Notes - on New Kindles. From the Amazon press conference, with UPDATES 9/8/12-4/11/13 - Links to Flash workarounds

These began from raw notes that I expanded as I gathered info and received confirmations.
  So it can be confusing to read, and is here as raw-form reference for those interested.

Updated to put all Kindle Fire HD info in the same layout for details and to add other notes, including Kindle Fire in Europe now as well as listing several features not found in other 7" tablets


Notes added chronologically, 9/8/12-4/11/13:
  1)  Kindle Fires are arriving in Europe: Links to those below also.
  2)  Kindle Fires are partially ad-supported unless an opt-out (for $15) is chosen.
  3)  Kindle Paperwhite has no audio/text-to-speech.
          This reduces cost of hardware and mp3 licenses, but those using an earlier Kindle
           to read with auto-page turns using text-to-speech should keep those models if
           buying the Paperwhite.
  4)  The Kindle Forum FAQ mentions that the  Adobe® Flash®  Player function
           is no longer supported on the new Kindle Fires nor on Google Nexus.
           Adobe is no longer supporting Flash on mobile browsers, but I was told that
           YouTube is using a different video implementation and that
           it works well on Kindle Fire HD in 'automatic' mode.
  5)  While the Kindle Paperwhite has no speakers for text-to-speech,
          The Kindle Forum FAQ confirmed it IS available in the new Kindle Fires
          where enabled by the publisher (along w/ new voice-sync feature).
  6)  Added several special features not found in other 7" tablets
  7)  Added general information re workarounds for Adobe's now dropped Flash support for
          advanced mobile devices like the Google Nexus and Kindle Fire, w/ network tv full-episode video.
  8)  Added links recommended by Amazon Kindle forum members for
          the Flash workaround. (See #21 below instead.)
  9)  Added a link to an alternate file manager and to the now
           ~18 Kindle classics being offered w/free audio temporarily
  10) Added a footer that includes older Kindle models as well.
  11) Paperwhite: First reports & reviews
  12) Paperwhite: Bottom-area unevenness in the dark - Is it normal?
  13) My videos Sept 6 of a Paperwhite demo and Kindle Fire 8.9" magazine feature demo
  14) Reviews that compare 7" Kindle Fire HD vs Google Nexus
  15) Amazon advisory on Paperwhite limitations and recommended light settings.
  16) Paperwhite video comparison wth Nook Glowlight
  17) Step-by-step: How to install Flash Player on Kindle Fire HD
  18) Features Comparison table - Kindle Fire HD 7", Google Nexus 7", iPad mini
  19) More comparisons on iPad mini and Kindle Fire HD
  20) Using the KFire camera and Video, Panorama mode, Time Lapses
  21) How to download Youtube videos to be played on your Kindle Fire
  22) Getting non-Amazon apps
          when not connected to the Net.  Includes a free video player
          that plays almost every video format w/o problems.
  23) Google Maps, Street View and other apps on my Kindle Fire,
          via enabling one device setting
  24) Add Wi-Drive pocketable storage & streaming for Kindles and other devices,
          Or, Portable wireless 320G Patriot Gauntlet drive/stream'g for many mobile devices.
  25) Showing Kindle Fire content on your HDTV
  26) WiFi Explorer Pro for WiFi file transfers to/from PC w/o cable.
  27) Lookout Mobile Security app, for Kindle Fire HD.  A free app - anti-malware,
          can "scream" to help you find it.
  28) Kindle Fire HD 8.9" Reviews, thoughts.
  29) Two favorite Kindle Fire apps for downloading from Youtube and
          for playing almost any video format
  30) The Kindle Fire is a popular tablet choice in survey.
          Gets a multi-player gaming hub system before GooglePlay does.
  31) Lowered pricing on Kindle Fire HD 8.9" now produced for Europe and Japan also.
  32) The Kindle Fire HD 7" 32G model is $229 ($20 lower) eff. 4/11/13.

---

The Updated Kindle Basic (No Touch, No physical keyboard)
  Now $69 and $89 rather than $79 and $109
  15% faster page turns and darker fonts


Kindle Paperwhite
  $119, $139 w/o special offers on sleep-screens.  No audio/text-to-speech (see Note #3 above)
    Has 25 levels of extremely even, diffused lighting, it's said to have 25% more contrast.
   212 ppi (pixels per inch) -- 62% more pixels for better readability in the smaller font sizes
       and the ability to make more complex fonts
   New capacitive touch screen. (Earlier models used infrared.)
   ~8 weeks on a battery charge w/ Wireless Off , with lighting at level 10
   A new feature estimates how many minutes it'll take to finish the current chapter.
      The estimate will be at the left-bottom of the page.
   To be released Oct. 1.   Can be ordered now.

  Things buyers should know
  The Paperwhite has less storage space than the Kindle Keyboard and Kindle Touch -
  2GB vs previous 4GB.   1.25 GB for user content.

  Why? I suspect that lowest possible price for top quality product was a focus.
    Another, stronger reason - The more books people placed on the Kindle,
      the slower it ran, due to indexes of keywords for each book and handling arrays in memory.

