tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post6149710106500565283..comments2024-03-18T22:39:50.137-07:00Comments on A Kindle World blog: Kindle News: Kindle Paperwhite - 1st reports and reviews - UPDATE3Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-19338303164577412062012-10-10T04:05:08.118-07:002012-10-10T04:05:08.118-07:00Blackbeard, by calling them to identify a problem,...Blackbeard, by calling them to identify a problem, they send you another one but you get to keep the one you have until you get another one and then you have another 30 days before that must be into them. You get the replacement usually within 2 days (unless it's backordered, which in some cases, the Paperwhite is). At this point if you order a new Paperwhite, it'd be almost November before you get another one. <br /> If it's defective, then Amazon pays the shipping back. Normally this kind of thing has to be discussed. <br /><br /> If you return a new product because you don't like it, then it's strange to turn around and order another one...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-72074697469257721852012-10-08T14:03:55.819-07:002012-10-08T14:03:55.819-07:00[Redid this one.]
Tom, thanks for the follow up on...[Redid this one.]<br />Tom, thanks for the follow up on this. Really odd about that typeface oddity on KFire too - it was the first to get KF8 support. Re the e-book itself, I suspect the publisher wanted to rush it to market and this was the easiest way (digital rights problems requiring more time and work to sell UK version here -- but wouldn't they just have those rights? Confusing situation).<br /><br />Glad to see about the 'delete' vs 'remove from device' prob. It could be that they discovered that and fixed it in the coding for the Paperwrite. Re memory lurks lurking, I've experienced this with my NookColor, the Kindle Fires, and my Samsung 10.1" Galaxy Tab. When it happens, I know it'll work after a power-off. This includes effect on WiFi working well (in all 3 models) and whether apps will run smoothly.<br /><br />Re Kindle Touch and the ability to swipe up and down in that model but not in Paperwrite. I wonder if it was because the need to swipe down to get further Home listings of books was confusing people WHILE reading books, as I saw a lot of complaints that they were reading and suddenly wound up quite far from the page they'd been reading. It had happened to me and did irritate me, although I found out you can press the 'back' icon and get back to that page. Most would not realize this though.<br /><br />But the ability to move to the next chapter is key, so I'm sort of shocked if they really don't have a (at least a secret shortcut) way to do that now, with books for which publishers did make chapter markers.<br /><br />Strange too because the Home page has a progress bar that indicates the start of each chapter (where the publisher has identified that). No way, as in the past, to get the progress bar when in a book and move to it, that I've seen in the manual. What an odd thing to have removed. <br /><br />As for Menu/Settings/Airplane mode, I sometimes wonder if their newer teams coordinate with the older ones or thoroughly check the documentation for the most current model at the time to make sure they are continuing with something that makes sense to long-time Kindle users and not removing more convenient navigation methods.<br /><br />I do hear that golden crystal sunlight has been known to remove surface blemishes! :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-299899936152136602012-10-08T12:48:10.325-07:002012-10-08T12:48:10.325-07:00Andrys, I have a question based on your comment in...Andrys, I have a question based on your comment in update 3 about calling Kindle Support for a replacement. I would think that if you wanted, you could just return the Kindle the way you return any other product, by going to your previous orders, and selecting return. So, hypothetically (it hasn't arrived yet,) if my Kindle had discolorations that didn't go away and I wanted to replace it, wouldn't I be able to do that by just initiating a standard defective product return? I'm just wondering if they make you call to initiate a return of a Kindle.Blackbeardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-1414174873449591272012-10-08T11:22:18.172-07:002012-10-08T11:22:18.172-07:00Checked "V" on Kindle Fire. Can't ch...Checked "V" on Kindle Fire. Can't change typeface there, either. I can't imagine what sort of markup would cause this. This is in KF8.