First Kindle Fire HD owner reports and many tips + software update 7.1.5. Also, magazine layout. UPDATE3

First user reports from Kindle forum are extremely positive and I'll quote and link you to some.  There is 24/7 help there user-to-user.   Where there have been odd stalls or WiFi connectivity issues at first, the recommended "reboot" done once has fixed the problems (in my case too, when I had error messages when accessing Amazon Prime video).   I'm putting this at the top in hopes it'll help any who see problems at first, but a high percentage of people did not experience them.

A 'reboot' is done when you hold the power button in for about 20-25 seconds and then let it go (ignoring any "Power Off?" messages).  It'll reboot after that and almost always clear up any problems. A difference could be in the Kindle Fire HD 7" software update, v7.1.5, that may not be on all devices after production until it is powered on and Wireless is on.  The instructions are to swipe down from the top to get your settings options, choose "More" and then "Device" to see if your software version is earlier than that.   Directions are on the v7.1.5 update page if you need them.  But if your Wireless is On and you're connected to your WiFi network, you'll tend to just get the update "over the air" and the new KFire will then reboot (maybe twice).   The unit comes with about a 60% charge on it, enough to start the setups without waiting the 3-4 hrs needed to charge the unit.  But general advice is to charge it for a few hours anyway until you see "100%" (this battery remaining info is also found under the 'Device' setting mentioned above).

Some tablets were shipped Sept 13, so the first arrivals tended to be on the 14th, for those ordering 1-day shipping.


IMPORTANT TIPs for ad-adverse users -- the first one was mentioned yesterday.
  . If you do your web browsing in landscape mode, Recommended buys seldom rear their heads.
  . You don't see the ones at the bottom of the Home Screen then. Even my Home screen is in Landscape mode so I had a very nice first day.
  . At BOTTOM RIGHT is a big star. That's "favorites" -- press it and some useful stuff comes up obliteraging any Recommendations in that area.
    It also serves as a kind of task-switching.


What are those images at the top of this blog article?
  The images at the top are of the KFire HD's magazine layout, with page turns nicely shown followed by the seamless joining of any two page-photos from the printed magazine.

  Now you can double tap the article to see the text in a special view-text format when you just want to read it more easily, without needing to pinch-zoom to enlarge, and it's beautiful.
  Earlier, I had kept my NookColor and magazine subscriptions because I felt it handled magazines better than the Kindle Fire 1 did.

  But the new magazine layout is extremely readable and the navigation very smooth.
  I screen-shot these images from a video by two reporters, Mobile Nation's Kevin Michaluk and Ashley Esqueda, at the after-press-conference demo stations showing very clearly the functioning of the new feature, but I've lost the link and I just found the URL to the duo's entertaining video, which covers several features of the Kindle Fire HD.

  Here's another good demo of this feature.

Finally, some Kindle Fire HD owners report in
(Next blog article will have some unusual reactions from news-site reviews, of functioning not oft mentioned.)

From Amazon's Kindle Forum,

' ...
I have to chime in! I received mine earlier today and have been playing with it for a few hours. I love it!  I had the original Fire and this new one is so much better. The screen and sound are fantastic. I t's much easier for me to type on.  I love the Amazon Kindle case as well. I give it a big thumbs up!

+++
The device is indeed very sleek and feels good in the hand.  The screen can't be complimented enough.  I, like other posters, love how crisp it is.

The speed is fantastic...it responds to everything I throw at it without hesitation...it's very fluid.

I have sideloaded a bunch of stuff which I hope to be able to clean up in the future when devs update their apps for Amazon, but I can tell you the GSam Battery is not working properly...

And speaking of battery...I was impatient and only charged mine up to 94% before I had to unplug and sit down and start playing.  I started around 6 and two hours later I was at 72%, but I literally had not stopped doing stuff.  I have been downloading, emailing, internet, adding pictures, etc. So wifi has also been on.  I would say this kind of activity is close to "streaming" with all the downloading I've been doing.  And I would say that I can live with a 10% loss per hour of streaming.  I expect this is indeed going to have a decent battery life.  I am perfectly happy having to plug in every night when I got to bed so long as it can get me through a day no matter what I throw at it.

I really think Amazon has a winner here and with some updates to apps from the devs and perhaps some fine tuning by Amazon (though right now other than the keyboard I have no major complaints)...this will be a joy to use.

+++
Well, lo and behold -- the KF HD is streaming perfectly now. Not sure why, not asking at this point -- maybe it just needed to "warm up".  LOL.  verything else that I've tested is absolutely wonderful. T he sound is great; the picture of course, is amazing.  Other than the little streaming issue -- which appears to be just fine now -- a big thumbs up!!!

+++
[Long posting of impressions by jsh1120 so am providing a posting name.]
...I have to say that it's a huge step beyond the original device.  Not to say that the original is obsolete but the new version is in another league.

Yes, the screen is magnificent (and I had no real complaints about the original.)  Sitting side by side in my study I'd say that the light reflection is reduced by at least 50%.  YMMV, of course, but I had no difficulty reading outside in the kind of wimpy sunshine we have in Seattle today...

Sound? Yeah, excellent

Wifi. ...completely satisfactory throughout a three story house with the router on the middle floor.

Memory management.  Too soon to tell if the frequent problems users report with "freezing," failing to charge, etc. have been addressed.  I have noted, however, that the Nexus 7 users report identical problems and the "fix" is identical.  Reboot it.
  I've long used Android Assistant to keep my RAM cleaned out and I immediately put it on the KFHD.  It has cleared the memory several times on its own

Sideloading.  Works well.  Same procedure as the original KF.  Downloaded the Chrome browser and it seems to perform flawlessly with very limited testing...

I was willing to put up with some of the weaknesses of the KF a year ago for the price of the device.  Almost all of those weaknesses have been addressed and remedied in a device that sells for the same price as the original.

When I commented on the original KF I almost always made the point that it was a value proposition and that if I had to choose between the KF and iPad, I'd have to go with the latter.  The KFHD almost (but not quite) eliminates having to justify it in terms of price.  It's simply a very good device. Period.

+++
  [Good advice from Old Rocker for when there are problems]
Old Rocker says:
Turn off all of your wifi devices, reboot your router, then turn on the new Fire first.  See what happens.

+++
It doesn't cut out and has a great picture! I love it over my old Kindle Fire!!

+++
Just got it and the wifi is great.  On iphones, ipod touches, android phones, and ps vita the wifi in my room is never full bars and for the ps vita and android phones sometimes it is a struggle to maintain a connection.  With the kindle fire hd the wifi strength has been excellent and the downloads have been quick.

+++
'you can buy the Square Trade warranty any time before, or I believe within 30 days after, shipment.  You may need the serial number to register it with Square Trade - if so, just wait until the Kindle is about to ship and the serial number appears in your device list.'  [By [Bruce Boyle]

+++
I understand Purchase Recommendations don't go away but don't show up under landscape.

