Cnet's good E-reader comparison won't post my Kindle information

CNet's John F. Falcone, in his otherwise excellent new overview of several e-readers, which I recommend, has posted a brief comment I made about the difference between Sprint and AT&T access in the various Kindles.

 For some reason he has decided not to publish my earlier longer general comment - even though he specifically asked us for our experiences.  I had signed it with "kindleworld.blogspot.com" and figured that this was the problem, so I re-uploaded it without that identifier at all.  But after almost an hour and a half, he has not published it.  Although it gives him extra information which I think is extremely important when comparing models, I have to think he does not want this information added to his e-reader comparison, for whatever reasons.  Maybe he wants to verify that the info is correct and that takes awhile.

 But in the interests of not having the differences hidden by some gadget sites, when they can be important to those looking for an e-reader today via reading comparisons and overviews in a good publication, here is what I wrote to his invitation for our own experiences.

 That way, the added information is available at least here, though I wish more serious gadget sites would note some of these differences.  It could be they don't spend enough time with the many e-readers to explore these types of differences.

' That is an excellent overview, with a lot of things caught that other reviewers don't.

I want to add a couple of important items though, since you guys are even asking for what we think (which is not that usual).

The Kindle includes, in its Free 3G mobile-network access, a (now much faster) web-browser that has no limits on where you can use it.

It's of course useable (as e-ink is slow) mainly with mobile versions of websites such as ESPN's, CNN, BBC, etc. That means you can use this for lookups at Google, Wikipedia, Yelp, etc wherever you are, while camping or sitting on some park bench, at no added cost.
Using it is a bit of a drain on the battery for a session though.

But no other e-reader does this, and for sure, not for free.
The Kindle's web browser is now working officially in about 56 countries and unofficially in about 65 countries.  (I asked people to write me if it was enabled in their countries and Amazon's product pages show 56 countries officially enabled for that.)

About 100 countries that get wireless do get at least the free Wikipedia accessible from their books.  It used to be very slow but they improved it recently.

Also, functioning needs to be looked at.  The nook is beautiful and has better screen contrast than the Kindle, but if you've used their directory and Search functions you'll see how many menu steps you have to go through to use them.

With the Kindle you just start typing the keyword or phrase for Searches while reading, and you get a list of results with context and links to the pages.  The inline dictionary has a summary definition of the word your cursor is on at the bottom and if you want more info, you press Enter to get it.

With annotations, the nook software currently is a problem for the person trying to find the annotation later, because you have to page through again until you reach it.

With the kindle you can get a list of your annotations with links that get you to them, and the Kindle features include a customer's private password-protected webpage that holds all the annotations made for each book, displayable to you on one page for each book, and it's copyable and editable.
This is available to us only if we don't "Disable Annotations backup" backup .

The new software update also allows you to highlight a passage you're reading and send it to friends at Facebook and/or Twitter, with an intro note, even if you're sitting on a bus.

That is not possible w/other e-readers either (except the iPad with 3G, which as you point out costs more).

- Andrys '

Two hours later and it's not up, though the later short note is, so my information is posted here instead.  I recommend his article, nevertheless, because it is more thorough and more accurate than I've read elsewhere.  It was just missing the information on the differences between the Nook and the Kindle when it comes to what the 3G wireless does and does not include.

Experimentation with the Kindle Basic Web browser today shows Amazon has really sped it up quite a bit from only a month ago.  Some of us won't pay for web-data plans on our smart phones, so the Kindle's no-added-cost 3G can be quite valuable when we're outside the home or office.

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Check often:  Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.

Latest Graphite Kindle DX Reader From Kindle Store Has Finally Up The Shelf

After a week of large 27% retailed price reduction of Kindle Reader 2, many have
wondered why Kindle DX selling price is still the same. Not surprisingly, Amazon has just recently launched a lower price model of Kindle DX called the Graphite Kindle DX on 1st July 2010.

This all new Kindle DX is priced at US$379 from its original price of US$489 and thus it has made a big difference to compete against its closer competitors, Apple's iPad and Barne & Noble's Nook. This awesome US$110 saving can be very helpful for kindle clients to spend a little more on favourite kindle books or other wished stuffs.

