new Kindle - wonderful!

[[email protected]]

Just got the newest generation Kindle 3 with free 3G and WiFi - I resisted so long getting one of these devices since I really love the look and feel of real books but I do have to say that I am hooked - reading is wonderful and downloading free and pay books could not be easier. It is so easy to carry - lightweight and easy to use. A mus tfor travel. Even better - I can do my email and surf the web either via 3G or wifi with no extra fees! I looked at the Ipad which I have to admit is nice but it is so uch heavier than the Kindle and really not as easy to just slip into a small handbag.

Maybe I will get the Samsung Galaxy tab next ....

[kyshel]

Are you downloading free books from your local library?

[[email protected]]

I have not even made it to the library site yet - so many free book sites listed on Amazon

[ShiningLight]

We love our Kindle too. Love that you can increase font size. Think I'm actually reading faster with it, because I can take in 2-4 sentences at a time per 'page' and just whip along. We have the Kindle 3, and it was bought with the expansion capabilities in mind, too. And with the little battery powered attachable light, I can read in bed without driving spouse bonkers - :-) .

Great for airport waits, on planes, etc. and as you say it is nice & slim & light, so it doesn't take up much room on a carry-on.

One question (probably a dumb one) - When they come through just before take-off/landing, asking you to turn off cell phones, etc, will one be able to keep it on, if it is being used to read already downloaded material? (Not actively communicating with outside world.)

Love books here, but we wanted to read the first volume (of 3!) of the 'new' Mark Twain autobiography, and at 800 pages, it just seemed to be a bit much. Of course then right after that, we had to get an actual book to get the family author's signature on his new book, sort of defeating our resolve.

Should be a great way to carry guidebooks, or portions thereof, on trips. We like the options it gives one.

[kyshel]

any electronic device with on/off switch must be off (take-off and landing) until notified by crew--just like computer or game or music player

[shygirl724]

I gave Kindles to both of my inlaws and my husband this Christmas. All 3 opted for a Kindle cover with the built-in book light. Pick one that powers from the Kindle instead of separate batteries for longer use time. I find my husband is reading more since he can quickly grab it on the way out the door to run errands. Waiting in the doctors office, the pharmacy for a prescription, or the car repair shop is easy with a good book in hand.

Shininglight - your question is a good one. I went to the Federal Aviation Association for an answer. They posted the following information on their site: Portable Electronic Devices on Aircraft

The Current Environment
Today, it is common for the majority of passengers on an airplane to carry one or more PED, such as iPads, Blackberries, laptops, Kindels, etc.. Simply by being “on”, these PEDs emit electro-magnetic energy, but usually at power levels too weak to cause EMI. They become an EMI concern and require control if they merely have the capability to actively transmit signals, even low power signals (eg, laptop wireless connection modes). Adding to the need for controls, passengers may not know if their device is in a mode that transmits, nor can we expect flight attendants determine if a particular device is transmitting. Concerns over EMI remain greatest for PEDs that can transmit high-power signals, such as cellphones. In addition, FCC regulations prohibit the use of cellphones during flight due to problems that their use causes with the cellular network on the ground.
Airline Policies
Federal aviation regulations (eg, 14 CFR 91.21) require airlines to determine whether or not PEDs brought aboard their airplanes could cause interference problems, and control PED use accordingly. Each has adopted its own policy, but in meeting this responsibility airlines typically follow the RTCA recommendations. In general, devices having little potential to cause EMI and those having a capability to transmit at low power (eg, laptops) must be turned completely off during flight below 10,000 feet as that regime includes takeoff, approach and landing where EMI could cause the most significant problems. Policies and FCC regulation require that high-power transmitters (eg, cell phones) be turned completely off during flight.

Hope this helps.

Shy ~

[ShiningLight]

Kysel & Shy- Your replies certainly did help. We seem to be the only ones who have gotten on planes, without games or music players, for 50 yrs now, so haven't had to be concerned when they say to turn off electronic devices. (Usually have our own reading matter) Love to look out the window and we like to "rest our eyes" too!

[kyshel]

I feel so old fashioned but I like to go to the library and buy paperback for $.25 and turn them in later. I earn
"Library Bucks" in the summer readin program and buy books for nuthin!! (well it's still my tax $ at work but what a good use of them!)
My husband gets into a groove with his Nintendo lite DS and he plays brain games OFTEN, but Im just not a vid kid..

[[email protected]]

You can read your Kindle books during take off and landing but you can not have the WiFi or 3G powered up - when the flight attendants say it is OK to turn on devices then you can do the download thing, etc.
I still go back and forth between Kindle and real books -my house can double for a library there are so many books around - I just gave crates of books to the Salvation Army

[Mountie]

Just got the newest generation Kindle 3 with free 3G and WiFi - I resisted so long getting one of these devices since I really love the look and feel of real books but I do have to say that I am hooked - reading is wonderful and downloading free and pay books could not be easier. It is so easy to carry - lightweight and easy to use. A mus tfor travel. Even better - I can do my email and surf the web either via 3G or wifi with no extra fees! I looked at the Ipad which I have to admit is nice but it is so uch heavier than the Kindle and really not as easy to just slip into a small handbag.

Maybe I will get the Samsung Galaxy tab next ....

Anyone in the community, other than me, entered Luxury Link's Facebook photo contest to win a Kindle?