kinds of middlemen, but now you've largely eliminated them, plus moved into a situation where you produce no excess physical inventory. And that's supposed to cost more?

CDs too. Like I feel like I could put together a reasonable quality recording studio with a few thousand dollars. But I somehow have to believe that Watch the Throne needs to sell for 14.99 so you can make videos with Aziz Ansari and destroy 350K Maybachs?

15.99 for an audiobook I will listen to once?

Do people realize how badly this is turning out for the customer?

It all depends on which books you buy. I'm not thrilled about the prices lately, but I love the fact I don't have to buy another bookshelf to store my books.

[rowech]

I agree. Part of me is also happy because the artists themselves, the non-superstars in particular, are able to make actual money from their music/books/etc., rather than just a couple of cents per sold copy. But yeah, no excuse for them to be more expensive than physical copies, and at this stage in Australia eBooks/iTunes albums are both considerably cheaper than what you pay in stores for albums or paperbacks.

What I'm hoping the authors realize is they don't need the publishers at all. Put ebooks on your own website and sell them direct to the customers for cheaper. You pocket all the money as opposed to losing any of it. Big authors link to little authors they like, those authors link to other authors, etc. The authors themselves can run the industry entirely.

[gstelmack]

What I'm hoping the authors realize is they don't need the publishers at all. Put ebooks on your own website and sell them direct to the customers for cheaper. You pocket all the money as opposed to losing any of it. Big authors link to little authors they like, those authors link to other authors, etc. The authors themselves can run the industry entirely.

More and more authors are self-publishing on Kindle. I've been checking out a fair number of $0.99 and $2.99 scifi books lately, for example. The only books I've spent more than $8 on for my Kindle are larger, less popular non-fiction books that are $20+ for the physical book. I agree that some publishers are gouging, but avoid them and find other good books to read at the price point you like. They'll get the hint eventually, or go out of business.

[Subby]

15.99 for an audiobook I will listen to once?
I at least kind of understand audiobooks. That's a whole new production you are putting into the product.

e-Books, not so much.

[Subby]

BTW

I just got an iPad 2 and the reading experience on that kills anything the Kindle can or did do. The only drawback is the glare issue, but that wasn't all that hard to get around.

The Sports Illustrated ipad app is incredible. Not just the magazine digitized, but chock-full of extras. Just awesome.

[Groundhog]

BTW

I just got an iPad 2 and the reading experience on that kills anything the Kindle can or did do. The only drawback is the glare issue, but that wasn't all that hard to get around.

The Sports Illustrated ipad app is incredible. Not just the magazine digitized, but chock-full of extras. Just awesome.

I don't think there is any kind of question that an iPad 1 or 2 kills a Kindle when it comes to magazines and comics, but for books it's not even close. I'm not going to sit down and read a couple of hundred pages of text on an lcd screen, it's that simple.

[ISiddiqui]

Word.

Kindle is a unitasker. It does the written word extremely well and there are few that can come close and certainly no LCD screen tablet.

[gstelmack]

For the Kindle folks, a bit of advertising for a family member: my sister-in-law, who has been writing for several years now and working to get published, has decided to self-publish on the Amazon Kindle store. Her first effort is available at Amazon.com: Inflatable Men eBook: Amy Ivan: Kindle Store (http://www.amazon.com/Inflatable-Men-ebook/dp/B005OGX3Z4/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1316617152&sr=8-11) for anyone who would like to help out a new author.

[albionmoonlight]

Question:

I was talking to a friend with a Kindle, and she mentioned having bought a Jane Austin book. I said that I thought that Austin, etc. were free through Project Gutenberg or some other such free public-domain place.

She said that they were, but that the formatting was so bad for the free books that it was really worth buying the paid versions of those books.

I have been thinking of getting a Kindle for Mrs. A., but a lot of the draw for me was that we could load it up with free books that she always had those with her (her comfort reading tends to be re-reading classics that she has read dozens of times).

