Amazon has finally done four things with the Kindle series that readers have long been requesting- make it waterproof, add more memory for storing more books and periodicals, include a larger screen, and restore Audible Books capability. The new Kindle Oasis is available for pre-order and will be delivered October 31.
My day job as a charter and air tour pilot means I'm away from home for up to two weeks at a time. While most of my fellow pilots fill their spare time with apps on their phones and tablets, I'm an avid reader and I've owned a Kindle e-book reader since the second generation came out around 8 years ago. Currently, I have the Kindle Voyage with 3G.
The Oasis has a 7-inch, 300 DPI screen, giving it the same resolution as a printed page. (Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite also has a 300 DPI screen and was the first e-reader to match the printed page in resolution.) The new Oasis base price is $249.99 which gives you Wi-Fi connectivity with Special Offers (ads that display on the lock screen, never while you're reading.)
The Oasis comes with 8 GB of internal memory for storing books and periodicals. That doesn't sound like a lot, but e-books don't take much space. My Voyage has 4 GB of memory, with 2.7 GB free. And I buy a lot of books, plus I have several large collections such as the complete Mark Twain and complete Jack London. For another $30, you can increase the memory to 32 GB, which literally lets you have a small library in your hand.
You can add free worldwide 3G connectivity through the AT&T network for $50, and finally, you can get rid of the Special Offers for $20. This brings the cost of a loaded Oasis to $349.99. And you'll probably want a case- the Amazon textured fabric cover is water-safe and runs $49.99. Last, you may want to get a screen protector, which is $12.99 for a pack of two.
The adaptive front light on the Oasis means you can read in any condition from bright sunlight to pitch blackness, and the light automatically adjusts to the lighting conditions. The adaptive lighting on my current Kindle, the Voyage, works very well, even dimming gradually as I read in dim light, as my eyes adjust. The Oasis promises even better adaptive lighting than the current Oasis and the Voyage.
Oddly, even though I always install screen protectors on my phones and tablets, I've never used screen protectors on any of my Kindles and I've never damaged the screen. Maybe that's because I always use a cover and my reading environment is generally more stable than situations where I use my phone and tablet. But I'm going to try a screen protector on the new Oasis.
There's a lot of misunderstanding on how the free 3G works on the Kindle e-readers. On the Kindles, you only pay for the 3G at initial purchase. There's no contract with AT&T and no further payments. On the other hand, the 3G is primarily used for shopping in the Kindle bookstore and synchronizing your content. You can use Wikipedia, the dictionary, and translate passages, but you can't surf the web or check your email. The huge advantage of the 3G option for those who travel a lot, like me, is that you can shop the store and buy books nearly anywhere. When you finish a book in a series, you don't have to wait for the next one- you can buy it and it will be on your Oasis in a few seconds. Or if a friend tells you about a book they recommend, you can pull our your Kindle and buy it right then, before you forget.
When Amazon brought out their line of Fire tablets, they removed audio from the Kindle e-readers, pushing customers who want to listen to Amazon's Audible Books (as well as music) toward the tablets. Though I'm not one of them, many avid readers like to listen to audiobooks as well, and if you have both the print and Audible version of on your Fire tablet, they are automatically synchronized. This means you can listen to a book on the way to work, and then pick up right where you left off when you switch to the print version, say over lunch break. With the new Oasis, Amazon has restored audiobooks capability via built-in Bluetooth, so you'll need Bluetooth headphones or speakers to use this feature. And not having speakers or a headphone jack on the Oasis itself helps keep it thin and light.
The Oasis will be here October 31 and I can hardly wait!
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Friday, December 19, 2014
The Voyage is Over, I mean, Here
Up until now, I've been saying that anyone who loves to read will always prefer a hardback book as the ultimate reading "device." Not any more. The best way to read is the on the new Kindle Voyage. And not just when traveling. Anywhere.
Sorry, Mr. Gutenberg.
Why?
Sorry, Mr. Gutenberg.
Why?
- Screen resolution- the Voyage is the first e-book reader to match the resolution of the printed page, 300 dots per inch (dpi)
- Adaptive frontlight- as on the Paperwhite, the frontlight lets you read under any lighting condition from total darkness to bright sunlight, but on the Voyage, the frontlight adjusts automatically to the ambient light. You just start reading
- Covers with automatic wake- open and start reading
- Last page read- all Kindles remember your last page read
- Page turn zones- a slight squeeze of either bezel does forward and backward page turns, so you can read with one hand- either one- and get haptic feedback
- Dictionary look up- quickly look up any word while reading. Try that with a dead-tree book
- Translation- highlight and translate any phrase
- No interruptions- no email, web, games, apps, text messages, or phone calls
Amazon's goal with the first Kindle, released in 2007, was to make a reading device that disappears in your hand, just like a paper book disappears and lets you become immersed in the story. The Paperwhite nearly got there and the Voyage has arrived.
The screen resolution is huge. For the first time ever, an electronic reading device has matched the resolution of offset printed book pages. (I'm not counting backlit LCD screens as found on the Fire, the iPad, and on Android tablets. Although tablets passed 300 dpi a couple of years ago, their screens generate images by backlight, which is much harder on your eyes than the frontlit Voyage. Front lighting is what our eyes evolved in- the world is frontlit.)
The adaptive frontlight means that if you have a cover with automatic wake and sleep you can just open the cover and start reading, just like a paper book with a book mark. On the Paperwhite you had to manually adjust the frontlight for the ambient light, but the Voyage turns the light off in bright sunlight, which saves power. In dark rooms, the light matches the conditions and then slowly dims as your eyes adapt to the low light. If you find the automatic light level to be too high or low, you can still manually adjust the light- but then the Voyage remembers your preference when it encounters similar ambient light levels in the future.
Except on the Kindles, the bookmark too is automatic, since all Kindles remember the last page read and automatically open the book to that page. All of your books, not just the one you're currently reading. So unlike a paper book, you never have to fumble around for your bookmark before closing your book.
On the Paperwhite and the previous Touch, page turns were done by tapping or swiping the screen. I found this to be more obtrusive than clicking the page turn buttons on the bezels of the non-touchscreen Kindles. I'm not sure why- turning physical pages is even more obtrusive. But the good news is that on the Voyage you can turn pages any way you like- by squeezing the page turn zones on the bezel, or by swiping or trapping the screen. Paper books limit you to just one page turn method, and you have to use two hands.
I'm so used to the dictionary look up on the Kindles that I've actually found myself tapping a word in a paper book to look it up, and then experienced a brief flash of annoyance when it failed to work.
And unlike reading on a tablet or a phone, there are no built-in interruptions on the Voyage (or any other e-ink Kindle). You can't check your email, get interrupted by a phone call or text message, be tempted to play a game. The Voyage doesn't make a sound. Because it can't. And that's a good thing.