<br /><br />Interesting story about this particular ebook. As you may know, it was only a few months ago that Pynchon agreed to have his books released as ebooks. Ironically his publisher digitized the 'unauthorized' first US edition, which does not contain modifications he made prior to its publication in Britain and found in some but not all later U.S. editions. The UK ebook edition is of the 'authorized' edition but of course we can't get that edition in the US. You really have to wonder how the publisher of such a prominent author managed to do this. <br /><br />BTW I haven't been able to repro the delete vs remove from device error. It is behaving as expected since the one occurrence.<br /><br />I was getting some 'Out of Memory' errors when opening PDF files. Restart seems to have 'fixed' that but obviously there are some memory leaks lurking about.<br /><br />One omission is that swipe up/down to navigate chapters (as found on Kindle Touch) is gone now. Not mentioned in the User's Guide either (as it was with KT). It still works on periodicals to skip articles. It's annoying that they'd remove this. I'd actually like to see them leverage gestures more, not less. I realize they have to make Kindles sort of idiot proof but they could add 'experimental' gestures that you could turn on in Settings. <br /><br />They've also removed 'turn wireless on/off' from the menu. You have to go to Settings to turn it off now, though turning it on just requires doing something that requires it (wikipedia, sync to furthest read, kindle store etc.), and it offers to connect. I can see why they think this is better but people who are concerned about conserving battery storage will experience it as an inconvenience. I don't mind leaving it on and charging more often. <br /><br />Still waiting for my rainbow screen to heal (sounds a little new age-y). I will try giving it a bath of golden crystal sunlight..Tom Semplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05127272649086914117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-14118199372646317092012-10-07T12:13:47.550-07:002012-10-07T12:13:47.550-07:00Just wanted to add that Paperwhite does support KF...Just wanted to add that Paperwhite does support KF8.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-86537665801335273052012-10-07T12:12:28.120-07:002012-10-07T12:12:28.120-07:00Mike, I agree.
I think it was a budgetary thing...Mike, I agree. <br /><br /> I think it was a budgetary thing though, while they're all racing to see who can sell at the least $ because that's what most people (and reviewers) want.<br /><br /> Also, the Keyboard one has audio menu guides and they'll need to program these in also (in the future).<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-26233588431829148462012-10-07T12:07:49.737-07:002012-10-07T12:07:49.737-07:00Before the Paperwhite, Amazon's illustrations ...Before the Paperwhite, Amazon's illustrations showed a white screen for the gray e-Ink readers. That's from studio lighting and emulating the kind of white-like look with a lamp shining on it. Marketing is what it is -- it shows the ideal.<br /><br /> I'd prefer it wasn't so, but the other ereader vendors do the same. So one of them won't be starting a "Let's show the gray instead" or "Let's show what it looks like at the bottom when it's darker. Marketing means exactly that. I still think they had a couple of bad batches probably from what I've seen of people's replacements in photographs of original and replacement.<br /><br /> As mentioned, the discolorations seem to disappear with exposure to the air after a few days. If not, then those should be returned to Amazon for replacement...<br /><br /> I loved the Kindle Keyboard and still use it occasionally, getting the Touch only because of the blog. But I've found I now prefer it and I also happened to get a rather white background on my KTouch and the fonts are as dark as on the Keyboard if not even darker, so that's what I use.<br /><br /> I am on the KFire HD all the time as a secondary viewer while working, and I like the KTouch enough that if not blogging and needing to explore it and explain some workings or probs/solutions, I probably would just be happy with my KTouch ! I wear a <a href="http://bit.ly/kwmathcds" rel="nofollow">Beam N Read</a>, so I always have good light...<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-82582476088385435842012-10-07T10:28:27.377-07:002012-10-07T10:28:27.377-07:00>>>it's an e-READER, not an e-READMYB...>>>it's an e-READER, not an e-READMYBOOKTOMEPLEASE. :) I mean, it's a nice feature on occasion (I'm listening to Dorian on my Fire HD in the car on commutes to and from work now), but come on... it's gimmicky at best, IMNSHO.