So, are the free versions of e-books kind of a "you get what you pay for" sort of thing? Or do they tend to be good enough that we won't feel the need to pay for public-domain books?

[Groundhog]

Question:

I was talking to a friend with a Kindle, and she mentioned having bought a Jane Austin book. I said that I thought that Austin, etc. were free through Project Gutenberg or some other such free public-domain place.

She said that they were, but that the formatting was so bad for the free books that it was really worth buying the paid versions of those books.

I have been thinking of getting a Kindle for Mrs. A., but a lot of the draw for me was that we could load it up with free books that she always had those with her (her comfort reading tends to be re-reading classics that she has read dozens of times).

So, are the free versions of e-books kind of a "you get what you pay for" sort of thing? Or do they tend to be good enough that we won't feel the need to pay for public-domain books?

I guess the answer is: it depends<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

There are a lot of free eBooks that are terrible - grammar, spelling mistakes, formatting, etc. There are some that are fine. Of course, I also bought A Feast for Crows off Amazon.com and that had enough grammatical errors to irritate me after the first 100 pages or so.

[Carman Bulldog]

Actually, there are a lot of free books right on the Kindle Store. I don't have a Kindle, so I don't know the quality, but you don't even need to go elsewhere for some of them.

[Groundhog]

Actually, there are a lot of free books right on the Kindle Store. I don't have a Kindle, so I don't know the quality, but you don't even need to go elsewhere for some of them.

Unfortunately (for me, at least), they only appear in the US store.

[samifan24]

Kindle library lending is now live at over 11,000 libraries nationwide.

[cougarfreak]

Kindle library lending is now live at over 11,000 libraries nationwide.

I put a couple of holds from our library on books for my kindle tonight.

[MacroGuru]

Question:

I was talking to a friend with a Kindle, and she mentioned having bought a Jane Austin book. I said that I thought that Austin, etc. were free through Project Gutenberg or some other such free public-domain place.

She said that they were, but that the formatting was so bad for the free books that it was really worth buying the paid versions of those books.

I have been thinking of getting a Kindle for Mrs. A., but a lot of the draw for me was that we could load it up with free books that she always had those with her (her comfort reading tends to be re-reading classics that she has read dozens of times).

So, are the free versions of e-books kind of a "you get what you pay for" sort of thing? Or do they tend to be good enough that we won't feel the need to pay for public-domain books?

I have downloaded a ton of the classics to read that I haven't that were free and they were just fine with formatting and such.

[terpkristin]

I have downloaded a ton of the classics to read that I haven't that were free and they were just fine with formatting and such.

Me too. Lots of classics are available on Kindle store for free. Can't speak to other countries, there might be different licensing laws. But I've picked up a ton of books for free with no formatting issues (not via Gutenberg, but from Kindle store).

Also, I just bought Inflatable Men. Not sure when I'll get to it but looks enough to give it a shot!

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

Kindle getting library books now too. Woo!!

[Carman Bulldog]

How well do any of the readers function with an RSS feed for tracking blogs/news sites, etc.?

[sterlingice]

Also, I just bought Inflatable Men.

I just wanted to take this quote out of context. Success!

SI

[cougarfreak]

Kindle getting library books now too. Woo!!

I checked my first one out this weekend. Hell of a feature.

[Sweed]

Sometimes patience and a little luck pays off. Been looking at kindles for about a year pretty sure I would eventually get one. Almost bit when the first "ad models" came out at $114. Then the new $79 model and the $99 price for the keyboard "ad model" made it a "for sure" deal.

Wanted to wait on some reviews on the $79 model as a basic reader would be fine for me but wasn't sure about not having a keyboard. Some mixed reviews on the screen compared to the K-3(I believe that is the keyboard?) left me waiting a bit longer to see if it was a bad batch of machines or cheaper design.
Was finally planning on ordering yesterday and go with the keyboard model.