I don't have mine yet but I've read this in another post.

+++
sideloading works fine.  In settings, under Device, choose "Allow Installation of Applications from Unknown Sources"  Then I use 1mobile.com to find apps not available from Amazon. I just installed the Nook app. Works great.   [by M Phelps]

+++
Hi Jeffery download an app called evernote  it is free and it has a camera app in it.  Only front screen picture taking but i took a great pic of my puppies I'll stick to my nikon and download to my kindle for really good pics Enjoy   [by C. Cole]
'

Update
Two pieces I meant to include in there from the forums but are worth adding in now

' From MobileRead Forum
  [Dave89rr posted:
...just wanted to say you CAN take pics with the KFHD 7".
I opened up Evernote and I was able to take a picture, as well as with QuickOffice Pro while editing a word document.
  The picture was portrait 768 by 1024 pixels.  72 dpi.  Bit Depth 24.  And for those curious, that's exactly a .75 Megapix cam.  Nothing compared with our phone and actual cameras, but kinda decent for a webcam.

+++
[From Mobileread forum]

...the current show will buffer pretty much in total.  As long as you don't shut down or whatever it won't lose that buffering.

+++
 [and a couple of points from one Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7" review, by the popular Michael Gallagher]
  When I went to the slowest / worst reception location of my house, the speed did have a noticeable difference in the other devices as this one was faster which I would attribute to the dual antennas, except it did lose connection on CNN but all of the devices lost connection to CNN.   On the signal strength bar, I always got one additional bar - meaning more strength - than all of the other devices.

BLUETOOTH!
Finally, there is a Bluetooth connection, which is the #1 thing I wanted on the $159 Fire and last year's Fire! I tested this by taking it out to my car, and having the Fire stream music through my car stereo. There were no delays or skips with the connection, and it paired up in about 30 seconds. Just make sure you give it a device name so you can recognize it and be recognized. '

UPDATE
Besides Evernote, QuickOffice making it possible to take (not high-res) photos with the front-facing camera, it turns out that imo (instant messenger) and Facebook apps can also do this. (9/17/12)


That's it for now. Some interesting and unusual news reviews will come later.

If you have anything pro or con to share on a newly delivered Kindle Fire HD, please feel free to add that in the comments area.

---

  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 USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

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Kindle News: Judge Cote approves anti-trust settlement, and some Kindle book prices drop.

Judge Cote approved the settlement between DOJ and three publishers, and some Kindle book prices have already dropped.

This all happened while the Amazon new Kindles were being announced, and I concentrated on the many new-Kindle details.  A bit earlier, the Dept of Justice had prepared more papers asking Judge Cote to approve the antitrust settlement, and the information to justify that was similar to what went before..

  Many had thought that it would be some time before the judge made a decision, as there was so much opposition to the settlement by the usual groups, but she approved the settlement quickly, within days.

Agency Agreements and final judgment
  The Agency Agreements were made when the Big5 settling publishers were communicating among themselves in early 2010 (leaving quite a paper and e-document trail in what's been deemed a quite open colluding to fix selling-prices).   In the past, traditional agreements consisted of the publisher setting recommended list-prices, and Amazon had used these amounts as a basis for payments they made to publishers, guaranteeing them payment even on e-books sold as loss-leaders).

  Peers writes that the final judgment entered in court on Sept. 7 gave the publishers "10 days to take steps to let e-book retailers out of agreements that prevented discounting" (from that day, I guess).

  PaidContent's Jeff John Roberts writes, "the publishers must abandon so-called "agency pricing" contracts within seven days of the settlement’s approval."

E-book price reductions discussed in Kindle Forums
A few days ago, members of the Kindle Forum Community traded info on e-book prices they saw already coming down, on books published by the companies who settled with the DOJ, and the consensus was that the price drops were averaging about 27% at the time but that not many of the prices had been modified to show $9.99.

WSJ mentions a bestseller sold at $9.99
  The Wall Street Journal's Martin Peers points to a new release sold for $9.99 at Amazon and at Apple's iBook store.  However, there have always been a few that were sold at that lower price, the difference being that two years before, most NYT e-bestsellers were sold at $9.99, and I'm not sure this was a price-drop rather than an agreed price.

  "Under terms of the settlement," Roberts reports, "Amazon can sell titles below cost so long as all their e-book sales together do not add up to a loss."

The two publishers who haven't settled
  The two publishing houses that chose not to settle were Penguin Group (USA) and Macmillan, as they are among those who find the too-comfortable ("not enough friction") public library borrowing of e-books unattractive, even at only one borrower at a time per paid e-book)

The three who have settled
  Harper Collins confirmed it has reached a new agreement with Amazon and other retailers.

  Peers adds that it's not clear when Simon & Schuster Inc and Hachette Book Group will reach new deals.

Apple matches Amazon's new lower price on a an e-book WSJ was watching
  The Wall St. Journal's closing paragraph is especially interesting.

' Apple, however, appears to be intent on remaining competitive with Amazon. While “Telegraph Avenue” was initially listed at $17.99 on iBooks on Tuesday, that quickly dropped to $9.99. '

Full articles and some words from Judge Cote, who doesn't mince them
You can read the full article at the WSJ blog.

There are some nuggets from a very straightforward but colorful Judge reported by what seems a somewhat dubious Roberts, who writes, "Her latest ruling suggests she is more convinced than ever:"

' Although the Government did not submit any economic studies to support its allegations, such studies are unnecessary… In this straightforward price-fixing case, no further showing is required. '

  Although upcoming hearings on the settlement were expected, giving Apple and others another opportunity to voice their objections, 'Judge Cote wrote that a hearing was unnecessary given the voluminous facts submitted by the government: "A hearing would serve only to delay the proceedings unnecessarily."'

  Although, Roberts writes, "the vast majority of public comments in response to the settlement were negative", Judge Cote adds, he says,

' that some of those comments were "extreme" and sought to blame "every evil to befall publishing on Amazon’s $9.99 price for newly released and bestselling e-books, and crediting every positive event — including entry of new competitors in the market for e-readers — on the advent of agency pricing."

And (I have to love this just for the poem) he reports that she also "adds a paean to books and reading, and posts a Dickinson poem in the middle of the judgment:

' There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away,
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry –
This Traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of Toll –
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears a Human soul '

Next steps:
1.   U.S. Court of Appeals

2.   Apple and the two other publishers who haven't settled with the DOJ have chosen to go forward with the trial, next summer, provided they don't decide to settle.

