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Kindle user help and ideas

49 replies

BlingLoving · 02/01/2011 10:47

Just reading another kindle thread and spotted a few references to things others do with their kindles so thought a single thread to share tips and ideas would be helpful.

Two on that thread I spotted: someone said she wad mimsnetting from kindle. How? I can't find it. Someone else said there is now a function to allow you to lend your books to other kindle users. How?

I would also like to know if anyone has tops on how to access my kindle page via my iPhone. Currently, I can only seem to access basic info so if for example I have sent a book to my kindle and now want to send it to me iPhone, I have to use a proper computer.

OP posts:
BlingLoving · 02/01/2011 10:47

Sorry - typing on iPhone and did not go back and check!!

OP posts:
Scootergrrrl · 02/01/2011 10:58

Theres a kindle app for the iPhone which syncs it all together, I think. Some kindles have wifi access which I assume is how people are surfing the Internet from them.

hippyChristmaspotamus · 02/01/2011 11:01

bling.. the browser is hidden on them! on mine, this is what i have to do

go to home
press menu
select experimetal
launch browser
(i think, its upstairs and can't check above is right!)

ChickensAreFlyingUnderTheRadar · 02/01/2011 11:02

The browser is temperamental at best. I'm hoping it will improve with time

NorkilyChallenged · 02/01/2011 11:06

Ooh good idea for a thread.

I'm interested in covers for my Kindle - any recommendations (or ones to avoid)?

BlingLoving · 02/01/2011 11:09

I just have the plain leather one and it has transformed the experience from fabulous to mind-blowing!!!

Hippy- loading browser as I type!!

OP posts:
ChickensAreFlyingUnderTheRadar · 02/01/2011 11:10

I got my cover from ebay for £15. Doesn't have a light, but then I don't use book lights either.

BlingLoving · 02/01/2011 11:12

Oh, and I just answered my own question on downloading to the kindle for iPhone app- go to archived titles on the iPhone then download from there.

OP posts:
comewhinewithme · 02/01/2011 11:15

I have C&P how to borrow /lend below.

Amazon's Page on Lending Kindle Books (including how to figure out if a book is Lendable, how to lend and how to receive a loaned book). LOTS OF USEFUL SCREENSHOTS: amzn.to/gS9lbx

============= Is My Book Lendable?

Titles that are eligible for lending, as determined by the publisher or rights holder, will have a message on the product detail page. Scroll down to the "Product Details" section and look for "Lending: Enabled" (under the ASIN number - you will not see anything about Lending if the book is not Lendable).

If you already own the book, you can also see if it is Lendable by checking the Your Orders section in Manage Your Kindle. Click the "+" symbol next to a title to reveal additional information about the title. If lending is enabled, you'll see a "Loan this book button" next to the product image.

============= Loaning a Kindle Book

If you own a book, you can lend it from the Manage Your Kindle page or from the book's Product Detail Page on Amazon.com. You'll enter the borrower's name and e-mail address and an optional notification message. Your recipient can receive the book loan even if they do not yet have a Kindle or Kindle reading application.

From Manage Your Kindle: Manage Your Kindle lists all of your Kindle content purchases under the Your Orders section. Click the "+" symbol next to a title to reveal all information and options. If lending is enabled, you'll see a Loan this book button next to the product image. Click the Loan this book button. You'll be directed to a form where you'll provide the borrower's name, e-mail address and an optional message. THERE ARE LOTS OF HELPFUL SCREENSHOTS OF THIS PROCESS AT AMAZON - CLICK THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THIS NOTE.

From the Product Detail Page of a book you have ALREADY purchased: When logged in to your Amazon account and looking at the product detail page of a book you have already purchased, a notification at the TOP OF THE PAGE will indicate that you already own the title. If lending for the book is enabled, you'll see a second notice: "Loan this book to anyone you choose." Click the Loan this book link. You'll be directed to a form where you'll provide the borrower's name, e-mail address and an optional message. Your loan recipient will be notified of the loan through the e-mail address you provide. SEE THE LINK AT THE TOP FOR AMAZON'S PAGE WITH HELPFUL SCREENSHOTS.

More About Loaning: The borrower has seven days to accept the loan. If the loan is not accepted after seven days, the book will become available again through your Archived Items. You can also attempt to loan the book again at that time. If the borrower already owns the title, or the title is not available in the borrower's country due to copyright restrictions, the borrower will not be able to accept the loan. In these cases the lender will be able to read and loan the book again after the seven day period has ended.