Although Graphite Kindle DX still cannot compete with iPad for its PC functionality in terms of PC features and display colors, it is still a leading big winner in the ebook reader market. In fact, Graphite Kindle DX is not designed to compete with a normal mobile PC based device or webpad.

These book readers do not need any extra PC based functionalities offered by iPad in reading kindle, periodicals or other ebook documents. With this kind of price reduction, Graphite Kindle DX has made a bigger price gap from iPad.

Amazon Graphite Kindle DX has inherited the previous well liked features of Kindle DX for e.g. 9.7" Rotational Display, nearly 2 weeks of battery usage under no wireless condition, storing 3500 books and documents, Whispersync book, free 3G wireless service , usual hardware keyboard and it supports the largest selection of ebooks.

Apart from these current kindle DX features, it now utlises a new and improved electronic ink display to give a 50% better constrast for the clearest text and sharpest images. It has also an all new stylish body made of tough graphite materials.

While the portable reader market and everybody starts to detail about this latest Graphite Kindle DX reader, they are available to preorder at Ebookreaders1.Com. The kindle devices are available to ship from July 7th, 2010. In parallel with this Graphite Kindle DX launch, Latest Kindle Store will be offering to her web subscribers the hottest 100 list of free kindle books to be updated on every hour. Her subscribers can just follow the given email link to download these most wanted free kindle books.

"The Abominable Kindle Wins?"

Thought I'd pass on an amusing but insightful article from Mike Cane's iPad Test blog, which I'll quote from liberally, hoping that's okay with him.

He starts out by saying he's always hated the Kindle and has been very public about it, because (1) the Kindle 1 was "fugly" and he'd "never be seen in public with something that looked like it was designed by terrorists" and (2) most egregious of all, it didn't use ePub, the file type that has been "emerging as a 'standard'" while Amazon has been going its own way.

And then Amazon announced the Kindle Previewer, the coming WEB-based previewer of Kindle books.  He explains:

' Yesterday, Amazon announced its upcoming Kindle Previewer feature.  It will allow people with HTML5-compliant browsers to see fully-formatted Kindle eBooks on the web.  With that, Amazon has stepped into the future I’ve described here.  Amazon is now poised to take on Google and its eBook-dominating plans.

And today I just had this thought:

How many Kindles are now out there vs ePub devices?  If there are MORE K, then isn’t *K* the goddammed “standard” for eBooks now!? '

That's an interesting thought, no? --

He goes on to expand on this, and I'll quote more than I should, but if you enjoy or have a reaction to his ironic take, drop by his ipadtest site to add a comment to his unique line of thought.

' There’s a Kindle app for the iPhone and iPad.  So those tens of millions of devices are now Kindles too.

And Amazon just let loose Kindle for Android this week.  So those millions of devices can now be Kindles too.

Add up all those numbers and the population of devices that support ePub — Adobe DRMed ePub — are just crushed.  (Note: You cannot count the iPad as an ePub device because it does not do Adobe DRMed ePub — and that’s the flavor of ePub that’s been the “standard.”)

For the IDPF to continue to bray about ePub being an “eBook standard” is just desperate PR now.  The numbers are no longer there.  Hell, even writers have jumped on publishing for Kindle rather than ePub.

The numbers now support Amazon’s Kindle format as the eBook standard.

You don’t know how much I hate having to admit this.'

He goes on to talk about the situation with Amazon and public libraries, and the OverDrive program, and has an interesting take there that Amazon should actually read and consider seriously for the effect it could have.

 So, I've left a bit for you to read at Mike Cane's site,

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Check often:  Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.

Cole Haan Leather Kindle case - 50% off. M-Edge FlexStand.

Quick Alert to a 50% off offering on a popular Amazon case

The Cole Haan leather cover for the Kindle 6" has been a very popular but expensive item recommended by Kindle owners on the forums.  The 50% off applies to several of the Cole Haan covers, shown here.

