Amazon Kindle How-To Series: E-Mail With Your Kindle
Michael Piston asked:
The Amazon Kindle is a great e-book reader and audio-book player. Wouldn’t it be great if you could use the built-in wireless service for other things like surfing the Internet or sending and receiving e-mail? Well, actually depending upon the e-mail service you use, you can!
Not surprisingly, we’ve found that the Amazon Kindle (both version 1 and 2) work great with Google’s Gmail. However, “right-out-of-the-box”, you will not be able to use Gmail unless you make a few modifications to your Kindle’s settings. If you do not do this, you will get an error message when trying to get into your Gmail account.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Get a GMail account if you do not have one already – very simple – visit www.gmail.com and sign-up. Gmail offers a number of great features including over 7GB of storage space, IMAP support, and easy labeling of e-mail.
2. Turn on your Kindle and go to Menu > Experimental > Basic Web. This will open the Kindle’s Web Browser. Keep in mind that the Kindle browser (even on the new Kindle 2) is VERY basic.
3. When your Kindle browser has opened, go to Menu > Settings.
4. Navigate to the Menu item “Enable Javascript” – Gmail requires Javascript to work. If Javascript is not enabled then you will get an error message when trying to access your Gmail account.
5. Close the Settings window.
6. Go to Menu > Enter URL and then enter www.gmail.com – this is important, if you use the Kindle’s default shortcut or bookmark for Google you will get the Google “PDA” or mobile edition. When you try to access Gmail from the Google mobile site it will prompt you to download an e-mail application. This application cannot be installed on your Kindle. Go direction to the gmail site.
7. Log into the Gmail site with your existing user name and password, or use the new one you created in Step #1. Click “Sign in”.
8. You should now be logged into Gmail and ready to read and send e-mail messages.
A few things to keep in-mind when using your Kindle for Gmail. First, don’t forget the “Next Page” and “Prev Page” buttons. You have to get-out of your computer mind and into your Kindle mind. Next, the screen quality is not exceptional because it is in gray scale vs. color. The Kindle 2′s screen is better than the Kindle 1, however you will not equal anywhere near the experience of using your computer for e-mail. Finally – you won’t be able to open attachments sent to your Gmail account, and you may not be able to see all of the images sent with your e-mails.
With all of this, it still is pretty neat that you can take advantage of the wireless “Whispernet” service to take care of some basic e-mail tasks while you are using your Kindle. Who knows? In the event that your computer crashes and you’re out on the road your Kindle might be just come in very handy!
Congratulations, now you know how-to use Gmail on your Amazon Kindle wireless reading device.
The Amazon Kindle is a great e-book reader and audio-book player. Wouldn’t it be great if you could use the built-in wireless service for other things like surfing the Internet or sending and receiving e-mail? Well, actually depending upon the e-mail service you use, you can!
Not surprisingly, we’ve found that the Amazon Kindle (both version 1 and 2) work great with Google’s Gmail. However, “right-out-of-the-box”, you will not be able to use Gmail unless you make a few modifications to your Kindle’s settings. If you do not do this, you will get an error message when trying to get into your Gmail account.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Get a GMail account if you do not have one already – very simple – visit www.gmail.com and sign-up. Gmail offers a number of great features including over 7GB of storage space, IMAP support, and easy labeling of e-mail.
2. Turn on your Kindle and go to Menu > Experimental > Basic Web. This will open the Kindle’s Web Browser. Keep in mind that the Kindle browser (even on the new Kindle 2) is VERY basic.
3. When your Kindle browser has opened, go to Menu > Settings.
4. Navigate to the Menu item “Enable Javascript” – Gmail requires Javascript to work. If Javascript is not enabled then you will get an error message when trying to access your Gmail account.
5. Close the Settings window.
6. Go to Menu > Enter URL and then enter www.gmail.com – this is important, if you use the Kindle’s default shortcut or bookmark for Google you will get the Google “PDA” or mobile edition. When you try to access Gmail from the Google mobile site it will prompt you to download an e-mail application. This application cannot be installed on your Kindle. Go direction to the gmail site.
