Amazon Kindle DX : Great device

 BY Cameron Potter

Kindle DX : Great to have

My new Kindle works perfectly. I have a 4 bars connection which is about what I expected in my area. We have listened to audio books in the car on trips, and I have read several books. The hands free reading has been very helpful with my arthritis as sometimes it is quite painful for me to hold a regular book for long periods of time. I can lay the Kindle on my lap and not have to hold it at all.

 BY S.J.Saunders

Kindle DX Frequently Asked Questions

What files can I read on the Kindle DX?

Here’s a list of the directories and the file types recognized by Kindle DX:

• Documents: Kindle (.AZW, .AZW1). Text (.TXT), Unprotected Mobipocket (.MOBI, .PRC)
• Audible: Audible (.AA, .AAX)
• Music: MP3 (.MP3)

Kindle’s Personal Document Service (via Whispernet) allows you to e-mail approved files to your Kindle’s e-mail address. Then, Amazon can download the file(s) wirelessly in a Kindle-compatible format to the device(s) for a small fee. To avoid a fee, or if you’re not in wireless range, you can send an e-mail to “name”@free.kindle.com and download the files via USB in a Kindle compatible format to the device(s).

Here’s a list of the file formats that can be e-mailed to and viewed on Kindle:

• Microsoft Word (.DOC)
• Structured HTML (.HTML, .HTM)
• RTF (.RTF)
• JPEG (.JPEG, .JPG)
• GIF (.GIF)
• PNG (.PNG)
• BMP (.BMP)
• PDF (.PDF) is supported natively by Kindle DX and by Kindle in our experimental category
• Microsoft Word (.DOCX) is supported in our experimental category.

The above file types can also be combined in a compressed ZIP (.ZIP) file. ZIP files are automatically opened up by the conversion service, converted to the Kindle format, and sent to your Kindle or computer as specified.

The experimental category represents the features we are working on to enhance the Kindle experience even further. You can email your PDF or DOCX files wirelessly to your Kindle. Keep in mind that some complex PDF and DOCX files might not format correctly on your Kindle.

How does Native PDF work on Kindle DX?

Native PDF support allows you to carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go. With Amazon’s Whispernet service, you can send your documents directly to your Kindle DX and read them anytime, anywhere. (Learn more about Personal Document Service via Whispernet.)

When your Kindle is held in portrait orientation, PDF documents are displayed in their original layout and fit the entire screen of the device. White margins of PDF documents are automatically cropped to maximize the amount of content shown on the screen. In landscape orientation, Kindle automatically magnifies your document to fit the width of the screen.

Tip: The options available while reading a PDF are slightly different than when reading a book or a periodical on Kindle. Options that are not available in PDF files are grayed out in the menu.

Can I read content on multiple Kindle devices? What about my iPhone?

Our Whispersync technology allows you to seamlessly switch back and forth between your Kindle devices and iPhone while keeping your reading location synchronized—now you can read a few pages on your iPhone or Kindle and pick right up where you left off on your Kindle DX.

Most books and other non-subscription items you purchase from the Kindle store may be simultaneously accessed for your personal use on to up to six Kindles (or Kindle compatible devices) registered to your Amazon.com account.

If you reach the device limit and wish to replace one of your current devices with a new one, you must first deregister and delete the content from the device you wish to replace before you can access the content in question from your new device. Please see the “Registering Your Kindle” section of our Managing Your Kindle Settings Help page to learn how to register/deregister your Kindle. There is no limit on the number of times a title can be downloaded to a registered device.

Subscription content can only be downloaded to one Kindle at a time, and only the seven most recent issues will be available for redownload from your Kindle or from the Manage Your Kindle page.

What is the wireless service like for the Kindle DX?

Kindle DX has the same Whispernet wireless connection as Kindle. Whispernet utilizes Amazon’s optimized technology plus Sprint’s national high-speed (EVDO) data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, download and read content on the go. Of course, you can also download content using your computer and transfer it using a USB cord if you aren’t in an area covered by Whispernet.

Check our Kindle Coverage Tool for availability.

What warranty coverage is available for Kindle DX?

Kindle DX comes with a One-Year Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under ordinary use. You can read the full text of the One-Year Limited Warranty at http://www.amazon.com/kindlewarranty.

2-Year Extended Warranty for Kindle DX

You can also purchase a 2-Year Extended Warranty for Kindle DX separately within 30 days of the day your Kindle DX ships. This extended coverage adds an additional year of warranty coverage and more comprehensive protection, including coverage for accidental drops and damage (limited to one incident). The Extended Warranty is sold and administered by Service Net, a third-party warranty service provider.

You can read the terms and make a purchase at the 2-Year Extended Warranty product detail page.

How many books and files can I put on a Kindle DX?

Kindle DX comes with 4GB of internal memory, of which 3.3GB can be used for your content. This translates to roughly 3500 indexed books and PDF files!

How long will the battery last on the Kindle DX?

With Kindle DX’s long battery life, you can read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.

Has the Text-to-Speech feature changed with Kindle DX?

