How to check if you have a global Kindle 2
Checking if your Kindle 2 is the US or the Global version is easy. Just take a look how the serial number starts.
- B002 is for the Kindle 2 U.S. (Sprint)
- B003 is for the Kindle 2 Global – International (AT&T)
And just in case you were wondering, B001 is for the Kindle 1 and B004 is for the Kindle DX U.S. I guess the new Kindle DX global will start with B005
Kindle for Christmas? Better hurry up
December is here and Christmas is around the corner. If you are thinking of getting a Kindle to give for this holiday season you’d better buy it soon. 2 years ago the Kindle was sold out way before Christmas.
Last year Amazon said that they had enough stock for the season… but they sold out again! If you wanted to get a Kindle last Christmas season this is the message you would see:
Due to heavy customer demand, Kindle is sold out. Please ORDER KINDLE NOW to reserve your place in line. We prioritize orders on a first come, first served basis. This item will arrive after December 24
Actually, the Kindles were sold out for several weeks, they started shipping in late January of the following year. If someone wanted to buy a Kindle last Xmas the only way was Ebay… and paying 3 times more for it (I saw auctions for Kindles with a price tag of $900!!)
Don’t let this happen to you… better safe than sorry, if you want a Kindle, or want to give it as a gift, buy it today. It is ranked as one of the most popular gadgets for 2009.
Click here to go to the Kindle 2 international page (US, Canada and rest of the world)
Click here to go to the Kindle DX page (only available to US customers)
Giving a Kindle as a Christmas gift
Christmas is just a short way ahead. If you are planning on giving a Kindle as a gift for your loved one remember to check the box that says “Show gift options” before you check out. You will see this after you add your kindle to your shopping cart.
Doing this will let you include a free personalized gift note written by you and will ensure that the kindle ships unregistered, so the person you are giving it to can register it in his name. He can do this right from the device when he receives it and it is a quick and easy process.
Gift message are limited to a maximum of 240 characters–about 10 lines of text. In your message, be sure to include who the gift is from and the name of the gift recipient.
Amazon gift-wrap service is quite convenient. They will select from nice coordinating papers, boxes, bags and ribbon to make your Kindle gift special.
Gift-wrap prices range from $3.99 to $5.99 per item, depending on size.
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More info on the Kindle firmware update
- Will the latest software update be released for Kindle 1st Generation?
No, the Kindle (1st Generation) hardware cannot support the native PDF reader or battery life upgrade. - I have a Kindle with Global Wireless. What does the latest software release provide to me?
The software update for Kindle (Global Wireless) extends battery life, allowing you to read for a week on a single charge with the wireless on. Battery life with wireless turned off remains the same at up to two weeks. The software update also allows you to display PDF documents natively, gives you the option to convert PDF files to Kindle format, and allows you to manually rotate the screen between portrait and landscape views. - I have a Kindle with U.S. Wireless. What does the latest software release provide to me?
The software update for Kindle (U.S. Wireless) allows you to display PDF documents natively, gives you the option to convert PDF files to Kindle format, and allows you to manually rotate the screen between portrait and landscape views. - I have a Kindle DX. What does the latest software release provide to me?
The software update provides Kindle DX better cropping of PDF files to maximize display, the option to convert PDF files to Kindle format, and extends the time before the DX switches into screensaver mode. - When will my Kindle update?
Amazon will be sending out the update in batches in the next few weeks. Kindle automatically checks for and downloads updates when one is available. If an update is available, your Kindle will download and install the update the next time the wireless connection is activated and Kindle goes into sleep mode. If you do not have wireless connectivity or if you want to enjoy the new features sooner, you can download the software update to your computer by visiting:
Kindle Software Update Version 2.3
Kindle 2 & Kindle DX updated. Wow!
Things are only getting better for the Kindle. Amazon has released a firmware update for both the Kindle 2 (known as just the Kindle) and the Kindle DX.
Here are some new cool features you are getting with your Kindle:
Kindle 2
- Longer battery life for Kindle – Up to 2 weeks with a single charge
- Built-in PDF reader- Yup, now you can read PDF docs on your Kindle.
