Amazon Kindle
Compares to the iPad...
And Which Of The
3 Kindle Models
Is Best For You
EDITOR'S
NOTE: While we admittedly rave about the Kindle, it is not a perfect device.
Be sure to see our Kindle Gotchas section later in this report for a complete
picture.
In fairness to both pieces of technology, this report was compiled by
ebook lovers who own both a Kindle and an iPad (as well as an iPhone,
Apple iPod Touch and PC) and use them interchangeably.
THE LATEST MODELS
The NEW Amazon Kindles (aka Amazon Kindle 3G 3G stands for 3rd Generation)
were released August 27, 2010. These models have 6 features that
make them especially noteworthy and very different from the iPad and previous
models of the Kindle.
1) Amazing Display - Easier to Read than Paper (or the iPad)
This latest Kindles use an e-ink that is far superior to PDAs, computer
screens and even the previous Kindles. The text floats on the screen
with incredible sharpness. Folk who wear reading glass will find
that it much easier to read on a Kindle than printed books because the
characters do not "bleed" on the paper page.
In fact for some people it's actually easier to read than paper because
it's so crisp. Remember, because paper is porous, the ink is always a
little smudgy looking when you look at it up close. The Kindle also lets
you control the text size on demand which makes it a perfect option for
mature eyes.
2) SELECTION: Over 600,000 Books and Counting
You can get books for your Amazon Kindle book that run the breadth of
all current popular titles (all the best-sellers plus some) plus a back
list of books to rival a local library. With a capacity that can hold
up to 3,500 books (the equivalent of 46 shopping carts full).
3) The Kindle is More than Books: It's Newspapers, Magazines and Blogs
too.
In addition to books, Kindle owners can subscribe to newspapers, popular
magazines and blogs such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington
Post, Atlantic Monthly, TIME and Fortune. The Kindle Store also includes
top international newspapers from France, Germany, and Ireland, including
Le Monde, Frankfurter Allgemeine and The Irish Times.
Subscriptions are automatically delivered wirelessly to your Kindle overnight
so that the latest edition is waiting for when you wake up. You can also
turn on the wireless when you want, click the "update" menu
and your latest downloads will be received in minutes. This is a
strategy some folks use to dramatically increase their battery life from
days to weeks.
All magazines and newspapers include a free two-week trial.
The Kindle Store also offer more than 300 blogs such as Slashdot, TechCrunch,
BoingBoing, The Onion, The Huffington Post, and ESPN blogs. Blogs are
updated and downloaded wirelessly throughout the day so Kindle customers
can read blogs whenever and wherever they want. Most blogs cost only $0.99
each per month and also includes a free two-week trial.
4) IT'S A LIGHT DEVICE
Whisper-thin and airy, you can hold the Kindle for hours without any hand
fatigue. And because you can turn pages by clicking on a button,
you only need one hand. This allows for many more comfortable reading
positions.
5) WORRY-FREE ARCHIVE OF EVERYTHING YOU'VE BOUGHT
Books you purchase from the Kindle Store are always available to you to
download over and over again, forever. Unlike iTunes books and audio
downloads that require you to keep a back-up, Amazon keeps the back-up
for you.
6) BUILT-IN WI-FI AND FREE 3G WIRELESS (ON ALL BUT ONE MODEL)
Connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at home or on the road. Includes free Wi-Fi
access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S. The 3G wireless is about as
fast as a DSL connection. The best part is that there are no contracts,
no monthly fees. In other words you can download books anytime, anywhere.
FEATURES WE LOVE ABOUT THE KINDLE, BUT ARE RARELY TALKED ABOUT
1) YOU CAN EASILY SHARE BOOKS
It's easy to register all the Kindles in your family on one account
up to 5 Kindles total. That way when you buy a book you can instantly
send it to members of your family (or friends) at the same time you order
it.
NOTE: These don't all have to be Kindles. As long as the device
is running the free Kindle software program (available for iPod Touches,
iPhones, iPads, Blackberry, Android phones, Macs and PCs) books bought
on the Amazon.com account that the devices are linked to can share books.
2) YOU CAN POST EXCERPTS TO YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR TWITTER FEED
Just read something meaningful you want to share with your friends and
family? Just highlight the text and click on the share button.
A link to the excerpt instantly shows up in your Facebook newsfeed or
as a tweet on your Twitter account.
