With Kindle’s current
model being the Ninth Generation, one may wonder why we are reviewing the Third
Generation (Kindle Keyboard) model. Well, for starters, that’s the model that
Bob and I have. We have the 6” diagonal paper electronic display in Graphite. Secondly,
we got the Kindle for the sole purpose of reading e-books and don’t care much
for features that the new models offer. Having said that, I’d urge all avid
readers to immediately get yourselves a Kindle, your choice of model dependant
on your budget and the features you would want in your Kindle.
For the uninformed, the
Kindle is an e-book reader that allows you to store and read several e-books on
this portable device. These e-books may be purchased online or can be
transferred to you via email/external storage device by other e-book owners or
via Whispernet.
FEATURES:
1. Built-in WiFi to
buy books (The same model also comes with 3G but Bob and I have the one with
WiFi).
2. Text to Speech.
3. Highlighted text
and notes that can be shared on social network accounts and also stored on the
device.
4. Plays MP3, has a
3.5mm audio jack with rear mounted stereo speakers.
5. Web browser.
6. Parental Control.
7. Voice Guide.
8.
Power adaptor
with a USB 2.0 port for power charging.
When Bob had first told
me (in 2011) that she would be gifting me a Kindle, I cringed. What good would
be a gift if I never ever used it? I LOVE books, I love everything about books.
In libraries, I open old, musty books and sniff them, I spend hours at
bookstores, pushing that errant book back into its row. Each book that I own
has a sentiment attached to it. Why then would I want a piece of unfeeling,
cold technological device in my hand?
Here’s why (a few
reasons may be specific to the Kindle Keyboard):
1. The Kindle weighs 240 gms and is as thin and
sleek as a magazine, weighs lesser that a typical paperback (probably lesser
than the Animal Farm *wonders*). Hence, easy to carry around in your
bag.
2.
How many books
can one fit into their bag on a three day trip? With the kindle, I have 3,500
books fit into the side pocket of my bag. *wipes a tear off her face*
Imagine that! You are no longer stuck with reading Crime and Punishment. You
can always switch over to another book.
3. Unlike the later
generations that are touchscreen, the Kindle Keyboard is the last in its series
that has a keyboard and uses buttons to navigate through the pages. The Kindle
uses E Ink (type of electronic display of text that appears like printed ink)
screens and looks like real paper. These E Ink screens, unlike LCD screens,
have no glare as there’s no back-light and can be read in sunlight too.
4. Ever tried
multitasking while reading a book? Something as simple as eating a sandwich
becomes a herculean task when you try to simultaneously keep the book open, pushing
it down on its spine.
5. The Kindle has
an inbuilt dictionary. You need to click on the word and the meaning pops up. I
love this feature. No need to set out on a hunt for that dictionary again.
6. Forgotten to
place the book mark at the last read page or had people dog-ear your books? The
Kindle lets you bookmark the page with a simple click and even otherwise
automatically opens to the page last read.
 |
| Bookmark to the top right |
7.
You can mark
your favourite passages or create notes.
8. For those
concerned about the absence of the backlight, you could always purchase a
clip-on light or just use your regular wall light and protect your eyes.
9. The battery does
last for a month (provided you aren’t listening to music on the Kindle) and
does so even after 7 years of continuous use!
10.
I’ve lent books
to never see them again or had them returned in a tattered condition. I doubt
anybody is going to ask to borrow my kindle.
The latest models of the Kindle offer much
more in terms of having a built-in light, higher resolution, lighter weight etc.
But then, the Kindle app can be downloaded onto your computer, phone or tablet
which would also have the features mentioned above. Why then buy a pricier
Kindle to avail these features!
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