   At that, it can hold "up to 1,100 books," they say. That will depend on how graphics-intensive a book is.  But any book removed from the device is always downloadable again at any time when it's wanted, which is similar to finding and taking a book from your shelf and putting it back when you've finished reading it.

    The ability to organize your books via Collections feature.  Besides a reassuring screenshot circulating from a video on the Paperwhite, Amazon confirmed that the Collections feature IS included for Paperwhite and they updated the product page.

Kindle Paperwhite 3G
  $179, $199 w/o special offers on sleep-screens.  No audio/text-to-speech
   See all the info above for Paperwhite without 3G.
     3G version allows free downloading of books from Kindlestore via cell phone networks,
        which is convenient when you're away from WiFi network access.
     3G models have always also included  free 3G access to Wikipedia - a great feature.
         The Paperwhite product page didn't mention this free 3G Wikipedia access at first,
          but Amazon confirmed it's still included, and they updated the product page.
     To be released Oct. 1.   Backordered.
   Also see Amazon's advisory on light-setting recommendations and some limitations.



The Updated Kindle Fire Basic
  $159. Released Sept 14
  The memory has been increased from 512 MB to 1 GB
      40% faster with longer battery life.
  Storage space is 8GB as before.
  Can be ordered now.  I guess they can all be pre-ordered, actually
    so, no more notes on pre-ordering.


7" Kindle Fire HD 16/32 GB storage
  $199   16GB KFireHD  Released Sept. 14
  $229   32GB KFireHD  to be released Oct. 25. [ 32G reduced by $20 4/11/13 ]
  7" HD display, Dolby Audio, Dual-Band Dual-Antenna Wi-Fi + MIMO
  Battery lasts about 11 hours with Wireless Off
  1280 x 800 display in up to 720p high definition display - duo core processor
  216 ppi (pixels per inch)
  Front-facing camera for use with Skype
  An HDMI port for direct connection to an HDTV.
  Bluetooth
  X-ray for Movies -- Pause a scene, see the actors' names, brief bios, movie history.
  X-ray for Books -- See a character's bio, appearances in chron order in the book
  Whispersync for Voice -- Read a book on KFire, Continue on associated,
    discounted audio book w/ professional narration
    ~18 Free Kindle Classics w/ Free Audible audio - Amazon promo offer
      Immersion Reading -- see highlighted text while listening to Audible.
  Basic text-to-speech is also available

  Despite a dual-core processor rather than a quad-core like Google's Nexus, this is said to have:
  "High performance 1.2 Ghz dual-core processor with Imagination PowerVR 3D graphics core for fast and fluid performance
  Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi for 40% faster downloads and streaming"
    (compared to iPad 4)

  Has "an advanced polarizing filter" applied "directly to the LCD panel.
    This results in a display that shows the same deep contrast
    and rich, detailed color when viewed at any angle."

  ALL Kindle Fires come with Dolby Digital Plus and Stereo speakers with virtual surround sound.

  Adobe's new lack of Flash support for mobile browsers - a workaround
  The new Kindle Fires (and Google Nexus) don't support the Adobe Flash<® Player function.  When I saw this in the Kindle forum FAQ, I asked how this might affect YouTube sessions and network TV re-runs.   The answer was that Adobe is no longer supporting Flash on mobile browsers but that YouTube's video implementation works very well on Kindle Fire HD.

  Kindle forum regulars have found an easy workaround for this, also used for the Google Nexus and other advanced Android-system tablets -- Here's the step-by-step guide.

  I stick with the Kindle Fire's Silk web browser ('Web' on the top menu) for everything else (especially Amazon's excellent 'Article View' feature for Web articles -- it presents more readable web-article text devoid of ads (when you tap the eyeglasses icon at the top), and the tablet gives us a choice between browsers for activities like videos.

  Forum members, including Kindle Forum Pros explain that those who want to use these two files, should FIRST get, from Amazon Apps store, the file manager, ES File Explorer [or File Expert], used to manage files and install an Android app file.

  A Setting that must be done before doing any of this
  Amazon allows users to choose to install apps from "unknown sources" and you can "enable" that (do this only with files recommended by people you trust) by going to 'Home' screen and swiping down (lightly pressing and pulling down) from the top of the screen, to see the Quick Settings Menu; then click on "More" at the right, and go down that Settings list to "Device" to Check the box to allow installation of applications from 'unknown sources.'

  Also, when Android devices don't have rights to view some video material, the Dolphin browser has a "user agent" setting and you can then be seen by the video webpage as using an iPad or a Desktop instead, which usually solves the problem.  Remember to switch back to Android later.

  I switch between the Dolphin browser and Amazon's "Silk" browser, using Dolphin when Flash is needed, and can now see the videos that require Flash.   (B&N does not allow 'unknown source' app files on the Nook tablet, so Amazon is just more open re non-company-store apps, although obviously they prefer users to use their store's apps if they have the file.  Someday, websites still using Flash will catch up and have to use another method to show videos, as Youtube now does for most of its offerings.