To be fair, the Amazon Fire tablets have a great feature called Quiet Time. This lets you turn off notifications manually or during a set time period so that you can read undisturbed.
Of course, I'm primarily talking about reading fiction and non-fiction without photographs and color illustrations. Illustrated books are best read on a color tablet or even (gasp!) in physical, paper book form.
So I've had it with people who say they only like to read "real" books. The Voyage is more real. Really. Just don't forget to mute your smart phone while you're reading.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Mobile Hotspotting
When I preordered my Kindle Fire HD 8.9, I originally ordered the 4G model. I've always enjoyed the 3G E-Ink Kindles so I just assumed I'd want the 4G connectivity on the Fire HD. Meanwhile, I received a 7" Fire HD, which of course is Wi-Fi only.
After using the Wi-Fi Fire for a while, I realized my use patterns are different on the color tablet. I primarily use it for reading color magazines, non-fiction books with illustrations and photos, web, email, and sometimes listening to music. Work or play that requires Internet connectivity can wait until I'm at a Wi-Fi hotspot. When the details of the 4G data plans came out, even though the prices are reasonable, I felt that was lot of cash to tie up on one device.
Getting a 3G Kindle Paperwhite was a no-brainer, on the other hand, since the only cost is the $60 price difference on the initial purchase. There's no data plan or monthly payment- the 3G data access is for the life of the Paperwhite. While Amazon no longer allows unlimited web surfing over 3G as they did on the Kindle Keyboard, the 3G connection is still very useful. Not only can you shop for more reading material, you can also use Wikipedia freely. And Amazon keeps your current place, as well as all your bookmarks, highlights, and notes, synchronized in all your Kindle books on all your Kindles and Kindle reading apps.
Enter the smartphone. As the date when I could get a discounted phone upgrade approached, I became aware that virtually all smartphones can act as mobile hotspots, providing Wi-Fi Internet to several devices. Also, data plans are now tiered for different data amounts per month and shared with other phones on a family plan. So I got one.
Now I can connect to the Internet just about anywhere while traveling. Of course, for email and minor web surfing I just use the phone. But when I'm sitting down to do some work, I can connect the Fire, the Paperwhite, and my laptop to the net at the same time. It seems to work very well. The only catches are that the phone uses a lot of power when acting as a Wi-Fi hotspot, so you really need to keep it on the charger. Also, you can't make or take calls. But that's why Alexander Graham Bell invented voicemail.
After using the Wi-Fi Fire for a while, I realized my use patterns are different on the color tablet. I primarily use it for reading color magazines, non-fiction books with illustrations and photos, web, email, and sometimes listening to music. Work or play that requires Internet connectivity can wait until I'm at a Wi-Fi hotspot. When the details of the 4G data plans came out, even though the prices are reasonable, I felt that was lot of cash to tie up on one device.
Getting a 3G Kindle Paperwhite was a no-brainer, on the other hand, since the only cost is the $60 price difference on the initial purchase. There's no data plan or monthly payment- the 3G data access is for the life of the Paperwhite. While Amazon no longer allows unlimited web surfing over 3G as they did on the Kindle Keyboard, the 3G connection is still very useful. Not only can you shop for more reading material, you can also use Wikipedia freely. And Amazon keeps your current place, as well as all your bookmarks, highlights, and notes, synchronized in all your Kindle books on all your Kindles and Kindle reading apps.
Enter the smartphone. As the date when I could get a discounted phone upgrade approached, I became aware that virtually all smartphones can act as mobile hotspots, providing Wi-Fi Internet to several devices. Also, data plans are now tiered for different data amounts per month and shared with other phones on a family plan. So I got one.
Now I can connect to the Internet just about anywhere while traveling. Of course, for email and minor web surfing I just use the phone. But when I'm sitting down to do some work, I can connect the Fire, the Paperwhite, and my laptop to the net at the same time. It seems to work very well. The only catches are that the phone uses a lot of power when acting as a Wi-Fi hotspot, so you really need to keep it on the charger. Also, you can't make or take calls. But that's why Alexander Graham Bell invented voicemail.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Leaving the Kindle
After this post, Travels with Kindle will no longer be available as a paid subscription on the Kindle. Kind of ironic, but I don't have time to post as often as I'd like and it's not fair to those who are paying for a subscription, even at 99 cents a month.
But you can still keep up with Travels with Kindle on the web at http://travelswithkindle.blogspot.com/, and of course subscribe to the RSS feed so you will automatically see new posts in your news reader of choice.
But you can still keep up with Travels with Kindle on the web at http://travelswithkindle.blogspot.com/, and of course subscribe to the RSS feed so you will automatically see new posts in your news reader of choice.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Power for the Travelling Kindle
How to keep your Kindle charged while on a trip? Although the Kindle E-readers- the basic $69 model, the Keyboard, and the Paperwhite all have battery lives 15 to 30 hours, the battery life drops if you have wireless on and if you use the frontlight on the Paperwhite. And the Fire and Fire HD tablets have a battery life of 5-10 hours, depending on how you use them. So you're going to have to charge them- even if only once a week for the E-readers and
All Kindles come with a USB cable which can be used to charge the Kindle from a computer USB port or any charger with a USB port. Amazon doesn't include an AC wall charger, apparently assuming that everyone has a USB charging port available.
There's a couple of problems with that when you're on a trip. In order to save the computer's battery, most laptops don't provide power to the USB ports when they're off, even if connected to a power outlet. And leaving your computer on all night to charge a Kindle is overkill.
Also, computer USB ports produce limited power. The most common USB port, USB 2.0, produces 500 milliamps (ma). That's enough to charge a Kindle E-reader overnight but the Kindle Fire needs more power. Also, computer USB ports don't always provide the maximum amount of power- the power available depends on other devices that are requesting power, some of which may be internal.
The solution is an AC charger with USB charging port. A charging port, unlike a computer USB port, always supplies the maximum amount of power. Amazon sells two USB chargers that are designed to work with the USB cable supplied with your Kindle or a replacement cable. The Kindle US Power Adapter provides enough power, 1000 ma, to fully charge the Kindle E Readers in about 4 hours. The Amazon Kindle Powerfast produces 1,800 ma and charges the Kindle Fires in 3 to 5 hours, depending on the model.
Note that the Kindles maximum charge rate is set by the device to prevent damage to the Kindle battery, so if you charge a Kindle E-reader on the Powerfast, you won;t damage the Kindle but it won;t charge any faster than it would on the Kindle US Power Adapter.
If you own both a Kindle Fire and and a Kindle E-reader, get the Powerfast because it will charge both Kindles as fast as they can safely be charged.
If you'll be in remote areas away from AC power, there are other ways to charge Kindles, including car USB chargers and solar chargers- I'll cover those in a later post.
All Kindles come with a USB cable which can be used to charge the Kindle from a computer USB port or any charger with a USB port. Amazon doesn't include an AC wall charger, apparently assuming that everyone has a USB charging port available.