7. Log into the Gmail site with your existing user name and password, or use the new one you created in Step #1. Click “Sign in”.
8. You should now be logged into Gmail and ready to read and send e-mail messages.
A few things to keep in-mind when using your Kindle for Gmail. First, don’t forget the “Next Page” and “Prev Page” buttons. You have to get-out of your computer mind and into your Kindle mind. Next, the screen quality is not exceptional because it is in gray scale vs. color. The Kindle 2′s screen is better than the Kindle 1, however you will not equal anywhere near the experience of using your computer for e-mail. Finally – you won’t be able to open attachments sent to your Gmail account, and you may not be able to see all of the images sent with your e-mails.
With all of this, it still is pretty neat that you can take advantage of the wireless “Whispernet” service to take care of some basic e-mail tasks while you are using your Kindle. Who knows? In the event that your computer crashes and you’re out on the road your Kindle might be just come in very handy!
Congratulations, now you know how-to use Gmail on your Amazon Kindle wireless reading device.
The New Amazon Kindle 2 – Available for All
Nollen asked:
On This Monday, February 9, 2009, Amazon announced the Kindle 2 – new wireless reading device (latest generation) , which will be available for purchase starting on February 24, 2009 on all online shops for $359, without the speculated price increase.
There may be a variety of reasons that you want to get a new kindle 2 device. For example, I never thought I’d use an e-book reader, but after buying the Kindle I became an instant convert. It has saved me many a boring hour stuck in airports, doctor’s offices, or during business flights. Most hardcover bestsellers or books for business now cost about $30. I can buy the same book for $9 on the Kindle. So the my Kindle now is holding about 100 books.
I love my kindle 1 reading e-book device. Quick, smooth, easy to read, and I don’t complain about the large buttons. But I’ve been waiting for Kindle 2 device. So, I ordered yesterday the my Kindle 2. I received an email saying my order had been upgraded to a Kindle 2 and that I would be in the first group to receive Kindle 2, and would receive mine as soon as Kindle 2 becomes available later this month.
Amazon announced the second latest generation Kindle e-book reader will be thinner than an iPhone at thick 0.36 inches. There’s seven times more storage then the Kindle 1 first generation device packed inside, and now holds over 1,500 books. It has a new sharper 16-level e-ink display that turns pages some 20 percent faster, provides even crisper images and clearer text for an improved book-like reading experience. There’s also a new Read-to-Me Text-to-Speech feature and a 25 percent longer battery life, along with a new five-way joystick controller that makes navigation simpler and faster. Kindle 2 comes with the New Oxford American Dictionary and its 250,000 word definitions built-in, and with Kindle 2 definitions appear instantly at the bottom of the page. Amazon also announced that the Kindle Store has now over 230,000 ebooks, plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines available.
Finally, If you do a lot of traveling, or if you are like me and hate having paper books everywhere. So, this is a great innovative device for you and for all readers all around the USA. I’ll bet you must love to have one NOW! Kindle 2 or new Amazon wireless reading device (latest generation) is available today for pre-order.
On This Monday, February 9, 2009, Amazon announced the Kindle 2 – new wireless reading device (latest generation) , which will be available for purchase starting on February 24, 2009 on all online shops for $359, without the speculated price increase.
There may be a variety of reasons that you want to get a new kindle 2 device. For example, I never thought I’d use an e-book reader, but after buying the Kindle I became an instant convert. It has saved me many a boring hour stuck in airports, doctor’s offices, or during business flights. Most hardcover bestsellers or books for business now cost about $30. I can buy the same book for $9 on the Kindle. So the my Kindle now is holding about 100 books.
I love my kindle 1 reading e-book device. Quick, smooth, easy to read, and I don’t complain about the large buttons. But I’ve been waiting for Kindle 2 device. So, I ordered yesterday the my Kindle 2. I received an email saying my order had been upgraded to a Kindle 2 and that I would be in the first group to receive Kindle 2, and would receive mine as soon as Kindle 2 becomes available later this month.