<br /><br />Hang on there. I have a Follower on Twitter who is nearly blind and the Text To Speech feature on her Kindle has allowed her to read books again. It's rather smug of you not to consider such people. They are readers and Kindle owners too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-61196785616996306272012-10-07T07:47:08.578-07:002012-10-07T07:47:08.578-07:00Andrys, I suppose it does seem like I'm overwo...Andrys, I suppose it does seem like I'm overworrying, although I'm not trying to "cherry-pick" the data. If I were to sum up my observations in a single concise sentence, it would be that it seems the dissatisfaction rate for this generation of the product seems higher than previous generations. A lot of that I think has to do with the expectation level that Amazon's marketing set with regard to the quality of the screen, and not with actual defects.<br /><br />As is the case with all products, the lens of time will clarify the issue. I"m a patient person, as is evidenced by the fact that I wanted a Touch all the back in last December, but decided to wait for the next generation since I do a lot of reading in the dark and an integrated lighting solution would be ideal, although not critical; you should see the lighting conditions under which I'm willing to read! But I wanted the Touch more for direct access to the screen since I read books with a lot of notes (as in footnotes) and I use the dictionary heavily, and having to "navigate" to a word or footnote number is a real drag. So even if Paperwhite lighting isn't as perfect as Amazon has promoted it to be, it'll still be better than my current situation, plus I'll get the touch screen I really need.Blackbeardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-43453570660626599902012-10-07T02:38:55.328-07:002012-10-07T02:38:55.328-07:00Blackbeard, I've read almost every Paperwhite ...Blackbeard, I've read almost every Paperwhite thread on Amzn forums and Mobile read as of this moment. The bold-facing problem (which would mean a defective unit and I'd return it) is extremely rare from the bulk of reports unless one is specifically searching problems.<br /><br /> Discoloration is the most prevalent actual problem and most of them seem to diminish considerably and so people are devising theories that it happens and then disappears. As I said before, if it doesn't disappear, then it's defective. <br /><br /> At this point, for yourself, I think you may be overworrying. But as a theoretical exercise, it's interesting, but you do seem to be concentrating on the worst problems which indicate defective units. <br /><br /> If it were just a software issue it would involve 100% of them. It's more likely something from how these are put together that some arrive with seeming problems. Again, most of the discoloration problems just go away and there are many theories about why that is and what caused it in the first place...<br /><br /> No font should be partly bolded on one part of a screen for no reason... That's just definitely defective.<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-80031784626397992072012-10-07T02:26:25.538-07:002012-10-07T02:26:25.538-07:00Andrys, to answer your question as to my purchase ...Andrys, to answer your question as to my purchase status, I'm "in the queue."<br /><br />Regarding the boldness problem, I've seen at least three photos showing the effect, and it's odd- it would definitely drive me nuts. It's as if there's an area of the screen where the characters seem like, as in offset printing, there was too much ink on the plate. I don't know if the same screen area consistently exhibits the effect across page turns, as none of the posters addressed that point. In the first photo I saw, the poster explicitly cited words on specific lines, the effect was very obvious, and there was no reason why the words would have been bold in the context of the text on the screen. On another two independent photos, the effect was more subtle, but there. You know what they say, one is a fluke, two is a coincidence, and three is a trend; if I knew I'd be posting here, I would have kept citations. As I saw the first two as one-offs, I didn't make much of it at the time. Although a quick Google search of "Paperwhite bold letters" turned up this result on the first page:<br />http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2245486&postcount=164<br /><br />Whatever the issue is, hopefully it's a software issue. I know they use a 3rd-party font product called iType.Blackbeardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-76661050495888090432012-10-07T00:09:01.160-07:002012-10-07T00:09:01.160-07:00From the same thread I quoted from at Amazon:
http...From the same thread I quoted from at Amazon:<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/af-pprwhite-font-changing" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/af-pprwhite-font-changing</a>:<br /><br />===<br />"Last edited by the author on Oct 2, 2012 11:24:07 PM PDT<br />Dorsie says:<br />It may be helpful to know that the book allows font changes on the latest firmware for Kindle Touch, which does use Kindle Format 8. <br /><br />That means you have probably found a software bug in the way publisher default font is handled in this book on the Paperwhite.<br /><br />Please report it to Amazon because a specific comparison like this is very useful for debugging. When I get my Paperwhite, I will test the book on that and report the problem if I get it, too."<br /><br />===<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-87711611116976233932012-10-06T23:57:43.202-07:002012-10-06T23:57:43.202-07:00Tom, Mobileread members are hot! Or, is that '...Tom, Mobileread members are hot! Or, is that 'cool' ? :-)<br />Thanks very much for the forum tip to the thread. I'll look for it.<br /><br /> I remember that, early on, Mobileread Forum had a poll and at the time I looked 29 were seeing no probs (or accepting the bottom shadings maybe?), 8 were seeing problems, and 8 were 'not sure.' This must be a new thread because I'm not getting email on that one anymore. <br /><br /> Amazon Kindle forums also has people wondering where the prismatic discolorations went.<br /><br /> For 'Nobody' (who is sensitive to contrast and cancelled her original DX Graphite for that reason), it went away but came back a bit. Most do say it seems to have gone away or gone way down. Some think it's like airing out whatever was used for the various bindings.<br /><br /> Kindle Touch has support for KF8? I remember that someone was asking something about this for Paperwhite. I would think they'd work that in. Amazon was going to put this in to all 'gen 4' Kindles eventually.<br /><br /> I did read this at the Amzn Kindle forums:<br /><br />===<br />"Posted on Oct 2, 2012 9:23:08 PM PDT<br />J. Allen Day says:<br />Unfortunately there are some problems with the KF8 . . . they generally pop up when the publishing is a (lazy?) straight export from Word. With the older formats, any font sizes and families are ignored in favor of user preference.<br /><br /> With KF8, explicitly defined fonts and font sizes in the ebook sometimes override all of the Kindle settings. As previously suggested, send feedback to Amazon -- it's the only way these things will get fully resolved."<br />===<br /><br /> What you mention doesn't seem to fit into that, though...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-67373480368737737132012-10-06T23:39:42.344-07:002012-10-06T23:39:42.344-07:00Bless Mobileread. I asked how you do screen captur...Bless Mobileread. I asked how you do screen capture on PW, and it is done thusly: tap in upper right and lower left at the same time. Screen will flash and capture is found in root folder (it is .png format now).<br /><br />Saw another report of spontaneous healing of the rainbow screens. It's only been a couple of days for mine and I might be imagining it but it seems a little bit less than yesterday.<br /><br />Seems there are a few problems selecting typeface on PW. I have one book, for example, which does not allow typeface to change from Caecilia (Thomas Pynchon, "V"). Works fine on Kindle Touch, where I can select any of the three there. Not clear it is the publishers fault. I've never seen issues like this on any other Kindle or Kindle app. There's a thread on Mobileread with other variations being reported.Tom Semplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05127272649086914117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-86107152997945845392012-10-06T23:30:35.088-07:002012-10-06T23:30:35.088-07:00Blackbeard, The ones I cited tended to have the Pa...Blackbeard, The ones I cited tended to have the Paperwhite for a week or so. Almost all of them mention a little unevenness at the bottom but they are not so affected by them. I think (unless one has a defective Paperwhite), it's affected by the degree of ambient light, the angle, and the brightness setting. In low light comes the more obvious light-start at the bottom and others say that if you turn the brightness down it's not as noticeable, which is why it's recommended. <br /><br /> If someone has an undue brightness on the left they should change it. I saw MANY of these on tables when I went to that event, but the room was pretty nicely lit, though not so lit I didn't have to use a somewhat higher ISO rating on the camera. They say you see these things more, in the dark, if you have the brightness set high.