While the three settling publishers agreed to pay "millions of dollars" in a deal with state governments, Roberts shows that individual consumers won't see that much from it.  From what I read in earlier articles on the settlement, they will be able to enter into agency agreements (which were not the problem), on an individual basis this time, a couple of years down the road

Here's the Opinion.  The document was filed Sept 6, 2012 (a red letter day for Amazon)


Here's more info on it all from the other side of the story (Publishers Weekly)


Ongoing Discounted-book alerts message thread is now more active as a result
  I'll link you to a Sept 11 page starting with the first meaningful discount, as many are only a dollar or so before that.  You can go backwards and forwards in the thread of course.


Earlier e-book pricing-war articles in the area here
History of the e-book pricing wars with sourcing
TIMELINE - articles written at the time, w/ sources and factors included in the lawsuit

---

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



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Kindle Keyboard (Kindle 3) Software Update v3.4 here! Crisper fonts w/ more contrast; KF8 layout support; Comic + picture books; Whispersync for Voice

SOFTWARE VERSION v3.4 IS HERE for delivery to all Kindle Keyboard / Kindle 3 models.

  This is for the physical-keyboard model (Kindle 3 U.S.  [UK: K3]) first released August 2010 and NOT for the later Kindle touch devices nor for the Kindle Basic NO-Touch/No-Keyboard (which gets its own updates)

  This update for older Kindle Keyboard models includes the following changes, which I'll just plop here from the Amazon page (Italics for emphasis, mine).

  Amazon's info page for the v3.4 software update. (Link: bit.ly/kv3-4 )
  (Update page in UK (Link: bit.ly/kv3-4-uk )

Software Update Version 3.4

Version 3.4 is a brand new, free software update for Kindle Keyboard that includes:

• Improved Font:  We've improved the reading font to have more contrast and be more crisp.
• Parental Controls:  With the latest software update for Kindle Keyboard, parents can restrict access to the Experimental Web Browser, the Kindle Store, and Archived Items.  While the Kindle Store and Archived Items are locked with Parental Controls, you can continue to buy books from a computer and send them to the Kindle wirelessly for a child to read.
  
• Kindle Format 8:  KF8 makes books look even better with support for author specified fonts and more book styling options.
• Comic Books: Kindle Keyboard now supports comic books with Kindle Panel View.  Supported titles can be purchased from the Kindle Store.  Books open in Kindle Panel View by default  (a view that allows you to read a comic book panel by panel).
  
• Children's Picture Books: Kindle Keyboard supports children's picture books with Kindle Text Pop-Up. Supported titles can be purchased from the Kindle Store.
  
• Whispersync for Voice: Now you can switch back and forth between reading and listening without losing your place.  Whispersync for Voice will synchronize what you read on any Kindle platform device with Audible playback on Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Fire, or on Audible apps for iPhone and Android. 

The Kindle Forum version states that "The software update will be delivered automatically via wireless to your Kindle in the coming weeks" if you haven't already downloaded it this way.

More from the Kindle Keyboard software update page - Downloading Version 3.4
You can download the latest version at the update page.  ( Update page in UK

The page shows you how to tell what version you have and then what to do based on that version, if you want to download the update and install it rather than wait for it to be delivered 'over the air.'

Please feel free to ask or give your own personal experiences or info learned that will help (as usual - and thanks for the valuable input).

BIG thanks to Tom Semple for the heads-up

---

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

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Kindle News: Amazon decides to add a Special-Offers Opt-Out choice ($15) on the Kindle Fire models

UPDATE - 9/9/12 related to the Kindle Forums FAQ on the new Kindles

Blog reader John Sauter sent an alert on the story by CNet's John Falcon that Amazon has decided to offer an "opt-out" for Kindle Fire owners who don't want the "Special Offer" ads that will appear on the locked screens (until they're unlocked to start a session) and a much smaller ad that will appear on the bottom left of the Home screen.

  The Kindle Fire will now include (as the e-Ink models do) an option to "Unsubscribe" from Special Offers if the owner would prefer to pay a bit more and receive no ads or special offers of of any kind, even if the Special Offers system has been seen as a positive by many who had initially expressed an aversion to the idea.

  I'd been one, writing that it was something I didn't want in a device that should be a 'refuge' from the onslaught of ads.

   After watching the forum reactions to the Special Offers program on the e-Readers last year and seeing the increasing number of customers upset that others were offered discounts at Amazon that they couldn't access, I was intrigued that a movement began to encourage Amazon to let people choose to opt into it, especially those with older Kindles that didn't have the 'option.'

  I finally decided to get the Kindle Touch with the SO, to see it for myself, blog-wise, and the sleep-screen ads (in b&w of course) turned out not to be a problem for me because (from my perspective as one interested in photography) they do a good job on the artwork and some of the deals have been ones I've wanted.

  The key, though, is 'opting' in or out.  When Amazon replied in the earlier forum FAQ that the Kindle Fires would have no opt-out feature when this non-optional partial ad-support had not been mentioned during the press conference despite many of us having written that the WSJ reported that an ad-supported Kindle Fire was a real possibility, there was a very negative reaction to the inability to opt out of that.

  They've changed the forum FAQ to reflect that, and I've revised my quoting of it to show the change.  This is their revised answer to the question about an option:

' A: For Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD there will be a special offers opt-out option for $15.  Customers can do this from "Manage Your Kindle" on http://amazon.com after they have registered their Kindle Fire.  We know from our Kindle reader line that customers love our special offers and very few people choose to opt out.  We're happy to offer customers the choice. '

My guess is that there was probably quite a bit of discussion on the cost of the opt-out choice.

  A thanks to John Sauter who sent the alert last night.


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Kindle Tips: Amazon FAQ on Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Fire HD - Update (re Special Offers opt-out)

Did anyone notice the Sorting by "Length"?  I hadn't, and did find it an amusing category.

  As mentioned, Collections are not a sorting category on the new Kindle Fires either.

  I do like the new "Time to Read" feature, for the Kindle Paperwhite model, which tracks your reading speed and tells you, at bottom left, how much time it might take you to finish the chapter based on that speed tracking.

Before writing about a couple of  more aspects I'd discovered the last 15 hours and a couple of answers I received, here's -- for easy reading, especially for Kindle Edition blog subscribers (UK version) -- a quoting of the new Amazon FAQ about the latest Kindles.  This FAQ was posted on the Kindle forum, since these are official answers to questions many have been asking and they hope for widest reading.  I'll add bolding of certain points.

                         ' Initial post: Sep 7, 2012 4:08:15 PM PDT
                            Last edited by the author  4 hours ago

Kevin G. - Community Manager says:

We have seen lots of questions around the new Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire, and Kindle Fire HD devices. Here are some of the more commonly asked questions with answers!

Q: Does the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD support TTS (Text-to-Speech)?
A: The new Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire HD 8.9" support TTS in books where this feature is enabled.  They also support Audible books for a rich narrated version of the book, and Immersion Reading which is like Text to Speech but with the rich narration of an Audible book.