There's a couple of problems with that when you're on a trip. In order to save the computer's battery, most laptops don't provide power to the USB ports when they're off, even if connected to a power outlet. And leaving your computer on all night to charge a Kindle is overkill.
Also, computer USB ports produce limited power. The most common USB port, USB 2.0, produces 500 milliamps (ma). That's enough to charge a Kindle E-reader overnight but the Kindle Fire needs more power. Also, computer USB ports don't always provide the maximum amount of power- the power available depends on other devices that are requesting power, some of which may be internal.
The solution is an AC charger with USB charging port. A charging port, unlike a computer USB port, always supplies the maximum amount of power. Amazon sells two USB chargers that are designed to work with the USB cable supplied with your Kindle or a replacement cable. The Kindle US Power Adapter provides enough power, 1000 ma, to fully charge the Kindle E Readers in about 4 hours. The Amazon Kindle Powerfast produces 1,800 ma and charges the Kindle Fires in 3 to 5 hours, depending on the model.
Note that the Kindles maximum charge rate is set by the device to prevent damage to the Kindle battery, so if you charge a Kindle E-reader on the Powerfast, you won;t damage the Kindle but it won;t charge any faster than it would on the Kindle US Power Adapter.
If you own both a Kindle Fire and and a Kindle E-reader, get the Powerfast because it will charge both Kindles as fast as they can safely be charged.
If you'll be in remote areas away from AC power, there are other ways to charge Kindles, including car USB chargers and solar chargers- I'll cover those in a later post.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Working on the Fire HD
Before my Kindle Fire HD arrived, I bought an Azio KB334B Mini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard. Since the Fire HD models all have Bluetooth, I wanted to give the Fire a try as a work device.
I already knew that I wouldn't like the Fire HD for serious writing- I don't like to write on my Acer netbook either. The minimum computer for serious writing for me is my Dell 15" laptop.
But writing books involves a lot of documents that are not book length, such as photo shoot lists and caption lists, map revision notes, and just plain notes of all kind, not to mention a lot of Internet research. Maybe the Fire HD plus keyboard would work for that- the same kind of work I do on the netbook.
It doesn't. At least not yet. The keyboard works better than I expected, especially since the last Fire HD software update. The main problem I have is that it's difficult to cut and paste- there's no consistency between apps such as Mobisystems Office Suite 6 which have an awkward menu-based cut and pastle, and the Silk browser, which has no cut and paste, as just one example.
In contrast, my three computers which all run Kubuntu Linux, cut, copy, and paste are very consistent across the desktop and applications. (I still have a couple of Windows applications that have no Linux equivalent, so I run those in VMWare Workstation and Windows XP on my Dell laptop and my desktop computer. I intend to switch to Virtual Box, an open source alternative to VMWare, but it will takes so long to re-install Windows XP and my applications that I've been dragging my feet.)
Cut and paste are consistent on Kubuntu Linix and Windows XP- all use the common keyboard shortcuts CTRL-X, CTRL-C, and CTRL-V for cut, copy, and paste, and I use them without thinking.
That's just one example- there are other little things that interrupt my established workflow. So for now, I'll stick to my laptop and sometimes my netbook to work while traveling.
To be fair, the Fire HD is not intended to be a work computer- it's an entertainment tablet. Still, the third party app developers have added a lot of capability to the Fire HD. It's great for checking and replying email, browsing the Web, and even reviewing documents.
I already knew that I wouldn't like the Fire HD for serious writing- I don't like to write on my Acer netbook either. The minimum computer for serious writing for me is my Dell 15" laptop.
But writing books involves a lot of documents that are not book length, such as photo shoot lists and caption lists, map revision notes, and just plain notes of all kind, not to mention a lot of Internet research. Maybe the Fire HD plus keyboard would work for that- the same kind of work I do on the netbook.
It doesn't. At least not yet. The keyboard works better than I expected, especially since the last Fire HD software update. The main problem I have is that it's difficult to cut and paste- there's no consistency between apps such as Mobisystems Office Suite 6 which have an awkward menu-based cut and pastle, and the Silk browser, which has no cut and paste, as just one example.
In contrast, my three computers which all run Kubuntu Linux, cut, copy, and paste are very consistent across the desktop and applications. (I still have a couple of Windows applications that have no Linux equivalent, so I run those in VMWare Workstation and Windows XP on my Dell laptop and my desktop computer. I intend to switch to Virtual Box, an open source alternative to VMWare, but it will takes so long to re-install Windows XP and my applications that I've been dragging my feet.)
Cut and paste are consistent on Kubuntu Linix and Windows XP- all use the common keyboard shortcuts CTRL-X, CTRL-C, and CTRL-V for cut, copy, and paste, and I use them without thinking.
That's just one example- there are other little things that interrupt my established workflow. So for now, I'll stick to my laptop and sometimes my netbook to work while traveling.
To be fair, the Fire HD is not intended to be a work computer- it's an entertainment tablet. Still, the third party app developers have added a lot of capability to the Fire HD. It's great for checking and replying email, browsing the Web, and even reviewing documents.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Kindle Paperwhite Covers and Cases
Wow! I've been using the Kindle Paperwhite for a couple of days and I'm really impressed. The frontlighting is beautiful and the touchscreen is really responsive. I'm not a huge fan of touch screens so I was reluctant to switch from my Kindle Keyboard to the The Kindle Touch, but the Touch won me over. It "disappeared" while I was reading just like the older, button-operated Kindles. The Paperwhite is even better.
As I mentioned in my previous post, the very effective lighting on the Kindle Paperwhite means you don't need a lighted cover or reading light. But most people are going to want a protective cover or a sleeve.
As I've said before, sleeves tend to be lighter and cheaper while covers tend to be more convenient. i use both, depending on my mode of travel. When I'm backpacking on a wilderness trip where every ounce counts and I want the Kindle to have as much protection as possible, I use a sleeve. For ordinary travels by car or plane I use a cover. The main difference is that the Kindle has to be removed from the sleeve to be read, while with a cover you can just flip the cover open and start reading. On the other hand, sleeves protect the Kindle on all sides, but covers usually leave the USB connector and power button exposed.
Some readers also like the feel of the Kindle Paperwhite better when it's in a cover, saying that the bare Kindle is almost to light and thin to hold comfortably. The cover makes the Kindle feel more like a "real book"- that is, a dead-tree book.
The Amazon Kindle Zip Sleeve weights just 2.4 ounces and zips closed on two sides to fully protect the Kindle. On wilderness trips where I expect to encounter wet weather, I'll enclose the sleeve in a zipper plastic bag for extra protection. This sleeve also fits the non-touch, basic Kindle and the discontinued Touch, and comes in several colors.
My favorite cover so far is the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Leather Cover. It weighs 4.6 ounces and the Paperwhite just pops in and is gripped securely by the edges- there are no straps across the corners of the Kindle. A magnetic catch holds the cover closed. When you open or close the cover, the Paperwhite wakes up or goes to sleep- no need to use the power button.
