Kindle questions

Mikki

Hello,

I'm thinking of getting a Kindle but I have a few questions first.

Are you tied to buying books from Amazon, or can you buy and download from anywhere? Am I correct in thinking that you download a free program to convert the file type (can't remember it's name at the moment!)?

Another question is, what if I change to a different e-reader, e.g. a Sony - can I transfer the books I have on the kindle to it, or my Amazon purchases, or are they locked to the Kindle?

One of the things that annoys me about my iPod and iTunes is that if I lose everything (yes I know I should back up!) I cannot download again from iTunes. Is it the same with Amazon and the Kindle?

Do you think it's worth getting the 3G version? Not so much for buying books on the move, but I was thinking more for checking e-mails when out & about, or simple web browsing such as BBC News?

Thanks

Big_Melons

I'm thinking of getting one too and decided if I do I wouldn't get the 3G one as I have an iphone and can look up things on that but if you don't have a phone that can do that then maybe it would be a good idea, saying that thought it was quite alot more for the 3G wasn't it?

I've been no help at all have I? Haha.... sorry :-)

michelle._4

They are not locked to Kindle. You can download and upload files as and when necessary. You can easily download the files and then upload them into your new reader in case you think about changing. You may need to convert the files using some converter in case the file type is not supported in the new reader.
And you can buy books from anywhere and read them on a Kindle provided the formats of the files are the same.
Kindle supports mobipocket books, .txt files, .pdf files and much more. Amazon also provides a conversion service for which it charges.

S0litaire

I've a kindle (wi-fi only) and i LOVE it!!

There's free books on Amazon and from time to time you can usually pick up some books for 99p or so.

Also sometime in the new year they will be able to "borrow" books for a short time (up to 2 weeks) so you can send a book to a friend or borrow a book from the Library (if it's set up for ebooks that is).

Web browsing is not great! simple pages like google and the odd BBC news page is fine! but the screen is too slow for any flashy websites with moving text.

I use it to check my gmail from time to time (I've tethered my kindle to my HTC Desire HD so i can browse the web when out). The screen is a lot easier to read long emails than my HTC's screen (I use my HTC to check the subjects and read the emails on my kindle.)

you can Email documents to your kindle (it converts them to a PDF for you) for free (you only pay for recieving stuff via 3G)
As you get a dedicated email address for your kindle, so anyone can send stuff direct to your kindle if they know it.

poppy10_2

michelle. wrote: »

They are not locked to Kindle.

Yes they are.

michelle. wrote: »

You can easily download the files and then upload them into your new reader in case you think about changing

No you can't.

Kindle books are DRM'd and locked to Kindle devices, so you can't convert them into another format or upload them to a new e-reader without cracking the DRM. This is technically possible to do, although the legalities are a grey area, and it's not the easiest process unless you are familiar with Python scripting.

catch22

I have the 3G version and have only used it once or twice to check my emails. It's internet function is slow.

Have to say it's one of the best things I've bought in a long time.

S0litaire

poppy10 wrote: »

Yes they are.

No you can't.

Kindle books are DRM'd and locked to Kindle devices, so you can't convert them into another format or upload them to a new e-reader without cracking the DRM. This is technically possible to do, although the legalities are a grey area, and it's not the easiest process unless you are familiar with Python scripting.

You can buy books from ANY online retailer that supports any format other than the "EPUB" format (Which the kindle does not support but can be converted).

There are a lot of retailers which provide DRM-FREE books which the kindle will read happily

But you CAN use ebook manager called "Calibre" on your PC to convert the books to Kindle friendly format.

Kindle supports "Mobi" "PDF" "AZW" & "TXT" as well as jpeg/png/bmp picture formats.

poppy10_2

S0litaire wrote: »

You can buy books from ANY online retailer

Well, you can try, but Amazon doesn't like it.

S0litaire wrote: »

There are a lot of retailers which provide DRM-FREE books

Almost all of which are ancient out-of-copyright books from the likes of Lewis Carroll or Thomas Hardy - you won't get the latest bestsellers.

Mikki

Thanks everyone.

OK, I know I can purchase e-books from elsewhere and use Calibre to convert them to the Kindle format. What I need to know is what if in a year or two I decide to get a different e-reader - what happens to any books I have purchased via Amazon direct to my Kindle? Can these be transferred? I don't like the idea of purchasing something then being tied to Amazon and the Kindle forever. Is there a way to get your library off the kindle and save it to your PC, then convert to a different format for using say, on a Sony e-reader?

poppy10_2

Mikki wrote: »

Is there a way to get your library off the kindle and save it to your PC, then convert to a different format for using say, on a Sony e-reader?

Yes, but as I said it's certainly not easy, and the legality of doing so is a grey area.

Here's a tutorial
http://netninja.com/2010/04/05/migrating-from-kindle-to-ipad-an-illustrated-drm-primer/

catch22

Mikki wrote: »

Thanks everyone.

OK, I know I can purchase e-books from elsewhere and use Calibre to convert them to the Kindle format. What I need to know is what if in a year or two I decide to get a different e-reader - what happens to any books I have purchased via Amazon direct to my Kindle? Can these be transferred? I don't like the idea of purchasing something then being tied to Amazon and the Kindle forever. Is there a way to get your library off the kindle and save it to your PC, then convert to a different format for using say, on a Sony e-reader?

The books get stored in a folder, which once the kindle is connected to your pc you can open. Simple case of copy and paste. Every book I have I've stored on my pc too.