Q: Do I have to purchase a Kindle PowerFast charging accessory to charge the Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD?
A: No.  Kindle Fire HD comes with a USB 2.0 (micro-B connector), which you can connect to your computer to charge your device. If you own a USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) from a Kindle Fire 1st gen tablet, it may be used to charge your new Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD as well. We recommend against using other USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) charging cables as they may or may not work and run the risk of damaging your device. The Kindle PowerFast charging accessory will charge the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD faster than charging from USB.

Q: Can I transfer my existing Kindle content (including apps, E books, and movies) from my old Kindle device to Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Fire HD?
A: Yes, all of your past Amazon digital purchases are automatically backed up in the Amazon Cloud so you can re-download them to your new Kindle or Kindle Fire anytime. When you receive your new device, you can download them from the cloud straight to the new device.

Q: Who is the carrier for the 4G service on the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G?
A: AT&T.

Q: What data plans are available for the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G? What happens if I exceed the 250 MB monthly limit on my Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G?
A: We will be sharing more information about the data plans for the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G in the coming weeks, stay tuned for more information!

Q: Can I trade or exchange in my old Kindle for a new one?
A: To learn how to submit a trade-in order for your Kindle please visit this Help page

Q: When will these new devices be available outside of the US?
A: The new Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD will be available on Amazon's international sites in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy and France later this year. For more information about international availability, please visit the Amazon site for your country.

Q: Will it be possible to buy a version of the new devices without Special Offers? Can I remove Special Offers at a later date?
A: We are only offering these devices with Special Offers enabled. By delivering these offers to your Kindle Fire, Amazon is able to sell it for a lower price. Special Offers cannot be removed from the Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, and Kindle Fire HD 8.9".
  {Blog update: At ~8PM, Amazon decided to offer an opt-out choice
    and updated their FAQ.}
A: For Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD there will be a special offers opt-out option for $15. Customers can do this from "Manage Your Kindle" on http://amazon.com after they have registered their Kindle Fire.  We know from our Kindle reader line that customers love our special offers and very few people choose to opt out.  We're happy to offer customers the choice.

Q: Does the Kindle Fire HD have a built in microphone?
A: Yes! You can see all the audio information for each device on their product pages.

Q: I purchased a Kindle Fire in the last 30 days? Can I return it for a new Kindle Fire HD?
A: You can return a new Kindle Fire you purchased or received as a gift within 30 days of the day you received the shipment. It must be in new condition and returned with all the original packaging but it is okay if the box has been opened. You can return it by visiting our Online Returns Center

Q: Will Adobe® Flash® Player function on the new Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD?
A: No, this is not supported.

[Note by Andrys: Adobe is dropping support for Flash on mobile browsers, but I was told that Youtube uses a different implementation and that it works well on Kindle Fire HD.
  I have a further question re the impact on network tv videos/re-runs but there are other options for those.]

Q: What languages do the new devices support?
A: The new Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire HD 8.9 will support English UK, French, German, Spanish, and Italian when released in those countries. This support will also be available on devices sold in the US at that time. '

Will be back with another post on more unusual details late afternoon or late evening.

---

See NOTES, tips, and cautions with basic details on new Kindle models

  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 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
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Amazon Kindle Event Sept 6 - First photo report of some key points made. A couple of tidbits.

A relaxed Jeff Bezos at this year's event	8.9" Kindle Fire HD image projected onto large screen.
Making money from USE of the device	Comparing Kindle and iPad limited data-plan costs.

They say a picture is worth 10,000 words.  I hope so, since my WiFi access there was lost easily and I gave up, as did a couple of people behind me who resorted to pen and paper :-)

I relied on my cameras.  These are 4 from the 19 that I've put up at the photo site (no editing done, but I adjusted brightness/contrast), which were taken during moments that stood out for me.  Explanations are in the captions there.

I took continuous video, rather than fragments, of most of the Kindle Fire presentation (there was a LOT of information to take in there but I was able to take still pictures with the same camera while doing so -- and while the video will help me remember details I forgot, there is an official pro video of the event anyway.  Mine is from the audience perspective, and if it has anything of real interest, I'll upload it this weekend as an alternate view.

The 19 photos I uploaded at PBase are of various points that impressed me.  Except for an SD card slot, my expectations were exceeded, once I saw how they are able to get, on the Kindle Fire HD 8.9, the speed advantages they claim over even the iPad 3 as well as the Nexus when it comes to downloading and streaming.

  The synchronizing of so much now, the visual and audio qualities, and the many extra features will need to be given more attention, and I'll do that after I give summaries (next blog entry later in the day) for each model. You're getting plenty of summaries everywhere else anyway and I'll focus on what it all means for Kindle owners used to some of the older features not found on other e-readers and likely to appreciate the new ones coming and try to explain the differences between the many offerings.

Those differences between the models and the value each person might find from any of them over other ones with different options, will vary quite a bit.

  Will try to do a simpler summary before leaving SoCal at noon.

A recommendation:  I was seated next to Jordan Crook from TechCruch, who didn't miss a second of it (I think she was one of those using MiFi to connect), and she and cohorts wrote some terrific summaries of the key points.  I got a kick out of her opener, which was funny because it was true, and I do have many photos of the whole scene there, which I'll upload later on.

' From outside a massive hangar in Los Angeles, California, grown men and women — members of the press — just literally ran into the venue for Amazon’s special 2012 press event. '

Her well-written, humorous account of her hands-on account of the new 7" Kindle Fire HD models is excellent.
  And my reaction to the info on these was pretty much the same.   We had free rein to give those models and the Paperwhite e-Ink devices a workout ourselves.   Only the Amazon VPs could touch the 8.9" ones and they demo'd them pretty fully except that I don't know if they were really connected to WiFi or were pure demonstrations with all code run from the models, as they won't be ready for shipping until November. &bsp;The Text-View is beautiful on those (I did not like the one for my Kindle Fire for Nat'l Geo and kept my NookColor all this time for JUST that one feature, as it had been clearer and a bit smoother).

  Her fellow co-TechCruncher Darrell Etherington has a concise, effective report on the 8.9" Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE etc.

Something unusual
  I managed to get an interesting nugget on the Paperwhite but will save that for the next blog article.


Kindle Fire Carousel
Unfortunately, for the many who dislike it, the Kindle Fire Carousel will still hold everything with the same one-time deletion capability but the item will reappear the next time you use it. That information about wanting no 'options' on the Carousel was from VP Dave Limp.  In a way, it's the only way to 'see' items in an archive on that device, but some have HUGE collections of Kindle books.

Collections
I heard no word about Collections.  If I missed something on that, let me know.

