I’ve been an avid reader all my life and I’ve always loved books. Of course books have their disadvantages. For one thing, as any student can tell you, they are heavy and awkward to carry around.
For years we’ve been hearing how the internet will replace the printed word. There’s no doubt that newspapers and magazines are seeing the impact of people getting their news online. But for most of us the computer just can’t replace books. It’s just more convenient to carry a book and read wherever and whenever the mood hits us.
Imagine being able to carry 200 books around with you, get instant access to new books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs all in a package that weighs about the same as a paperback book.
Amazon has come up with a device called a Kindle that does just that, and more.
When I first heard of the Kindle it seemed like another electronic device that I could probably live without. After all, I’ve always been perfectly satisfied with my books. But this thing is amazing.
First of all, the screen reads more like paper than what you get from most electronic screens. According to Amazon , “Utilizing a new high-resolution display technology called electronic paper, Kindle provides a crisp black-and-white screen that resembles the appearance and readability of printed paper. The screen works using ink, just like books and newspapers, but displays the ink particles electronically. It reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, eliminating the glare associated with other electronic displays. As a result, Kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room. The screen never gets hot so you can comfortably read as long as you like.”
Want a new book? Instant access to newspapers like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, or foreign newspapers like Le Monde? How about the current issue of magazines like Time, Forbes, or Atlantic Monthly? Want to check your favorite blog like Slashdot, Boing Boing, The Onion, or Huffington Post? Just access the Kindle Store where most New York Times Bestsellers and new titles are only $9.99 and newspapers and magazines start with a 14 day free trial.
You don’t even need anything extra to shop at the Kindle Store. The unit comes with wireless access called Whispernet that works anywhere. It’s not WiFi, so you don’t need to search for a hotspot.
Again according to Amazon, “Whispernet utilizes Amazon’s optimized technology plus Sprint’s national high-speed (EVDO) data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, download, and read content on the go. Amazon pays for Kindle’s wireless connectivity so you will never see a monthly wireless bill for shopping the Kindle Store. There is no wireless setup—you are ready to shop, purchase and read right out of the box.”
When was the last time you bought an electronic device that didn’t involve monthly access charges?
Add to that the fact that Kindle comes loaded with The New Oxford American Dictionary, free built-in access to Wikipedia.org, adjustable text size, a full QWERTY keyboard, and only weighs 10.3 Ounces.
Kindle is a little pricy at $399, but it really could revolutionize the way you read. Check it out!
