Showing posts with label Book Readers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Readers. Show all posts

1/03/2016

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 3G, 6" Free 3G + Wi-Fi 1st Generation

I have one of these since the product was launched, and it is a good sound book reader. Easy to set, operate and maintain, easy to access the Amazon Store and download your books, easy to navigate and to create collections, and very portable. Here a wrap-up:

GOOD THINGS
> Easy to set for the first time and easy to operate.
> Very portable and easy to store anywhere, in a folder, small handbag or briefcase. Perfect for travelling, as well.
> Easy-peasy wireless connection and delivery.

> Easy to carry and to pack. 
> Lightweight.
> Free 3G to purchase and download your books all over the world. Yes, that is right. I have used it lots, and by default as, until recently, I did not have router at home.  Unlike tablets, which rely on the existence of free WI-FI on the place you visit or on you buying a 3G SIM card or using roaming, this reader connects automatically to the closest source of 3G in the place you are visiting, Amazon pays for it. Of course, you cannot browse, but if you feel like browsing the Kindle Store and buying a book, you can do so easily.
> Long battery life, especially if you use it in flight mode, which disables the Internet connection.
> Great storage capacity.
> Great contrast for reading. It feels like the pages of a real book, indeed. And you can customise the contrast to your liking. Also, the contrast is great for reading outdoors.

DOWNSIDES
>  Monochrome all over, so not good for colour graphic books.
> Not good for PDF books.
> No highlighting colours for your text.
> Not good for audible books or for listening music (some older models of Kindle were way better on that regard.)
> Non-customisation for the desktop wallpapers or for collections folders covers.

GOOD AND BAD
> There is not a browser incorporated into the device (which was in older Kindle models) but, being practical, you don't want a browser in black and white either! So that was a good move,

> There were two versions of this ebook reader, one with some advertisements, which was cheaper, and mine, which was more expensive but allowed you to turn off recommendations and adds on from editorial houses. I found shocking that an add-free version still had the adds on and needed you to switch them off. This is not a problem with the new generation readers.
 

TIPS FOR USE
> Save energy and battery life by turning the device on flight mode. Unless you want to buy a book or browse Amazon Store, don't switched back on. Even if you switch off the device, if the 3G is on, the battery dies down sooner. I have tested this personally, and when I have it off, the battery life lasts longer.
> The easiest way to create a collection is to press strongly the screen and the add to collection screen will pop up. There other ways to add a book to a collection, but they take more time.

IN SHORT
Great product, but obsolete. Yet, a great acquisition if you grab a second hand one.  On the other hand, I doubt that the new generation can beat the better quality and readability of any tablet and the Kindle App. I rarely use this device nowadays beyond storage, and use my tablet to access my Kindle library and reach Amazon, but I take it for travelling every time.