---

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
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Live Notes on Amazon's Press Conference 9/6/12

FROM THE EVENT
1.  My detailed Photo Log of points made during the announcements

2.  My videos of a very good Paperwhite demo I was given plus a demo of the magazine features on a Kindle Fire 8.9" magazine.

Kindle Paperwhite intro	Glimpses of font darkness	Paperwhite book covers projected onto hall screen
Paperwhite, WiFi (no 3G)	Five Generations of Kindle	Showing "9 mins left in chapter" estimate

"This year, we want to have the best tablet at any price."

Introducing "Kindle Fire HD...."	"AND...we decided to go big."
Next, Bezos describes "the best..."	The actual daring comparison

Youtube videos default to an average image quality: 480p.

  To change the video "quality" to 1080p (which both of these are) or to 720p if that's easier on the Internet system, you'd tap the gear/wheel seen at the right bottom of a video and "Change quality" before choosing one of the bigger rectangle/screen options in the same area.

  Example at the right,
    from the Kindle Fire magazine
    demo video below.


The Kindle Paperwhite, first ...

(Link: http://bit.ly/kpaperw-demo ) (Youtube)

We were able to try this front-lit e-Ink Kindle e-reader for ourselves, and it was very responsive.  It has 25 levels of brightness, starting with zero, a setting which comes out on video as more white than the lit display, which at first takes on a bluish tinge until the camera gets used to the light reflected by it.

The staffer went through quite a few options in a short time, with some explanations too.  The demos and Q&A were in the large lobby of the Barker Hangar.


The Kindle Fire HD 8.9" used for a demo of magazine features.

(Link: http://bit.ly/kfhdmag ) (Youtube)

The Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch model isn't due out until November 20, but the magazine
features are exactly the same for the 7" Kindle Fire HD, which we were able to try that day, but I took this video when VP Dave Limp demo'd the features on the larger Kindle Fire.

I was especially interested in how effective the text-view is now.  These are very readable (on the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD also), and remind me of hidden booklets within a magazine, callable when you want eye-relief.  Functioning is quite a bit smoother.

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BRIEF NOTES made on Sept. 6 [ With a completely lost WiFi connection I concentrated on photos and video.   Below is most of what I typed with a cell-phone connection after seeing the many demos and Q&A sessions. ]

At the Event
Starting the morn' with just a transfer of last night's section on the Amazon event today, for what will be notes taken as I go, some of them as tweets, but I'll mostly be listening and watching and taking some photos.  Will concentrate more on writing it up later as well as incorporating a few photos.

The Sept 6 Press Conference in Santa Monica
As an individual, I'm not "live-blogging," as the big-boys have teams and some excellent technology for that.

For live blogging, I normally watch a combo of CNet, Engadget, and Gizmodo and of course we add The Verge now.


  I also hope to have a few interesting photos as well.

Now to prepare for the shuttle ...

9:55 in iine in front with Len Edgerly, Nate Hoffelder, and Garrett Riley

Lost access
Did video and photo rpts. This was typed after the announcements, while on cell phone.

Interim Update
Well, re Notes during event - EPIC FAIL Could not maintain access with the WiFi network for various reasons, and people right behind me lost theirs also. Many wisely relied on private mifi's

I spent the time taking a quite a few shots of how various points were presented, during the announcements, with two cameras plus quite a lot of video that includes reactions from the audience as Kindle Fire points were made.  [Reactions were quite a bit louder than in the official video which probably has directional mics that ignored sounds from the audience.]
  Many Amazon VPs were made available for demos in the lobby later and for many questions and even answered some.

Am still there and now the crowd, which had avoided the unusually good tasting food they lay out for us because how often can you ask questions directly and get answers at length about one of Amazon's new products. Will return to the hotel, review what I have and write more

I believe I got one very interesting answer to a question others weren't asking re a certain property of the beautiful PaperLight e-Ink device that has such even light that is flexibly managed
  [This was a direct response to a question about possible drop-tests onto the screen that Lab126 had done.]  Here's the response.


The youthfully energetic Len Edgerly and assistant were all over the place getting excellent interviews and demos.

More once I get back and start putting it together. Apologies for the lack of access, but I felt better knowing that all Kindle-interested had plenty to go on in the meantime...

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The Verge points to Amazon's new Kindles ad that was shown during the NFL broadcast

The Verge points to the full ad shown in an unlisted area at Youtube.  It appears to show a 7" Kindle Fire and a somewhat longer e-Ink model than the current one that has a very white-looking "Paperwhite" background.

  While they mention the latter, e-Ink model would be 'backlit' it would be front-lit (as it's been said that e-Ink can't be backlit) - using a technology Amazon bought when they acquired a company specializing in this about 1.5 years ago -- see the April 2012 article on that.  There was word about a delay in July.

The Verge's Bryan Bishop points us to the full ad showing multiple devices, posted in a non-public area at Youtube by Daniel Marchena.

Got back from a late dinner near Santa Monica, so this news has been out for a few hours.

  In the 2nd half of the ad, The Verge mentions what looks like a verrry large tablet at first (it would be larger than 10") but it has a hinge at the bottom and the people are using it with a keyboard and at times a mouse, so it's probably a laptop. (I'd love it if Amazon suddenly came out with a laptop).

  Or even a verry large tablet :-)

  At marker 0:33 or so, the hand-held tablet, at an aspect ratio of 4:3 or so, looks large as a result, relative to the current Kindle Fire, which is longer but narrower (good for HD-widescreen videos) --  it almost looked as if it could be a 8.9" one but otherwise seems just a wider 7" Kindle Fire this time, as has been expected from early sources.

Amazon smartphone?
The Verge's Nilay Patel, moreover, says that the Amazon phone is 'confirmed' and could be announced Thursday morning.  Patel says "multiple sources" confirmed Amazon "is working on a smartphone that runs a variant of the Kindle Fire's Android-based system," and they hear now that the device will be "shown to the press" in the morning, although it's "currently unfinished."  As with the Kindle Fire, Amazon would be using Nokia's mapping technology rather than Google's.

The Sept 6 Press Conference in Santa Monica
As an individual, I won't be live-blogging, as the big-boys have teams and some excellent technology for that.
  For monitoring live blogging, I normally watch a combo of CNet, Engadget, and Gizmodo and of course we'd add The Verge now.

I'll tweet, though, some of the points that really strike me while at the event and tweets will be readable at http://twitter.com/kindleworld (no refreshing is needed, or it tells you to 'click' when there's something new).

  An alternative for seeing any of my tweeted info will be to read them through the more detailed http://tweetree.com/kindleworld.

  I plan to jot a few notes here on the blog as it goes, which won't be seen until you refresh or reload the screen but will do a full write-up later in the day of what I saw and heard and give it a bit more context when combined with what we know about the details of current Kindles and what the changes are relative to expectations, hopes, dreams :-)

  I also hope to have a few interesting photos as well.