Funny thing is since Wed. my boss had a kindle, still boxed, on his desk. I figured he got it as a freebie for something work related and would give it to his wife or it was a prize for a drawing for our customers. Before leaving work I asked him what was up with the kindle? Turns out it came from corporate office and each store was to sell theirs. Yeah, corporate wanted the money rather than give them away, whatever. Anyway boss doesn't know much about them and asks me what they sell for. I tell him about each model and that they go anywhere from $80-$140 for wifi dependent on ads and keyboard. He thinks about that for a second and asks if I'm interested in it for $40? Sure am:)

Reading "War and Peace" now. Free classics are awesome.
Prices for some books are a bit high at $9.99 but really when I consider either shipping or having to drive 90 miles to the nearest "good" bookstore it is still a bargain. Also considering almost any book I could ever want is available without having to search makes it worth the price, to me.

Thrilled to finally have my kindle.

[terpkristin]

Nice, Sweed.

I'm still using my 2nd generation Kindle regularly. The new ones (both the touchscreen version and the no touchscreen version) intrigue me, though. They're both smaller and lighter than mine.

/tk

[ISiddiqui]

I'm in the same boat as terpkristin. Think I'll get the $99 Kindle Touch (WiFi) as a replacement at some point.

[MacroGuru]

With the prices of the Kindle....Christmas this year at my house will be all Kindle..

[lcjjdnh]

Kindle opens up a borrowing library to Prime users:

Borrow Kindle Books for Free from Amazon&mdash;If You Have Prime Membership (http://lifehacker.com/5856052/borrow-kindle-books-for-free-from-amazon++if-you-have-prime-membership)

[Doug5984]

Kindle opens up a borrowing library to Prime users:

Borrow Kindle Books for Free from Amazon&mdash;If You Have Prime Membership (http://lifehacker.com/5856052/borrow-kindle-books-for-free-from-amazon++if-you-have-prime-membership)

They are really trying hard to pull me into amazon prime, and they might have just done it...


My dvd player has an amazon app, I'm wondering if that streams like netflix? Has anyone used something like this?

[ISiddiqui]

Amazon does have some free streaming for Prime members though - 13,000 movies and shows, not nearly as much as Netflix - but with the 2 day shipping and, now, lending - the $79 per year cost is quite a deal.

[wade moore]

The free streaming does not go to any devices except the fire though.

[terpkristin]

The free streaming does not go to any devices except the fire though.

You mean the free movie/TV streaming? Sure it does. I've done it to my Roku many times.

Unless you mean mobile devices...never had a yen to try that.

/tk

[wade moore]

You mean the free movie/TV streaming? Sure it does. I've done it to my Roku many times.

Unless you mean mobile devices...never had a yen to try that.

/tk

Works through several Blu-Ray/TV type options. I believe they're still working on the mobile apps.

I specifically mean through the TiVo or the Xbox.

If you can do it with the free movie/TV streaming, I'd love to know how. I can't find any information on their website. I thought you could only get the paid "Unbox" stuff through the amazon stuff on TiVo.

[Doug5984]

Good to know, I may look into it after football season, we just don't have much time to watch TV other than our recorded shows this time of year

[ISiddiqui]

I specifically mean through the TiVo or the Xbox.

If you can do it with the free movie/TV streaming, I'd love to know how. I can't find any information on their website. I thought you could only get the paid "Unbox" stuff through the amazon stuff on TiVo.

Amazon Instant Video: Watch on Your TV (http://www.amazon.com/gp/video/ontv/ontv/ref=sa_menu_aiv_wtv0)

Not currently available on TiVo, but since the picture is there it must be soon enough.

[wade moore]

Amazon Instant Video: Watch on Your TV (http://www.amazon.com/gp/video/ontv/ontv/ref=sa_menu_aiv_wtv0)

Not currently available on TiVo, but since the picture is there it must be soon enough.

Fantastic!

I'll have to keep an eye out. Depending on selection, this could be interesting for my Netflix subscription.