Amazon's sleeves and covers are a bit pricey but there are plenty of alternatives. The official, made for Kindle sleeves and covers that you find by following the "accessories" link in the Kindle Store tend to be more expensive that the unofficial accessories you can find by searching in the entire Amazon store and then selecting the Electronics department. Here's a few of both:
The Timbuk2 Kindle Plush Sleeve is $19.99 and completely enclosed and protects the Kindle.
The Marware Atlas Kindle Case is just $19.95. It uses elastic bands to hold the Paperwhite in place and also to keep the cover closed. It comes in several colors. I've used a couple of Marware products for my two Kindle Fires and I like their products.
The Marware Jurni Kindle Case is $17.17 and combines the protectiveness of a sleeve and the convenience of a case. It zips fully closed but opens to let you use the Paperwhite without removing it.
The Acase Leather Case is just $9.45 and is getting good reviews. It comes in a variety of colors and snaps closed.
And for those who like to have the Kindle Paperwhite propped up, there's the Timbuk2 Kindle Dinner Jacket. Although this case doesn't protect the edges of the Paperwhite very well, it does flip open at the top, allowing the cover to serve as a stand to the Kindle can be viewed in portrait orientation. (Some covers with stands only hold the Kindle in landscape, which is great for tablets but for E-Ink readers, not so good.) There's a hand strap as well as an accessory pocket.
For use in really nasty environments like river trips and the beach, have a look at the
TrendyDigital WaterGuard Plus Waterproof Case for $19.99. It is waterproof and protects the Kindle from sand as well. Though there's no impact protection for the screen, the company claims you can operate the touch screen through the case. Reviews agree but point out that touch operations are harder than on the bare screen.
As I mentioned in my previous post, the very effective lighting on the Kindle Paperwhite means you don't need a lighted cover or reading light. But most people are going to want a protective cover or a sleeve.
As I've said before, sleeves tend to be lighter and cheaper while covers tend to be more convenient. i use both, depending on my mode of travel. When I'm backpacking on a wilderness trip where every ounce counts and I want the Kindle to have as much protection as possible, I use a sleeve. For ordinary travels by car or plane I use a cover. The main difference is that the Kindle has to be removed from the sleeve to be read, while with a cover you can just flip the cover open and start reading. On the other hand, sleeves protect the Kindle on all sides, but covers usually leave the USB connector and power button exposed.
Some readers also like the feel of the Kindle Paperwhite better when it's in a cover, saying that the bare Kindle is almost to light and thin to hold comfortably. The cover makes the Kindle feel more like a "real book"- that is, a dead-tree book.
The Amazon Kindle Zip Sleeve weights just 2.4 ounces and zips closed on two sides to fully protect the Kindle. On wilderness trips where I expect to encounter wet weather, I'll enclose the sleeve in a zipper plastic bag for extra protection. This sleeve also fits the non-touch, basic Kindle and the discontinued Touch, and comes in several colors.
My favorite cover so far is the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Leather Cover. It weighs 4.6 ounces and the Paperwhite just pops in and is gripped securely by the edges- there are no straps across the corners of the Kindle. A magnetic catch holds the cover closed. When you open or close the cover, the Paperwhite wakes up or goes to sleep- no need to use the power button.
Amazon's sleeves and covers are a bit pricey but there are plenty of alternatives. The official, made for Kindle sleeves and covers that you find by following the "accessories" link in the Kindle Store tend to be more expensive that the unofficial accessories you can find by searching in the entire Amazon store and then selecting the Electronics department. Here's a few of both:
The Timbuk2 Kindle Plush Sleeve is $19.99 and completely enclosed and protects the Kindle.
The Marware Atlas Kindle Case is just $19.95. It uses elastic bands to hold the Paperwhite in place and also to keep the cover closed. It comes in several colors. I've used a couple of Marware products for my two Kindle Fires and I like their products.
The Marware Jurni Kindle Case is $17.17 and combines the protectiveness of a sleeve and the convenience of a case. It zips fully closed but opens to let you use the Paperwhite without removing it.
The Acase Leather Case is just $9.45 and is getting good reviews. It comes in a variety of colors and snaps closed.
And for those who like to have the Kindle Paperwhite propped up, there's the Timbuk2 Kindle Dinner Jacket. Although this case doesn't protect the edges of the Paperwhite very well, it does flip open at the top, allowing the cover to serve as a stand to the Kindle can be viewed in portrait orientation. (Some covers with stands only hold the Kindle in landscape, which is great for tablets but for E-Ink readers, not so good.) There's a hand strap as well as an accessory pocket.
For use in really nasty environments like river trips and the beach, have a look at the
TrendyDigital WaterGuard Plus Waterproof Case for $19.99. It is waterproof and protects the Kindle from sand as well. Though there's no impact protection for the screen, the company claims you can operate the touch screen through the case. Reviews agree but point out that touch operations are harder than on the bare screen.
The same applies to screen protectors- some people report that the protective layer is hard to put on, traps dirt and bubbles underneath, increases glare, and makes the touch screen harder to operate. I'm in that camp, but others like them: amFilm Premium Screen Protector Film Matte Clear.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Covers and Sleeves for the New Kindles
Travelling with a bare Kindle is not a good idea- you need a protective cover or sleeve to protect it from damage. As I've mentioned before, tho two choices boil down to a cover, which lets you keep the Kindle protected while using it, or a sleeve, which you have to remove before using the Kindle. Which one you choose depends on how you use your Kindle.
I've always been a fan of the lighted covers for the E-Ink Kindles. Even though expensive, the convenience of a built-in light powered by the Kindle's battery made it worth it. Now, the impending release of the Kindle Paperwhite with built-in front lighting makes a lighted cover unnecessary. But Amazon has upped the ante with new covers for the Paperwhite and the new Fire HD tablets that wake up your Kindle when opened and put it to sleep when closed. These covers also serve as a stand, which is especially handy for watching movies or TV shows on the Fire.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Leather Cover
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7" Standing Leather Case
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9" Standing Leather Case
These are Amazon accessories- you can save money by getting approved Kindle covers made by other companies, and even more by buying a generic cover. But the selection will remain skimpy until the manufacturers design products to fit the new Kindle models.
Sleeves are a lower cost alternative to covers that you may prefer if you like to use your Kindle bare. I've always liked the extra grip I get from a cover, but that may change with the 8.9" Fire, which is likely to be hefty enough without the addition of a cover's weight and bulk. I'll have to wait and see.
Amazon makes basic zip sleeves for the E-Ink Kindles and other companies make sleeves for the Fire tablets.
