1) What is the Amazon Kindle?
It is an electronic book reader. The current generation Kindle (unofficially Kindle 3) was released only in August 2010. The first generation was released in 2007. SIZE - The device itself is quite compact, about the size of a paperback novel and thinner than an iPhone 4G. It measures 19cm(L) x 12.3cm(W) x 0.85(D)
CAPACITY - about 3,500 books (4GB capacity)
CONNECTIVITY - the 3G and WIFI version is $189USD, and the WIFI version is $139USD. With 3G you can access the Kindle store and buy/download books from many countries around the world, and there's no ongoing subscription fee charged (see coverage MAP). With the WIFI version you can access the Kindle store from a WIFI connection.
E-BOOKS - the Amazon Kindle Store has over 600,000 e-books available, and a good selection of free ones.
2) Who would want one?
Ask yourself these questions:CAPACITY - about 3,500 books (4GB capacity)
CONNECTIVITY - the 3G and WIFI version is $189USD, and the WIFI version is $139USD. With 3G you can access the Kindle store and buy/download books from many countries around the world, and there's no ongoing subscription fee charged (see coverage MAP). With the WIFI version you can access the Kindle store from a WIFI connection.
E-BOOKS - the Amazon Kindle Store has over 600,000 e-books available, and a good selection of free ones.
2) Who would want one?
a) Have I bought any books this year?
b) Do I read regularly?
c) Do I want to read more?
d) Do I want to access 1000s of free e-books available on the internet from famous writers such as Jane Austen, Mark Twain, Leo Tolstoy, and non-fiction books covering topics ranging from science to religion to cooking?
If you answered "Yes" to one or more of the above, then you will probably benefit from having a Kindle.
3) What are the benefits of having a Kindle versus a normal book
ONGOING COST - e-books are generally MUCH cheaper than paper books. For example a hardcover 'Fall of Giants' by Ken Follett costs $19.39USD (excluding shipping) at Amazon, whereas the Kindle version is only $11.99USD. If you are an avid reader, the Kindle will pay for itself in savings within a year!
THE ENVIRONMENT - if people purchase less paper books, less will be printed, and more trees will survive.
PORTABILITY - you can have your entire collection of books at your fingertips, to take anywhere in the world.
4) Where else can I get e-books?
PAID - You just need to Google 'e-books' to find a vast number of online shops that sell e-books. Please note that the Amazon Kindle's main book format is AZW, which can only be purchased from the Amazon Kindle Store. Many e-book stores will have books in PDF or MOBI formats, both of which are readable by the Kindle.
FREE - www.free-ebooks.net / www.gutenberg.org / www.manybooks.net
* if you would like to convert from other formats such as HTML, TXT, RTF to a Kindle readable format, use CALIBRE.
5) Where do I buy a Kindle?
The best place to buy is from the company that produces them, Amazon. If you're not used to buying things online, don't worry, the whole process is painless. If you're buying from the U.S. you can get free shipping. If you're buying from overseas, the shipping cost is quite decent. For I example, I purchased from Australia and it cost me only $14.95USD in shipping costs, and it was REALLY fast. I placed my order on Thursday and received the Kindle the next Tuesday!
Simply click on the link below and follow the prompts. If you do not have an Amazon account, it will prompt you to create one.
3G + WIFI version
WIFI only version
Kindle DX 3G (9.7inch screen)
Overview of the Kindle 3

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