Text-to-Speech is still available on Kindle DX, though some Kindle DX content may not be available with Text-to-Speech. We allow copyright holders to decide whether they’d like to offer content with Text-to-Speech capability on the Kindle DX.

Will I be able to manage my content library on Amazon.com if I buy a Kindle DX?

The Manage Your Kindle page works the same for Kindle DX as it does for  Kindle. This versatile online tool lets you view and Manage Your Kindle content, personal settings and account information.

Is Kindle DX available to customers outside the United States?

We’re not able to offer Kindle DX and associated digital content to international customers due to import/export laws and other restrictions. When you place an order for a Kindle DX, the shipping address must be recognized as a valid U.S. address and the credit or debit card used for the order must be issued by a U.S. bank with a U.S. billing address.

We value our international customers, and we hope to offer Kindle internationally in the future.

How do I make a book available for Kindle DX?

All books available for Kindle are available on Kindle DX. To make your book available for Kindle, please visit our self-service publishing platform, Digital Text Platform.

BY Amazon Kindle DX

The Amazon Kindle DX Advantage

Good news! Amazon’s Kindle readers are bound to be bigger and better. On May 6, 2009, Amazon Kindle DX was introduced as the latest ebook reading system from Amazon. The model features a 9.7-inch display with 1200 x 824 pixel resolution. Kindle DX is the first among the Kindle model with an accelerometer, which enable automatically rotating pages at landscape and portrait orientations. This much-improved, compact, lighter, easy-to hold and svelte device is due to be released on June 10, 2009 to retail at $489.

Amazon Kindle DX was launched at the New York City’s Pace University Campus, 3 months after the company has introduced Kindle 2. Coinciding with the model launch is the announcement of Amazon’s partnership with several universities and newspapers, which promises more exciting download features for KindleDX. Expectedly, the promising design features of the newest Kindle model, which include bigger screen and more of the convenient ebook reading features, is questioned on whether or not it can successfully replace paper and ink, things that the original Kindle model pulled off.

Kindle DX is 0.38-inch thick, a tad thicker that the 0.36-inch Kindle 2. However, its clear advantage goes to its 9.7-inch electronic ink display. It technically offers 2.5 times more of the early model’s screen size, which will enable readers to enjoy more stories, graphics and images on each page. However, giving the model bigger screen resulted to a slight increase in the device’s weight (DX weighs about 18.9 ounces) and a $130+ price difference from Kindle 2.

Thanks to the model’s sleek ergonomics, the added weight and size did not cause the device to be bothersome to carry and hold. However, it is not as compact and portable as its predecessors. Because of its larger size, it requires a larger bag or briefcase to carry for stowaway purposes.

One design point that serves to Kindle DX’s advantage is that it shares the same functionality with the Kindle 2 and more. It comes with a larger memory at 4 GB with 3.3 GB usable internal memory and 2 expansion slots. Hence, this feature enables the model to carry as much as 3,500 books.

Take caution that the new Kindle DX has a sealed-in, non-removable and rechargeable battery. It can last up about two weeks of battery life, enabling the users to judiciously enjoy its built-in 3G wireless data connection applications.

In addition to the expanded memory, another design point for Kindle DX would be its new native PDF support and convenient portrait to landscape orientation features. It also offers convenient settings and adjustments on the text font size and one the number of words displayed on each line of the text. The new KindleDX also shows potential of a highly competitive display features as it delivers a great job in displaying graphics and charts in 16 shades of gray. Hence, its partnerships with the universities is expected to make the gadget the better alternative to carrying thick and heavy loads of chemistry and other academic books that lightens backpack loads.

From a consumer electronics standpoint, the new Kindle DX is not that perfect. However, it shows incredible promise of being a favorite gadget among avid mobile book, newspaper and magazine readers, professionals and students alike. Although the initial retail price of Amazon Kindle DX somewhat restricts its market size, avid readers of all kinds and ages is likely to gravitate towards Kindle DX regardless of the price, thanks to the interest momentum set by the two successfully Kindle models.

By Thomas J Jarvis

Kindle DX : News

ts worth nothing that the Kindle DX has better screen contrast and handles PDFs well – technical documents look great. At the same time PDFs don’t have annotations, Text To Speech, etc. While a lot of owners love the larger size (think hardcover; size of kindle dx screen equal to full size of kindle 2) others think it kills portability and if you have weak hands it makes the Kindle DX too heavy.

Bottomline: At the moment the average rating across every Kindle DX review is 4.2 stars at Amazon and 4.5 stars across all kindle forums. Owners love the Kindle DX. 

Kindle DX Review Stats – Blogs and Newspapers

Here’s what we have (only linking to a few) -

1. Steven Levy at Wired gives it 7/10. 
   
2. Walt Mossberg thinks the Kindle DX is bigger, not better than the Kindle 2. The actual review is pretty balanced and tends towards a 7.
   