Amazon Kindle Zip Sleeve
This sleeve fits the Kindle Paperwhite, Touch, and basic Kindle. I've used it with the basic Kindle and like it. I bought it primarily for hiking and backpacking when I want the Kindle to have more protection than a cover provides. A cover leaves the Kindle exposed on three edges, and for the dirty, often wet environment of a multi-day hike, I want the Kindle completely enclosed. In wet conditions I'll put the sleeve in a gallon zipper plastic bag for even more protection. This sleeve is also lighter than a cover.
Timbuk2 Plush Sleeve Case for Kindle Fire HD 7"
AmazonBasics Netbook Bag with Handle, Fits 7- to 10-Inch Netbooks, iPad, HP Touchpad
I have a netbook sleeve similar to this one that I've used with a 10.1" netbook. It should work well for the 8.9" Fire, and has room for accessories such as earphones and a USB cable and charger.
Speaking of which, Kindles used to come with a USB charger, but now come with just a USB cable. Since most of us have computers with USB ports as well as USB chargers lying around, Amazon is probably right to assume that most of us don't need another USB charger. Computers and most USB chargers out out the standard 500 milliamps of current specified in the USB 2.0 standard, and that's enough to charge the E-Ink Kindles and the original Fire in just a few hours. But the new HD Fires have larger batteries to support those beautiful HD screens and faster processors, and take much ,longer to charge. For travel, you might want to get Amazon's Powerfast Charger, which charges all rthe new Fire's at a higher rate.
Amazon Kindle PowerFast Charger for all Kindle Fire Tablets
I'll follow up with hands-on comments once I've had a chance to use the new Kindles. As an avid reader on backpack trips, I'm especially excited about the Paperwhite. With its built-in front lighting and eight week battery life, it should be the ultimate backpacker's reading device.
I've always been a fan of the lighted covers for the E-Ink Kindles. Even though expensive, the convenience of a built-in light powered by the Kindle's battery made it worth it. Now, the impending release of the Kindle Paperwhite with built-in front lighting makes a lighted cover unnecessary. But Amazon has upped the ante with new covers for the Paperwhite and the new Fire HD tablets that wake up your Kindle when opened and put it to sleep when closed. These covers also serve as a stand, which is especially handy for watching movies or TV shows on the Fire.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Leather Cover
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7" Standing Leather Case
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9" Standing Leather Case
Sleeves are a lower cost alternative to covers that you may prefer if you like to use your Kindle bare. I've always liked the extra grip I get from a cover, but that may change with the 8.9" Fire, which is likely to be hefty enough without the addition of a cover's weight and bulk. I'll have to wait and see.
Amazon makes basic zip sleeves for the E-Ink Kindles and other companies make sleeves for the Fire tablets.
Amazon Kindle Zip Sleeve
This sleeve fits the Kindle Paperwhite, Touch, and basic Kindle. I've used it with the basic Kindle and like it. I bought it primarily for hiking and backpacking when I want the Kindle to have more protection than a cover provides. A cover leaves the Kindle exposed on three edges, and for the dirty, often wet environment of a multi-day hike, I want the Kindle completely enclosed. In wet conditions I'll put the sleeve in a gallon zipper plastic bag for even more protection. This sleeve is also lighter than a cover.
Timbuk2 Plush Sleeve Case for Kindle Fire HD 7"
AmazonBasics Netbook Bag with Handle, Fits 7- to 10-Inch Netbooks, iPad, HP Touchpad
I have a netbook sleeve similar to this one that I've used with a 10.1" netbook. It should work well for the 8.9" Fire, and has room for accessories such as earphones and a USB cable and charger.
Speaking of which, Kindles used to come with a USB charger, but now come with just a USB cable. Since most of us have computers with USB ports as well as USB chargers lying around, Amazon is probably right to assume that most of us don't need another USB charger. Computers and most USB chargers out out the standard 500 milliamps of current specified in the USB 2.0 standard, and that's enough to charge the E-Ink Kindles and the original Fire in just a few hours. But the new HD Fires have larger batteries to support those beautiful HD screens and faster processors, and take much ,longer to charge. For travel, you might want to get Amazon's Powerfast Charger, which charges all rthe new Fire's at a higher rate.
Amazon Kindle PowerFast Charger for all Kindle Fire Tablets
I'll follow up with hands-on comments once I've had a chance to use the new Kindles. As an avid reader on backpack trips, I'm especially excited about the Paperwhite. With its built-in front lighting and eight week battery life, it should be the ultimate backpacker's reading device.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Cases for the Kindle Fire
Since the current crop of Kindles have been out for a while, there's now a large selection of accessories. This is the first in a series of posts on current accessories that are useful when travelling with your Kindle. I'll focus on the Fire, Touch, and plain Kindle (which I'll call the Basic).
One important trick- when searching Amazon for Kindle accessories, don't just search in the Kindle Store. The items there are "official" Kindle accessories- but there are many more in other departments, such as electronics, that are usually cheaper and often just as functional.
The most important item to have is a protective cover or sleeve. I prefer a cover so that I don't have to remove the Kindle to use it, and also I like the grip I get with a cover. If you prefer to use your Kindle bare then you may prefer a sleeve. Sleeves also have the advantage of working with other devices of about the same size.
For the Kindle Fire, I like the Kindle Fire Lightweight MicroShell Folio Cover by Marware. It's a bit pricey but very light while still being protective. The cover also folds back so you can prop the Fire up at a 45-degree angle in landscape mode for watching movies, etc. A much cheaper alternative is the Poetic 360 degree Rotary leather case. Although a bit heavier and bulkier than the Marware case, the Poetic case lets you prop up the Fire in either portrait or landscape orientation.
Because of the Fire's weight you may prefer to use it bare. In that case, the Timbuk2 Kindle Fire Plush Sleeve is a popular way to go. Another good sleeve is the SumacLife Neoprene Sleeve Carrying Case Cover. This case has a pouch for accessories such as earphones.
If you use the Fire bare or even if you have a case that props the Fire up, you may find a stand useful. Stands have the advantages of working with more than one device, so if you own a Touch and a Fire as I do, you can use it with both. Stands also let you prop a Kindle in either landscape and portrait positions at variety of angles. The Arkon Portable Fold-Up Stand works with everything from the smallest Kindles to a 10-inch tablet.
One important trick- when searching Amazon for Kindle accessories, don't just search in the Kindle Store. The items there are "official" Kindle accessories- but there are many more in other departments, such as electronics, that are usually cheaper and often just as functional.
The most important item to have is a protective cover or sleeve. I prefer a cover so that I don't have to remove the Kindle to use it, and also I like the grip I get with a cover. If you prefer to use your Kindle bare then you may prefer a sleeve. Sleeves also have the advantage of working with other devices of about the same size.
For the Kindle Fire, I like the Kindle Fire Lightweight MicroShell Folio Cover by Marware. It's a bit pricey but very light while still being protective. The cover also folds back so you can prop the Fire up at a 45-degree angle in landscape mode for watching movies, etc. A much cheaper alternative is the Poetic 360 degree Rotary leather case. Although a bit heavier and bulkier than the Marware case, the Poetic case lets you prop up the Fire in either portrait or landscape orientation.