[gstelmack]

My Sony Blu-Ray supports it.

[samifan24]

Is anyone looking for a Sony Reader for Christmas?

My girlfriend received one new in box earlier this year but has never used it and doesn't really want to keep it. I'd throw it up on eBay but I'd rather sell it to somebody here if anyone wants it. The model number is the Sony Reader Pocket Edition, PRS-350 silver. She's asking $100 shipped or best offer, it was originally $179 at retail.

Please PM me if interested. Thanks.

[terpkristin]

I know there are some people here with the latest Nook Color Tablet thingie. This website (http://liliputing.com/2011/11/amazon-instant-video-app-works-on-the-nook-tablet-or-other-android-devices.html) indicates that you can stream Amazon Prime stuff to the Nook. Has anybody tried it?

In something that's moderately amusing, my mom got my dad a Kindle Fire for Christmas. He got her a Nook Tablet thingie.

/tk

[whomario]

i just got a kindle , are there any other sources for ebooks that one can use beside amazon (are there price differences ?) ?

[terpkristin]

Kindle can read Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively. I have no real clue on where to get stuff other than Amazon. Never really tried, other than Project Gutenberg, since if I'm looking for an author I'm usually starting at Amazon anyway.

Authors that put up their stuff for free (such as Cory Doctorow) quite often have Kindle versions available.

There is also software that you can use to strip the DRM from the MOBI files if you get them from other places.

And there is also Calibre which can be used if you have found the text somewhere (such as on a torrent) and you want to convert it to something a little more e-reader friendly...

/tk

[whomario]

thanks :) Calibre looks amazing, i just managed to load a ton of news articles/feeds and even articles from grantland onto my kindle with that program.

I have been dabbling around with RSS for an hour or so, is there any good web-based service for getting them onto the kindle ? (calibre works like a charm, but what about when i´m away from my laptop)

[Passacaglia]

You can email the files to [email protected] -- I think it's 15 cents per MB though.

[DaddyTorgo]

Anyone tried a Kobo? Thinking I might pickup an eReader for cheap (or just borrow my mom's Kindle) for my vacation, and there's a couple Amazon Marketplace deals on Kobo's for like $40.

[sposfan]

I've had a kobo for a few years now and love it. I haven't tried the others, so can't really compare, but really no issues with it at all. I can convert and sideload any ebook format using calibre.

I have the touch, was too cheap to get the glo and instead just use a $15 ereader light. My oldest (10 yr old) has the mini and really enjoys it. Mini's are going for $40 brand new now too.

[DaddyTorgo]

I've had a kobo for a few years now and love it. I haven't tried the others, so can't really compare, but really no issues with it at all. I can convert and sideload any ebook format using calibre.

I have the touch, was too cheap to get the glo and instead just use a $15 ereader light. My oldest (10 yr old) has the mini and really enjoys it. Mini's are going for $40 brand new now too.

Yeah - I like the ability to sideload - that's attractive.

I'd get a touch too I think. worried the mini's are too small, even at $40. Plus I see some amazon marketplace deals for "like new" touchs from reputable sellers for like...$45.

[sposfan]

I bought both mine and my wife's Touch used. I considered getting the new aura or one of the colour ones, but decided against it since I heard how easy the touch was to read in direct sunlight (no glare). Gotta say it performs great!

Calibre is a great piece of freeware, I also use it to organize my books on the kobo, since shelf creation is so much faster and better on calibre than directly on kobo.

If you have any questions, you can email me too (sposfanATsympaticoDOTca).

Elan

[DaddyTorgo]

I bought both mine and my wife's Touch used. I considered getting the new aura or one of the colour ones, but decided against it since I heard how easy the touch was to read in direct sunlight (no glare). Gotta say it performs great!

Calibre is a great piece of freeware, I also use it to organize my books on the kobo, since shelf creation is so much faster and better on calibre than directly on kobo.