After waiting a year to decide, because it was so expensive, I gave up and bought it for its regular, long-time price of $99.95 price on May 31 but was outside the '30-day return policy' offering on items we find unsatisfactory in order to get the special pricing on a new one.  Amazon doesn't do refunds on smaller items for price-changes.
If you've been watching this cover, Amazon announced a 50% off deal on it today at the Kindlestore.

 It wouldn't be quite as protective as the hard cover that Amazon sells for it (the linked blog article also includes a guide to using hinged covers) but should protect the screen in a drop, due to enough padding on the leather interior.  This cover also uses hinges and as mentioned earlier, this definitely protects the Kindle from dropping out of the cover while the Kindle doesn't look tied to the case by elasticized bands on all sides, but it's wise not to open it from the back as there is resistance there and forcing it open could cause the hinges to make cracks on the case there.   In 16 months, it wasn't a problem for me, though a poll indicated it happens to about 3% of owners answering the poll.  I alternated between the hard cover and a platform one, the latter used when I knew I'd want to read while in a cafe.

 I really like the Cole Haan because it feels more like a leather bound book instead of colder electronics, though I have liked the hard Amazon cover also because it looks like a plain black notebook and if I left it on a table somewhere, no one went after it.

M-EDGE FLEXSTAND
These are photos of the M-Edge Flexstand that I got for my 9.7" Kindle DX, as I don't like to read with a cover on, since it is already heavier than the smaller Kindle 2.  There's of course a smaller Flexstand as well for the other Kindle.

  I did a couple of photos during a time when the sun was almost going down and it's pretty dark but I didn't want to use flash.

  What I especially like is that I can hold it, while reading, by the center gizmo that encloses the spidery legs, and it seems lighter that way. Since it stands up in either direction (horizontal mode is good when charging it too), I am not likely to step or sit on it.   I use the Octo sleeve (protective, light and slim) when away from home but now always have this in the FlexStand when at home.

  Those with youngsters and pets probably won't find this enough protection though, and to put it on and off to switch it with a case may not be what you want.  Since I always have the DX on the FlexStand, the legs become less tight but I just lift the middle of them a bit and that works fine.  I usually have this resting on my palm while holding the center gizmo and it just feels lighter that way.  It wasn't love at first sight, since I thought it sure was ugly, but it's here to stay ;-).

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Check often:  Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.

Refurbished Amazon Kindle DX's are Currently $250 and $290 UPDATE 9/7/10

UPDATED July 2, 2010 for pricing and info vs new Graphite-colored model
The Amazon Kindle forums recently had a thread about the possibility of a lower-cost 3G Kindle DX, which then became less expensive June 30 although still costing almost as much as a colorful iPad.  The new 3G Graphite DX is $379 as of June 30 with a 50% higher contrast display.

 NOTE - The current WHITE Kindle DX International was repriced by Amazon today to $359 (from $379) as it is NOT using the newer higher-contrast screen, although I find my older-DX screen more than fine (see way below).
  Be aware, as I said, that it's not the new screen even if it's a fine one.

 (Those buying it in the last couple of days for $379 would get a $20 credit.  Contact Amazon at 866-321-8851 if in the U.S. or go to the Amazon Kindle Support Page to use the gold-colored "Contact Us" button, choose the "Phone" TAB you see there and then enter your country and phone number for a fairly quick call-back.)

 So, the new Graphite DX still costs almost as much as an iPad that doesn't have the DX's 3G mobile-wireless capability nor the full-mobile-network-web access that the Kindle offers with its slow but now somewhat faster and totally-free experimental Basic Web browser, included at no added cost to Kindle users.

Remember that the Kindle's web-data access  is useable mainly for text-focused information or lookups at mobile-device-optimized websites of the kind used in any mobile smartphone and, of course, for Kindle books downloaded from Amazon from almost anywhere you are, and this is also doable with 30,000 free Project Gutenberg books
via "The Magic Catalog" and from such places as feedbooks.com and manybooks.net.

   An iPad of that type (WiFi only) cannot download books to the device when away from WiFi networks, but it offers great color, speed of web browsing, and video delights when accessing WiFi networks. 
   The iPad also offers reading problems in sunlight if reflections and glare bother you while reading. I found out that facing a window, indoors, I still had to tilt the unit a lot to avoid the mirror experience.  GREAT at night though or indoors away from windows and an amazing unit for those who want a personal web browser and good video.

