What I like about it:
- It's light to carry.
- I can make the font larger so I can read in bed without glasses.
- I can access any of my books on my iPod Touch using the free Kindle app.
- I can look up words in the built-in dictionary.
- Many books have a text-to-speech "read to me" feature (and the electronic voice isn't too bad).
- Lots of books are available for free and/or low cost (Amazon, Project Gutenberg, Open Library, Many Books, and Internet Archive).
- I can preview a book before purchasing it.
- LONG battery life. I've only charged mine twice.
What I don't like:
- I cannot share the books that I purchase with my family and friends, even those who own their own Kindle. (NEW 1/3/11: a big thank you to Grace Kat, who shared info about sharing Kindle books in her comment below. Many books CAN be shared one time for up to 14 days. See info on this page of Amazon's web site.)
- I enjoy reading blogs that are free on the Internet. The blogs that are available for viewing on the Kindle cost $5 a month and most are not updated regularly.
I think it won't be long before e-readers catch on in the K-12+ education market.
I enjoy the kindle app on my ipad for similar reasons you listed above.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I saw a post on Richard Byrne's website about Amazon allowing users to lend their books to others. Information can be found at Amazon>Kindle Support > Kindle Books and Other Content > Lending Kindle Books.
(I don't yet know how to enter an embedded link)
Thanks, Grace! I'll add a link to the page about lending in my post above and will try it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am considering purchasing the kindle wifi + 3G. I am hoping to be able to also use the experimental/no flash/java...to view email & do simple web browsing. I do not have a smartphone so this may or may not be the option for me. I love to read and think I would really do much more of it with the kindle. Your thoughts are appreciated :D
ReplyDelete