<br /><br /> Re the many mentions of prismatic color effects -- in the forums, I've seen mentions of these and, again, about their disappearing or lessening with time. When they don't, they should be returned. The reports I've seen are about 5 of them against a lot of people who aren't seeing the same to the degree that it's noticeable unless they look for it, they say. In the reviews section, the 5-stars will be like the print reviewers you mention -- some will notice the light source at the bottom and some alternating shading in the first 1/2 inch. In my video I can see it sometimes and othertimes it looks totally even, so it's all odd. It never occurred to me in spending about half an hour with two of them and seeing about 10 of them as I walked by and checked them out that there was a problem ==in that one lighting situation==.<br /><br />Some areas bolded: that would be a serious defect. I saw nothing like that. I don't remember: did you get one and are you having these probs? <br /><br /> Pictures: exposure settings and angle are huge factors. I say that as someone who has tried to photograph any device reflecting light. The camera lens has difficulty with photographing dark material (text) against light that is also emitting from that same area. <br /><br /> But the bolding, any discoloration that's evident that doesn't go away? I'd say those were likely part of a bad batch. But again, there was usually a mention of the bottom lights and shading and one reviewer's cohort found it too distracting while the reviewer didn't, so it's *partially* a matter of sensitivity to light too, maybe.<br /><br /> I've cited videos - one that shows it almost all white and even, by that same video maker, and then he turns the light off and you see the more uneven qualities -- and in that case it becomes a matter of what the viewer sees plus the possibility of a bad batch. <br /><br /> Amazon also changed the purchase limit for each person from 5 (that was not smart) to 2 about a week ago...<br /><br /> One might wonder about the suppliers and quality control too. In the same household, one member sees no problem for the most part and another is totally distracted. We'll see.<br /><br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-2335443213257661602012-10-06T13:57:00.622-07:002012-10-06T13:57:00.622-07:00ok this was posted just hours ago:
http://www.cio-...ok this was posted just hours ago:<br />http://www.cio-today.com/news/Paperwhite-Has-Glowing-Impression/story.xhtml?story_id=012001H7BX9O<br /><br />I'd lke to point out this line, after the author used a paperwhite for "several days":<br /><br />"The front-lit technology inside the new Kindle does a splendid job of distributing that light uniformly across the 6-inch screen"<br /><br />I just don't get it. All of the "professional" reviews are, well, glowing. None of them seem to mention the problems that are posted in reviews by customers:<br /><br />- "Headlight" effect at bottom of screen; a recent review on the product page mentions the light on the left is brighter than the others.<br /><br />- Color bands on the screen; MANY mentions of this.<br /><br />- Some areas "bolded"; it's almost as if there's a lensing effect under a part of the screen.<br /><br />Somehow, none of the professional reviewers see this. The number of 3-star-or-less reviews is up to over 37%, and they're not all unreasonable people complaining about the lighting at the bottom of the screen. Many of them are very specific regarding the above problems. To be sure, there are some 5-star reviews from people who just love their new reader. But I truly believe that there are a lot of production defects coming out because the pictures don't lie, and there is commonality regarding the specifics of the complaints. I've also seen comments in the reviews about getting their units a lot sooner than the estimate. Amazon is usually pretty good about estimating delivery time, so I'm wondering if a bunch of cancelled orders moved the shipping schedules up.Blackbeardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-81650561610031834472012-10-05T22:47:08.245-07:002012-10-05T22:47:08.245-07:00QZA, I am not up with all the new Amazon stores, a...QZA, I am not up with all the new Amazon stores, apparently! Didn't know you had an Amazon there!<br /> It's $299 in the U.S. also, unannounced, and the DX is once again in the 'Family' headers where it had been missing since the 6th or so :-) I had found it in the Table below, so this is quite interesting. It's beautiful and for PDFs, I would tend to use that one but I haven't needed as many lately. (And for me, ezPDF is very, very nice on the KFire HD, but some are less happy with it than I am though I can't remember why, but it had to do with a change that was not a good one for many.) <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-87176411875743674902012-10-05T22:39:24.701-07:002012-10-05T22:39:24.701-07:00Tom, thanks for explaining more. That makes sense...Tom, thanks for explaining more. That makes sense. Contrast is maintained (though some Paperwhite owners view it as increased, maybe depending on room light?). <br /><br /> These seem to be 'whitest' when in an office setting or other well-lit interior, and when you need to deal with a darker room, things become less even. One person got a 2nd paperwhite and it was a much brighter light, s/he reported, at the same setting, but there was something about #1 that the person preferred nevertheless. I think these lighting-additions probably morph a lot :-).