3) KINDLE MAGAZINES & NEWSPAPERS - NO ADS & FREE TRIALS
Magazines on the Kindle are pure content just the articles no
ads to distract you. Some even have longer features than their paper
counterparts allow. Plus you get a two-week free trial for all magazines
and newspapers. Stopping your subscriptions is only 1 click.
4) FILES CAN BE DIRECTLY EMAILED TO YOUR KINDLE
Out and about and want to see your children's school paper for school?
How about a long report just emailed by a colleague that needs your input
via annotations. Would it be helpful if your assistant could automatically
email business-related PDFs?
Most people don't realize that every kindle comes with an exclusive email
account. For example yourname@kindle.com.
You set up a list of pre-approved addresses that you will accept email
from and voila the documents instantly appear on your Kindle.
(NOTE: There is a small charge of about 15 cents per document).
You can transfer documents via the supplied cable for free.
5) PASSWORD PROTECTION
With new password protection functionality, you can choose to lock your
Kindle automatically when youre not using it.
6) SYNCHRONIZATION BETWEEN DEVICES
If you start reading a book on your Kindle and you want to continue reading
where you left off on your Blackberry you can do that. And when
you return to your Kindle, it knows exactly where you left off on your
Blackberry. The same also applies to iPhones, Android phones, iPod
Touches, Mac or PC. You can switch between all of these and the
Kindle software always know where to start your next reading session.
The iPad does not synch between the iphone.
NOTABLE
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
THE KINDLE & IPAD
KINDLE VS. IPAD:
THE DISPLAY
This screen is one of the primary differentiaters between the Kindle
and the iPad and why the Kindle is far superior. We own both but always
read books on our Kindle. Why? Because the iPad was not designed
for reading. It was designed for quick interactions like web browsing,
apps and composing email.
The iPads glossy display reflects glare quickly causing eyes to fatigue.
The Kindles matte display has no glare and can be used in bright sunlight.
The ipad can not be used in bright sunlight without the brightness control
turned way up which causes the battery to run down quicker.
KINDLE VS. IPAD:
WEIGHT AND BATTERY LIFE
This is where the Kindle really excels. It weighs a fraction
of the ipad and the battery last 6 times longer.
KINDLE VS. IPAD:
BOOK SELECTION
The Kindle bookstore has more than 600,000 titles. The iBookstore
has less than 100,000.
KINDLE VS. IPAD:
BACKLIT SCREEN
Another area where the Kindle excels. You would think a backlit
screen would be better than the Kindle's non-backlit until you actually
use them. When a screen is backlit, like the iPad, it tires the
eyes quickly and gives some folks headaches because the light is beaming
directly into your eyes. We've also found that if we read on the
iPad's backlit screen before bed where have sometimes have problems getting
to sleep because the brightness resets our biorhythms.
Note that the Kindle does need light, but not much, and the new Kindle
case comes with a light built into it.
KINDLE VS. IPAD:
KEYBOARD
The Kindle keyboard is built into the device and always handy. Because
it's a traditional keyboard it gives tactile feedback you can actually
feel the keys. The iPad key is virtual and prone to typing errors
because the keys are so close together.
KINDLE VS. IPAD:
SURF THE WEB ON 3G FOR FREE
The Wi-Fi only iPad offers free surfing but if you are out of range
of a hotspot you are also out of luck. Not with the Wifi/3G version
of the Kindle. You can surf the web for no monthly charges and no
data limits. The iPad is better for web-surfing because it's faster
and full-color, but when you just want to check a quick something on Wikipedia,
the Kindle is more than apt.
KINDLE VS. IPAD: EASY REFUNDS ON BOOKS
If even after you read a sample you purchase a book and as you get
farther in realize you do not like it, Amazon gives you 7 days from the
time you bought it to get a 100% refund. The iPad does not have a refund
policy at the time of this writing.
KINDLE VS. IPAD: FREE BOOKS
The Kindle store has 1.8 million free books while the Apple iBookstore
had 300,000. All books download for free on the Kindle's 3G network.
iPad owner must use their data allowance for 3G downloads.
KINDLE VS. IPAD:
PRICE
Again Kindle wins here too. The iPad, which must have a cover to be
ergonomically viable, runs $575 with tax. The 3G iPad runs a minimum
of $14.95/month for 3G access. The WiFi/3G Kindle is only $189 (no
3G is only $139.) The 3G version has zero monthly charges.
KINDLE VS. IPAD:
POPULAR HIGHLIGHTS
Want help keeping focus while reading a book? Popular highlights
is the feature for you. By turning on the "popular highlights"
function you will seen a dotted underline under sentences that have been
highlight by a majority of people who have read the same book. It's
like someone telling you "this next passage is important."
