James Kara Murat asked:


If you have just heard about the entire latest buzz surrounding the e-book reader Kindle from Amazon, you need to know more. Here are the top 10 aspects about Kindle almost everyone needs to know!

i. MP3 playing

The Kindle device from Amazon has the amazing ability to play all the MP3 songs which you would have downloaded into the internal storage mechanism. Capacities of the internal storage are around 180 MB in space. You could also store these MP3 songs in the allocated SD card slot. You can play the songs in random shuffle and choose to listen to songs in the background while you read the e-book!

ii. DRM support

The Kindle comes with DRM support by means of support for file types of extensions .AZW. It also is compatible with Mobipocket books of the unprotected varieties. Therefore file types like .MOBI, .TXT, .PRC, Word as well as .HTML are all supported by the Kindle. You can transfer files via USB or via email. No more need to print!

iii. Kindle Now Now

This is a new feature introduced by Kindle which enables a powerful search mechanism. By means of a query mechanism you can search for almost anything you wish for absolutely free of cost! This search facility is powered with the help of Mechanical Turn from Amazon which is a distributed system of work.

iv. Blog subscription

You can avail blog subscriptions by paying a meager 2 dollars every month! Besides this, you also get access to a 14 day trial period. For no additional cost, you get to browse the blogs directly via the ‘Basic Web’ which is a browser provided for free. You only pay for access to the RSS feeds but not for surfing the web.

v. Font types supported

Kindle primarily supports two kinds of fonts namely the Neue Helvetica and the Caecilia. These are provided by Linotype. Book texts are all provided in the default Caecilia font. However, other than reading, you can select from 6 font types.

vi. Ergonomics

While the Kindle may not have great aesthetics what with a no-so-great looking color, the shape of the device is very ergonomically designed.

vii. No scroll keys

If you wish to navigate to the next page or further below, there are no scroll down keys provided in the Kindle. To move across content or even scrolling on the web pages you will need to use the page forward keys and the back button for this.

viii. Audible e-books

You can use the Kindle from Amazon to play out audible e-books. However the ‘whispernet’ service provided by means of the EVDO internet connection does not support downloads of such audible e-books on air. You will need to leverage the Audible Manager for downloading and subsequently copy the file to Kindle via USB port on the PC. This eliminates the need for printing altogether.

ix. Text file download

Kindle allows you to easily download text files for future use. All it takes is just 45 seconds to download even massive text files!

x. Files not supported

The Kindle does not ensure compatibility with Mobipocket files which have been DRMed. Also the Kindle will not support PDF file types – not even after you convert the file!

James Kara Murat asked:


Who says Amazon.com is only limited to selling books? Today, Amazon has joined the ranks of being one of the major technological innovators. In fact, Sony’s Reader has found great competition from one of Amazon’s newest products: the Kindle Reader.

Its name could have a much stronger impact, considering that “kindle” means “enlightenment,” or the birth of great ideas—and it is, if you’ll learn to look past beyond its many flaws:

1. Being connected has its pitfalls. The wireless connection of Kindle spells both boon and bane for the product. It’s good because you can basically carry your favorite books, blogs, and other whatever reading material literally no matter where you go. The downside is its browser isn’t really its main priority. Rather, it gives so much emphasis on being a book reader. Thus, don’t be surprised if you’re going to meet numerous error messages. The only consolation perhaps is the fact that you the images really don’t appear so awful.

2. It stopped looking good. It’s surprising how critics never failed to mention Kindle’s designs if they’re asked of its disadvantages. It seems like the designers behind the product have lost their touch in creativity. It appears bland and too plain. It doesn’t make any better when pictures started showing everywhere, depicting it as close to being ugly. In reality, though, Kindle may not be equal to Apple in the looks department, but it’s still look like a cool gadget, at least at first glance.

3. It’s flip, not scroll. People are so used to scrolling, no matter how tiring this routine can be. Think of PCs and cell phones. However, you may have to accustom yourself to flipping when you’re using Amazon’s Kindle. Perhaps it’s because it tries to truly imitate a person reading a book. You flip on the pages—you don’t scroll.

4. Convergence doesn’t exist. Why was the iPhone such a huge hit? More than its design, it attempts to merge two of the most important devices today: phone and iPod. Convergence is the buzzword, considering that individuals love anything that will make life much more convenient. Kindle doesn’t seem to possess that, though. It becomes a more advanced ebook reader, with wireless connectivity on the side.

5. It can’t read important file formats. There are certain formats that are only applicable to Kindle. These include .txt and MP3 files. File formats such as Word, HTML, and JPEG are unreadable. If you need to read an important Word file, you still have to send the document to Amazon, who will later convert and send it to you. Even though this is free of charge, definitely, you’ll find the entire process taxing and totally time-consuming. To make matters worse, Amazon and Kindle doesn’t support RTF documents when, in fact, it’s a subset of Word document, which is apparently supported by Kindle.

Despite the many “faults” of Amazon Kindle, it doesn’t take away the fact that it’s a revolutionary gadget. It’s so easy on the eye and comfortable to carry around. And besides, if you’re truly a bookworm, wouldn’t be building your own library and placing it in your bag more than enough?