<br /><br /> I'm sorry to hear about not being able to down-size to original size (!) in panel zoom. I'd hit Feedback with that one right away. Picasa and Flickr were doing the same with people's original-size photos uploaded, and you can imagine the reaction on that. Both sites paid atttention to the feedback and adjusted back to original size, not enlarging it, which always produces artifacts.<br /><br /> I don't suppose you can long-press the panel-views and resize them? Usually images on even e-Ink Kindles can be adjusted that way, but the Paperwhite seems to be a different animal.<br /><br /> $60 is a big difference, to get 3G, definitely gives pause. But I figure I'll use it for 2 years (but the way things are going ... since my KK was 2010 and my KTouch was 2011 ... <br /> I can't stand not being able to look up things when WiFi is not available and, really, it's not THAT available unless one spends time only in the office or at home. I don't know anyone who goes to Starbucks or McDonald's just to use WiFi. My Safeway has it now, but the free public WiFi's carry their own security problems. I do have tethering on my smartphone and it works well, but phone battery life can be important.<br />And it's extra fussing to do.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-15285675532948952332012-10-05T21:36:00.069-07:002012-10-05T21:36:00.069-07:00This is completely off topic, but the DX is now l...This is completely off topic, but the DX is now listed at $299.99 on the Caribbean Amazon at least the is the new regular price.Junior Yearwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09666899748706469583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-40850713217206028082012-10-05T21:29:06.389-07:002012-10-05T21:29:06.389-07:00Re contrast, I would say contrast is fine, it is j...Re contrast, I would say contrast is fine, it is just difficult to compare it directly with Kindle Touch because the screens are so different and the fonts don't render the same. But in absolute color, the more the light is turned up the lighter the darks get (on Home screen the black bar at the top looks lighter than the bezel). The background is lighter too, so contrast is maintained. It would be nice if the prismatics clear up but even so it is probably not going to bother me much.<br /><br />The Panel View zoom, like image zoom in general, does not let you make an image smaller that it was to begin with. So if it starts at 180% (fit-to-screen) there is no way to get it down to 100% or 150% where scaling artifacts might be minimized. I'd at least like 100% option for sharpness, then if I had some trouble reading it small I can zoom it up. I think KK defaulted to fit-to-screen also but then I discovered the Aa options, and 'Actual size' (100%) works much better there. Very sharp, just as the publisher intended (the option chosen in panel view applies only to panel view). <br /><br />I'm afraid I must have 3G even if it is not 'sensible.' I regretted not getting it on my first Kindle Touch and eventually got a 3G model to replace it (ironically at WalMart for $109) That might change if I ever get a smartphone w/tethering but it's unlikely that I'll do that in the next year or so. Wifi only is great at home but most of my reading occurs at work and elsewhere so I like not having to rely on finding wifi just to download from my library or do a wikipedia lookup. $60 extra is still worth it for me. As devices go, Kindle is cheap fun.Tom Semplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05127272649086914117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-39933571774682776002012-10-05T15:54:24.759-07:002012-10-05T15:54:24.759-07:00Blackbeard,
I guess I missed replying to this ea...Blackbeard,<br /> I guess I missed replying to this earlier! So you saw something indicating another company developing something similar uses a different approach. <br /><br /> Re perfect screens, I've now seen a lot of videos which I may link to later showing 'perfect' screens in normal indoor light but showing the shading differences in very darkened rooms (which is where many want to use the device). People have to look at all these vendors' images knowing they will show only the ideal. What's good is Amazon's no-nonsense 30-day full refund policy. <br /><br /> The fellow you mention no doubt has a defective one and should get it replaced. Amazon is replacing any possibly defective ones more quickly now, apparently holding some copies for that after initially asking people to wait. And people can keep their functioning ones until they get it (after which they have 30 days to return it).<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-35344952494850369232012-10-05T15:47:30.300-07:002012-10-05T15:47:30.300-07:00Tyler,
