Tonight Auntie Marge rang me and asked for information about the Kindle, so i have done some research for her.
An
e-book reader, also called an
e-book device or
e-reader, is a portable electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital books and periodicals.
An e-book reader is similar in form to a
tablet computer. A tablet computer typically has a faster screen capable of higher refresh rates which makes them more suitable for interaction. The main advantages of e-book readers are better readability of their screens especially in bright sunlight and longer battery life. This is achieved by using
electronic paper technology to display content to readers.
Any device that can display text on a screen can act as an e-book reader, but without the advantages of the e-paper technology.
The most common e reader is the
Amazon Kindle it is a portable
e-book reader. More precisely, it is a software, hardware and network platform developed by
Amazon.com that uses
wireless connectivity to enable users to shop for, download, browse, and read
e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other
digital media in some countries.
The Kindle hardware devices use an
E Ink electronic paper display that shows up to 16 shades of gray, minimizes power use and simulates reading on paper.
Several hardware devices support this platform, including a main "Kindle" line and a parallel "Kindle DX" line.
Amazon Kindle can read the following formats
AZW
HTML
MP3
PDF
TR3
TXT
DOC
History
Amazon released the Kindle First Generation on November 19, 2007,
On February 10, 2009, Amazon announced the Kindle 2.
Kindle 3
Amazon announced a new generation of the Kindle on July 28, 2010.
The Spec for Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi at £152 is below, the
Kindle Wi-Fi is £111, i cannot see much difference in the spec except the 3G option.
New, High-Contrast E Ink Screen with Pearl Technology
50% better contrast. The clearest text and sharpest images with latest E Ink Pearl display.
Read in Bright Sunlight
Unlike LCD screens, Kindle's screen reads like real paper, with no glare. Read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.
Lighter than a Paperback
At only 247 grams and 8.5 mm thin, Kindle is lighter than a paperback and thinner than a magazine.
Holds 3,500 Books
The Kindle's storage so you can carry up to 3,500 books.
Battery Life of Up to One Month
A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off. Keep wireless always on and go for up to 10 days without recharging.
Free 3G Wireless
No annual contracts, no monthly fees. Download books anytime, anywhere.
Learn more.
Global Wireless Coverage
Travel the globe and still get books in under 60 seconds with wireless coverage in over 100 countries and territories.
Built-In Wi-Fi
In addition to free 3G wireless, Kindle now has built-in Wi-Fi support. Connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at home or on the road.
Quieter Page Turn Buttons
Quieter page turning means you won't disturb your partner when you want to read all night.
Read-to-Me
With Text-to-Speech, Kindle can read English-language content out loud to you.
Simple to Use
Kindle is ready to use right out of the box - no setup, no software to install, no computer required.
Books in 60 Seconds
With fast, free wireless delivery, you can start reading books in less than 60 seconds. No computer required.
Massive Selection
With the biggest selection of any ebook store in the UK, you can shop more than 550,000 books, including bestsellers and new releases. UK and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs, plus more than 1 million free books, are also available.
Lowest Book Prices
We check hundreds of prices every day to make sure our prices are the lowest of any ebook store in the UK. Compare our book prices - you'll like what you find.
Free Book Samples
Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy.
NEW - Real Page Numbers
We've added real page numbers that correspond to print editions so you can easily reference and cite passages.
Read Everywhere with Whispersync
Your Kindle books can be read on your Kindle, iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac, Android device, and Windows Phone 7. Our Whispersync technology syncs your place across devices, so you can pick up where you left off.
Worry-Free Archive
Books you purchase from the Kindle Store are automatically backed up online in your Kindle library on Amazon.co.uk. Re-download books wirelessly for free, anytime.
Improved PDF Reader
Now with new dictionary lookup, notes and highlights, and support for password protected PDFs. Easily carry all of your documents on the go.
Share Meaningful Passages
Share meaningful passages with friends and family with built-in Twitter and Facebook integration.
How Electronic Ink Works
Electronic ink screens work using ink, just like books and newspapers, but display the ink particles electronically. People who see the display for the first time do a double take because the screen looks like real paper.
No Eye Strain--Reads Like Real Paper, Not a Computer Screen
Kindle's electronic ink display is ideal for reading because it does not create the same eyestrain as reading on traditional backlit LCD tablets or laptops.
Clearer Text and the Sharpest Display
Electronic ink uses actual ink to create crisp, print-like text similar to what you see in a physical book. Kindle's proprietary, hand-built fonts take advantage of the special characteristics of the ink to make letters clear and sharp.
No Glare, Even in Bright Sunlight
Kindle's screen reflects light like ordinary paper, eliminating the glare created by backlit LCD displays on tablets or smart phones. Kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.
Not all E Ink is the Same--Kindle Uses Latest Generation E Ink for 50% Better Contrast
When considering an ereader, you should ensure that you are getting a device with the latest generation E Ink technology, referred to as "Pearl". Our all-new Kindle uses Pearl, resulting in the best reading experience possible with 50% better contrast and the sharpest text.
Longer Battery Life
Electronic ink screens require no power to maintain a page of text, allowing you to read for up to a month on a single charge versus hours on a tablet or smart phone. This low power consumption also means that Kindle, unlike a laptop, never gets warm so you can comfortably read as long as you like.
Read Before Bed Without Affecting Sleep
According to some sleep experts, reading on closely-held backlit screens before bed inhibits melatonin production, which is critical for a good night's sleep. "The take-home lesson is that insomnia and electronic gadgets emitting light should not [be] mixed before bedtime" says UCLA Neurology Clinic Director Alon Avidan. "Kindle is better for your sleep."
The Kindle's
terms of use forbid transferring Amazon e-books to another user or a different type of device.
However, Amazon announced on December 30, 2010 that lending books on Kindles was allowed.
Users can select reading material using the Kindle itself or through a computer at the Amazon Kindle store and can download content through the Kindle Store, which upon the initial launch of the Kindle had more than 88,000 digital titles available for download. This number continued steadily increasing to more than 275,000 by late 2008, and exceeded 500,000 in the spring of 2010. As of July 24, 2010, there were more than 650,000 books available for download.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kindle-eBooks/b/ref=sa_menu_kbo2?ie=UTF8&node=341689031
Digital Lending Library
In Nofolk Library Service online you can download and read e books for FREE, after 3 weeks you can renew or they delete automatically, you can download as many as you like, you don't have to remember to return the books, I assume all Library services perform the same or a similar service.
Overview
At this website you can checkout and download…
- Adobe EPUB eBooks
- Adobe PDF eBooks
- OverDrive WMA Audiobooks
- OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks
To checkout and download you need…
- A valid library card
- Internet access
- A computer or device that meets the system requirements for the type(s) of materials you wish to download
- Free software for the computer or device on which you wish to use the materials available at this site
http://digitallibrary.norfolk.gov.uk