  NOTE: When you're browsing YouTube using Amazon's Kindle Fire "Silk" browser, make sure the Web menu-setting for "Requested website view" is set to "Automatic," rather than "Desktop, to get all the YouTube videos w/o requiring a flash player.

The most helpful customer review - "You get what you pay for" includes points many have found useful vs reading only the marketing materials.

  Reviews that compare 7" Kindle Fire HD vs Google Nexus 7" tablets



8.9" Kindle Fire HD 16/32 GB storage
  $269/$299.  To be released Nov. 20 Started shipping 11/15/12.
      (the equivalent iPad 10-inch tablet is $600 for 32GB storage
      while the Kindle Fire 8.9" 32GB model is ~$300.
  8.9" HD display, Dolby Audio, Dual-Band Dual-Antenna Wi-Fi + MIMO
  Battery lasts about 11 hours with Wireless Off
  1920 x 1200 display in up to 1080p high definition - duo core processor
  254 ppi (pixels per inch -- Retina range)
  Front-facing camera for use with Skype
  An HDMI port for direct connection to an HDTV.
  Bluetooth
  X-ray for Movies -- Pause a film, see the actors' names, brief bios, movie history.
  X-ray for Books -- See a character's bio, appearances in chron order in the book
  Whispersync for Voice -- Read a book on KFire, Continue on associated,
    discounted audio book w/ professional narration
    ~18 Free Kindle Classics w/ Free Audible audio - Amazon promo offer
      Immersion Reading -- see highlighted text while listening to Audible.
  Basic text-to-speech is also available

  Despite a dual-core processor rather than a quad-core like Google's Nexus, this is said to have:
  "High performance 1.5Ghz dual-core processor with Imagination PowerVR 3D graphics core for fast and fluid performance
  Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi for 40% faster downloads and streaming
    (compared to iPad 4)"

  Has "an advanced polarizing filter" applied "directly to the LCD panel.
    This results in a display that shows the same deep contrast
    and rich, detailed color when viewed at any angle."

  Here's the resolution on an image from the Kindle Fire HD Jeff Bezos was using
    as seen when projected onto the large screen in the hall.

  All Kindle Fires come with Dolby Digital Plus and stereo speakers with virtual surround sound.


Kindle Fire HD 8.9" w/ "ultra-fast 4G LTE wireless" 32/64 GB storage
  $399/$499.  To be released Nov. 20 Started shipping 11/15/12.
(See above for the features that apply to all Kindle Fire HD 8.9" models.)

For $399, what does the basic Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G/LTE have?
  It has 32 gigs of storage plus 3G/4G cellular network capability.
  The $499 iPad4 has only 16 gigs of storage and NO 3G/4G capability.

  Apple charges an additional $130 for that 3G/4G capability, making the Apple iPad cost $629 for the 16GB storage space model,
    before the cost of a monthly data plan for an iPad 4.
  Apple's iPad -- when you add 16 GB to equal KFire HD 8.9" -- costs yet another $100. $729 total.

  Minimal Data Plan: 250MB with 20GB Cloud Storage and $10 Appstore Credit
    The Kindle Fire's basic low-cost plan for 250 MB etc. costs $ 50 total for the first year.
    The Apple iPad's basic low cost plan for 250 MB etc. costs $230 per year.

  3G/4G LTE models (Using basic 32GB for Kindle Fire and iPad)
  Year 1 Total Costs:   iPad4 - $959     Kindle Fire 8.9"- $449


  An added Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G LTE feature: 20GB of additional Cloud Drive storage "for your photoas and more, plus a $10 Amazon Appstore promotional credit."

How much data will 250MB per month cover though?
  NOTE - They say you wouldn't have to rely on WiFi and could use the 4G that comes with a plan at $50/yr, but it's important that you know it's extremely limited data and would be good mainly for checking text email while away or reading text. That's when you wouldn't need to rely on WiFi without using all your 3G access in a day or two, because in no way would it be nearly enough for one normal video of course.

  Their product pages mention elsewhere that a STANDARD definition video is around 500 MB and an average HD movie is 2GB (I've seen higher figures than these though).

  But again, it  would help for reading pure text in a book, from time to time while out where there's no WiFi available.  At $50/year, for mainly quick e-mail and some book-reading, this is VERY good.  Apple has a minimum plan for the 250MB of data but charges $230 per year for their plan, while Amazon somehow is offering that for $50 per year.

---

ALL KINDLE FIRE HD's
  Audio -
  Re the exclusive Dolby Digital, "Dolby Digital Plus includes technology used to adjust volume, create virtual surround sound, and deliver easier-to-understand dialogue in movies and TV shows.  Kindle Fire HD is designed to automatically optimize the audio profile based on what you're doing."

  They tuned them to reproduce deeper bass, with an emphasis on no hearable distortion (there's always a small amount).

  A Kindle Fire HD was used to drive some large speakers during the presentation.  I'll eventually upload video from the live audience perspective.

  Speed
The following is worth quoting from the product page.