The iPad with 3G mobile-wireless capability starts at  $629 plus either $15 or $25 monthly for getting web-data access, but that iPad's web browser is unusually fast and in full color, something the Kindle DX could not begin to compete with, if one wants a fast full-color web browser rather than just a dedicated e-reader.

What all the DX's have, however, with about the same sized screen as the iPad, is the ability to read PDF documents or PDF books in original layout, on a non-glare e-Ink screen (and in full sunlight) in either portrait or auto-rotated Landscape mode, the latter almost matching the width of letter-sized paper so that PDFs are very readable.  And the latest software offers Pan and Zoom of PDFs in 'actual size' or in zoomed-in segments of 150%, 200%, or 300%

REFURBISHED US-ONLY DX's
The linked forum thread above came at a time when most did not know that Amazon was about to offer refurbished Kindle Dx's (U.S.) for now $249.99, with a year's warranty.  This is a large savings over a current, new Kindle DX that has international wireless capability.

But the $250 price is only for U.S. Sprint Kindles that cannot use wireless abroad.  An important point.  And only when they have any.
 The refurbished prices change frequently, so monitor this if you are considering a refurbished DX U.S. and planning to make a decision later.

  There is currently usually only one one price-offer (changing) under the Kindle DX U.S. Refurbished category.  These are factory refurbished and factory sealed packages which carry the usual Amazon customer service and the Kindle 30-day return policy if you don't want to keep the DX (return shipping is paid by Amazon).

UPDATE 6/25/10 - As mentioned, the refurbished units mentioned above are based on the older Sprint model (which some want in the U.S. because Sprint is all over the place here while AT&T has many uncovered areas).

 Amazon gives a choice of either version.  The International refurbished units were repriced  July 2, and are better priced than they were yesterday.

REFURBISHED INTERNATIONAL DX's
  The current pricing (these will change often, so monitor them) is $289.99 for the refurbished DX International.

  When the U.S. DX's were first offered last October (at $400 back then), I called the Amazon Kindle customer service dept about the warranty, and 'Gustavo' checked on it and relayed that the warranty on refurbished DX's is the same as for refurbished Kindle 2's.  It's the basic one-year Amazon warranty and covers any defects (the Kindle is replaced in that case) but, as usual, doesn't cover user-caused accidents in which the Kindle is damaged.

WARRANTY INFORMATION ON REFURBISHED DX'S
Here's a summary of warranty information:
    WARRANTY: 1 full year for defects. Doesn't include accidents.
      No extended-warranty from Amazon is available on these.
      Drops w/damage resulting can qualify for discounted new refurbs.
      Year 1, any unit defects are covered.
      Amazon offers the usual 30-day return policy on these.
      Above information from Customer Svc Reps Nitesh and Gustavo.

    SquareTrade offers an extended warranty for refurbished units.
    but they don't cover drops/accidents on refurbished units.
      (Drop coverage is the reason many of us get an extra warranty.)
      If wanting a SquareTrade extra-years warranty,
        google for a SquareTrade coupon you can use with your order.

I am partial to the DX myself (more info on the basic unit if you scroll down the product page at Amazon's product page).  Mine is the older U.S. version, which I don't plan to upgrade as the display is vivid, for my eyes.

  Here are photos I took of my own U.S.-only DX showing how it looks with web-pages, PDFs, and with normal book text.

  I added a photo of plain text on the screen, taken at a local ice cream shop (here's a smaller shot that includes the keyboard also).
  We can change "Words per Line" if we decide we want a narrower column to read and then change back, at any time.

  The old DXs and Kindle2's both can use the new Kindle software update that has the Collections filing system, Pan and Zoom for PDFs, ability to forward - to Facebook or Twitter - any passage you're reading, instantaneously from almost anywhere you might be (due to the 3G mobile access that has no charges for web use).

