Category Archives: Technology and Gadgets

Why I Like My Kindle 4 So Much

Posted by on March 3, 2012 Comments Off
Kindle Reader

Kindle Reader

I was fortunate enough to receive a Kindle 4 ebook reader for my Christmas. It was a very thoughtful gift from my wife. For some time up to that, I had been using a Kindle 2.0.

I’d had it for a couple of years, but I doubt if, left to my own devices, I would have “upgraded”. The Kindle 2.0 pretty much did everything I wanted it to do and, although the ebook reader market seems to have evolved into a Kindle Touch vs Nook touch fight right now, I’m not really sure that I would want a touch screen reader.

I don’t really like the idea of poking and prodding the screen, no doubt covering it in smudges and fingerprints. At least the Nook Touch has physical page turn buttons, which the Kindle Touch lacks. That at least lets you choose whether or not to touch the screen when you want to turn the page.

However, I’m not really sold on the idea of touch screen readers. I probably wouldn’t have gone for the Kindle 4 either if I’m honest. I wondered if I would miss the keyboard I suppose.

Having been using it for a couple of months now, I can say that I don’t miss it at all. I must admit, I was surprised – but I obviously didn’t actually use the keyboard half as much as I thought.

About the only time I need to enter text is when I’m looking for a new book. A virtual keyboard pops up at the touch of a button and you then use the toggle switch to select and enter text. Predictive text is enabled, so it’s not as big a chore as it sounds.

But most of the time, when I’m just reading a book, which is what ebook readers are for after all, the page turn buttons at the side of the reader are all that I need.

I really don’t miss the QWERTY keyboard at all. The fact that my new Kindle reader is so small and light more than makes up for any (occasional) minor inconvenience.

The other thing that is really noticeable for me is the improvement in the e-ink display. Although I was happy enough with my Kindle 2.0, I have to say that the Kindle 4′s Pearl technology display is very much better and is an absolute joy to read on.

Ebook Readers Are Cheaper Than Ever

Posted by on February 19, 2012 Comments Off
Kindle 4

Kindle 4

When you consider that you can get hold of Amazon’s new entry level Kindle 4 reader for just $ 79, it’s amazing to think that the original Kindle reader cost $ 399 when it first launched in November of 2007. It the intervening four years or so, the price of ebook readers has tumbled – and the functionality has increased significantly at the same time.

E-ink displays are a lot crisper and sharper these days. Page turns are faster than ever, and battery life has been extended. Based on reading for about half an hour a day, you can fully expect to get at least 4 weeks to two months, depending upon which model you have, from a single charge.

In reality, once you have a battery life which is measured in weeks rather than hours, it doesn’t matter much whether you get one month or two from a single charge. The important thing is that you will have enough battery power to get you through a long haul flight, a short business trip or even a vacation.

Not having to pack chargers and cables is a real boon when you travel. If you have a number of electronic devices, a cell phone, a computer, an ebook reader etc. – the space and weight of all those cables and chargers soon begins to add up. One less to carry is a step in the right direction.