' The TI OMAP4470 processor in the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" has 40% more memory bandwidth than Tegra 3, enabling faster web browser JavaScript performance.
  ' And Kindle Fire HD 8.9" has an Imagination SGX544 3D graphics core that can process over 12 billion floating-point operations per second, so even graphically intensive games run smoothly and render stunning scenery.
  ' We also tuned the graphics pipeline and touch handling software to eliminate delays between when you touch the screen and when the application responds.  This means the home screen scrolls more smoothly, videos start playing faster, and games respond nearly instantaneously.

  Audible audiobooks sync'd with Kindle books
  ' Kindle Fire HD can now synchronize Kindle text with companion Audible audiobooks with real-time highlighting... ' called "Immersion Reading." This feature is part of Whispersync for Voice -- so far, ~15,000 Kindle/Audible combos include the sync'd text highlight, but it's not available on all Audible audio with Kindle books.

  Also, Amazon also said customers can add available professional narration of a book for a reduced price of $3.95 on certain books when you buy the Kindle book.  [Somewhat like bundling, but at a discount rather than free]

    While Amazon currently offers a few free examples of Kindle books with Audible Audio Whispersync for Voice, the average pricing of a limited set of combo purchases when available is $3.95 or less, per Amazon's product pages.  The regular offerings are more expensive.


NOTE:  Kindle Fire HD tablets are partially ad-supported with "Special Offers" (unless you opt out) in that:
  "Your offers display on the lock screen and the lower left hand corner of the home screen -- they don't interrupt use of the device."

  Many have actually preferred to get the special offers/Amazon discounts, which can be considerable, but the idea is anathema for many.  Initially, there was no option available,  probably because they went for best hardware & processes this time and, apparently, are relying on advertiser revenue to help support the cost.  I had this added caution here in case, but Amazon has quickly decided to offer an opt-out choice for $15, which can be chosen at the Manage Your Kindle page.


Whispersync for Games
  "GameCircle titles with Whispersync automatically store your progress in the cloud, so you'll never lose an unlocked level or saved game, even if you delete the game from your device."

Audible books using Whispersync
  Add the professional narration of [whatever book] for a reduced price of $3.95 after you buy this Kindle book. [Somewhat like bundling, but at a discount rather than free]

  There are also free narrations for free Kindle books.   See details on Whispersync for Voice


UK, Italy, France, Germany to get Kindle Fires
The first to get these outside the U.S..   These will start at £129 In UK, €159 In France.

  TechCrunch added: "Along with Amazon’s big tablet announcements earlier today, it’s finally also unveiled the first markets to get the Kindle Fire tablets — both the new Kindle Fire and the HD version — outside of the U.S. The news first trickled out in a forum announcement on Amazon.co.uk, which also announced availability of the new Kindle e-reader."

  [Update 9/10 - These were announced as available in the Uk, France, and Italy last night.]
Links to those stores: Italia, Deutschland, France

Canada and China Amazon-stores were quietly launched in Dec. 2012.
  See Current Kindles - Listing



RESOURCES
Excellent Live Blogs of the announcements with pictures and good details.
TechCrunch's Live Blog with commentary
Their Event coverage
All Things D's Live Blog, narrative style


Video
Excerpts or highlights of the Amazon presentation (WSJ)
Video of full presentation

  My videos Sept 6 of a good Paperwhite demo and a Kindle Fire 8.9" magazine feature demo

Also, My Photo Log of points made at the announcements will be enlarged later to show more of the atmosphere and crowd at these events, for anyone interested.


More detailed reports
  CNet's Danny Sullivan explains Amazon's parental controls (AKA parental support) and the multi-user aspect of it.


And in one Amazon Singles book, Len Edgerly of The Kindle Chronicles describes the entire launch event in an entertaining and very informative way with unusual context and depth and has links to further reading and media.
  Details here.  The book is also available in the Prime Lending Library.

  Len also had a 20-minute interview with Jeff Bezos in Seattle, in July 2012, which is a fun read and reassuring in many ways for avid readers.

  I've listened to his podcasts for 3 years and communicated with him in email but had never met him until the media event Sept. 6.  Despite the gray in his hair, he is a mass of youthful energy that belies the calm you hear when he speaks.
  But most of all he brings an intense thoughtfulness to his research and reports and is one of the most balanced reporters I've read.

---

Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links.

US: Updated Kindle Fire 2 Basic  7" tablet - $159 Kindle Fire HD 7" 16/32GB - $199/$249 Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 16/32GB - $269/$299 Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G 32/64GB - $399/$499 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $69/$89 Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - $119/$139 Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi+3G - $179/$199 Kindle Keybd 3G - $139/$159, Free slow web Kindle DX - $379 $299 Discontinued

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £69 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - ~£89 Refurb'd Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - £109 Kindle Paperwhite 3G, UK - £169 Kindle Fire 2, UK -  £129 Kindle Fire HD 7" 16/32GB, UK - £159/199 Canada - Kindlestore, CDN-$ Kindle Basic, NoTouch - $89 Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - $139 Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi+3G - $199

*OTHER International* Kindle NoTouch Basic - $89 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB Paperwhite WiFi - $139 & 3G/Wifi - $199 France Boutique Kindle Deutschland - Kindle Store Italia - Kindle Store Spain - Tienda Kindle Brazil - Amazon Brazil China - Amazon China Japan - Amazon Japan

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources. USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard (U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!