  Reminder: the Kindles have 24/7 free, albeit slow, web access via cellular wireless network, with no monthly or annual web-data charges currently and for the last two years.  With the latest software update, the web access is faster than it used to be, with no more false-error popups when using gmail.  Amazon actively markets the "free 3G" wireless feature now, so they won't likely be changing it in the near future.

  No other e-reader comes with this feature, which has been useful for me when away from my computers and needing to look up info.  Google and Wikipedia are built-in options for searches on words or phrases while you're reading a book.  About 60 countries around the globe have had the free Experimental Basic Web browser made available to them on both the Kindle 2 Int'l (since Oct 2009) and the Kindle DX International (since Jan 2010) and about 100 countries have free wireless access for downloading books and accessing Wikipedia from one's Kindle book.

So, if reading is your main reason to buy a larger-screened e-Ink e-reader, the refurbished DX's are large enough for diagrams with illustrations (including google map directions) while bringing you on-the-street mobile web-access 24/7 at no added cost and without having to hunt for a WiFi hotspot when away from your WiFi networks.

This includes the usual text-to-speech; mp3-listening (limited, in that these are heard in the order placed on the unit); Audible Books for your ears; reading in sunlight, and as mentioned, slow but totally-free web-lookups from almost anywhere you are w/o hotspot-hunts.

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Check often:  Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.

NEW KINDLE DX 2, black, higher contrast $379 - UPDATE2

A new Kindle DX was announced late Wednesday evening.

Also, WHITE Kindle reminder that it has the older screen.

UPDATE JUNE 30 ON WHITE MODEL PRODUCT PAGE - Initial posting 6/30/10, 10:27 PM
  The announcement Wednesday night led us to the old page showing a White DX still (there is still a white model apparently), which showed $379 and was part of the the comparison chart to the K2.  Now the white model on that older page is showing "Our largest e-Ink screen" and adds "2nd generation" while the graphite model's says "All new e-Ink screen" and "Latest Generation.
  Why is the price the same ?

ANSWERED
UPDATED AGAIN on JULY 2, 2010 - to add that the WHITE DX International is now repriced today
  as it does NOT have the new screen, as mentioned earlier.
  AS of July 2, Amazon has changed the price, from $379 to $359.
  Customers from countries outside the U.S., such as Australia, are being told during the buying process that only the White Kindle DX is available to them.
  There has been no word on this from Amazon.  Is it a glitch? Or is it a policy? One customer on the forums said he was able to get the Graphite one in Spain, while another customer in Spain said he could not, and the product page for Spain currently shows only the White DX available for Spain.

  So all is NOT clear on this and I hope Amazon adds some clarity here.  It's not like them to be so unclear but I guess they're making a lot of changes at one time.


BLACK 'GRAPHITE' MODEL PAGE
  There is of course the page for the new "Graphite" Kindle DX showing "All new E-Ink Screen" "50% better contrast" and, still, "Free 3G Wireless."

  It is, of course Global, and the black model is called "Graphite"
No DX2 designation, but they tagged on "Latest Generation" (which they've done before when changing models).  There is still no wording as of July 2 on the Amazon White-Kindle DX page that there is a newer model of the DX though it mentions the Graphite DX is available also.

REFUNDS or CREDITS on RECENT DX PURCHASES - WITHIN 30 DAYS
  AS BEFORE, Amazon has a policy of Refunds/Credits within 30 days of your purchase of an older model of the same type/size that had been given a price change.

  Some have recently bought refurbished or new ones, as reported in the forums.  For those who did, contact Amazon Kindle Support by phone at 866-321-8851 if you're in the U.S.

  Those outside the U.S. should go to Kindle Support on the Amazon webpages and click on the gold button at the right that says "Contact us."

  When there, choose the TAB that says "Phone" -- give them your country and your phone number so they can call you back.

There is an international number to call if you live outside the U.S., but that COULD cost money, so the form is sometimes better.  But that number is 1-206-266-0927 (for calling from outside U.S.)

  If you have any troubles, ask for a supervisor. On Amazon warehouse purchases of refurbished versions, they did modify their refund policies to be less rigid on the Kindle 2 price-drop last week.