3. CNet gives it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
   
4. Boing Boing complain about the price and document conversion and seem to be tending towards an 8/10. 
   
5. Gizmodo seem to be giving the Kindle DX a 7/10 and seem rather pessimistic about the future of eInk. 
   
6. BusinessWeek are generally positive. 8/10. 
   
7. SlashGear have an amazing number of photos and a video. They seem to be tending between 7 and 8.

Every single blog and news site seems to be saying -

Its good, its too expensive, it can never take on the iPhone, and it will fail. The consensus seems to be a 7 out of 10 rating.

Bottomline: Big blogs and news sites are lukewarm on the Kindle DX. They expect it to fail.

One key difference between reporters’ Kindle dx reviews and owners’ Kinle dx reviews is that the owners seem to understand that kindles are a work in progress.

The Kindle DX is out and comes with in-built pdf support. My kindle dx review post has been getting lots of PDF related questions.

So here’s a detailed Kindle DX PDF FAQ, after much due diligence on my part. Its backed by the kindle dx liveblog review by Brent Newhall and Jeffrey Ritholtz.

Kindle DX PDF – Top 10 Things to Know

The Good – Kindle DX PDF Features. 

1. Native support i.e. just load a PDF and it works.
2. PDFs are searchable and you can bookmark pages, except for PDFs that are images. The searched term is highlighted wherever its found. 
3. You can switch to landscape mode and most of the time the DX will show the PDF in a bigger, more readable size. You can go to the lower part of the page by pressing Next Page.
4. PDFs have page numbers, and completion percentage, and ‘Go To Page’ feature. 

The Bad – Kindle DX Missing PDF Features

1. PDFs do not support Read To Me. If you do want a PDF read to you, you could convert it to kindle format and the converted file would support Read To Me.  
2. PDFs do not support changing font sizes, and they do not support zooming and panning. If landscape mode isn’t big enough, you’re stuck.
3. The 5-way cursor doesn’t work in PDFs.
4. PDFs do not support adding notes, they do not support highlighting. Pretty much rules out adding notes to textbooks.  
5. You cannot click on a link in a PDF.

Kindle DX PDF FAQ
 
Q1: What PDF support is included? What’s Not?
A1: Based on the Good List and the Bad List above, Kindle DX is great for reading PDFs, technical PDFs, computer programming books, and pretty much anything technical. PDFs look great. However, you can’t change font sizes and you can’t turn poorly scanned PDFs into good looking ones.

It does not support a Table of Contents (there’s an inelegant hack Q10). You can’t add notes or nighlights. 

Q2: Where can I see actual photos of PDFs on the Kindle DX?
A2: At Brent Newhall’s Kindle DX PDF Page and at Jef’s tech blog. Here are two snippets (courtesy Brent, one showing tables and an image, and another with formulae) -

Kindle DX showing PDF with tables and image

And here’s one showing support for mathematical formulae -

Kindle DX PDF mathematical formula support

Pretty impressive.

Q3: How fast are page-turns in PDFs?
A3: In Portrait mode, they’re slower. They’re reasonably fast in landscape mode.
The reason a lot of people are complaining about page turns is – When you first get your Kindle DX and load a bunch of files, those files are getting indexed and that slows down everything. So the page turns you see in the first few hours are slowed down due to indexing.

Are we ready to say bye to books? : Amazon Kindle DX

With technology constantly evolving it comes as no surprise to see Amazon launching a larger version of their e-reader, only three months after the original release.

The latest version of the Kindle DX is 250% bigger than their Kindle 2 gadget.

With a screen roughly as big as an A4 page, the device is aimed at reading newspapers, magazines and documents.

The question is, are people in Northern Ireland ready to say goodbye to books and papers?

Currently, the Kindle DX is not on sale in the UK. However, with other e-readers on the market and the Kindle brand becoming more well-known, it seems like a question of when will we see it, not if.

Once you have bought your Kindle DX reader, you then gain access to the Kindle store. The virtual store has more than 225,000 books available to buy as well as 37 newspapers and 28 magazines which you can subscribe to. And they say that this is just the beginning.

Amazon’s vision is to allow user access to every book that has ever been printed, in any language, and all in less than 60 seconds. Titles already available include Irish classics such as Ulysses and the Narnia books, and the works of famous literary greats, Seamus Heaney, Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.

However, at a cost of £340, an increase of £87 from the original Kindle 2, will we actually benefit from Kindle DX?

Well apparently we will, or at least students will, especially if you’re studying literature.

Without printing and shipping costs, books could be cheaper and struggling with your books would be a thing of the past. A whole term’s worth of books could easily be stored in the device.

Kindle DX allows users to download from a virtual book shop

Ciarnan Helferty, president of the University of Ulster’s Students Union, thinks it could work.

“The initial price of the Kindle DX is quite expensive but if you worked it out the overall costs of textbooks students have to buy it doesn’t seem too bad.

“On average students spend £200 per term, with six terms in a three-year degree then they spend on average £1,200.”

With the Kindle DX costing only one third of the average amount spent then it seems quite reasonable.

However, as Mr Helferty pointed out: “All of the students’ textbooks and documents would have to be available in order for it to work.

“Perhaps if students could pay over a fixed term, say 12 months, like mobile contracts, that would work out better for them.”