Kindle Advice

[BrerEmma]

Hi All, Merry Christmas,
I would like to ask some advice. This year I wanted to purchase a Kindle for my wife. I was not able to afford one. I have started the christmas club extra early. What kind of Kindle should I purchase? My wife loves to read books and all kinds of magazines. We do not have a smart phone. So i am wondering if this could as double as one also. Please tell me what you think would be best. Please let me know if you need any more information.
Thanks,

[murphy1]

A friend of mine got the Kindle fire and she likes it a lot, I saw it and it's cool. You can pay something $$ and have ads not display (they don't display while you read) Check out your library, I work at ours and we have been doing E-books and now Kindle for our patrons. It is a nice feature for the community.

[DizneyRox]

An eReader not a phone. Many smartphone are capable eReaders though. I think theres an about 5" screen Android phone that might not be too bad on the eyes.

If youre looking for a tablet though, it's tough to beat the iPad. I've got an Android tablet and an iPad. The three year old was just given the Android. It's dead to me...

[BrerEmma]

I like the e-reader. That is what I am looking for.
Thanks,

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

Kindle is an e-reader that is dedicated to the Amazon digital book format only. (Not all public libraries have the amazon formatting on their e-books.)

I chose to pay extra for the Nook e-reader because it can read formats other than just those purchased through Barnes and Nobles.

Kindle Fire is most like a tablet and would be what I personally would purchase were I to go with Kindle. It is a Color format and you can also play Netflix movies (if you have the subscription), go online, send emails etc.

The closest Nook to the Fire is the Nook Tablet, although the less expensive Nook Color (what I currently own) has many of the same features (Netflix capabilities, magazines, newspapers, books, and some game apps) - it doesn't have all the capability of the Tablet.

Either way, your wife will love it and you'll be a big hit as "Santa".

[murphy1]

I feel like I have so much to learn about this stuff. Good info here. A girl at work has the iPad and likes it. Rox, I had to laugh over you giving your 3 year old the Droid

[BrerEmma]

Kindle Fire seems like the way to go so far. Will this be outdated by the end of the year?
Thank You,

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

Will it be outdated by the end of the year??

Well of course - it is an electronic device.

But they do come put with new software updates and keep the devices as current as possible and so far have only "tweaked" the new devices the release. The Kindle Fire should be good for a year or two before the release a new version.

[Jillirose]

Love my Kindle and I have a first generation. Have been able to purchase any title I needed so far.... at reasonable prices. Lots of free titles too ( Sherlock Holmes!) I think the newer ones have a back light, which mine does not and is annoying to my 46 year old eyes. Still love reading 'real' books too , but take the Kindle to doctors appointments, read while waiting to pick up kids, traveling, etc.

[DizneyRox]

Rox, I had to laugh over you giving your 3 year old the Droid

Funny, but true... It's just a toy compared to the iPad.

As much as I don't want to accept it. Many of the top tablet manufacturers have already conceded the tablet wars to apple. Amazon is the only one that has a serious shot, but since they also make a Kindle app for the iPhone/iPad, I see no benefit of their tablets over the Apple.

IPad 3 is now rumored to be announced in late Feb, so yes, the Kindle will be outdated before too long. The iPad 2 will be a distant memory in no time as well.

[murphy1]

Yep, my kids know tech better than me (embarrassing), my oldest helps me with my Iphone. Our library is hosting a Reader class on how to download the ebooks and we were planning one session, they have since added two more and will probably do more through 2012.

[SBETigg]

IPad 3 is now rumored to be announced in late Feb, so yes, the Kindle will be outdated before too long. The iPad 2 will be a distant memory in no time as well.

Outdated, well, not entirely. I have the iPad, not iPad 2, and though it is a little bigger and doesn't have a camera, it keeps up just fine with the iPad 2- you just download updates. No big deal. I'm pretty sure I can keep up for quite a while before having to buy new. I love my iPad.

Kindle Fire also gets high marks and is more affordable maybe, especially if reading books and magazines is going to be the main purpose. I also have friends who love their Nook Color. Sometimes, you can find these on ebay in good shape and for a lot less money. Or consider trying to buy a reconditioned iPad or Kindle. Manufacturers puts a lot of care into them to make them like new, for less money.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

I love my Nook Color. They just came out with a new one too that has more features than mine but I'm still ok with my version. I was told the Kindle has more repair/issues than the Nook but don't know that for sure.

[SBETigg]

I love my Nook Color. They just came out with a new one too that has more features than mine but I'm still ok with my version. I was told the Kindle has more repair/issues than the Nook but don't know that for sure.

I've heard the exact opposite, and that Amazon is more likely to repair/replace at no added charge than B & N. But that was when both devices were new to the market. I think they're probably more evened out now.

[meldan98]

I started reading books on my iPhone and found that my eyes would burn from the backlight on the iPhone. I read from my friend's iPad for a few minutes and had the same problem. I figured I would get the same issues from the Fire. I got the Kindle Touch for Christmas and I love it. I can play a few word games on it and read on it and my eyes don't get tired or burn after reading for a long time. I'm already on my 5th book since Christmas.

Now if I can just figure out how to borrow books from my parents who also have a Kindle.

[Jim&AngieMarriner]

Kindle is an e-reader that is dedicated to the Amazon digital book format only. (Not all public libraries have the amazon formatting on their e-books.)

I chose to pay extra for the Nook e-reader because it can read formats other than just those purchased through Barnes and Nobles.

The Kindle can read PDF and word docs as well as RTF files. I just got my kindle for Christmas and i transfered all my books that I had accumulated over the years to it without any problems.

[eam]

So, in reading all of this great information (thanks so much), what do you think are the pros/cons of the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet? Do they have the same capabilities? I am also looking forward to buying one of them in the near future, and just wondered. Thank you again for all info.

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

So, in reading all of this great information (thanks so much), what do you think are the pros/cons of the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet? Do they have the same capabilities? I am also looking forward to buying one of them in the near future, and just wondered. Thank you again for all info.

Look at the "expert" reviews on cnet for some "unbiased" help.

[eam]

Look at the "expert" reviews on cnet for some "unbiased" help.

Thank you so much. This site answered my questions.

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

Thank you so much. This site answered my questions.

You are most welcome. I love that webite for all things electronic.