Because of the Fire's weight you may prefer to use it bare. In that case, the Timbuk2 Kindle Fire Plush Sleeve is a popular way to go. Another good sleeve is the SumacLife Neoprene Sleeve Carrying Case Cover. This case has a pouch for accessories such as earphones.
If you use the Fire bare or even if you have a case that props the Fire up, you may find a stand useful. Stands have the advantages of working with more than one device, so if you own a Touch and a Fire as I do, you can use it with both. Stands also let you prop a Kindle in either landscape and portrait positions at variety of angles. The Arkon Portable Fold-Up Stand works with everything from the smallest Kindles to a 10-inch tablet.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Hands On with the Kingston Wi-Drive
As I've said before, the Kingston Wi-Drive is a great way to add 16 or 32 gb of storage to your Kindle Fire. But I didn't own one myself until recently because I wasn't running out of space on my Fire. Now I am. Due to total immersion in a series of novels that I've been reading on my Kindle Touch, I've neglected my magazine subscriptions. Paper magazines have been piling up at home and digital mags have been filling up the Fire's memory.
Because the Wi-Drive user manual is not completely clear on the procedure used to connect the Wi-Drive to the Fire, I'll attempt to clarify.
Using the Wi-Drive usually consists of two steps- transferring files from your computer to the Wi-Drive, and connecting the Wi-Drive to the Fire via Wi-Fi. Of course, you can also move files from the Fire directly to the Wi-Drive, and vice-versa.
You can connect the Wi-Drive directly to a computer with the included mini-USB to USB cable, in which case the Wi-Drive shows up as a disk drive on the computer. Then you can transfer files back and forth via drag and drop with your usual file manager. Note that Wi-Fi is disabled while the Wi-Drive is connected to a computer so you can't use it with the Fire at the same time.
To connect the Wi-Drive to the Fire, first install the free Wi-Drive app (found in the Andoid Store on Amazon on your Fire. The turn on the Wi-Drive and wait until the blue Wi-Fi light is flashing (this can take a few minutes. Then turn on the Fire and tap the top right status bar to bring up the menu bar. Then
tap Wi-Fi and tap Wi-Drive to connect to the drive. By default, the Wi-Drive has no password- but you should change this.
Now start the Wi-Drive app on the Fire. After a short time the Wi-Drive will be shown as well as local storage on the Fire. Tap on the Wi-Drive line to open the Wi-Drive. Tap on folders to open them, then tap on a file to open or play the file using the appropriate app on the Fire. Note that there doesn't appear to be a way to create new folders on the Wi-Drive from the Fire- you'll have to do that while the drive is connected to your computer. But by long-pressing a folder you can delete or copy it. Long-pressing a file name lets you delete or copy the file, as well as send the file via email. If you have the Dropbox app installed you can also send the file to your Dropbox folder, which gives you another way to transfer files between the Wi-Drive and your computer.
As mentioned above, by default the connection to the Wi-Drive is not password protected. You should use WPA-PSK security and a password to secure the connection. To do this, open the Wi-Drive folder on the Fire, tap the menu icon at the bottom of the screen, and choose "Settings". Then choose Wi-Drive Settings, select the encryption method (WPA is preferred), and enter your password. Tap "Done" when finished. You will need to restart the Wi-Drive and reconnect via Wi-Fi from the Fire, this time entering your new password.
You'll probably notice that when you connect your Fire to the Wi-Drive it loses its connection to the local Wi-Fi network. Fortunately your can use the Wi-Drive app to "bridge" the Fire to the local network. To do this, tap the Wi-Drive line to make sure you're in the Wi-Drive file system, then tap the menu icon at the bottom of the screen. Next, tap "Settings", select "Network Settings", choose the desired Wi-Fi network, and connect. If the Wi-Fi connections is encrypted, you'll be asked for the password. In either case, the Wi-Drive will reset. When it restarts, your Fire should be connected to both the Wi-Drive and the internet via your local Wi-Fi network.
Because the Wi-Drive user manual is not completely clear on the procedure used to connect the Wi-Drive to the Fire, I'll attempt to clarify.
Using the Wi-Drive usually consists of two steps- transferring files from your computer to the Wi-Drive, and connecting the Wi-Drive to the Fire via Wi-Fi. Of course, you can also move files from the Fire directly to the Wi-Drive, and vice-versa.
You can connect the Wi-Drive directly to a computer with the included mini-USB to USB cable, in which case the Wi-Drive shows up as a disk drive on the computer. Then you can transfer files back and forth via drag and drop with your usual file manager. Note that Wi-Fi is disabled while the Wi-Drive is connected to a computer so you can't use it with the Fire at the same time.
To connect the Wi-Drive to the Fire, first install the free Wi-Drive app (found in the Andoid Store on Amazon on your Fire. The turn on the Wi-Drive and wait until the blue Wi-Fi light is flashing (this can take a few minutes. Then turn on the Fire and tap the top right status bar to bring up the menu bar. Then
tap Wi-Fi and tap Wi-Drive to connect to the drive. By default, the Wi-Drive has no password- but you should change this.
Now start the Wi-Drive app on the Fire. After a short time the Wi-Drive will be shown as well as local storage on the Fire. Tap on the Wi-Drive line to open the Wi-Drive. Tap on folders to open them, then tap on a file to open or play the file using the appropriate app on the Fire. Note that there doesn't appear to be a way to create new folders on the Wi-Drive from the Fire- you'll have to do that while the drive is connected to your computer. But by long-pressing a folder you can delete or copy it. Long-pressing a file name lets you delete or copy the file, as well as send the file via email. If you have the Dropbox app installed you can also send the file to your Dropbox folder, which gives you another way to transfer files between the Wi-Drive and your computer.
As mentioned above, by default the connection to the Wi-Drive is not password protected. You should use WPA-PSK security and a password to secure the connection. To do this, open the Wi-Drive folder on the Fire, tap the menu icon at the bottom of the screen, and choose "Settings". Then choose Wi-Drive Settings, select the encryption method (WPA is preferred), and enter your password. Tap "Done" when finished. You will need to restart the Wi-Drive and reconnect via Wi-Fi from the Fire, this time entering your new password.