- Manual screen rotation – rotate between portrait and landscape views
Kindle DX
- Better cropping of PDF files
- View pages longer
If you buy a Kindle today it will come with all these cool new features. If you already own one you will get your upgrade via the whispernet signal
Click here to go to the Kindle DX page
Click here to go to the Kindle 2 page
Click here to read all about these new features at the Amazon Kindle page
Give a Kindle Gift Card for Christmas
Did you know that you can buy anything at Amazon with a gift card? This includes Kindle books and Kindle readers. There are several designs available and you can include your own message to be sent with it.
There are 3 options: send it via snail mail, print it on your own computer, or email it. This is my favorite option, since the other person just needs to type in the gift card code when he is checking out at Amazon and he can use your gift card. Best thing is that you can pick any delivery date you want, so the gift card can arrive on a birthday, a wedding anniversary, Christmas day or any date you wish. You can also pick the value, anything between $5 and $5000
So start planning ahead and get your Amazon gift cards
Kindle Book Reader TV ad
In case you haven’t seen it yet here is Amazon’s Kindle book reader commercial being aired right now
New M-edge Kindle covers available
A new stock of M-Edge Latitude Kindle Jackets has arrived at Amazon. It may not be as cool or elegant as some of the other Kindle covers available, but it really practical. For $29.99 you get:
1. Enough padding to protect your Kindle book reader
2. It is thin enough so not to add excess size or weight, perfect for people who carry their Kindle reader everywhere in their handbag
3. Double closure zipper allows access to charging port without removing Kindle from jacket and allows for comfortable use of your device by folding back and zipping closed backwards for easy reading, so it zips around so your Kindle cannot fall out
4. The corner loops hold your Kindle securely
5. There is a zip pouch on the outside to carry your cord
7. cover folds all the way around the back and zips
These covers are hot right now and selling fast. You also have a wide selection of colors to choose from:
Orange w/ Grey
Lime Green w/ Grey
Navy Blue w/ Grey
Black
Yellow w/ Black
Red w/ Black
Kindle book reader text to speech demo
One of the interesting features of the Kindle reader is the text to speech option. You can select either a male or female voice to read to you. It is not perfect, and sometimes you get some weird interpretations of some words, but it is a nice feature.
To use Text-to-Speech, first open the book, periodical or document that you wish to read. Then press the text key (“Aa”) on the keyboard. You will see an option to turn on Text-to-Speech.
By default, Text-to-Speech starts reading at the beginning of the page currently displayed. To start reading at a particular spot, move the cursor where you’d like the reading to begin before starting the Text-to-Speech feature. With Text-to-Speech, the screen pages will automatically turn to stay in sync with the Text-to-Speech voice. To change the voice and speed of Text-to-Speech, press the Text key [Aa] to activate Text-to-Speech controls. The shortcut key to play or stop Text-to-Speech is holding down the Shift key and pressing the [Sym] key.
This is the text the kindle is reading, both with a female and male voice.
Dear Listener,
This is a recording of the Amazon Kindle’s text to speech function. I am making Kindle read something that I wrote to be sure that no copyright infringement can be claimed, even if I think its a stupid complaint. I mean, get real. Does this sound anything like an audiobook to you? Its not bad for what it is, but its not going to take the place of audiobooks. Just my two cents.
Peace,
Kindle Junkie
Yet another Kindle reader Price drop
Kindle 2 now 259
Woke up this morning to find out that the US-only version of the Kindle 2 reader is no longer available. Amazon now has merged it with the international version.
What does this mean to you? Well, great news! If you want to buy a Kindle2 it will now cost you $20 less than yesterday.
If you have recently purchased a Kindle for the old $279 price you should be getting an email from Amazon saying something like this:
Good news! Due to strong customer demand for our newest Kindle with U.S. and international wireless, we are consolidating our family of 6″ Kindles. As part of this consolidation, we are lowering the price of the Kindle you just purchased from $279 down to $259. You don’t need to do anything to get the lower price–we are automatically issuing you a $20 refund. This refund should be processed in the next few days and will appear as a credit on your next billing stament
So this is a great time to get a Kindle.