Kindle and Blackberry used together?

[GinnyB]

I have my books (some audible) on my Kindle. I have all audibles on my iPod Touch. I have nothing on my Blackberry, but I was wondering if those of you with a Blackberry loaded the software.

I was thinking that while the K2 is my primary "book", it might be nice to have the same book on my BB to read whenever I don't have my K2 with me. Then again, when would I NOT have my K2 with me? Do I just want everything? Maybe, for example, if we are running out for groceries or something, I won't have to take my K2 to read on the way to/from, but I can whip out my BB and read. The only issue would be to find my place when I got back to my K2.

So if you have a K2 and a BB, what are your reading habits as far as have the Amazon software on the BB?

[MoiraRhun]

I have *access* to a BB but I couldn't really imagine trying to read on it although I did read on my Palm Pilot many MANY years ago. Compared to my personal iPhone, I just can't warm up to my company-supplied BB. If I ever have to kill time and don't have my Kindle, I'll play games on my phone.

Then again, my eyes are beginning to get old so perhaps it's just eyestrain that keeps me off the small screens these days for reading.

[GinnyB]

Eye strain... never thought about that. I get eye strain from overdoing it on the Kindle.

[Xopher]

I actually do this all the time. I only keep what I am currently reading on my BlackBerry, as a just-in-case ereader.

It came in handy today. I went for a motorcycle ride today, taking advantage of the warmer weather. I didn't bring my Kindle along. So, when I stopped for lunch, I just pulled out my BlackBerry and was able to read from where I had left on in my Kindle.

The only thing I have to remember is to sync my Kindle before and after I use it, just to make sure my place markers stay in sync between BlackBerry and Kindle.

Before I purchased y Kindle, I used to read on my BlackBerry all the time using the MobiPocket reader. It was a very convenient way to carry a book with me anywhere. I've always had the larger BlackBerry devices (first an 8830, now a Tour). I can imaging it would be harder on the smaller screens, but on a Bold, Storm, Tour, or some of the other newer devices, it's not that bad a screen to read (I think the 480x360 screens probably render better than the 320x240 screens).

I prefer to read on my Kindle, but it is a nice option to have when the Kindle isn't around.

[carlobee]

pretty interesting.. i was planning on getting a BB for myself.

[GinnyB]

My thought exactly -- when one doesn't have one's Kindle, the Blackberry would be the next best choice. The BB is always with me whereas there are occasions when the K is not.

And it was my thought also to just carry on the BB the current book being read. I'll d/l the app and give it a try.

[Jane917]

I have a question for BB users. I am in the market for a new phone, and do not want to pay the extra $30 for the data package. If I get a BB for a phone and occasional texting, will I still be able to sych the BB to the current book that I am reading. Sometimes I get stuck somewhere without my Kindle and it would be nice to have my current book at hand. Of course, I would have to be organized enough to plan ahead to keep the BB synched. One of these days I am going to get an iTouch. An iPhone is not practical in our area due to poor AT&T coverage. 

[GinnyB]

I have a K2, Blackberry and iTouch. I use the iTouch for my audible books. I "read" my audibles in the dark morning hours, in a vapool, on my way to work. Handy.

I do wonder how much battery life would be sucked out using my BB to read.

[lonestar]

Don't the smartphone purchases require the data package now?  Maybe not all carriers.

[GinnyB]

BB required data.

[arshield]

I have a question for BB users. I am in the market for a new phone, and do not want to pay the extra $30 for the data package. If I get a BB for a phone and occasional texting, will I still be able to sych the BB to the current book that I am reading. Sometimes I get stuck somewhere without my Kindle and it would be nice to have my current book at hand. Of course, I would have to be organized enough to plan ahead to keep the BB synched. One of these days I am going to get an iTouch. An iPhone is not practical in our area due to poor AT&T coverage. 

If you get a BB with wifi and somehow are not required to get a data plan, you can still keep them synced.  Also you need to make sure you get a BB that will load the kindle software.  Not all made in the last year will.

[Belindach]

I have a Storm 2 and loaded a few books on to read when my kindle isn't available.  The BB will sync but I keep my kindle off wireless most of the time. The BB would be unlikely to sync to the kindle if the kindle is off.  My BB has Sherlock Holmes stories for emergencies.

[GinnyB]

I installed the Kindle app and my current booked sync'd perfectly to where I was! I don't think I had to have a data package. I get charged if we d/l data. No big deal. Don't d/l that much.

I like having my book on my Kindle!

[brownsfaninva]

I have been reading on PDA's and Smartphones since my daughter was born 8 years ago (first one was an ancient iPaq...boy were those the days - Microsoft reader was the only game in town, took an act of Congress to get something reactivated if you had issues......sorry I digress)....just hit 40 and the headaches are finally creeping up on me....