You'll probably notice that when you connect your Fire to the Wi-Drive it loses its connection to the local Wi-Fi network. Fortunately your can use the Wi-Drive app to "bridge" the Fire to the local network. To do this, tap the Wi-Drive line to make sure you're in the Wi-Drive file system, then tap the menu icon at the bottom of the screen. Next, tap "Settings", select "Network Settings", choose the desired Wi-Fi network, and connect. If the Wi-Fi connections is encrypted, you'll be asked for the password. In either case, the Wi-Drive will reset. When it restarts, your Fire should be connected to both the Wi-Drive and the internet via your local Wi-Fi network.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
More Fire Without Wires
Tonido is another way to sync files from a computer to your Kindle Fire, other mobile devices, and other computers. Setup is really easy- all you do is download Tonido Server for your PC, Mac, or Linux homne or main computer and install it. Then install the free Tonido app on your Fire- it's available in the Amazon Android App store from your web browser or Fire app store. After you create a free account, anything you place in the Tonido folder on your computer appears in the Tonido folder on your Fire, as well as on any other devices or computers running the Tonido app or client software. The same occurs in reverse- any file you place in the Tonido folder on the Fire appears on your computer.
Of course, the computer running Tonido Server must be on and connected to the Internet, and your Fire or other device must be connected wirelessly in order for synchronization to take place. And you have to log in to your Tonido account to access your account and synchronize files. But other than that Tonido works seamlessly.
You don't have to be limited by the internal memory and lack of an SD card slot on the Fire either. The Kingston Wi-Drive is available in 16 and 32gb sizes and connects to the Fire via Wi-Fi. A USB port and cable allows you to directly sideload files from your computer if you wish.
In combination with productively software such as Documents to Go, ES File Explorer, and OfficeSuite Pro, the Fire has the ability to be a nifty little work tablet. And when you've done enough work to feel you've accomplished something, you can always relax with a movie or some music.
Of course, the computer running Tonido Server must be on and connected to the Internet, and your Fire or other device must be connected wirelessly in order for synchronization to take place. And you have to log in to your Tonido account to access your account and synchronize files. But other than that Tonido works seamlessly.
You don't have to be limited by the internal memory and lack of an SD card slot on the Fire either. The Kingston Wi-Drive is available in 16 and 32gb sizes and connects to the Fire via Wi-Fi. A USB port and cable allows you to directly sideload files from your computer if you wish.
In combination with productively software such as Documents to Go, ES File Explorer, and OfficeSuite Pro, the Fire has the ability to be a nifty little work tablet. And when you've done enough work to feel you've accomplished something, you can always relax with a movie or some music.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Kindle Fire Updates
Amazon has just released new firmware for the Kindle Fire, upgrading version 6.22 to 6.3. This is probably the most significant update since the release of the Fire. In additional to general but unspecified performance improvements, the update adds:
- Sharing of highlights and notes in Kindle books to other readers of the same book, and sharing via Facebook and Twitter. Sharing is a feature already enjoyed by users of the E-Ink Kindles.
- Book Extras is similar to the X-Ray feature available on the Kindle Touch. It provides a snapshot of the important characters and terms in the book. Like the X-Ray feature, Book Extras is not available for all titles.
- Personal documents that are converted and transferred via Amazon's email service are now archived in the Amazon Cloud, as are annotations. This is the same service already available to E-Ink Kindle owners. Note that personal documents side loaded directly to your Fire via USB cable are not archived in the cloud, and neither are annotations.
- Students can now buy thousands of print replica textbooks at deep discounts. These textbooks have the same color and formatting of their print editions.
- The Fire now has a "Reader" mode. This works the same as "Article" mode on the E-Ink Kindles- removing all extraneous content to allow you to focus on the main text of a web page.
- As requested by many Fire owners, the loan period for movie rentals downloaded to the Fire now starts when you first start watching the movie, instead of when it is downloaded. This allows you to stock up on movies before a trip without having to worry that they'll expire before you can watch them. Its another example of Amazon's focus on the customer.
- Faster reconnect of Wi-Fi when you wake up your Fire from sleep mode.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Quick Battery Drain on the Kindle Touch 3G
Now that I've had time to put some more miles on my Kindle Touch 3G as a travel reading device, I've noticed that the battery sometimes gets depleted pretty quickly, even when I'm not using it. There are a couple of possible reasons for that.
One is leaving the Kindle on and closing the cover. That's a real no-no if you then stuff it in a bag, as I learned with the Kindle Keyboard. Until the device goes into sleep mode, any pressure on the cover could press keys and cause it to stay on and possibly do page turns. I know that happened with the Kindle Keyboard because I'd turn it on and find it was on a different page than where I left it.
Accidental key presses can happen with the Touch also, because of the Home button on the front. Every it gets pressed, the Home screen is refreshed, even if you're already on the Home screen. Of course, the solution is to manually turn the Kindle off with the power button when you're done reading. It's become a habit and now I turn the Kindle's off even when I'm just going to set it down.
The other cause of battery drain appears to be the 3G connectivity. I've noticed that when wireless is on and I'm in an area with little or no 3G service (and no Wi-Fi), the battery often loses half its charge in one day without ever being turned on. The answer is to make sure wireless is off if you'll be out of 3G and Wi-Fi range for long periods of time and don't have an easy way to charge the Kindle.
As a charter pilot, one of the places I often fly is Grand Canyon West, on the far southwest rim of the Grand Canyon. Cell coverage is marginal there and the Kindle Touch has no 3G or Wi-Fi connectivity. I'm usually at Grand Canyon West for about four hours at a time and I've noticed that the Touch loses about half its battery charge in that time- and I usually only read for an hour or two.
By the way, I haven't noticed such quick battery drain on the Kindle Fire. This is probably because there are no buttons on the bezel to be pressed by the cover, and also that the current Fire only has Wi-Fi, not 3G.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Kindle Software Updates
This is a quick look at the changes brought by the latest software updates for the current production Kindles since they were first shipped in late 2011. The Kindle Keyboard version 3.3 software and Kindle DX version 2.5 software have not been updated recently.
Kindle basic version 4.0.1
Kindle basic version 4.0.1
- Option to refresh page at every turn instead of every 5th page
- General software improvements but no changes to the user interface or menus
- Items can be removed from the Carousel, but only one at a time
- General improvements to performance and fluidity
- Full screen mode for Web pages
Two often requested features are landscape mode for the Touch- that's the main thing I miss from my Kindle Keyboard- and a way to remove the Carousel entirely from the Home page of the Fire. Amazon says that the touch screen implementation on the Kindle Touch makes changing the screen orientation difficult, but they appear to be working on it.
To me and many others, the Carousel seems completely redundant. Why not devote the Home screen entirely to the Favorites list, which the user has full control over?
Friday, December 16, 2011
Fire without Wires
I've always used my E Ink kindles as a place to keep personal documents for handy reference while away from my home office. For example, as a photographer I like to have camera manuals on my Kindle in case I forget some arcane setting. As a professional pilot I like to keep a copy of the FAA regulations and Airman's Information Manual on the Kindle for reference. The Kindle Fire is even more useful for personal documents because of its vivid color display. On the Fire I can store charts and other color graphics in PDF format and zoom in to see the details.
