An eBook reader has been on my wish list for a long long time – in fact, it even precedes the first generation Amazon kindle!. Back then I wrote a blog post comparing the eBook readers available in the market. The chance to buy a Kindle arrived when Amazon offered free shipping and lowered price for their “International Wireless Edition Kindle 2” during the Christmas. A friend in USA helped buy and bring it to me here in India.
The initial impression
Amazon Kindle 2 is a realistic replacement for Books. It is nice to hold, thin and controls for navigation are well placed. The letters on the screen are sharp and well contrasted. The graphics with 16 shades of grey appear nicer too. Reading on Amazon is a purely individual experience with no social touch to it (Perhaps that’s something Kindle rivals could aim at ;) )
The Good
- High contrast, Paper like display with no glare
- Good GPRS/EDGE connectivity all over India. I tested this in Kerala and Bangalore.
- Very thin and rugged (K2 is a great way to fall asleep ;) Sustained a drop yesterday without a single mark)
- The ‘Page turn’ speeds are acceptable.
- Easy dictionary lookup
- Free online Wikipedia access
- Good stereo speakers and MP3 support
- Calibre’s support for Instapaper makes Kindle a good offline reader for well formatted web content.
The Bad
- There is no Library management of any sort. There is no Book Cover Grid display. No support for Categories, Folders or Tags. This should be fixed in a Kindle Software update.
- The in-page jog stick navigation could be better
- The free general Internet Browsing does not work in India ‘due to local country restrictions’.
- The Magazine/Blog subscriptions strips the “Images” from the content for International wireless users of Kindle
- The native PDF rendering is just average with no support for Zooming, Search and Font resizing. The Calibre software comes to the rescue with excellent support for converting many file formats including PDFs to the Kindle supported format (.Mobi).
- Kindle books are costly (nearly $12) and many titles are not available to non-USA customers.
For now, I am enjoying the Kindle 2. The reading experience is really good and immersive with no distractions. If you are into technical manuals and PDF eBooks with complex formatting, you may opt for the Kindle DX, International wireless edition – with a bigger screen.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve meant to do a quick post on my Kindle experience but been stalling it till I’ve figured this lovely acquisition some more. I’ve also had mine brought over by a friend in the US but I made the mistake of not ordering a cover for it. So for now I’ve improvised and used a soft cloth ‘book purse’ to carry it around. A leather case would make the experience of using it more book-like. I love its portability the most and that e-ink keeps the screen quite readable even in the sun. Yes, I dislike the idea of paying$11+ for each read so will be focussing on free classics on gutenberg or elsewhere. Heard that HT has also started its circulation for Kindle but @ $10/month — and HT isn’t my favourite npaper. Wouldn’t mind paying for Mint from HT Media if that got available. Lack of library management is a bother so yes a software upgrade is called for. Its battery life has proved to be good though and I still have some 10 books on it that the friend bought and I want to finish before worrying about the drain on my pocket. As a parting gift, the comments on this post make a useful read…http://battellemedia.com/archives/005062.php
Jyoti
Thanks for dropping in Jyoti!. Glad to hear another ‘kindler’ in you. Yes. a leather case would make it closer to a book. The subscriptions are prohibitively costly and for now I have settled on Calibre. It is one extra step to move the content to the Kindle, but for free. The link you shared was very interesting too. Happy kindling!
Hi,
I also got my kindle 2 today. Although it works great, I do not like the restrictions which they have put on browsing.
Moreover I had to pay more for shipping & customs. I wish I has someone in US to bring a kindle for me :(
Otherwise the device is just great, works even in direct sun light (thanks to e-ink) Battery life is also great. Overall it is good to have it :)
For now I have downloaded 100+ books from http://manybooks.net/ directly in Kindle 2 (*.azw) format & I am really enjoying the overall experience.
Typo correction:
I wish I *had* someone in US to bring a kindle for me :(
Damn . . . I always wonder why \d\ & \s\ are too close on keyboard :)
I am looking to import the Kindle DX from the US to India, but have the following queries:
1. Is the software update available for India where in the blogspot and browser both are operational.
2. Are there any subscription charges for using the Kindle DX in India and which network will the Kindle DX connect considering Edge or GPRS in most cities of India.
I really hope to get the above clarifications so that I can go ahead in purchasing the Kindle DX.
Hi Manish,
Let me clarify your doubts.
First of all GPRS/EDGE support for International Kindle (2 or DX) is provided by AT&T Global and hence you have to live with local browsing restrictions till the time Amazon changes it’s policy and/or makes agreement with AT&T to allow global browsing.
However let me tell you that you can still access Wikipedia “FREE” of cost which is really great as most of your reading needs can be satisfied by searching wikipedia!!! :)
Moreover Just to remind you that Kindle DX will cost around 489$ + 49$ shipping(including insurance) + 100$ Customs = 650$ approx or 30,000 INR Approx
I have a solution to ‘unlock’ unlimited browsing and buying experience on a Kindle2. Check out this post:- http://www.vinodlive.com/2010/01/19/how-to-unlock-the-kindle-global-wireless-browsing/
Thanks for your workaround but I have couple of questions
1) Is Browsing free? Or Is there some roaming charges. Are you using it?