Kindle News: Len Edgerly's "In the Hangar" Amazon Single. 20~ Classic Kindle books WITH Audible audio narration for free. Throw in the Vowel, on sale

SOME NEW OR RENEWED AMAZON OFFERINGS

Author and Podcaster Len Edgerly
Len Edgerly, of the popular weekly Podcast The Kindle Chronicles, has published an Amazon Single (by request of his readers), with his thoughts on the event.

Titled Inside the Hangar at Amazon's Santa Monica Press Conference - September 6, 2012, it is an engagingly written, informative take on what he heard during the announcements, what he saw during the hands-on demo stations afterward, and what he heard in his interviews with the several Kindle VPs who were made available for two hours of Q&A with approximately 400 representatives of the media, at various stations against the walls -- the usually hard to find VPs simultaneously doing show & answer sessions with often time-consuming lines of individuals from the media with microphones and videocams.

  Edgerly organizes the material well, puts everything in context and gives it all a balanced perspective.  He enjoys both Amazon and Apple offerings and has recently also been enjoying the Nook Glowlight.  There are things he finds impressive about the new Kindle offerings and things he wishes were different, and he gives some guidance from a wider frame of view and hands-on background than is normally experienced in this type of report.
  In the appendix he has links to other reading with varied and unique points of view, though I haven't finished those yet.

  Highly recommended.


My own thoughts on some of this
  He also covers the aftermath, when it became more apparent that the lower cost of good hardware and many software features not seen in competing e-readers comes at the cost of seeing more 'Special Offers' than many might prefer, although some consider the lock-screen ads no problem due to some actual attractive discount offers and the fact it usually involves only a brief glimpse of an ad before starting the Kindle, especially if you have the Kindle in a case.

Jeff Bezos emphasized at the press event that while they never plan to take a loss on hardware (as some media had thought), they obviously focus on lower margins on these and hope to make their revenue on the use of the devices, meaning they're being enjoyed, but the obvious meaning is they hope the owners will spend money at Amazon via those devices.  Amazon is a store, but a creative one that focuses on adding quite a bit of informational content in the many special features, for its book-leaning consumers.

  As investors in the stock market know, Amazon's margins are kept low, in general, unlike other successful companies, so there ARE product suggestions, based on items you've bought.  I do feel that those who'd prefer a tablet free of any online store should buy something like the Google Nexus.  (I just noticed that Amazon now has a separate Tablet Store, while looking at this product page on which Digitz is selling that tablet for a bit more {maybe because they're in shorter supply these days?} and the orders are fulfilled by Amazon).
  Buyers should keep in mind, though, that for $200, the Nexus has only 8 GB of storage space, in a world of large HD files, while the Kindle Fire HD starts with 16 GB.  Also, the Nexus has one mono speaker vs the KFireHD's two Dolby-enhanced speakers, and the KFireHD has an "HDMI out" to show its HD files on an HDTV.

 Buying-suggestions on the bottom of the Home screen (not unlike what is seen on the bottom area of the B&N Nook home screen) are, at this point, not covered by the $15 ads-opt-out, but they can be replaced by a screen of one's Favorites with a click of the star icon or avoided entirely by viewing in Landscape.

  Amazon is said to be considering an opt-out on those too, though I found today that they are keyed to specific books I've bought that are displayed on the Carousel as recent reading, and they change depending on which book is shown in the middle.  As a personal note -- and many won't feel the same way -- I've come to find it useful, while I'm hoping for a general opt-out choice on that too.
  At any rate, Edgerly discusses the post-event reactions also, from his own point of view.



Throw in the Vowel

Throw in the Vowel is a popular word game for all e-Ink Kindles except the Kindle 1 (the latter has no direct access to the screen) and is briefly available on sale at 99 cents.

I was late to get to this, so the sales window is shorter on this.



"Kindle Classics on Audible.com, for Free"
Commenter John Sauter sent in a great tip, which (as with Throw in the Vowel) I wasn't able to get to sooner, but the deal is still active.  These are free Kindle books (classics) that come with professionally-narrated audio versions (also free at this point), but read on...

  Olivia Flores Alvarez, reporting for Art Attack, a Houston press blog, reminds us of a great, no-cost, way to become acquainted with and benefit from excellent examples of classic Kindle books that come with the new Whispersync for Voice technology announced at the press conference Sept. 6.

Amazon has a list of 20 free classics on Kindle that come with, for now, a free copy of the narrated version on Audible.

  The FIRST classic on that listing, however (A Tale of Two Cities) shows at the moment a $7.95 price for the audio narration and is likely a mistake, because of the promo-list it's on and since the other books I clicked on, so far, come with free audio versions as part of that promotion.
  I would wait on that one, and I've asked for clarification of that Kindle/Audio book status.

