Customer Reviews
Can be made a lot better 
2008-07-25
It is a good product however it can be made a lot better:
- Can have more titles to choose from. I was very disappointed by the selection. Amazon can take feedback from from current users and obtain the kindle version of the titles which have the highest demand. It does not make sense if you have a great device and no good books to read. It is something like buying a great LCD TV and having no good programs to watch on it.
- As with any new device/format, the customers will be a lot happy if they can get at least their first kindle book for free. I was really disappointed when I came to know that I had to spend 15$ more after spending about 390$ for reading my first book on kindle. However looking at the number of Kindle sales Amazon is making, Amazon may not be interested in such a promotion
- Would like a feature which would enable me to read in the dark without straining my eyes.
Take it to the bookstore 
2008-07-25
One of my favorite things to do with it is to take it to a brick and mortar bookstores. Using the kindle store, it is difficult to browse for "accidental" finds. In the bookstore however, you can look at all of the "real" books and then search for the interesting ones in the kindle store and download the sample chapter. Although many titles aren't kindled yet (is that an appropriate use of that word?), you can just sit in their comfy chairs and consider the ones that are there. The best thing is that you can keep browsing when you get back home and purchase what you want at a better price. I keep waiting for the bookstore employees to give me dirty looks or something, but no one's said anything to me yet.
mostly wonderful 2008-07-25
I have loved having this on a cross-country trip, and look forward to taking it to India and Indonesia over Christmas vacation. I only hope there are more books available soon. You have the latest mystery or novel by a good author, but not the earlier books which may be better,( and cheaper, I would think). Also, I was unable to get any wireless signal in airports in Portland or Atlanta, or on the planes, while we were still loading, and cell phones were working.
Not for Macular D or limited vision 
2008-07-25
I bought the Kindle for my parents. Mom has Macular Degeneration and Dad's eyes did not return to full vision following detached retinas. I thought the large print feature would be good for them and give them more flexibility in book choices than searching for large print at the library.
Unfortunately, they are barely able to use the thing. They can only turn it on/off and turn pages because they memorized the placements. The large print feature is a stand-alone amid nothing else large. They cannot read the menus, see the book reviews, order books, or know what the buttons are for. They're afraid to touch the buttons in case they get a screen they can't see and then can't get the book back.
This is a pretty cool little gadget for those who like gadgets and who have tech savvy and great vision. Don't buy it if you are thinking it will be useful for those with limited vision.
Love what it is, hate the design 
2008-07-25
The Kindle is truly a revolutionary product that can be compared to other great breakthroughs in the production and distribution of words. I have not purchased a paper book since I received my Kindle six months ago and have no plans to purchase a paper book again. This is truly a giant step forward in terms of efficiency, economics and the environment.
That being said, the design of the Kindle itself is awful. The keyboard is of little value to me and only gets in the way. There are far too many buttons that result in accidental paging backward and forward and make it easy to lose your place. I would recommend getting rid of all the buttons, like an iPod and using the screen and soft keys to drive the device. Your really only need a couple of controls anyway. I would also find a better solution than the stiff leather cover. While this is an absolute necessity because of the design, the Kindle easily falls out and is constantly sliding around within the cover.
I look forward to a redesigned Kindle and assuming that even half of needed improvements are made, I will be the first in line to buy a new one. In the interim, I continue to be a frustrated, but committed Kindle user.
Kindld - almost there 
2008-07-25
I was quite excited about the Kindle - and still am - but returned mine while waiting for a few things to be fixed (I hope) in the next release. So much is great- the wireless downloads of books, the electronic ink, the way you can dogear or bookmark - all the hard stuff really. However, Amazon needs to fix the page forward button so it doesn't require careful placing of your hands while reading to keep from advancing the page. That makes reading less than enjoyable. The power switch needs to be on the front not the back. Seems like a small thing but because of the page buttons, you tend to hit them everytime you go to turn off the Kindle. With only one "side of the page", Amazon gives you a leather folio in which to put the Kindle while reading and transporting - but the Kindle doesn't stay in snugly so it doesn't really work. Need to fix that or better yet make it open up onto two pages with screens. OK - cost is probably prohibitve but maybe some day? Once addressed, I would definitely by another - mostly for travel. I would still read paper books at home.
wonderful new toy 2008-07-25
I am not a computer whiz, however I have found the kindle fabulously easy to use. I love the fact that no trees are being destroyed for paper, I love that thousands of new books are 60 seconds away. I love that I may now travel with many books already loaded into such a small space, and all at such a small cost. I love the fact that I no longer have to order a new book from the library, wait for it, then read it within a prescribed time. My only regret is that I waited as long as I did to purchase my kindle.
The Kindle Allows Me to Read Again! 2008-07-25
I've been an avid customer of Amazon's for years now. I recently purchased the Kindle and the only question I have is why did I wait so long?
Over the last few years my vision has deteriorated some. The term I've seen used is Low Vision. My problems impacted my ability to read. As time has gone on I've found myself reading less and less. Until I got the Kindle.
The Kindle's ability to turn any book into a large type edition is just what I needed to begin reading again. The electronic paper technology and lack of backlighing have allowed me to read with less eye strain.
To be honest, I didn't research the different types of readers. I assume they all have a similar capability. I did research the Kindle and based on the large number of favorable reviews, and my past experience with Amazon, I went for the Kindle. I'm glad I did.
Most of the reviews here will give you the advantages of the device. I'll just say I agree with them.
The biggest negative I've seen so far is the selection of books available. Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of them. It's just that a number of my favorite author's books don't have a Kindle version - yet. In the same vein, I'd like to see the Kindle support more eBook formats.
Another negative I've experienced are the buttons. They're huge, which is generally a good thing, but they are so big that I find myself regularly turning a page when I grip the book. It's not that big a deal, and I'm learning how to handle the Kindle, but they should have left some space on the sides where I could grip it.
The negative about the delay in changing from page to page is a non issue. I don't even notice it anymore.
The Kindle is a wonderful piece of technology, very well designed and very usable. I REALLY like it and recommend it to all especially others who suffer from vision problems where the large text and ease of viewing make this device a Godsend to me.
Kindle review 2008-07-25
I have wanted this product since first reading about it. When the price went down a smidge, I decided to order it. I LOVE it.
It is easy to use and I love the instant downloading of books.
I plan to take it on vacation next week. SOOOO much easier than toting LOTS of books on a flight.
Don't hesitate to buy this 2008-07-25
I looked at the Kindle previously but because it was back ordered at the time, I was debating on whether or not to purchase it. One day bored, and having an itch to purchase something, I happened to go on Amazon, see the device and decided to buy it. I am so glad that I did. I and typically not one who likes to read nor do I have a lot of time to devote to reading but it was always something that I want to get into. That Kindle definitely made it happen. I love electronics so by reading on the Kindle I am satisfying all my desires. It is extremely easy to use, very receptive to the touch and I honestly don't see why many people have complained about he next page bar being too sensitive. I actually think it's perfect. Searching the store is easy, making notes, highlighting is also easy. The only downsides are 1) The price and 2) it does not have a backlight therefore if you're trying to read in the dark you need to have some kind of reading light.
