More than 750 free eBooks for your Kindle

Diesel eBooks has put together a list of more than 750 eBooks in PRC format that can be downloaded from  and read it in your Kindle.

There are very good classics from Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Jule Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle, etc. And all of them, like I said, already formatted to be read in your Kindle. That page is also Kindle friendly so you can access it on your Kindle and download the files using your Kindle.

Get your Kindle while you still can

Amazon has finally gotten their “Wireless Reading Device”, aka the Kindle back in stock after completely selling out of the device its first day of release. Amazon is offering the Kindle for $399 and FREE two day shipping.

Saw this posted over at Gadgets on the Go telling us that Amazon is back in stock with the Kindle. If you still want one of these, now is your chance!

If you have been under a rock and don’t know what the Kindle is, head over to Amazon to learn more. They have some great videos to see.

Dash Express Now Shipping!

Award-Winning Dash Express Now Available for $399.99 to Amazon.com Customers

Dash Navigation, Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. today announced that the highly anticipated Dash Express, the first Internet-connected GPS device, is now shipping. Designed to deliver the most accurate traffic and destination information to consumers in their cars every day, the Dash Express is available for purchase immediately in Amazon.com’s Electronics store at www.amazon.com/gps.

With two-way connectivity, Dash Express delivers traffic and destination information in exciting new ways, and offers a wide range of unique capabilities.

Read after the break for features of the Dash Express!

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Update for Kindle Software coming

Amazon is updating the software in the Kindle and will be done all via kindle’s wireless  connection.

We’re constantly working on improving your Kindle user experience. When we make improvements to the Kindle software, we’ll send you information about the update via e-mail. Please refer to the links below for more information about Kindle updates. The most recent version of the Kindle software is Kindle 1.0.4 released February 2008.

Kindle software update to 1.0.4

The Kindle’s first update was just announced. The most recent version of the Kindle software is Kindle 1.0.4 released February 2008.

Automatic Wireless Updates

Kindle is designed to automatically check for and download updates when one is available. If an update is available, Kindle will download and install the update the next time the wireless connection is activated and Kindle goes into sleep mode. During the update, you will see screens that show the update progress. The update should take less than 10 minutes and is complete when Kindle displays the Home screen. Do not power off or reset the Kindle until the update is complete.

To manually activate the wireless Kindle software update:

1. Set the Kindle Power and Wireless switches to the “ON” position.
2. Check the Whispernet status indicator at the bottom of the screen to ensure you are connected.
3. Put Kindle to sleep by holding down the [ALT] key and pressing the [AA] key.

Updating Kindle Without Wireless Connectivity

If you are unable to update Kindle via the wireless connection, you can download the update to your computer and transfer the file to Kindle via the USB connection. The update process will take approximately 10 minutes. When the update is completed successfully, Kindle will automatically restart and delete the update source file from your Kindle memory to maximize your available storage space. If you are unfamilar with using Kindle’s USB connection, please see the Using Kindle with Your Computer Help page.

To manually install the Kindle software update:

1. Click here to download the Kindle software update file.
2. Set your Kindle power switch to the “ON” position.
3. Connect Kindle to your computer using the included USB cable.
4. Use your computer’s file browser to copy the file “kindle_1.0.4_full.bin” from your computer to Kindle’s root directory or the SD card. Do not place the file into one of Kindle’s folders.
5. Check the USB activity indicator on the Kindle cursor bar. When the silver cursor stops flashing, the file transfer is complete and you can safely disconnect Kindle from your computer.
6. Use your computer to unmount or eject your Kindle and disconnect the USB cable from Kindle and your computer.
7. Press the Home key and then select “Settings” from the Home menu.
8. From Settings screen, select “Update Your Kindle”. Please note that this menu option will be grayed out if the most recent update has already been installed.
9. Select “Ok” when prompted if you want to perform an update.

Verifying Your Software Version

The current version of your Kindle software is listed in the Kindle in your Kindle settings. The most recent version of the Kindle software is Kindle 1.0.4 released February 2008.

To check the software version installed on your Kindle:

1. Set your Kindle power switch to the “ON” position.
2. Press the Home key and then select “Settings” from the Home menu.
3. View the version listed at the bottom of the Settings screen. The version listed should be “Kindle 1.0.4 (144750018)”.

Source: Amazon

About Sony PRS-500 by a Kindle Owner

This weekend I had the chance to check the Sony PRS-500 eBook Reader. It’s not a secret that I have been reading my Amazon Kindle for around a month already so it’s impossible to have a new reader in my hands and do not compare it with what I already have. First of all, I have to say that the Sony design is impressive, like all Sony designs, if you compare it to Kindle this one looks like a well designed toy, nothing more. But… Looking good is not the most important thing in gadgets. The search functionality in the Kindle, the capability of writing short notes and the overall software usability is a lot better in the Kindle.