Example - using a book I enjoyed long ago
Amazon, which has owned Audible.com for years, now is able to sync material between professionally-narrated Audible versions and corresponding Kindle books purchased by its customers, so that Kindle book owners, after ending a reading session, can pick up at the last book-location read, when wanting to use the audio version and vice versa.

  Generally, if you buy the Kindle book and it has a corresponding audio narration, the cost of getting the audio book this way will be between $0 and $3.95 (but much higher for the audio version when not bought with the Kindle version).  While the Paperwhite model has no audio, the Kindle book and audio can also be read and heard on a mobile device owned.

  How you get one of the free promos:
First, 'buy' the Kindle book linked to, for $0.00 and make sure the audio version for this promo is also $0.00 (it's noted in a box lower in the header section) since you're doing this to learn how Whispersync for Audio works in response to an Amazon promo.

  Once you've 'bought' the Kindle version, then you're told you can get, in this case, the $19.59 audio version for $0.00 because you bought the Kindle edition also.  When you click to get the free audio version, but are not yet a member of Audible.com, you're given a short membership form to fill out and they allow just the Amazon password to be used and there's no added cost to join.

  I just completed my purchase of The Picture of Dorian Gray, and it's nice to see all those $goose-eggs, when exploring how useful a feature might be.

  So, as I've mentioned before, it's a form of bundling that's been much requested, except that in most cases, it's not free but a fairly hefty discount is applied.   Information may 'want' to be free, as some put it, but those who labor to fulfill a request may want/need to be paid for the work.

I'd like to receive feedback on how well this works for anyone trying it and your thoughts on the combo pricing.  Thanks.

UPDATE - We've received quick and detailed feedback from QZA, who downloaded six of the currently-free Kindle/Audible combos and reports on the quality. He also has excellent advice on the amount of device space these will take.  An excerpt:

' ... Every hour of audio will take up about 29MB of space on your device.  An average audio book classic is about 7 - 8 hours (Moby Dick is much longer) so make sure you have about 250 MB free space before you download an audio book.  Amazon does not display file sizes, only book length in hours and minutes.  All 20 audio books won't fit on your Kindle even if you were to delete all your books so it's better to download a few and keep the rest in your archive for free fast delivery as needed. '

You can read the rest of of QZA's feedback here

---

Check often: Temporarily-free recently published Kindle books
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published free books, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!

New Kindles coming to 16,000+ retail locations, US-wide

WELL, I am still on my WORDY coming post on the Nook Tablet and Kindle File skirmish!  Stock up on Murine.

  But it's not finished yet, and now Amazon has put out another press release, and it's one you probably should know about.

So, I'll just post it, mostly AS IS (except for the usual description of Amazon at the bottom and a couple of shortcuts) since it is information Amazon does want distributed.

  Essentially, The new Kindles are going to be popping up at over 16,000 stores across the U.S., where you'll be able to try them out to see which one might best suit you and yours, so here are the details, from Amazon (boldfacing mine):

' All-New Kindle Family - Kindle, Kindle Touch, Kindle Touch 3G and Kindle Fire - Coming to Over 16,000 Retail Locations Across the U.S.

In addition to Amazon.com, customers will be able to find, discover and purchase the $79 Kindle, $99 Kindle Touch, $149 Kindle Touch 3G, and $199 Kindle Fire at Best Buy, Target, Walmart and more
SEATTLE, Nov 08, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
(NASDAQ:AMZN) - Amazon.com today announced that over 16,000 stores across the U.S. will be selling the new Kindle family starting November 15. Customers will be able to visit any Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Staples, Sam's Club, RadioShack, Office Depot, as well as several other retailers, to experience and purchase the $79 Kindle, the $99 Kindle Touch, the $149 Kindle 3G and the $199 Kindle Fire. The all-new $79 Kindle has been available in stores around the world since shortly after it was introduced.

"Kindle Fire is a fully integrated, end-to-end service that gives customers access to over 18 million movies, TV shows, books, magazines, apps and games," said Mike McKenna, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. "We're excited to be working with popular retailers across the country to offer their customers Kindle Fire as well as Kindle, Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G this holiday. Customers can order our new Kindles on Amazon.com or simply go to a store in their neighborhood to pick one up starting next Tuesday."

"We are excited to work with Amazon to provide consumers the opportunity to touch, test, try and buy the Kindle Fire in all Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores nationwide," said Wendy Fritz, senior vice president of Computing at Best Buy. "The Kindle Fire and other new products in the Kindle family will be some of the hottest gifts this holiday season and we are delighted to offer these devices as part of our ever-expanding tablet and e-reader selection at Best Buy."

"Target is offering the new family of Kindle devices, including the Kindle Fire, to ensure Target is a convenient one-stop-shop for all of the season's must-have gifts," said Nik Nayar, vice president merchandising, Target.

The new $79 Kindle is for readers who want the lightest, most compact Kindle at an incredible price. The latest generation Kindle features a new design that is 30 percent lighter at just 5.98 ounces, 18 percent smaller, and turns pages 10 percent faster, yet it still features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight. 

Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes - still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch is just $99. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G, all for just $149.