Off course, you can transfer files by connecting the Fire to your computer with a USB cable, or by emailing the files to your @kindle.com address. But an easier way is to take advantage of your Wi-Fi connection:
WiFi File Explorer is a free app that installs on the Fire and allows you to browse the Fire's folders and files from a Web browser on your computer, as long as the Fire is on and connected to your home network via Wi-Fi. I suggest you try the free version first, and if you like it, buy the pro version. WiFi File Explorer Pro adds more features.
If all you need is the ability to transfer files, have a look at Dropbox. After installing Dropbox on your computer and on the Kindle Fire and creating a Dropbox account, a Dropbox folder appears on the hard drive of your computer and on the Fire. Any files you place in the Dropbox folder are available on the Fire and any computer running Dropbox. The Dropbox app on the Fire lets you browse, open, share, and delete files in the Dropbox folder. To move files such as music files to another folder on the Fire, you'll need an app such as ES File Explorer, which is free.
Off course, you can transfer files by connecting the Fire to your computer with a USB cable, or by emailing the files to your @kindle.com address. But an easier way is to take advantage of your Wi-Fi connection:
WiFi File Explorer is a free app that installs on the Fire and allows you to browse the Fire's folders and files from a Web browser on your computer, as long as the Fire is on and connected to your home network via Wi-Fi. I suggest you try the free version first, and if you like it, buy the pro version. WiFi File Explorer Pro adds more features.
If all you need is the ability to transfer files, have a look at Dropbox. After installing Dropbox on your computer and on the Kindle Fire and creating a Dropbox account, a Dropbox folder appears on the hard drive of your computer and on the Fire. Any files you place in the Dropbox folder are available on the Fire and any computer running Dropbox. The Dropbox app on the Fire lets you browse, open, share, and delete files in the Dropbox folder. To move files such as music files to another folder on the Fire, you'll need an app such as ES File Explorer, which is free.
Getting a Charge Out of Your Kindle
Most travelers are able to keep their Kindles (and cell phones, music players, and the like) charged by using AC power in hotels. Even those on extended camping trips generally like to rent a room occasionally, which is what I do on photography trips. But for extended travel away from sources of AC power, you'll have to come up with another power source.
On extended camping trips, you can charge your Kindle from the 12 volt power in your vehicle, assuming you're driving between campsites. If you're not driving, or if you're in the wilderness for extended periods such as a backpacking trip or river trip, or in countries areas where AC power is unreliable or the wrong voltage for your wall charger, then solar chargers are about the only alternative.
I've done some tests on the current Kindle models (except for the DX, which I don't own) to determine their power drain during charging. It turns out all of the Kindles draw around 500 milliamps (mA) to charge at maximum rate. The Kindle basic and the Touch both need about 460 mA, the Keyboard about 550 mA, and the Fire 445 to 640 mA. If your charger supplies less power, then it will take longer to charge the Kindle. For example, powered USB 2.0 ports on desktop computers and USB 2.0 hubs supply 500 mA, but unpowered hubs and laptop USB ports may supply as little as 100 mA. The newer USB 3.0 standard requires that these ports supply 900 mA.
Solar chargers come in two basic types- those with internal rechargeable batteries and those without. The difference is that solar chargers with batteries can charge your Kindle during the night or cloudy weather when there is no sunlight. There are two drawbacks to solar chargers with batteries- first, there is a loss of power with the additional step of charging the solar charger's battery and then the Kindle's battery. Second, the solar charger's battery may not have enough capacity to fully charge the Kindle or to run it. Most of these devices can be charged from a USB cable as well as from the sun, so you can make sure it's fully charged before leaving home.
I have a Scosche SolBAT II Solar Powered Backup Battery and Charger that puts out 445 mA in full sunlight, enough to charge any of the current Kindles. But in my tests the internal battery can only charge the Fire about half way. Still, that may be enough to keep your Kindle going until you have full sunlight.
A couple of higher capacity chargers, the Soladec Hybrid Solar Power Charger and the XTG Solar Charger, have enough power to fully charge a Kindle, but of course they are more expensive and weigh more.
The sCharger-5 is a higher-power solar panel only, without an internal battery. But at 1000 mA output it has enough power to charge a couple of Kindles, cell phones, or other devices at the same time.
A unique charger, the Solar leather lighted cover for Kindle basic has a solar panel on the cover that charges a battery in the cover as well as the Kindle's battery. It also includes a flip-up reading light much like the one on the Amazon Kindle Lighted Leather Cover. The solar cover is currently available only for the Kindle basic but models for the other Kindles are under development, according to the company. It appears to work well but of course is dedicated to a specific model Kindle.
On extended camping trips, you can charge your Kindle from the 12 volt power in your vehicle, assuming you're driving between campsites. If you're not driving, or if you're in the wilderness for extended periods such as a backpacking trip or river trip, or in countries areas where AC power is unreliable or the wrong voltage for your wall charger, then solar chargers are about the only alternative.
I've done some tests on the current Kindle models (except for the DX, which I don't own) to determine their power drain during charging. It turns out all of the Kindles draw around 500 milliamps (mA) to charge at maximum rate. The Kindle basic and the Touch both need about 460 mA, the Keyboard about 550 mA, and the Fire 445 to 640 mA. If your charger supplies less power, then it will take longer to charge the Kindle. For example, powered USB 2.0 ports on desktop computers and USB 2.0 hubs supply 500 mA, but unpowered hubs and laptop USB ports may supply as little as 100 mA. The newer USB 3.0 standard requires that these ports supply 900 mA.
Solar chargers come in two basic types- those with internal rechargeable batteries and those without. The difference is that solar chargers with batteries can charge your Kindle during the night or cloudy weather when there is no sunlight. There are two drawbacks to solar chargers with batteries- first, there is a loss of power with the additional step of charging the solar charger's battery and then the Kindle's battery. Second, the solar charger's battery may not have enough capacity to fully charge the Kindle or to run it. Most of these devices can be charged from a USB cable as well as from the sun, so you can make sure it's fully charged before leaving home.
I have a Scosche SolBAT II Solar Powered Backup Battery and Charger that puts out 445 mA in full sunlight, enough to charge any of the current Kindles. But in my tests the internal battery can only charge the Fire about half way. Still, that may be enough to keep your Kindle going until you have full sunlight.
A couple of higher capacity chargers, the Soladec Hybrid Solar Power Charger and the XTG Solar Charger, have enough power to fully charge a Kindle, but of course they are more expensive and weigh more.
The sCharger-5 is a higher-power solar panel only, without an internal battery. But at 1000 mA output it has enough power to charge a couple of Kindles, cell phones, or other devices at the same time.
A unique charger, the Solar leather lighted cover for Kindle basic has a solar panel on the cover that charges a battery in the cover as well as the Kindle's battery. It also includes a flip-up reading light much like the one on the Amazon Kindle Lighted Leather Cover. The solar cover is currently available only for the Kindle basic but models for the other Kindles are under development, according to the company. It appears to work well but of course is dedicated to a specific model Kindle.
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