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  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 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

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(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
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Using MAPQUEST Maps text page for From-To Driving Directions with Kindle - UPDATED 9/26/12

UPDATE 9/26/12 - The Google-Maps text-based driving-directions feature via WEB rather than via a mobile app was eliminated by Google, unfortunately.

I'm substituting mapquest.com for it, as we can't put an app on an e-Ink Kindle.

This guide is for Kindle 3's (Kindle Keyboard) and also for Kindle 2's as well as for Kindle DX's.

  Kindle 3 users, once presented with step-by-step directions, can also press Menu button and select "Article mode" to see only the directions and in larger fonts.  When finished, press Menu again and select "Web Mode" to see full pags.  Kindle 2 text is larger and more readable for some text pages.

UPDATE June 13, 2010 - I was a passenger in a car Monday night and we actually could not find the street where the concert building was and went round and round the one-way streets of San Francisco until I realized I had blogged how to get driving directions the night before.
  The illustration at the top is how Google text directions looked on the Kindle 2 (somewhat smaller on Kindle 3).

(The Mapquest directions page is similar but has more info on it,
and also uses a very simple map image, which will work better on an e-Ink device than the dense Google map.)

  You can click on any image on this page to get the larger one.
  (The image enlargement works with the Kindle-edition blog now too, in Advanced Mode Menu Setting only, though you can plug the charger in to avoid draining the battery at all.  After viewing, press BACK button to return to the Kindle Edition blog.)
  Now, back to the blog article originally dated June 11.

The Kindle Basic Web browser:  Some Kindle owners take advantage of the free, included, 24/7 cellular wireless when in the car, without a GPS unit or suitable map, and wanting to find out how to get somewhere.  The information below also includes options for walking, using local transit, and bicyling.

  Since these are text navigation directions rather than maps, they load quickly and you can enlarge the font for those.

  A shortcut to get to the Directions website is at the bottom.

  When you've been busy using the Kindle for a number of things, sometimes the first attempt at web-browsing will cause the Kindle to reboot to clear memory for a clean start.  After that, it should be fine.

  Here is the traditional way to get to the web browser (non-shortcut)

1. Press the Menu button and select "Experimental" option at the bottom.

2. Click on "Basic Web."

3. At the Web browser page (although it may take you to bookmarks page instead),

the screen may show "Advanced" or "Desktop" at top center as your browsing mode.  However, "Basic mode" will work with these text-only directions and is generally faster than "Advanced" or "Desktop" mode" when you don't need to use the non-Basic mode. (The 'Desktop' word is used by DX's)  You can press Menu/Settings to choose "Basic" if you want, but it's ok either way.

  TIP 1.  If you've been busy on the Kindle, it might be good to press MENU botton, select Settings option here and click on "Clear Cache" to have more memory available for the web-browsing session.  Not necessary though.

Press MENU button to choose "Go to Top" or "Enter URL"

These get you to the top line to type a link or URL

4. TYPE: [Mapquest replaces Google Maps text directions here, 9/26/12)
m.mapquest.com/directions

5. Five-way to the right until you get "GoTo" and then press down on that.

That should fetch the Mapquest text directions page for you.

(A SHORTCUT for Steps 1-5 is at the bottom of the page.)
6. Press the Menu button to BOOKMARK this page the first time so that you don't have to type this URL again.

7. Then you can use your 5-way button/cursor to get, slowly, to the input boxes to enter, into the Start: and End: boxes, street addresses and, if needed, city, 2-character state (or zip) for step-by-step directions to your destination. (Commas are often not needed, as Mapquest is quite smart that way.)

8. 5-way DOWN click (down) on "Route Options GO"

  (Unless you do Step 8, to choose Route Options, your input will be wiped out.)

The Kindle browser will get you the step-by-step directions pretty quickly.

  Sometimes, the directions take you the long way but it's better than being lost.

  It's also possible to use the Aa text-key at the bottom of the keyboard to increase or decrease the size of the fonts for this.  But I've found that the default '3' works best for normal spacing planned for the webpage..

  When the font-size change is requested, the web-page has to re-draw the page from the Net, so it takes longer than when you do this on a book.

TIP 2.  Normally, when you're shown results that are one-page long, you can't "go back" to where you were without pressing the "BACK" button, which always takes you back to the last place from which you "jumped" (almost always by clicking on a link: a jump to another area).

  Amazon has added two small, black left and right arrows at the top left.

These are like normal computer web browser back/fwd buttons, and they work here in the way you'd expect.

If you want to go back and forth without losing the information on the search results page, you can go up to the left arrow and click on it to bring you to the page that shows you what your search input was.
  After checking that, you can then click on the right-arrow above this time and check again your search results.

The 'BACK' button would have taken you back with no way to get back to the search results.



Let me know if you have any problems with this.

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ADDENDUM for KINDLE 2 and KINDLE DX USERS: (first added 7/25/09 in the previous guide)
There is a shortcut for getting to a URL from the Home Screen.

  The traditional way was shown above.

INSTEAD of 1 through 5 above:

AT HOME SCREEN
1. Start typing a URL.

  This will bring up the tubular text-input 'box' at the bottom.

2. TYPE in: [ Mapquest is being used to replace no-longer-existing Google text page]
  m.mapquest.com/directions

3. Five-way to the right until you get "GoTo" and then press down on that.

  You'll be placed right on the text-directions page.

Then go to Step 6 (or to Step 7 if you've already bookmarked it previously).

---

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ONE MORE ALTERNATIVE SHORTCUT

You can type in the URL while reading a book or article, with one added step.
    IF your cursor is NOT on the screen.
      Then start typing a character, such as 'a' -- that brings up the search box, while just pressing 'Enter' key doesn't in this case.
  Delete that one character from the resulting Searchbar and type
    @url m.mapquest.com/directions or whatever website url (use NO "http://") and then
      5-way to the right just once, to "my items" and click on that.

  After finishing with the website, press 'Back' key to return to the book page you were on.

Am hoping that the above wasn't one alternative too many!

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

US: Updated Kindle Fire Basic  7" tablet - $159 Kindle Fire HD 7" 16/32GB - $199/$249 Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 16/32GB - $299/$369 Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G 32/64GB - $499/$599 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $69/$89 Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Paperwhite, 3G/WiFi - $179/$199 Kindle Keybd 3G - $139/$159, Free but slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £69 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $89 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

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!

Sept's 100 Kindle Books for $3.99 or less - Editors' Choices + Sept's free non-classics by publication date + good discounted-book alerts

"SEPTEMBER 2012's 100 Kindle Books deal, for $3.99 or less"

I highlight the monthly deal at or near the beginning of the month for those who don't know about it or might not remember.