[I must add here that "free 3G" in connection with Kindle Touch models is for use only at the Kindle store and for access to Wikipedia articles.  Other websites can be accessed via WiFi.

This differs from the Kindle Keyboard 3G model, which still has (slow)  "free 3G" for other web sites also, as well as WiFi.]

Kindle Fire is a fully-integrated, end-to-end service that gives customers access to more than 18,000,000 movies, TV shows, songs, books, magazines, apps and games, as well as free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, vibrant color touch screen, a powerful dual-core processor, and Amazon Silk - Amazon's new revolutionary web browser that accelerates the power of the mobile device by using the computing speed and power of the Amazon Web Services Cloud.

They add that the all-new:
  . Kindle (amzn.to/kindlebasic) is currently available and ships today at Amazon.com and retail locations across the U.S.;
  . Kindle Fire (amzn.com/kindle_fire) is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com and will be available from retail locations starting November 15;
  . Kindle Touch (amzn.to/kindletouch-wifi) and Kindle Touch 3G (amzn.to/kindletouch_3g) are also currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com.  (Spaces in the links are actually underscores ( _ ), not typed spaces.) Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!

Now it's a 7" tablet that's due first and already being shipped to Amazon?

QUANTA SHIPPING 7" TABLETS TO AMAZON AND FOXCONN RECEIVING AMAZON ORDERS FOR A 10.1" SOMEWHAT LATER?

That's what everyone's favorite source these days (though it sometimes produces conflicting information) said yesterday.
  Digitimes reported that "Quanta Computer has begun shipping a 7-inch model to Amazon" and that Foxconn "has reportedly landed orders for 10.1-inch tablet PCs from Amazon with shipments to begin in 2012."

While saying that Foxconn declined to comment, they write that "sources at the tablet supply chain" explain that they were able to "land tablet PC orders" because they've been producing the Kindles.

They go on to say that Foxconn "is also likely to produce 12 million units of Kindles for Amazon, and 38-40 million units of iPads as well as 80-85 million iPhones for Apple a year, the sources indicated."

' Amazon is outsourcing the production of touch sensors to Wintek, with total purchasing volume to top 1.8-2 million units before the end of September. Amazon also purchases touch modules from J Touch and Young Fast Optoelectronics, with industry sources indicating that Amazon may also add touch panel makers TPK Holding and Cando to its supply chain later. '

They conclude the report with "there is a possibility that Amazon may launch the 10.1-inch model in advance in late 2011 to meet the year-end holiday demand in the US and Europe. "


See the ongoing List of stronger Amazon tablet rumors with dates, titles and links to the Kindleworld blog articles and sources.


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's)   K3 Special ($114)   K3-3G Special ($139)   DX Graphite

---

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers. Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!

WSJ expands article considerably. WashPo-Techcrunch comments on it.

WALL STREET JOURNAL ADDS INFO TO SAME ARTICLE (LINK) NOW DATED JULY 14

The link to the WSJ article July 13 now leads to a largely-rewritten one putting even more emphasis on Amazon challenging the iPad (a dramatic angle), when, as the Washington Post/Bloomberg/Techcrunch article points out, the Amazon tablet is more of a 'threat' to Google for the reasons they give in their article.

Word changes are interesting.  Yesterday, it was that the tablet would be 'introduced before October' and today it's that it'll be "released by October."

The article now goes extensively into the battlefield aspect of it all, and you can read that at the same link, as I'm not including much of the iPad angle here.

  Newly worded paragraphs of more interest:

' Amazon's tablet will have a roughly nine-inch screen and will run on Google's Android platform, said people familiar with the device.  Unlike the iPad, it won't have a camera, one of these people said.  While the pricing and distribution of the device is unclear, the online retailer won't design the initial tablet itself.  It also is outsourcing production to an Asian manufacturer, the people said.

  One of the people said the company is working on another model, of its own design, that could be released next year. '

  I actually mentioned yesterday that a more advanced model was said to be expected in 2012.

  Then they mention (and the Washington Post does also) that an Amazon tablet might cannibalize sales of its Kindle.   Despite all the current news stories that e-reader sales have been going through the roof while tablet sales have slowed, the idea of a Kindle killer persists.

  More new material:

' A person familiar with Amazon's thinking said it [is] still figuring out how to market the tablet computer.  One issue is whether customers will want to buy both the tablet and Kindle, which is viewed as a dedicated-reading device for bookworms. '

' Amazon spokespersons have said that surveys show that many who value reading books have chosen an e-ink reader AFTER buying a tablet.  Some will want one or the other and some will want both.  I have a Kindle and a NookColor (more of a tablet), as they complement each other.

WSJ writers Stu Woo and Yukari Iwatani Kane, with contributor Amir Efrati, mention that Sony unveiled, yesterday, prototypes of a tablet and a wallet-shaped dual-screen portable device to be available later this year.  That should be interesting.

New wording re the two updated versions of its e-Ink Kindles now omits yesterday's description of an "improved and cheaper adaptation of the current Kindle," which has me hoping again that the second 'improved' Kindle is the 9.7" e-Ink Kindle DX Graphite rather than what they termed "the Kindle" yesterday, which is a term usually used by Amazon, since August, for the WiFi Kindle 3.