If you have any questions, you can email me too (sposfanATsympaticoDOTca).

Elan

Cool - thanks!

[DaddyTorgo]

I would be a 100% convert to eReaders if there was some way to get like..."credit" for paper books that you have, and get them in ebook format, even if it meant (presumably) having to turn over the paper copies.

Something where they'd go "oh yeah...you purchased that book in hardcopy...send it to us and we'll send you the rights to an ebook version."

[sterlingice]

It's the same reason there's still a huge hard copy movie industry as opposed to music.

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

It's the same reason there's still a huge hard copy movie industry as opposed to music.

SI

Oh I know, and I know it's not practical or anything...it just sucks.

Think of all the space it could save me, ya know? All the boxes of books that I've invested in over the years.

[sterlingice]

Again, I lament the same thing about movies. If there were a service I could use like iTunes where I got credit for the movies already on my shelf, I'd put those puppies in storage in a heartbeat.

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

Again, I lament the same thing about movies. If there were a service I could use like iTunes where I got credit for the movies already on my shelf, I'd put those puppies in storage in a heartbeat.

SI

That too. Can't tell you how many fucking DVD's I have. Thousands of dollars worth. Would love to get rid of the hard-copies and go all-digital with them.

[SirFozzie]

I freely admit I rip movies (that I own) on to PC. I've had too many discs/players go bad to trust it, and this way I watch them the way I want. (edit: a lot of companies are getting with the program on movies, and releasing free digital copies with the disc)..

I also patronize companies like Baen with the free ebooks (still available and LEGAL, you just have to download an ISO file)

[DaddyTorgo]

It's possible to buy books on Amazon and remove the Amazon DRM and read them on a Kobo right?

[SirFozzie]

Possible, yes. Legal, no.

[DaddyTorgo]

Possible, yes. Legal, no.

LOL

Any firsthand experience by anyone with how difficult it is?

[Neuqua]

Unfortunately I've misplaced my Kindle Touch. I've been looking for a week and a half and am sure it's gone. I have a trip to Europe coming up where I would like an e-reader so I'm on the market for a new one.

I'd go ahead and grab a kindle from amazon, the basic $69 but wanted to see if anyone has heard any rumors on when the next version is supposed to be announced?

[ISiddiqui]

There have been a good deal of rumors of a 2014 Paperwhite, but no one really knows when it's going to come out. People thought it may have been in April, but obviously not.

[rowech]

There have been a good deal of rumors of a 2014 Paperwhite, but no one really knows when it's going to come out. People thought it may have been in April, but obviously not.

I've been holding out to get the next version of the Papwerwhite but have become frustrated at the rumors and then nothing.

[ISiddiqui]

Its not a new version, but today's Gold Deal is a Certified Refurbished 2013 Kindle Paperwhite for $85:

Kindle Paperwhite Touch Screen E-Reader with Light (http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00CTTJRTU/ref=gbsl_tit_l-1_0942_454c5e2c?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_s=left-new-1&pf_rd_r=0VV7X2DMMM1W6QTMN28Y&pf_rd_i=20&pf_rd_p=1740370942)

[DaddyTorgo]

If you're not opposed to being a bit more hands-on the line by Kobo is able to read everybody's file types (with a smidge of converting work) so you're not locked in to any one bookstore or another.

[ISiddiqui]

I've been holding out to get the next version of the Papwerwhite but have become frustrated at the rumors and then nothing.

I was looking at release dates for Kindle e-readers (omitting DX):

Kindle 1 - November 19, 2007
Kindle 2 - February 10, 2009
Kindle 3 - July 28, 2010
Kindle 4 - September 28, 2011
Kindle Paperwhite 1 - October 1, 2012
Kindle Paperwhite 2 - September 30, 2013

Since the last three Kindles came out in back-to-back-to-back years at about the same time, a 2014 will come out at that date as well.

And I imagine a 2014 version will come out because it has been a yearly refresh since the Kindle 2.