After checking the PRS-500 I do not have any doubt that the formula proposed by Amazon where the eBook Reader can be used without connecting it to a PC is the way to go. And another point is “Searching”, when you are reading and when you are in a library, one of the tasks that you more often perform is searching. You search for words or topics within your library, you search for words in the book you are reading, you write notes, you highlight sentences or paragraph and often you look for those notes during your research. You can’t do any of that in a Sony Reader but you can in a Amazon Kindle.

Recently I was reading an article of Steven King about his Kindle where he wrote that the Kindle Keyboard was not that good but for him was enough because the Kindle was for reading not for writing. And I fully agree, but the fact that the Kindle has that little keyboard makes it one of the best readers in the market.

But this comment is about the Sony PRS-500 so let me end it with few pictures of this wonderful eBook reader.

Amazon Kindle Cases from Waterfield Designs

WaterField Designs announces three protective cases for the Amazon Kindle: the Kindle SleeveCase, the Kindle Travel Case and the Kindle Slip Case—all custom-fitted to the Amazon Kindle dimensions. Each stylish case offers protection and accessibility, while maintaining a light look and feel.

The Kindle SleeveCase protects the Amazon Kindle with: high-grade neoprene; impact-resistant plastic to protect the screen; a sturdy, black, ballistic nylon shell; and a lightly padded closing flap. A rear, open-top pocket stows items such as the USB cable and ear buds. A subtle grey-black checked fabric trims the bottom of the case.

The Kindle Travel Case is designed with padded, internal compartments to keep the Kindle, the power adapter, the clip light, and any additional accessories tangle-free and organized. Self-locking zippers on a front pocket and on the main compartment ensure that contents don’t spill out. Available in six vibrant colors, the water-resistant case maintains its thin, compact shape, even when fully packed.

The Kindle Slip Case sports the same vibrantly colored, water-resistant material on its exterior as the Travel Case; a lightly padded, scratch-free liner; and impact-resistant plastic to protect the screen. In the Slip Case, the Kindle remains secure while still sliding in and out easily. The open top provides quick access.

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Freed From the Page, but a Book Nonetheless

From NY Times

PRINTED books provide pleasures no device created by an electrical engineer can match. The sweet smell of a brand-new book. The tactile pleasures of turning a page. The reassuring sight on one’s bookshelves of personal journeys.

The Amazon Kindle uses E Ink technology to display images in four shades of gray.

But not one of these explains why books have resisted digitization. That’s simpler: Books are portable and easy to read.

Building a portable electronic reader was the easy part; matching the visual quality of ink on paper took longer. But display technology has advanced to the point where the digital page is easy on the eyes, too. At last, an e-reader performs well when placed in page-to-page competition with paper.

As a result, the digitization of personal book collections is certain to have its day soon.

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Readius Ebook Phone Hybrid

One of the features that I liked most of Amazon Kindle was the anytime connectivity to Amazon Kindle Store, where I can buy books from my own reader. Well, here is a new and interesting concept made by the Dutch company Polymer Vision that is set to launch mid 2008, according to news posted at wired.com

The Readius is essentially a cellphone with a roll out 5″ e-ink display. According to Reuters, it “will go head-to-head with Apple’s iPhone and Amazon’s Kindle”. The Readius certainly has a stupid enough name to compete with the Kindle, but an iPhone rival? Apple managed to get a full scale computing experience into a box with one button. The Readius has eight buttons, and you’ll need to do all the setup on a computer: email, audio books, RSS feeds and podcasts. None of this is configurable on the go.

Unboxing my Kindle

I just got my Amazon Kindle and of course, I took a lot of pictures of the “unboxing” ceremony.

I wrote some comments in some of the pictures explaining what I was seeing on that moment.

Smartphone and PocketPC Magazine responded my Open Letter

 Smartphone and PocketPC Magazine answered my Yesterday Open Letter about having their subscription available for Amazon Kindle.

Hi Frank,

Thanks for the email.

Hope you really aren’t giving up on print! Print magazines need print customers to be viable. Many people prefer the physicality of print media.

If magazines become only electronic, they really become a different animal and should be rethought so they best are suited for the media in question. Also, like many publishers, we are geared towards producing print. It would be hard to be competitive in the electronic world as we are constituted.

Having said that, I just contacted Amazon through Customer Service link and asked them what needed to be done to sell our magazine via Kindle.