Amazon announced the second latest generation Kindle e-book reader will be thinner than an iPhone at thick 0.36 inches. There’s seven times more storage then the Kindle 1 first generation device packed inside, and now holds over 1,500 books. It has a new sharper 16-level e-ink display that turns pages some 20 percent faster, provides even crisper images and clearer text for an improved book-like reading experience. There’s also a new Read-to-Me Text-to-Speech feature and a 25 percent longer battery life, along with a new five-way joystick controller that makes navigation simpler and faster. Kindle 2 comes with the New Oxford American Dictionary and its 250,000 word definitions built-in, and with Kindle 2 definitions appear instantly at the bottom of the page. Amazon also announced that the Kindle Store has now over 230,000 ebooks, plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines available.
Finally, If you do a lot of traveling, or if you are like me and hate having paper books everywhere. So, this is a great innovative device for you and for all readers all around the USA. I’ll bet you must love to have one NOW! Kindle 2 or new Amazon wireless reading device (latest generation) is available today for pre-order.
A 2009 Comparison Of The Amazon Kindle 2 Vs Sony Reader Prs-700
Travis Van Slooten asked:
The Amazon Kindle 2 and the Sony Reader PRS-700 are two of the hottest ebook readers to hit the market in the past 12 months, bringing reading pleasure to an entirely new level. For those who are new to ebook reading devices and are interested in getting one, here’s a comparison of the Amazon Kindle 2 vs. Sony Reader and how they match up against each other.
Price
The price of any gadget is a big factor for many individuals especially for first-time buyers. The Amazon Kindle 2 is currently priced at $359, while the Sony Reader is currently pegged at $399, making the Kindle 2 cheaper by $40.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of these gadgets don’t really give one distinct advantage over the other. The Sony Reader PRS-700 weighs around 10 oz., the Kindle 2 just slightly over that. The Sony Reader is a bit wider and thicker, while the Kindle is a couple inches longer. In any case, both are very convenient to carry around.
Display
The two reading devices both use e-ink technology which creates a display that is very similar to text on paper, eliminating eye strain, and providing an easy read with crisp, clear text and images. The Amazon Kindle 2009 however, is now enhanced with 16 shades of gray, while the Sony Reader has an 8-level gray scale.
Wireless Capabilities
Here is a category where the Sony Reader is clearly bested by the Kindle. The Amazon Kindle 2nd generation makes use of the Whispernet technology, providing free wireless coverage in the US via Sprint’s 3G high-speed network. Kindle users can gain access to over 240,000 book titles, magazines, newspapers, and even blogs. By just choosing the reading content of choice and paying for it, the book or magazine will be downloaded to the Kindle anytime, anywhere within minutes! The Sony Reader PRS-700 on the other hand, still lacks this wireless capability, and with only less than 100,000 books to choose from, it does not even come close to the breadth of content that the Kindle offers.
Formats Supported
Both electronic book readers support most commonly used formats such as TXT, MP3, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP, plus some formats unique to each device. The Sony Reader however, supports PDF while the Kindle 2 does not – not directly, anyway. PDFs still need to be emailed to Kindle’s support desk to be converted for viewing on the Kindle and Amazon has gives an advance notice that “some complex PDF files may not format correctly” on the Kindle.
Storage Capacity
In this feature, the Sony Reader gains the clear upper hand. True, the Amazon Kindle 2 has 2G of internal memory of which 1.4g is available for content and can hold up to 1,500 books, but it no longer supports external memory cards. While the Sony Reader’s 256mb internal memory may seem like peanuts compared to the Kindle, the main advantage actually lies in the Sony’s ability to support up to 16G of external memory. Now that’s a great benefit not only when it comes to holding thousands of content should one need it, but also for managing files into different memory cards.
Battery Life and Charge Time
The two ebook readers have the same capacity when it comes to battery life. On a fully charged Kindle 2 or Sony Reader, one can read straight for two weeks without needing a recharge. The only difference is that if the Kindle 2 is used with the wireless turned on, the battery capacity is reduced to just four days. Charging time for both readers is four hours via USB, or two hours using an AC wall charger.