  These Kindle books are $1.99 to $3.99 and are "hand-selected" by Amazon's Editors each month.  What you'll see on that special monthly-deals page are the new ones for September 2012.
(Link: amzn.to/100kbooks-2to4)


FREE KINDLE BOOKS (Non-classics) for September (and August)
In the meantime, I've updated the "Temporarily-free books -- Non-classics" search results for free contemporary Kindle books for SEPTEMBER, sorted by publication-date, as of today.   These include pre-orders for September, of course, since the month has just started.

  Here are the current Search results for free Kindle non-classics, by publication date for August.


Today's Kindle Daily Deal, for September 5, Wednesday is All God's Creatures, by Carolyn McSparren.  Amazon's description:
  "Often compared to James Herriot's novels, All God's Creatures follows the life of a woman veterinarian in modern Tennessee.  From her unlikely start as a white-glove debutante in the 1960's to a sexism-defying launch in vet school, the heroine spins rich tales of the animals and people in her life."
  It has 57 customer reviews and the average rating is 4.6 stars.
  $6.59 Tuesday, it's $1.99 for today (Wednesday) only. 70% off


Discounted / Price Dropped Kindle eBooks II - the ongoing Kindle Forum message thread
  I haven't mentioned these for a month, but there is an ongoing message thread in which Kindle owners share information on recent drops in pricing on specific Kindle books, often with some added info by the person posting it.

  Here's a link to the thread starting from Sept 3.  There are quite a few good books and discounts in the last couple of days.

  The link I gave is to a specific day to start, in this case, 9/3, as mentioned, but you can look at previous days or keep up with ongoing alerts after that, as Amazon keeps track of the last message# that you read, so that you can start from there next time.
  Prices are discounted often for only a very short time and are promos, and that's another reason to watch the list.

  I'm getting ready to go to Santa Monica today for The Big Reveal to the media, to see, for the blog and myself finally, what Amazon has in store for us.  So, no time to go into more detail on the discounted books.

  A bit more later tonight.   Will tweet the link to today's blog article and then re-tweet it for morning folks further west.

---

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!

Kindle News: Amazon makes deal with Epix, adding thousands to Prime Instant Video

Amazon has made a multiyear-licensing agreement with EPIX, adding thousands of movies to its Prime Instant Video service

As many know, Amazon Prime is a program that allows unlimited viewing of "Prime"-labeled video,  included in the yearly cost for free 2-day shipping on Amazon's directly-sold products

  In essence, Netflix lost exclusive rights to stream such movies as "The Avengers," "The Hunger Games" and "Mission: Impossible" now that Amazon has those rights also.

  The Los Angeles Times article by Dawn C. Chmielewski reports that Netflix's stock dropped 7% in midday trading on this news (east coast) and it dropped as much as 11% a couple of hours later.

  This deal added movies from Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to Amazon's Prime.

Other sources point out, though, that EPIX's movies are a small portion of Netflix's videobase.  They "account for just a fraction (mid-single-digits) of the viewing in Netflix households, wrote Vasily Karasyov of Susquehanna Financial Group."   Reuters' Alistair Barr adds that Netflix spokesman Joris Evers said that Epix accounts for about 5 percent of Netflix's viewing hours.

  The Netflix stock may be weaker now, Janney Capital Markets analyst Tony Wible says, because it's less likely that Amazon will acquire Netflix.  Found that an interesting take.

  Amazon VP of music and music Bill Carr said that the company is ""investing hundreds of millions of dollars to expand the Prime Instant Video library" -- a larger number than I'd expect.

While Prime is $79/year ($6.58/mo. equivalent) for the free 2-day shipping of Amazon products (no minimum purchase), it also allows members to borrow a Kindle book (offered for lending by publishers and authors) once per calendar month) in addition to streaming from a collection of something like 25,000 movies and tv shows at no additional cost.

Bloomberg's Edmund Lee and Sarah Frier add that the agreement with Epix lasts three years but they say the source, "familiar with the transaction" asked not to be identified as "the terms aren't public."  Odd bit of info to release and then request no sourcing info.  "Cat Griffin, an Amazon spokeswoman, declined to comment.

Not earthshaking news, but it adds more to what many perceive as Amazon's strength - its ecosystem.  A wealth of free streaming video for Prime shipping members and its 145,000 titles in its Kindle Owners' Lending Library

The main Amazon page now includes the announcement of the additional 2,000 movies coming to Prime Instant this year, citing especially "Thor, Iron Man 2, and Captain America: The First Avenger, plus recent hits such as Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Warrior, Super 8, True Grit, and Rango."


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: The Kindle e-reader among "best tech when going off the grid"

Ars Technica highlights the author's cousin's use of the Kindle Keyboard 3G for keeping in touch while away with the Peace Corps in a remote area of the world

  The article by Ars Technica's Cyrus Farivar, about his cousin Martin do Nascimento's use of a Kindle to keep in touch, doesn't make clear that it's the Keyboard version (UK: KK-3G) rather than the Touch version of the Kindle.  The old keyboard version's 3G can be used in about 60 countries for things like very slow web browsing and e-mail.

  So, I did want to clear that up while also linking to the story, as it's a good example of what Amazon has kept available in the slower keyboard Kindle3 e-reader (and 9.7" DX) since 2009 when they first allowed Kindles to access 3G in the rest of the world (where it is available with Amazon's carrier agreements) for more than downloading Kindle books or accessing Wikipedia at no add'l cost.

  Besides the usual (for Amazon) free cellular network usable for 3G Kindle books downloading that is so convenient when you don't have to go look for WiFi (something Penguin Group found too convenient for public library borrowing), the free Wikipedia access is still part of the newer Kindle Touch models as well -- and 24/7 free 3G access to Wikipedia can be very useful for students and other curious people.
  However, 'Touch'  can definitely be more 'cool' than a not-easily-used physical flat-keyed keyboard and a 5-way button for up/down/sideways.

 But the special 3G e-mail and web capability featured in the story is available only on the old Kindle 3G keyboard model.  It's clunky but it works.

'...this little, relatively cheap device has been a godsend for him in 2012, with its worldwide 3G Internet. Even though Martin lives in a remote area, I hear from him nearly every day by e-mail.

"Most of my e-mails I write on my Kindle," he told me recently (by cell phone this time). "I use it to stay in touch with friends, even [through] Facebook. The Kindle’s not fantastic by any means, but I can read my e-mail reliably... '

Farivar mentions he can't gift his cousin in Nicaragua a Kindle book because e-mail attachments are not possible, and I think that the Kindle book-gifting feature isn't available for people currently located outside the U.S. (due to world-wide digital rights problems).

  He does mention the battery life being excellent and we've seen this in events such as earthquakes or other disasters when smartphones had short lives and some were able to get through with their longer-battery-lived Kindle keyboards instead.