Thanks for the add'l feedback. As fo...Tyler,<br /> Thanks for the add'l feedback. As for the technology, Amazon acquired Oy Modalis, but of course Amazon wouldn't mind making money off licensing that technology but I have no idea whether or not they did. I'd have thought they'd want it exclusively for a short while.<br /><br /> I'd really like more info on whether Kobo finally has its reading and navigation software up to par because that has been its biggest drawback (and then some), and no amount of hardware will make up for that. My Wi-drive can serve as added storage for all Kindles (and other devices) with WiFi on them (and it streams to up to 3 devices at the same time w/ no problem). Since I already have one, no added cost.<br /> <br />It'll be interesting to follow up on what front-lighting the Kobo's using. Am counting on you! ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-35810982484213735332012-10-05T15:31:25.549-07:002012-10-05T15:31:25.549-07:00You're right on, my review on Amazon says so t...You're right on, my review on Amazon says so too (I mentioned your blog in it! :) )... I knew about the lack of audio and page turn buttons and bought it anyways. I could honestly care less about the audio - I find it odd when other people complain endlessly about the lack of audio, when it's an e-READER, not an e-READMYBOOKTOMEPLEASE. :) I mean, it's a nice feature on occasion (I'm listening to Dorian on my Fire HD in the car on commutes to and from work now), but come on... it's gimmicky at best, IMNSHO.<br /><br />The page turn buttons - I'm getting used to the lack of them. Not a big deal, really. And the darkness at the bottom is not noticeable to me except in dark rooms or when the light is cranked up. All in all, it's the near-perfect e-reader, and I'm absolutely satisfied with my purchase. Interesting about the screen tho - the Glo is, in pictures/video, almost IDENTICAL to the Amazon, even with the dark patterning at the bottom. Maybe they're licensing the tech? Maybe flexlighting is licensing it for Amazon to other e-reader manufacturers?<br /><br />The cover art thing - yeah. Well. I was really looking forward to it, but ironically, now that I have it, I really don't need/want it all the time. It would be nice to have a working option though. The List view is what I use. Similar thoughts, now, on the screensavers - I mean, with a case that sleeps the device for me, why do I care what's on the screen when the cover's closed? :) Amazing how priorities change. I'd like an option to turn off wireless even while reading a book (without going home), the ability to change the system font, and a "space used by" in Device Information to see how much room's left. Oh, and I miss the progress bar, but the Time To Read MORE than makes up for it. :)<br /><br />The thing about the Glo - I'm portable between ecosystems, though I normally make my purchases from Amazon. The thing about the Glo is that I can expand space at will, which is future-proofing the device. But then again, my current library is around only 150 books, and that takes up 146MB of space. So I have room to grow, and likely by the time I "need" the space, a new model will be out with that option.<br /><br />BTW, the solution to the cover art is one of three methods:<br />1) Send the doc to yourself in the Cloud. It will be downloaded, but not as a Book, as a Document, and will have an ugly "Personal" banner superimposed on top of it.<br />2) Convert (or re-convert) the book in Calibre as a MOBI file, with the option to "Enable sharing via Facebook." Same results as (1) - ugly banner and all.<br />3) Convert (or re-convert) as an AZW3 file, using the same option. Same results as (2), but the cover art is smaller, for some reason.<br /><br />Basically, if Amazon or Calibre solve the cover art thing, then I'm only really "concerned" about the 1.2GB space limit. I'm amazed at how good the device is and how used to being without page turn buttons I've gotten already.<br /><br />All in all, an AMAZING device. But for those that are new to e-readers, the Glo is a serious competitor. Possibly enough so that, on the hardware level, the PaperWhite is already obsolete, four days from shipping. :)Tyler Pomerhnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-36472348937419826392012-10-05T15:02:42.939-07:002012-10-05T15:02:42.939-07:00Tom,