================= Receiving a Kindle Book Loan

If someone has loaned you a Kindle book, you will receive an e-mail notification allowing you to download the book to your Kindle device or free Kindle reading application. After accepting the loan, you'll have 14 days to enjoy the book until the download ends.

To download a Kindle book loan: Open the e-mail message you received about your book loan and click the Get your loaned book now button. Your web browser will launch and automatically direct you to Amazon.com to accept the loan. Log into your Amazon.com account if prompted, or create one if you are not yet an Amazon.com customer. You may also be prompted to enter a billing address to verify your location only (there is no charge associated with accepting a Kindle book loan.) If you are already a Kindle user, just select the device that you would like the book delivered to from the drop-down menu and click the Accept button. If you do not yet have a Kindle or Kindle reading application, click the Accept button and you will be taken through the steps to download a free reading application. After downloading a reading application you will need to return to the e-mail message and accept the loan. Tip: You have seven days from when you first received your e-mail about the book load to accept the loan. Once you accept, you have 14 days before the loan expires.

comewhinewithme · 02/01/2011 11:16

The facebook Kindle page is very helpful and has lots of tips from other Kindle users.

Honeymum · 02/01/2011 21:30

Which page is that comewhinewithme?

AllOverIt · 02/01/2011 21:35

I got a Kindle for Christmas, I had NO IDEA that you could lend books or surf the net. I love this thread.....

AllOverIt · 02/01/2011 21:38

Oh I have an apple green leather case with light and I love it. It's the one that Amazon sells......

Honeymum · 02/01/2011 21:44

I can't believe that you can surf the web and it's free [luddite emoticon]

Marjoriew · 02/01/2011 21:47

My son has ordered my Kindle.

This is a great thread - I'm rubbish with stuff like this.
I didn't know you could browse the net - great stuff - can't wait for mine to arrive.

shongololo · 02/01/2011 21:57

libraries have a limited selection of books in EPUB format that you can download free..

Use thisto remove the encryption from DRM ebooks

Then use this to convert the EPUB book to MOBI (kindle) format.

OmicronPersei8 · 02/01/2011 21:58

Did yet know that if you are on the home screen and you press shift + alt + m you can play minesleeper?

OmicronPersei8 · 02/01/2011 21:59

You not yet.

OmicronPersei8 · 02/01/2011 22:02

And I meant minesweeper, obviously. I will never get used to this phone. Grrr

sammac · 02/01/2011 22:12

Has anyone bought the cover with the light?

I have read the reviews on Amazon but find £50 a heck of a lot. Yet I admire the integrated light that works from the Kindle battery and it looks lovely. Would save the nightly 'Put that light out!' mantra coming from the right-hand side of my bed!

TheManWhoSoldtheWorld · 02/01/2011 22:35

Ooooh really @ minesweeper?

I am gullible and will go and try!

silverfrog · 02/01/2011 22:38

I couldn't believe the minesweeper thing, either!

How could I have not known that?!

Dh has the cover with integrated light. He loves it - although, he bought me the one without the light for Christmas Hmm

only kidding - I didn't want one with a light in - I don't have a light when reading paper books, so didn't see the need when reading my kindle.

My kindle+case is a lot lighter then dh's, and feels quite a bit slimmer (can't be that much in reality, but it does feel very different)

TheManWhoSoldtheWorld · 02/01/2011 22:41

I bought a clip on light that was linked to on here. I just don't like it.

I always read by lamp with normal books and the addition of a clip on light feels far too bulky for me.

I love the silicone case that I bought from recommendation though!

AllOverIt · 03/01/2011 14:11

I have this one in apple green. The light is great and really clever as it only lights the kindle, no light spills over the side (IYKWIM) so that if you are reading in bed, you don't have to keep OH awake.

I noticed they were down to about £29.99 throughout November (after I'd bought mine Sad) then went back up to £49.99

However, I looked directly at the light by accident on New Year's Eve and triggered a migraine attack Sad and was out of action for 24 hours. Grr. But I was likely to get one anyway as I had all the signs so can't really blame it on the Kindle as I've been having them for years.

ChippyMinton · 03/01/2011 14:19

I have the apple green lighted cover too [spooky].
I use it when I wake at 3am and can't get back to sleep. I was a bit Hmm about the price but it is beautifully designed. I might get a cheap slipcase (or shove it in an old sock) when taking it out and about, as the lighted cover is quite heavy.

Comewhine - thanks for the lending tip - I had no idea.