Kindle 3: a 4 star rating?

[fairy_dreams]

I just noticed that on Amazon's page, the Kindle 3 has a 4 star rating. I read through a few of the reviews and the complaints tend to be mostly on the poor quality control.

This leads me to wonder, did the Kindle 2 originally start out with a 4 star rating and get better as more customers submitted their reviews? Or is the Kindle 3 just exceptionally "buggy" and lots of people are having bad experiences?

It could also be the fact that the Kindle 1 and 2 were most likely people's first Kindle and so they were pleased with it since they had nothing to compare to. Perhaps some people can't get used to the workings of the latest generation Kindle and are frustrated :/

[The Hooded Claw]

342 Reviews
5 star:     (215)
4 star:     (56)
3 star:     (20)
2 star:     (17)
1 star:     (34)


The numbers are still awfully strong, though evidently they do average out to four stars.  I suspect it is a combination of the early adopters becoming more sophisticated, and less willing to swoon just because there is a new Kindle out, some less-than-fabulous choices Amazon made for the K3, and the various complaints about rebooting.  I have no evidence for this, it is just an opinion!  

There seem to be people who dislike each of:  The new design for the page turn buttons, the relocation of controls to the bottom, number key deletion, and perhaps the difficulties with wifi some people are struggling with are having an effect.  And of course nobody likes the freeze/reboot stuff, even though that appears to be a minority of users.

I'm not worried about it, I think it is just the market getting more mature.  And four stars ain't a bad review!
    
 
   
   
 

[The Hooded Claw]

It's interesting that Amazon didn't separate out the reviews for the 3G and wifi versions.  I suspect they want to run up a large total so they can continue their claim of "more five-star reviews than any other product" with the new model.

I haven't written a review, but as I think about Lomax (my wifi K3), I suspect that if I reviewed him, I actually would give him a four-star review.  With the new page buttons, I can't read one handed anymore, which is a significant negative for me, despite the other things about Lomax that I really like (blindingly fast page turns, better contrast, lighter and more compact design, more text on a page).  And having to get an exchange for a new Kindle (because I have the freeze/reboot issue) doesn't please me, even though it's not too shocking about a new tech product (those who remember my iPad experience will know that I've been through this before in 2010!).

[Linjeakel]

I have to agree with The Hooded Claw and the comment about the page turn buttons - it's ironic that Amazon have made the K3 smaller and lighter and boast that it's now easier to hold in one hand while you read, and yet have changed the page control buttons back to outward press ones so holding it in one hand results in many more accidental page turns than holding it in two hands (and it's bad enough with two hands).

I never once had this problem with my K2 or DX and it's endlessly frustrating. While I have a few other niggles - controls at the bottom, no number keys etc - this remains my only major problem with the K3 and for that alone I would only give it 4 stars at most.

[MarcW]

I have to agree with The Hooded Claw and the comment about the page turn buttons - it's ironic that Amazon have made the K3 smaller and lighter and boast that it's now easier to hold in one hand while you read, and yet have changed the page control buttons back to outward press ones so holding it in one hand results in many more accidental page turns than holding it in two hands (and it's bad enough with two hands).

The K3 is my first Kindle, and I agree.  I'd like to see an option under Settings where you could enable page turn buttons Right, Left, or Both.  That way, you could enable them for one side only and have the other side for holding and button mashing with impunity.  I'm going to send a request for that to Amazon.

[pidgeon92]

The K2 did have problems at launch... a lot of people sent theirs back due to poor contrast or fading in sunlight.

[waynep]

I just read some of the 1 star comments. They don't have the K3 yet, they ordered on aug 27 and don't have it yet so they gave it a 1 star.

Someone else bought a wifi only model, then the instructions told them to find a wifi hotspot, so they sent it back. They thought they could order a book from the Kindle but apparently did not think about having to connect to amazon.com somehow.  . . . wow . . . I'll trust their reviews . . LOL

[joanie]

Like Wayne said, a lot of the 1 star reviews are from those who are annoyed with the long ship time. Another bunch of them are from people who are disappointed with the Korean character support.

[mputtr]

I like the k3's looks.. i just wish the previous and next page buttons were bigger. I like how they are on my k2. It seems more.. stable. besides the big buttons are great when I'm washing my hands and I use my limb to push a button. the smaller the button, the harder it is -_-

[joanie]

I like the k3's looks.. i just wish the previous and next page buttons were bigger. I like how they are on my k2. It seems more.. stable. besides the big buttons are great when I'm washing my hands and I use my limb to push a button. the smaller the button, the harder it is -_-

I'm with you on button size. I'm finding it more awkward to read than the K1 or K2 because my hand cramps up.

[sjc]

I have K1 and LOVE the oversized buttons:  Everyone complained; careful what you wish for.
I have K3 and hate the tiny buttons:  Love the unit; not so nuts about the buttons....But in K3's defense, I may get used to them; after all I've been using the the oversized buttons for ages, so that is what I am used to.

[bsktofdreams]

I like the k3's looks.. i just wish the previous and next page buttons were bigger. I like how they are on my k2. It seems more.. stable. besides the big buttons are great when I'm washing my hands and I use my limb to push a button. the smaller the button, the harder it is -_-

I feel better I thought I was the only one that felt this way....in a way I am sorry I sold my Kindle 2...I really do not like the buttons or the 5 way controller....i like the pix quality and love the lighted cover...but I do not like the controller or buttons!

[DYB]

I don't find the new button layout to be inferior at all.  I think for most people it's just a matter of adjustment.  In a short while you won't notice it anymore.  It's like getting a new remote control for your cable.  At first everything seems wrong.  And then you muscle-memory learn where everything is - and you forget the old one.  Same thing here.