Interesting. Some say they've used the...Tom,<br /> Interesting. Some say they've used the light in normal light because it adds contrast (said to be darker than their KTouch's). Obviously not the case with yours.<br /><br /> Your settings findings are similar to the recommendations I've seen from users who explored the effect of up'g or decreasing amount of built-in light used. It was recommended to use from 9-14 in normal indoors light.<br /><br /> Re the pale color, probably prismatic effects -- A few reported on Kindle forums that this went away after a couple of days. Don't know if that would always be true. I've seen them in pictures and videos when seen from certain angles. They'd be more visible in the dark.<br /><br />:-) Love the Ziplock test and findings.<br /><br />Amazon just sent out a request the other day for app development for Japan, which fits the many rumors that Japan is next and maybe not that far off for the Paperwhite.<br /><br /> I agree re using 'delete' wording - which used to mean there was no copy in the cloud, vs 'remove from device' ... ( I hope you mention this to them).<br /><br />Panel View: No pinch unzoom? I hated the zoom options and prefer the gradual shift up or down, but it sounds as if you cannot pinch unzoom. ?<br /><br />Re 3G version. Why not return it and get a non-3G version? If it's not worth $180 for you. $119 seems more sensible in that case and you'd feel better about it.<br /><br />Me? I opted for 3G because I'd hate being outside and not being able to look up something (Wikipedia or store) and not be able to download something when I want...<br /><br />Thanks much for the report. Keep us updated when you find other things?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109282436243758435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872447660964013545.post-74839349573355639052012-10-05T14:42:19.834-07:002012-10-05T14:42:19.834-07:00Finally have it in hand. I like it, I think.
The...Finally have it in hand. I like it, I think. <br /><br />The only trouble in mind for me is that the blacks are not as black, even with the light turned all the way down. It still seems just as readable, just 'different', like reading books printed on different types of paper. I think I'll get used to it, and come to prefer it.<br /><br />The 'dark cones' mean you have the brightness turned up too high. One is looking for 'paper-like,' not the white of an LCD screen. In full sunlight I can't see any cones even at level 24, but then it is also fine without any light at all unless you are going for 'white'. For indoor lighting 12-14 is more appropriate, and of course much lower levels in the dark.<br /><br />In low light I am seeing some very pale color, probably prismatic effects of the thin capacitative layer (which it is said is a spray-on layer). It remains to be seen if that will really bother me once I figure out what light level is optimal and my brain has a chance to ignore it, or maybe it will just smooth out over time.<br /><br />As I suspected (and Amazon should put this in their marketing), Kindle Paperwhite passes the ziplock test! I'm able to operate it just fine inside a standard freezer ziplock bag. Bathtub reading is back! (I prefer showers, however.) <br /><br />Japanese dictionary! There's also a Japanese keyboard setting but I don't understand the input method beyond confirming that it is possible to enter Japanese script. Would like some more keyboards to support E Europe Latin, Cyrillic as well but this is a good start.<br /><br />The only bugs I've found so far are:<br />- it always asks for 'Delete' confirm when removing things, even when they are stored in the cloud, where I've come to expect 'remove from device'. It's hard to know what is in the cloud and what is not, so they should keep the language distinction that's been used in the past.<br />- panel view (comic books) always zooms the panel to fit the screen. This often results in fuzziness due to rescaling defects, as there is no way to display at 'actual size'. They need to add zoom options like Kindle Keyboard, which ironically displays much crisper images when you set the option to 'actual size', despite having 50% fewer pixels to do so. <br /><br />On the whole, I'm not sure the screen, nice as it is, justifies shelling out $180 (I got 3G), and orphaning my Kindle Touch. I doubt I'll return for a refund, but that's a lot of money I could spend on books. I do like the UI enhancements (finally Recent sort order on Archive/Cloud list!), but we'll probably see some of them appear on Kindle Touch before too long.<br /><br /><br />Tom Semplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05127272649086914117noreply@blogger.com