 Here's the rewrite:

' Amazon plans to introduce two updated versions of its black-and-white Kindle in this year's third quarter, people familiar with the matter said. One of the new Kindles will have a touch screen, which current models don't have. '

The word "cheaper" for "the Kindle" is gone.

Forrester's "Ms. Epps" mentions that "Amazon is also in a position to offer a cheaper alternative to the iPad" and "could sell the tablet at a loss while hoping to make money on sales of movies, music and books" but says that Amazon lacks a natural brick-and-mortar outlet and that the tablet "may be less refined than the iPad."

The Washington Post/Bloomberg's Techcrunch.com article explains how the tablet could be very successful for Amazon.  They consider the coming tablet a "sort of placeholder until Amazon's own version is ready."

When describing the threat of an Amazon tablet to Google, they point out that the Android appstore is complicated (Amazon's target crowd is one that doesn't want to depend on computers). Their take on this:

' Amazon needs devices they can ship with the store pre-installed.  And more importantly, their stores pre-installed.  As in, any device they ship is going to be filled with Amazon to the brim.  That includes the ability to sign in to your Amazon Prime account [to] buy things with one click...When that happens, Amazon will have an Android tablet that is more compelling than any other Android tablet on the market on day one '

They also say that Amazon will be less dependent on Google 'carrots' (Google branding, Google apps) offered to partners and this will be interesting to watch.  For sure.


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's)   K3 Special ($114)   K3-3G Special ($164)   DX Graphite

---

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!

WSJ says Amazon tablet and 2 e-ink readers by October

WALL STREET JOURNAL WROTE:
AMAZON PLANS "TABLETS" BY OCTOBER.

That was the headline when I started writing this.  It's been changed to: AMAZON PLANS IPAD RIVAL.

(Thanks to the ever-alert and connected Edward Boyhan for the heads-up.)

They also changed the opening paragraphs (while I was typing), the first one now saying, "Amazon.com Inc. plans to introduce a tablet computer before October, said people familiar with the matter, in a move that will heighten the online retailer's rivalry with Apple Inc." [Always make it mainly about an arch rival...sells better.]

  Well, "before October" is what everyone else has been saying although it was more on the order of "August or September," but WSJ writers Stu Woo and Yukari Iwatani Kane have more info, from sources AKA leakers, probably with some permission.

They add that the sources said that Amazon will also release "two updated versions" of its Kindle e-readers "in the 3rd quarter," which leaves us with July-Sept also.

' One will be a touch-screen device.  The other won't have a touch screen, but will be an improved and cheaper adaptation of the current Kindle, said people who have seen the device. '

It's mentioned that Amazon spokesman didn't return requests for comment, but they almost never do on future releases.  However, Jeff Bezos' "Stay tuned." a couple of months ago said quite a bit with two words.

Woo and Kane add:

' The Amazon tablet will have a roughly nine-inch screen, people familiar with the product said, and will run on Google Inc.'s Android operating system.  The online retailer isn't designing the device itself, but is outsourcing production to an Asian manufacturer, these people said.

 The device will not have a camera, said one person familiar with it. '

These folks are very ...'familiar' with it. at least.  :-)  I'll refer to them now as PF's

The one surprise would be a 9" screen, as speculation had focused on 7", 8.9" and 10" choices, and the 8.9" seems a good compromise, EXCEPT that even the 9.7" Kindle DX has not seemed quite large enough for PDFs although it's FAR better than the 6" e-readers for those.  Maybe the DXG will get the long-due PDF enhancements that the Kindle 3 has had since last August, with the same type of display technology.

I had written, before the later WSJ-changes, that the piece started out with "tablets" by October and ended up talking about only "The Amazon tablet."  Someone else, in-house, noticed and they've changed the piece.  It's been rumored Amazon has been planning a second, more advanced one in early 2012, so that may have been the mixup when the PFs described the Amazon plans.

On the two Kindle e-readers, they'll use the same e-Ink technology as before, the sources said.

  MY guess? Spell that 'h-o-p-e'... The 'improved and cheaper' Kindle might be a new Kindle DX Graphite with WiFi, LONG awaited.  Fingers crossed for enhanced PDF capabilities, at least.  But they still have two versions, of the 6" model to think about, one of them with WiFi only.
  And their wording was "the Kindle" which Amazon has used mainly for the 6" WiFi-Only model.

  Note that their announcement about the AT&T-supported, lowered pricing of the Kindle 3G SO today emphasized, more heavily than they have before, the benefits of 3G.

WSJ probably is one of the news organization trusted most by Amazon, so this one is more credible than some.  But there are so many possibilities.  What do you think?


See the ongoing List of stronger Amazon tablet rumors with dates, titles and links to the Kindleworld blog articles, with linked sources.  [This won't be one of them.]

---

For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics - USA: by: NEW:  May  June  July 2011    Publication Date   Late-listed    Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle (U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's)   K3 Special ($114)   K3-3G Special ($139)   DX Graphite Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!