KINDLE VS. IPAD:
EASE OF USE RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX
The Kindle doesn't require a computer or an internet connection and
is even shipped with the battery completely charged and ready to go.
With an iPad you must connect it to a computer running iTunes, register
the product and wait 3 hours for it to fully charge.
While you can always use your computer to buy Kindle titles from amazon.com
the beauty is that you don't have to. You can also shop and use your Kindle
through it's built-in high-speed data networks. This means you can wirelessly
shop the Kindle Store, download your books, newspapers or other content
you buy -- all without a PC, Wi-Fi hot spot, or syncing. And there's zero
charge for the connectivity. For this reason, many people buy Kindles
for their elderly parents because a computer never has to be involved.
They can even purchase the books for their parents and have the title
sent right to their parents' Kindle.
WHAT IS THE SAME ABOUT THE IPAD AND THE KINDLE
Instant delivery of books, blogs and newpapers.
Auto updating of content (blogs, newspaper, etc update automatically)
The batteries are not replaceable
Both use AT&T's 3G network
Auto-rotating screen that shifts between landscape and portrait mode.
You can preview the first chapters of books for free.
Global 3G coverage.
WHERE THE IPAD IS BETTER
Visiting websites
Playing games
Selection of apps
An intuitive touch screen
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION: SHOULD YOU BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY?
No. We've owned a total of 4 Kindles and have not required any
service on any of them despite hard use. If there is something inherently
wrong, it will show up immediately and Amazon will (cheerfully) replace
the entire unit. Save the $65 and put the money toward their illuminated
case.
KINDLE GOTCHAS, FLAWS & BUGS
OFTEN OUT-OF-STOCK
The new Kindles (3rd
generation) are so popular it can be weeks from the time you order to
the time you receive it. (Note: Amazon does NOT charge your credit card
until it ships).
THE DISPLAY IS BLACK AND WHITE NOT COLOR
This one is a matter of preference. We love this aspect for reading because
we find that our eyes do not get as tired reading the Kindle as they do
reading on a backlit device like the iPad, iPhone, etc.
NOT A TOUCH SCREEN
You must use the buttons use the buttons which seems a bit "retro"
in the age of Apple touchscreens. A benefit of the buttons is that
you don't have fingerprints all over your display.
NO BACKLIGHT
A gotcha for some, a benefit for others. We love this feature because
it makes reading outside a breeze and it keeps the battery life really,
really long. If you want to read in bed with the light OFF, then
you will need to get a booklight. Note that some Kindle cases have
the booklight built in.
TECH SPECS FOR TECHIES
The Amazon Kindle runs on the Linux operating system. It has a USB
2.0 port (mini-B connector) and is read as a USB flash drive when connected
to a MAC or PC.
HSPDA modem (3G) with a fallback to EDGE/GPRS; utilizes Amazon Whispernet
to provide wireless coverage via AT&T's 3G high-speed data network
in the U.S. and partner networks outside of the U.S.
Display Amazon's 6" diagonal electronic paper display, optimized
with proprietary waveform and font technology, 600 x 800 pixel resolution
at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
System Requirements None, because it's wireless and doesn't require
a computer.
Storage 4GB internal (approximately 3GB available for user content).
Battery Life A single charge lasts for up to a month with wireless off.
Keep wireless always on and it lasts for up to 10 days. Battery life will
vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading
content. In low-coverage areas or in EDGE/GPRS-only coverage, wireless
usage will consume battery power more quickly.
Charge Time Fully charges in approximately 4.5 hours via the included
U.S. power adapter. Also supports charging from your computer via the
included USB 2.0 cable.
Wireless Terms and Conditions. Wi-Fi Connectivity Supports public and
private Wi-Fi networks or hotspots that use the 802.11b or 802.11g standard;
does not connect to enterprise or peer-to-peer Wi-Fi networks
USB Port USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) for connection to the Kindle U.S.
power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.
Audio 3.5 mm stereo audio jack, rear-mounted stereo speakers.
Content Formats Supported Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, Audible (Audible Enhanced
(AA, AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF,
PNG, BMP through conversion.
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
U.S. power adapter (supports 110V-240V)
USB 2.0 cable
Rechargeable battery.
Click
here to see the latest Kindles on Amazon.com
USE
THE GRID TO DECIDE
WHICH KINDLE IS BEST FOR YOU
