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Original poster

Talk to me about Kindles please

190 replies

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2014 14:53

The time has come, the Remus said,
to talk of many things
like whether I should buy one
and will I like the thing?
And how the heck do they even work
and other sorts of things.

So - are they idiot proof? What can I do on one? How does one put actual books on to it? Can I listen to music on it? How does one actually buy one and switch it on? Etc etc. And will I hate it? Please bear in mind that I cannot use/do not have a mobile phone or MP3 player or anything, so need words of one syllable or less when discussing anything technical.

Thank you. :)

OP posts:
BornToFolk · 16/08/2014 16:35

oh, thanks Cote! That looks great!

scottishmummy · 16/08/2014 16:34

No attachment to computer,need to beon internet.its appears as graphic
Can read kindle app on ipad.so my books are on ipads too

CoteDAzur · 16/08/2014 16:34

"Why would you want to hold it in the middle of the screen?"

Because the easiest way to hold something for an extended period of its time is at or near its center of gravity. Not its edges.

Just like we hold books.

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2014 16:32

But I like John Lewis! Grin

So if I ordered kindle books on my laptop, how do they appear on the Kindle? Do I attach the Kindle to the laptop?

OP posts:
CoteDAzur · 16/08/2014 16:30

Remus - Just order a basic Kindle from Amazon. No need for JL.

To buy books: You just buy the Kindle version on Amazon and it magically (instantly!) appears in your Kindle Smile

OwlCapone · 16/08/2014 16:25

You can hold the basic Kindle wherever, like a book, but Paperwhite needs to be held from the edges. Not great.

Why would you want to hold it in the middle of the screen? Confused

RustyBear · 16/08/2014 15:59

Kindle Paperwhite page turn

ilovepowerhoop · 16/08/2014 15:56

I charge mine using the charger for my phone as well as the proper kindle charger. I have never charged it from the laptop

MrsAtticus · 16/08/2014 15:53

I got a 2nd hand kindle touch as you can also put mp3s on it (I wanted to listen to some downloaded lectures whilst on holiday.
You connect it to your wifi and then you can shop at the kindle store from your kindle. You charge it by plugging it into your laptop. I really like it, and it's great for holidays instead of trying to cram 2 books into your suitcase.
Reading on it really is like reading a book, but you can make the text bigger if you are reading in dim light which is really useful.

CoteDAzur · 16/08/2014 15:51

BornToFolk. - No need to keep an eye on prices of books in your Kindle book Wish List. eReaderIQ does that for you Smile

scottishmummy · 16/08/2014 15:49

I have fire hdx,light easy to use.watch movies,read books.charges with mini usb

CoteDAzur · 16/08/2014 15:48

The basic one is great. I upgraded to Paperwhite and do find the touchscreen annoying. You can hold the basic Kindle wherever, like a book, but Paperwhite needs to be held from the edges. Not great. Also, an accidental touch can send you several pages forward or back. Again, not great.

Paperwhite's one redeeming feature is that I can read it in bed without WWIII overhead light so DH can sleep.

ilovepowerhoop · 16/08/2014 15:46

you can put music on the basic kindles using a USB cable. I onyl found this out today:

Although your Kindle includes a headphone jack and speakers for listening to audio books as well as using text-to-text speech with eBooks, it can also be used as an MP3 player.
To do this simply copy MP3 files to your Kindle by connecting it to your computer using the USB cable, and then place the files in the music folder.
After ejecting your Kindle, press the Menu button on the home screen and chose Experimental. There should be a Play Music option next to Play MP3 on the Experimental page.
Press Alt+Space to pause or resume playback, and to skip to the next song press Alt+F.

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2014 15:45

Thanks both. Okay, no music then.

OP posts:
BornToFolk · 16/08/2014 15:45

There are tons of free classics on Amazon. You just need to link your Kindle to your Amazon account...I can't quite remember how to do it but it was v straightforward. Then start downloading! Literally, search for books, click on "Buy with 1 click" and it'll appear on your Kindle.

No music on the basic models....possibly on the Kindle Fire.

ilovepowerhoop · 16/08/2014 15:44

no it doesnt have music - you can listen to music on the normal kindle but would have to copy MP3 files to the kindle using a USB cable and your computer first.

books are mainly bought from amazon but there are plenty of free books on there.

BornToFolk · 16/08/2014 15:40

I've had my bog-standard Kindle for 2 years now and I absolutely love it. It's the easiest thing in the world to use. In fact, it's probably too easy to buy books as I seem to have loads waiting to be read Blush

When this one fails, I will probably get a Paperwhite, purely for the back-lighting (for reading in dark hotel rooms on holiday while DS sleeps!) however I have got a pretty good clip on light for my Kindle which works well so the lack of back-lighting doesn't bother me too much.

It's fabulous for holidays. I used to take a book a day for a beach holidays, now I can just take my Kindle. I never run out of something to read on the beach either! Also, now DS is old enough to enjoy chapter books I've put a load on my Kindle for him.

I've set up a wishlist of Kindle books on Amazon and keep an eye on the prices as they tend to fluctuate quite a lot. I also get the Amazon Daily Deal email which has 2 or 3 books for 99p every day and I've had some great things through that.

Go for it! You won't regret it.

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2014 15:36

Ooh Cote - did you see my post about that French classic that I read? Have you read it?

OP posts:
Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2014 15:35

Loving all the conversation about how you all hold them!

Right - so, I like the price of the v basic one, and, if I hate it, I haven't wasted much money. So, if I get one, that's the one I'd get.

I have an Amazon account (used rather more than I ought tbh!) and I imagine that if I get a Kindle it would mostly be used for free classics, or for things to re-read. Generally, if I buy a new book now, as opposed to a charity shop one, it's because I want to own it.

So - I either order a basic one on Amazon or buy one irl at JL. Then what do I do? If I want free classics, do I still do it via Amazon? And CAN I listen to music on it or not? And, if yes, how?

Thank you all v much btw.

OP posts:
CoteDAzur · 16/08/2014 15:31

Haha Remus, I knew this day would come! Grin

You will love the Kindle. I predict that you will burn through books at an even more alarming rate once you have a Kindle.

bruffin · 16/08/2014 15:24

I hold my paperwhite with one hand and either tap or swipe with my thumb without moving my hand IYSWIM.

NerfHerder · 16/08/2014 15:15

Yes! Grin
Really, the paperwhite screen is fantastic v happy to let you play around with mine.

OwlCapone · 16/08/2014 15:15

Owl: Is the fact you have to touch the screen to turn the page annoying?

No more annoying than having to press a button or turn a physical page.

I love the fact I can lay on a sun lounger and hold and click with one hand!

Exactly as I can do with the Paperwhite!

ilovepowerhoop · 16/08/2014 15:15

I tap the screen with my thumb to turn the page

ilovepowerhoop · 16/08/2014 15:13

if you have wifi at home then you can order books from the kindle to be delivered by 'whispernet' to your kindle (from amazon). Or you can order them from amazon on your computer and get them sent directly to the kindle too.

If you dont want a tablet then either the basic kindle or paperwhite would suit you. I like the paperwhite as you can read it in the dark without a separate light source.

kindle

paperwhite