The Bottom Line 2009 Comparison of the Amazon Kindle 2 vs Sony eBook Reader:
Although it’s not a total knock out for the Kindle over the Sony Reader, it’s close! The Amazon Kindle 2 remains the better ebook reader hands-down. The price, breadth of content, wireless capabilities, and overall design improvements of the Amazon Kindle 2nd generation makes it a clear winner over the Sony Reader 700.
Get the full Amazon Kindle 2 review here and take the video tour to see just how cool this handheld ebook reader is!
Watch the full video comparison of the Amazon Kindle 2 vs. Sony Reader here.
The Amazon Kindle 2 and the Sony Reader PRS-700 are two of the hottest ebook readers to hit the market in the past 12 months, bringing reading pleasure to an entirely new level. For those who are new to ebook reading devices and are interested in getting one, here’s a comparison of the Amazon Kindle 2 vs. Sony Reader and how they match up against each other.
Price
The price of any gadget is a big factor for many individuals especially for first-time buyers. The Amazon Kindle 2 is currently priced at $359, while the Sony Reader is currently pegged at $399, making the Kindle 2 cheaper by $40.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of these gadgets don’t really give one distinct advantage over the other. The Sony Reader PRS-700 weighs around 10 oz., the Kindle 2 just slightly over that. The Sony Reader is a bit wider and thicker, while the Kindle is a couple inches longer. In any case, both are very convenient to carry around.
Display
The two reading devices both use e-ink technology which creates a display that is very similar to text on paper, eliminating eye strain, and providing an easy read with crisp, clear text and images. The Amazon Kindle 2009 however, is now enhanced with 16 shades of gray, while the Sony Reader has an 8-level gray scale.
Wireless Capabilities
Here is a category where the Sony Reader is clearly bested by the Kindle. The Amazon Kindle 2nd generation makes use of the Whispernet technology, providing free wireless coverage in the US via Sprint’s 3G high-speed network. Kindle users can gain access to over 240,000 book titles, magazines, newspapers, and even blogs. By just choosing the reading content of choice and paying for it, the book or magazine will be downloaded to the Kindle anytime, anywhere within minutes! The Sony Reader PRS-700 on the other hand, still lacks this wireless capability, and with only less than 100,000 books to choose from, it does not even come close to the breadth of content that the Kindle offers.
Formats Supported
Both electronic book readers support most commonly used formats such as TXT, MP3, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP, plus some formats unique to each device. The Sony Reader however, supports PDF while the Kindle 2 does not – not directly, anyway. PDFs still need to be emailed to Kindle’s support desk to be converted for viewing on the Kindle and Amazon has gives an advance notice that “some complex PDF files may not format correctly” on the Kindle.
Storage Capacity
In this feature, the Sony Reader gains the clear upper hand. True, the Amazon Kindle 2 has 2G of internal memory of which 1.4g is available for content and can hold up to 1,500 books, but it no longer supports external memory cards. While the Sony Reader’s 256mb internal memory may seem like peanuts compared to the Kindle, the main advantage actually lies in the Sony’s ability to support up to 16G of external memory. Now that’s a great benefit not only when it comes to holding thousands of content should one need it, but also for managing files into different memory cards.
Battery Life and Charge Time
The two ebook readers have the same capacity when it comes to battery life. On a fully charged Kindle 2 or Sony Reader, one can read straight for two weeks without needing a recharge. The only difference is that if the Kindle 2 is used with the wireless turned on, the battery capacity is reduced to just four days. Charging time for both readers is four hours via USB, or two hours using an AC wall charger.
The Bottom Line 2009 Comparison of the Amazon Kindle 2 vs Sony eBook Reader:
Although it’s not a total knock out for the Kindle over the Sony Reader, it’s close! The Amazon Kindle 2 remains the better ebook reader hands-down. The price, breadth of content, wireless capabilities, and overall design improvements of the Amazon Kindle 2nd generation makes it a clear winner over the Sony Reader 700.
Get the full Amazon Kindle 2 review here and take the video tour to see just how cool this handheld ebook reader is!
Watch the full video comparison of the Amazon Kindle 2 vs. Sony Reader here.
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