Thanks

Hal Goldstein
Exec Editor/Publisher
Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine
www.PocketPCmag.com

A really good news. like I said to Hal, at this moment the amount of companies selling magazines for Kindle is small but if you check  that list, you will find that we are talking about companies like Time, Forbes and Fortune. To have a magazine like Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine in that short list within those giants and taking in consideration the profile of those reading eBooks could represent a huge increase in subscription sales and prestige.

Open Letter to Magazines

Kindle has been in the market for a little more than a month and the list of Magazines that has joined the subscription list at Amazon though small it’s growing. Today I received my monthly subscription to Consumer Reports and that reminded me that the bookshelf where I keep all issues of this magazine together with other magazines like National Geographic, Smart Phone and Pocket PC Magazine and PC Magazine, it’s full. I could recycle them but I collect them. And it’s not just that I collect them it’s that sometimes I use them as material when I’m doing some research. So, looking at my magazine bookshelf I decided to send the Editors of these magazines this letter:

Whom it may concern:

I’m a current subscriber of your magazine which I love and been subscribed for the last 5 years. But it’s time to move on and use the new technology available. I recently bought the Kindle, the eBook reader from Amazon, and I would like to see your magazine added to the list of magazine subscriptions available for download into my Kindle.

I know that you offer an online subscription but the point is that you need a PC to access it while using the Kindle you don’t need that. Magazines are sent to each subscriber using the wireless connection available in each Kindle. And each magazine is DRM protected so files can’t be freely copied.

I love your magazine but it’s occupying a valuable space in my house and  going digital I can keep hundred of issues in my Kindle. And not only that, going digital using this new Amazon service your company will help to save our planet using less paper.

Please, add your magazine to Kindle Magazine Subscription list at Amazon!

Amazon Magazine Subscription List

Regards,

Frank J Garcia
Current Subscriber
Microsoft MVP on TabletPC and UMPC
http://www.ultramobilepc-tips.com

I know that many of you are interested in this topic so I’m planning to post back the answer of each of the magazines contacted by me. I also invite you to do the same with your subscriptions. Remember, you are helping to save a tree by going digital!

Fictionwise.com supports Amazon Kindle

Fifteen thousand EBooks for Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader!

Fictionwise is committed to supporting every major eBook device, and this week we’re proud to announce that all MultiFormat eBooks at Fictionwise are now available for the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader. This is even true of MultiFormat eBooks you’ve bought in the past!

For Sony Reader just select “Sony Reader (LRF)” and for Kindle select “Kindle (AZW)” from the MultiFormat download menu. Kindle customers can even register their Kindle email address at Fictionwise and upload wirelessly with a single click from their bookshelf! (Amazon’s 10 cent wireless charges apply.)

 

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Playing Music on the Amazon Kindle

The Amazon Kindle is an ebook reader with one of its additional features being the ability to play music. It is nice to have the option of listening to some music while reading.

The Kindle can play music by going to Menu>Experimental>Play Music OR by selecting {ALT P} on the keyboard . Selecting {ALT P} a second time will stop the music.

Music files can be loaded on the Kindle’s SD card, but they must be in MP3 format.

How do you convert music that is in Windows Media Audio (WMA) to play on Amazon Kindle (MP3)? I used WinFF. {Note: There are probably other conversion tools to use.}

1. Download WinFF - http://www.topdrawerdownloads.com/download/104928          WinFF is a cross platform batch GUI for FFmpeg. It will convert most any audio or video file that FFmpeg will convert. Software includes presets for most common file conversions with the option to add advanced conversion options supported by FFmpeg to one or more files in a batch. WinFF converts multiple files in a batch, with support for multiple formats output in the same batch. For example, you can convert FLV, WMV, AVI and WAV simultaneously.
2. Install WInFF
3. Select WMA files or music you want to convert by clicking add and browse your computer to find music
4. Select Convert to and from drop down menu, select MP3 audio only
5. Select Output folder. I created a folder in music labeled Converted to MP3 for Kindle, so I would know where to send files that had been converted and be able to find files I wanted to transfer to an SD card easier
6. Select Start Converting
7. Once you are finished you can transfer MP3 files to an SD card and they will play on your Kindle

[Editor’s Note: I will try to continue to address all questions/emails I have received regarding the Amazon Kindle ~ Susan]

Amazon Kindle vs PPC Reading in Sunlight Photos

Reading outside with my Dell Axim x51v or AT&T Tilt was sometimes a challenge…. because it was hard to read in direct sunlight.

I took my Amazon Kindle out in the back yard today so I could get some comparison photos for you.

Here are all three

 

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