2) Should we top up US Account [Does it mean that I have to deregister kindle from Indian Address Account & register it to the one with US Address??? ]
Please clarify these doubts
@Vikram: You’re welcome!.
1) Browsing is Free (no roaming charges)
2) Yes you have to de-register.
3) Roaming charges applies only for downloading purchased e-books over the air. You can circumvent this by simply selecting the download to computer option during purchase and then use the USB cable to load it in to the Kindle.
Yeah, It really worked!!!! great!!!
Thanks I will try this today & I will post the results :)
Interesting review and comments. Well, it still does not convince me to buy a kindle soon.
my experience with Kindle is here: http://prathapr.info/amazon-kindle-hands-on-review-tshirt-giveaway/
Hi there!
Thinking of buying a kindle too.. I do have a query though:
Does the kindle support the pdf e-books that are floating around? Or is it necessary to purchase every book/ get em of the sites mentioned ? I have a decent collection of e-books (in pdf format) available with me.. ( They might be illegal :) ) Can i read them on the kindle?
Kindle supports reading ebooks which are freely available on Internet. However since they are in native PDF format, the features of AZW format like font size increase etc. are not available . you will have live with it I suppose.
Pl let me know if you have modern classics free books.
Dilip
You could also try shopyourworld.com . The site has a merchant association with amazon that allows you to buy from Amazon and get it shipped to your doorstep. The Pricing(in INR) provided includes Shipping
Just thinking of getting the Kindle 2 after price cut, which brings it down to about Rs 13,000 including handling and import fees. Not too bad, really. But tell me something – does the Facebook and Twitter integration work in India?
Hi
Kindle off to you(hats off to you) for this amazing one of its kind review.. I have 2 questions.
1. Recently kindle slashed its price to $189. But still shipping to india costs $300+ considering the import duties. My office mates travel to US frequently and it costs $ 189 in US. So, if he can buy it from there and bring to india, should he also pay the duties ?? I mean, will they check in Airport??
2. Is kindle water proof? I know i sound stupid, but my hands sweat a lot.. Does it make it messy ?
Arun
You will have to take chance with customs. Mine arrived without payment of duty.
Since it was deliverd in US, the adpater has us type flat pins. I believe I will have to use a converter from flat pins to round pins we use in our sockets in India.
Pl get one now the price in US for 3G and wireless Kindle DX is $379 for 9″ version and $189 for 6″ version. It is not much.
Dilip
Ermm…I am sorry for butting in, but the price of a Kindle now is less than $300, even with import duties (it is around $283 according to http://www.techgazing.com/2010/06/22/massive-kindle-price-cut-now-yours-for-rs-13000/). And of course, about $30 is likely to be reimbursed in a few months. As far as I know, the Kindle is not waterproof, but sweat should not be a problem. One of my fellow-reviewers also sweats a lot in his hands and the Kindle was just fine with him, although it will need frequent swabbing with a handkerchief or any other piece of cotton handy. Ermm…over to you, Vinod. Apologies for butting in, again.
Dear all
I got my Kindle DX wireless version last saturday. It is a great device and I am very happy with it as of now. Have downloaded 10 books (some purchased some free downloads). Reading is great pleasure except for PDF free books which does not allow to be zoomed or increase of font size. Yes it is a bit of pain.
Other than PFD files can be converted to AZW format by paying $.99 for 1 MB or so. Free conversion offered by amazon does not work well with PDF format. It remains same.
Pl share your experiences and other good points and difficulty.
Will 110-240VAC adapter work without any problem in India. I do not want the device to blown up. I am using computer USB connection for charging as of now.
Dilio
Dear All,
I have a question before I buy my first Kindle…
My work includes reading a lot of research articles which are mostly in PDF format… will I be Able to read them on Kindle??
Dear vinod,
I have a stupid question which I am trying to figure out. Can we read an arbitrary pdf file on the reader? I mean something that can come from any source apart from some ebook store.
i want to buy the kindle too…
but i am little confused as i am a engineering student i want to read my college ebooks on this kindle. Does it allow it to transfer books from my lappy to kindle or i have to purchase the book firstly,otherwise can’t read any book on kindle…
Kindle Fire will be a better choice for you.
I have Kindle 4 Touch Wifi and US adapter ordered with Amazon and a relative or someone else will carry it to India. My Doubt is, Can I use this device without registering? I am not into story reading and stuffs(not much).
any Idea if Kindle Leather Cover available locally like in Cities like Kochin,Bangalore etc?
Does kindle supports indian mobile networks…? can I use gprs or 3g in kindle in kerala..?where can I shope in Kerala.
Dear Shakeer and Others,
You may enquire at Penta Menaka Shopping Complex,Ernakulam where there is the only chance exists to get a ebook reader.
But, I have heard that the Dubai bazaar in Tirur has ebook readers like novelites available. In Bangalore it is available in major shopping malls.
And the BEST option is to buy online from USA using iccworld or shopurworld like websites or ebay.in(Secure).
Amazon dot co dot in is arriving India in 2012. Great!