The article is about how to keep in touch when away, generally, so there are tips for iPhone user and Android handset users too, with software recommendations and a unique website for paid text-to-email service recommended if necessary.  The image they use for the article is of someone using an iPhone but I linked to their article and included a smaller version of the image they are using.  It's so much nicer than seeing yet another image of a gadget!  ;-)

I have an ongoing article about the countries in which this feature works for the Kindle Keyboard (K3) model, and the countries-table highlighted is used by Amazon UK on their website to make it more clear for their own customers (the table applies to Amazon in general).

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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




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Kndle News: Wall St. Journal on an advertising-supported lower-cost Amazon tablet

Wall Street Journal mentions an "advertising-supported tablet"
The Wall Street Journal's Greg Bensinger reports that Amazon will ratchet up "pricing pressure in the gadget wars" with "an advertising-supported tablet that will be priced lower than similar models, according to people involved in the discussions."

  Any exact pricing info isn't available until the press conference Sept. 6, of course.

Bensinger added two pieces of information:

' The new tablet would display an ad after the user "wakes" the gadget, said one person briefed on the matter.

Additionally, Amazon is testing its own smartphone to take on Apple's iPhone and could release it as soon as the end of this year, officials at Amazon's parts providers who declined to be named said in July. '

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Kindle News: CNet says, Amzn told them, two 7" tablets to be announced. UPDATE.

Last week, All Things D's Tricia Duryee wrote that they had word that a 10" tablet was not ready yet, so CNet's title about the lack of one would jibe with that  [Picture is from Verve's earlier images.]

  Duryee had said that "...a larger Kindle Fire 2 -- which would be equal in size to Apple's iPad -- is most definitely not a done deal.  According to several sources, even though a larger cousin of the seven-inch Kindle Fire is definitely in the works, it's not clear if Amazon is ready to roll one out quite yet  There might, though, be a slightly larger version, perhaps around eight inches or slightly more."

Duryee added, re "Connectivity" that while the device formerly known as Kindle Fire shipped with Wi-Fi ... "Expect that to change, but how it will work is anyone's guess."

  My own guess is that Amazon has always had the clout to get good 3G deals and might have an optional package for customers eventually, if 3G is a 'go' on this.
  I'd more likely opt to just use, as usual, my existing phone tethering plan which allows me to let my Samsung smartphone give my other devices some of its 3G as needed (though it is battery-intensive for the phone to do that).

  Free WiFi is not THAT easy to find and some of us don't like to sit at Starbucks, McDonald's, or Safeway, etc. to do something with Wireless (and then there are the security concerns on these free and easily-sharable public WiFi spots).

  To remain grounded, one should remember that Apple charges $130 add'l for an iPad model that offers 3G/4G cellular network access *capability* and then a paid data plan follows on top of that.

CNet and The Verge, and Amazon sources
CNet, upon seeing The Verge images, wrote they'd be contacting Amazon.  They've been among the favored in earlier times when it comes to leaks (TechCruch too when the older crew was there).

  Amazon responded to CNet's inquiry, and the latter reported Friday that "Kindle Fire won't go big to take on iPad," adding that (emphases mine):

' Amazon next week will announce two 7-inch Kindle Fire models, one with new hardware and the other an updated version of the original, CNET has learned. '

  The article was written by Roger Cheng and Steven Musil and they are adamant that "Amazon will stick with the two 7-inch tablets.

  As expected by one and all, the "slightly upgraded version of the [current] Kindle Fire, which includes a new user interface" will almost certainly be priced lower.

The usual features mentioned
  For the new 7-inch Kindle Fire, we've now heard about the same coming features, repeated almost daily by news sites (and how will Amazon surprise anyone at the press conference now if all this goes as described?).

  The oft-mentioned features, for those who haven't read the earlier articles, are a "faster processor, a front-facing camera (the better to Skype with), physical volume controls (Yes!) and an HDMI port" plus "larger storage capacity..."

  Alas and alack (of an SD slot), CNet says "it will still not be expandable."

  If so, they'll have missed the one sure advantage that would have sent their tablet sales and market share booming well ahead of even the Nexus.  I suppose the added customer support required for syncing content on removable storage was one concern + worries that too many would use swappable SD cards of content rather than focus on digital content from Amazon, which Amazon relies on to justify the lower device pricing.

Kindle Fire and Google Nexus
  Without an SD card expansion capability, though, and if Amazon doesn't announce outstanding features beyond what the Nexus offers, Amazon would still be working hard to keep up with it, as Google offers direct access, of course, to its own Google Play store, and vendors building systems on top of Google's Android will always be a software upgrade behind Google, unable to make use of the latest features of Android until Google provides the upgrade, once they already have it on their Nexus.

Consumer-oriented tablets vs Google's Nexus
  An upside will always be that a consumer-oriented interface means a simpler one, which means more consumers will tend to gravitate toward that (if they know it's easier).

  Some customers will definitely be more comfortable with Amazon's user interface, as it's far more direct for average consumer needs --"Show me this, that, or that" -- while the Android interface can be a disjointed experience for those not used to having to go get all the basic apps on their own and mix and match, mostly in experimental mode, and have it all work well enough together so that anyone can just point, click and get what they want.  Those who enjoy tweaking their systems and customizing their tablet interface will go more for non-consumer-oriented basic Android devices.
  Apple's success has largely been based on not only excellent hardware but a very company-controlled, consistent user interface, and walled garden of only what Apple has approved to run on its devices.

  The Kindle Fire has been successful as a consumer-oriented device for consumption of entertainment, most of it usually (although not necessarily) purchased from Amazon.

  While B&N restricts its customers to installing apps received only from the company store, Amazon does not restrict its customers to that.
  (B&N mgmt is much more restrictive in essence than Amazon here, as Amazon has the more open policy of allowing installation of Android apps from 'unknown sources' and many of us make good use of that.)

The possibility of connector kits
  The iPad and the Samsung 10" tablet I have (refurbished) don't have built-in SD slots either, but they both have a type of connector that takes an adapter kit that allows use of external USB devices and SD cards.
  The Nexus doesn't have this, and I wouldn't bet that Amazon went for this either, though it's important for many of us when traveling and wanting to offload or back up photos as we go.

CNet awaiting more word from Amazon
The CNet article was written before the Verge's 2nd posting of multiple images apparently.  Now CNet is waiting on Amazon to update them on whether the two 7" versions will have different names. (Me: Why do people care about things like that before the general announcement ?)   Bits and pieces of info with no real quotations is not the way to get these things.

  We'll know by the afternoon of Sept 6 what's actually in store for customers, and the dropping of unquoted tidbits at, first this site, and then that one, may serve to dampen overly high expectations that have occurred, but it's also not pleasant to try to figure out just who really knows what when no quoting is allowed.  Paraphrasing what's heard or read is too often incorrect, for one thing.


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