RECENT ARTICLE on DX BLACK
That article turned out to be correct. And the slimmer Kindle talked about recently made sense for the larger Kindle, though I think the weight is about the same!  But the higher contrast must be pretty nice when my own older DX has what I feel is beautiful contrast - see my own DX pictures which show what the now older model looked like when doing web, PDFs, Amazon blogs, etc.

More later ...

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Check often:  Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.

More new Amazon features. And they bought "Woot!" - New DX

First, note the bigger news, earlier last night, that Amazon has a NEW Kindle DX, slimmer, with a 50% higher contrast display, is called the "Graphite" model and it's $379, or $110 below the price of the older screen display.
  The built-in "Free 3G" mobile wireless is still a feature, and the slow Basic Web browser is useful for lookups on the go when you need to access mobile-device-optimized websites, at no added cost.

AMAZON BUYS "WOOT!"
  Amazon announced they are buying  WOOT!, which specializes in low-cost items and clearances, and Woot's promo on the day they were announced to be an independent subsidiary of Amazon is, no surprise, a Kindle 2 - at about a $35 discount after shipping charge.

  But forumner P. Narciso pointed out Woot's FAQ language about customer service and return policies.

  This becomes important if buying a Kindle because Amazon stands behind it to the extent that they give 30 days to try out the Kindle and they'll give a full refund if you just don't like it (as long as you have the original box and it's in good shape) and it does not have to be "defective" to qualify for a return and refund (as it does with Woot).

  Woot, on the other hand, says the following in their FAQ:

'Will I receive customer support like I'm used to?

No. Well, not really.  If you buy something you don't end up liking or you have what marketing people call "buyer's remorse," sell it on eBay.  It's likely you'll make money doing this and save everyone a hassle.  If the item doesn't work, find out what you're doing wrong.  Yes, we know you think the item is bad, but it's probably your fault. Google your problem, or come back to that product discussion in our community and ask other people if they know.  Try to call the manufacturer and ask if they know. If you give up and must return it to us, then follow on to the next FAQ entry.

How do I return a defective product?

Unless we specifically tell you not to, call the manufacturer of the product you bought. You will likely get a replacement of a new model or better item from them.  If we still haven't dissuaded you, email rma@woot.com with your woot order number, the name of the product you are returning, and the detailed problem with the item. We will respond with return authorization by the next business day.  Because we aren't likely to have a replacement in stock, you should be prepared for a refund-only option if that's all we can do.  Know that return freight will be at your expense. Again, you will probably get a better deal from the manufacturer, or whoever else handling member service for that product. '

Also, in another section of their website, which deals with emailing them, they have this to say:

' To request a final return of a defective product – not a product you don't like, not a product you regret buying, not to ask us a question about some other topic, NOTHING ELSE:
rma@woot.com '

 So, don't expect the friendly Kindle Customer Service that most rave about at Amazon if something isn't quite right or you just find out you do have buyer's remorse.  They have a good rep, or probably Amazon wouldn't have bought them.


THE KINDLE PREVIEWER
Amazon has announced in the Amazon Kindle forums that a WEB-based previewer of Kindle books will be available now in addition to the Kindle samples we can get for any Kindle book.  Here is their announcement:

' You can already buy your Kindle books once and read them anywhere:  Kindle, Kindle DX, Android, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, PC, and Mac.  Soon, with the new "Kindle Previewer for HTML 5" that we are announcing today, you'll be able to sample Kindle books from anywhere. 

Kindle book previews will be available through your web browser - simply click a Preview button on an Amazon book detail page and a new browser window will open containing the preview.  If at any point while you're reading the preview you decide you want to buy the full book, simply click the buy button and it will be instantly downloaded to your Kindle or any one of our free Kindle apps. 

Because the new previewer is designed specifically for HTML 5 and CSS3, the latest generation of industry web standards, Kindle Previewer for HTML 5 will offer a great experience, with complex layouts and graphic design, embedded audio and video where useful, and enhanced user interactivity. We are excited about this new feature and look forward to making it available in the coming weeks.

Please stay tuned for more details. '

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Check often:  Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.