Currently I have a BBStorm2. I JUST got my Kindle2 this week (MAD LOVE FOR IT) - main reason I bought it was for the ability to sync with my BB. I personally keep wireless on all the time (day 4 and still plenty of battery), and the syncing is so spot on it is amazing - to be able to go back and forth and never have to worry about where I am is heaven. I read a lot at night and in odd places (standing in line at a store) so the BB comes in VERY handy.

Concerning your questions on data plans and such I know this - if you want to use any BB device as a phone, you MUST purchase a data plan (either BIS or BES based plans). That is a Research in Motion (RIM) policy not a Verizon/Sprint/AT&T policy. I do not know if you can use a WIFI enabled device which is NOT on any plan as a stand alone reader - my Storm1 does not have WIFI or I would test it for you.

[bookoffers]

hmm.. awesome.. but why used BB if you already have a Kindle.. Kindle is much better already..

[brownsfaninva]

hmm.. awesome.. but why used BB if you already have a Kindle.. Kindle is much better already..

I read a lot at night so for me personally the BB solves the night reading anytime anywhere w/out having to worry about attaching a light to my K2. Also, it is with me all the time (all the time), so I read more with both products since I need a BB for work anyway.

Funny - the reason I started reading on my original iPaq was when I was bottle feeding my then newborn daughter (8 years ago), I needed something that I could read one handed at night with no light - been hooked ever since.

Don't get me wrong reading on the K2 is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much nicer I am way in love with it, but the BB completes the package, hence I would never have a need for an iPad because in the end everyone with an iPad will still need to carry an iPhone if they want to make calls AND be cool <poor taste sorry>....so for ME (just me) this is reading nirvana.

[GinnyB]

hmm.. awesome.. but why used BB if you already have a Kindle.. Kindle is much better already..

I would read my K2 predominantly, however, if there was any inconvenient time, which I can't think of off the top of my head, it's nice to know I can whip out my BB and continue reading! Like the Kindler said above... in a check-out line, quick dash to someplace w/hubby driving... who knows? I am just thrilled that the K2 and the BB sync so beautifully!

I love my K2 as much as I love my BB as much as I love my MacAir and my iTouch. Now I'm beginning to drool over the iPad. Dang, why do I like devices so much!?!  I remember my first PDA. Had it for years and years until it died a tragic overuse death. I was lost w/o it. Then finally the iTouch and BB came into my possession.

I am NOT disappointed that I d/l'ed the Kindle App for BB. It's great to know I have both on which to read.

Gin

[arshield]

I think the audible.com software on the BB is much better than what is on the Kindle.  If for no other reason than it can download the books directly.  So I keep mp3 books on the kindle, audible books on the BB or mp3 players (that I keep in the kitchen).  I have used the BB kindle software some, but not that often.

[GinnyB]

Hmmm... I haven't tried audible books on my BB - only on my iPod Touch. Gosh, maybe for humans who love to read they ought to invent a chip and we can d/l the books to our brain.

[skyblue]

I have an iPod touch and love having the Kindle app on it!  I tried to download the app for my Blackberry, but my phone doesn't support it.  

[BlueEyedMum]

I have it on my BB and I do read it BUT it's for emergency's...LOL It's hard on the eyes but I adjust as I read plus you can change the font size.

[kat89447]

I will admit that I actually purchase my BB largely due to knowing the Kindle was coming out for it. My K2 goes just about everywhere with me, but on occasions I leave it at home and love that I have it on my BB. I believe you have to have the 4.7 OS or higher, for those wondering, so not all BBs work. The hardest part is remembering to Sync my K2 before I go. While the BB is great in a pinch, I could not use it for a long period of time. I have the tour and while it works great, I find that I just can't disappear into the book like I can with my K2. Still it's a nice program, especially if you find yourself unexpectedly waiting for something and kindleless. Mostly, I send samples to my BB so I can catch up on them for those short spurts of time I have. It also gives me a place to store the books on my future reading list and keep them off of my Kindle.

[loca]

I have it on my BB and I do read it BUT it's for emergency's...LOL It's hard on the eyes but I adjust as I read plus you can change the font size.

yea, that would be unessary strain on the eyes. 

[brownsfaninva]

Trust me I know about strain I read on these for almost 8 years - when I hit 40 my eyes said WHOA there...but it really does let you catch up if you want and besides people think you are reading a long email . "look boss, I' doing work" .

[GinnyB]

Yep, my BB is always with me... always. My K2 isn't taken everywhere as conveniently as the BB. Kindle is limited in what it can do. The BB does it all. It's truly a neat gadget and I'm happy it syncs so well with my K2!

[loca]

Yep, my BB is always with me... always. My K2 isn't taken everywhere as conveniently as the BB. Kindle is limited in what it can do. The BB does it all. It's truly a neat gadget and I'm happy it syncs so well with my K2!

Well, once they add the cell phone to K3, then it will become a lot more useful