WilliamG
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« on: September 30, 2011, 01:04:38 PM » |
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So I received my $79 Kindle today, and while I appreciate how light it is, just about everything else about it is just terrible. And I'm not even talking about the joystick-entry-keyboard which really isn't all that bad.... 1.) The really slim page-turn buttons are just REALLY awkward to use when holding the device in one hand. I have to hold my Kindle a very specific way now otherwise it's just hard to press the buttons. Holding the Kindle with two hands makes it much easier, but I read with one hand! I can kind-of press the page turn buttons with my left hand (I'm right-handed), but I find it almost impossible with my right hand unless I balance the Kindle on my right-hand pinkie! 2.) The pages now refreshes a new, and entirely awful way. I understand that some people didn't like the "flashing to black" that previous Kindles did, but now it just "blurs" pages together as it switches page, and every ~6th page turn it still flashes to black! Why couldn't they leave well enough alone? Now I have two different distractions, and I really, REALLY don't like it. It takes me out of reading, and I'm just not impressed, AT ALL. It needs to turn pages one way OR the other, not both!  *EDIT* This is now solved with Kindle update 4.0.1, which specifically lets you pick whether the Kindle does a full refresh or not! Yay! http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_navbox_top_kindlelgi?nodeId=200774090I think 1.) will be solved with the Kindle Touch. BOO!!! PS The huge "Kindle" lettering on the back is an eyesore. |
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« Last Edit: September 30, 2011, 01:43:11 PM by WilliamG »
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MariaESchneider
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« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2011, 01:13:47 PM » |
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Thanks for the feedback. I'm sure there will be more people chiming in!
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WilliamG
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« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2011, 01:17:02 PM » |
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Thanks for the feedback. I'm sure there will be more people chiming in!
I hope so. The more of us complain, the better chance there is of this not happening next year... It's a shame too, because it's an extremely smart-looking device! |
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Ann in Arlington
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« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2011, 01:17:32 PM » |
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Ugh. I'll be sending this $79 Kindle back later today. I'm going back to my K3.
Sounds like it's not the right product for you. Lots of folks are really liking it though. . . .and that's o.k. too! Thanks for the feedback. I'm sure there will be more people chiming in!
Lots of folks have: There are 79 customer reviews on Amazon and the average rating is 4 Star.  |
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« Last Edit: September 30, 2011, 01:21:52 PM by Ann in Arlington »
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Ann Von Hagel Arlington, VA  |
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leigh7911
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« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2011, 01:20:36 PM » |
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I could have sworn I saw something about a software upgrade already being available that lets you choose full refreshes each time or not. Can't remember where though. Will go check, although it's entirely possible I'm just speaking out of my elbow.
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WilliamG
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« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2011, 01:22:41 PM » |
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I could have sworn I saw something about a software upgrade already being available that lets you choose full refreshes each time or not. Can't remember where though. Will go check, although it's entirely possible I'm just speaking out of my elbow.
Yep, there is! http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_navbox_top_kindlelgi?nodeId=200774090Looks like Kindle Touch is the way for me... Fixed the awful buttons, and the refreshing is "addressed" in 4.0.1. |
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Luvmy4brats
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« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2011, 01:24:22 PM » |
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I haven't played with mine enough to say whether I love it or hate it, but I'm chiming in about the page turns.
There is an update on Amazon (4.0.1) that gives you the ability to change the refresh rate.. You can keep it like it is or set it to refresh after each page like the K3. (I personally plan to set it up to refresh after each page)
I don't look at the back of the Kindle enough to worry about the word Kindle on it.. I usually focus on reading what's on the screen.. I suppose it if bothers me at some point, I can do what I usually do, buy a skin from DecalGirl.
I'll check back in later with my opinion on the page turn buttons. They are small, but not that much smaller than the K3's buttons. My issue is that I don't have a case for it yet and I'm used to reading with it in one...
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leigh7911
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« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2011, 01:33:24 PM » |
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Ah, thanks guys. So I'm not *completely* losing my mind. Good to know!
The thing that annoys me most about the side buttons (K3, not the new shiny one) is I'm constantly inadvertently turning the blasted pages when picking the darn thing up, or rearranging. Have a cover on order, am hoping that will help.
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WilliamG
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« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2011, 01:34:13 PM » |
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So I updated to 4.0.1 and that definitely fixed the page refreshes. Thank GOODNESS Amazon added this option, whew! The page turn buttons problem may well be mitigated with a case. The device is so thin by itself that it's an issue. I compared to my Kindle 3, which has the Amazon lighted leather case. I have a much easier time with or without the case on, but it's still easier with the case on my K3. Without a case on the new button-Kindle, I physically can't turn the page with my right hand. |
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Luvmy4brats
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« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2011, 01:40:07 PM » |
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So I updated to 4.0.1 and that definitely fixed the page refreshes. Thank GOODNESS Amazon added this option, whew! The page turn buttons problem may well be mitigated with a case. The device is so thin by itself that it's an issue. I compared to my Kindle 3, which has the Amazon lighted leather case. I have a much easier time with or without the case on, but it's still easier with the case on my K3. Without a case on the new button-Kindle, I physically can't turn the page with my right hand. Yeah, I can't even read the K3 without a case, too difficult for me to hold. This morning, I went to breakfast and used a little stand to hold my Kindle. I discovered that if I changed the screen rotation and turned the Kindle upside down, it was easier for me to reach the page forward button. you might want to see if that works for you until you're able to get a case. I suggest giving it a few days before returning it.. You might decide you like it after you play with it for awhile.  |
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Tom S. Figueiredo
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« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2011, 01:42:04 PM » |
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So I received my $79 Kindle today, and while I appreciate how light it is, just about everything else about it is just terrible. And I'm not even talking about the joystick-entry-keyboard which really isn't all that bad.... 1.) The really slim page-turn buttons are just REALLY awkward to use when holding the device in one hand. I have to hold my Kindle a very specific way now otherwise it's just hard to press the buttons. Holding the Kindle with two hands makes it much easier, but I read with one hand! I can kind-of press the page turn buttons with my left hand (I'm right-handed), but I find it almost impossible with my right hand unless I balance the Kindle on my right-hand pinkie! 2.) The pages now refreshes a new, and entirely awful way. I understand that some people didn't like the "flashing to black" that previous Kindles did, but now it just "blurs" pages together as it switches page, and every ~6th page turn it still flashes to black! Why couldn't they leave well enough alone? Now I have two different distractions, and I really, REALLY don't like it. It takes me out of reading, and I'm just not impressed, AT ALL. It needs to turn pages one way OR the other, not both! I think 1.) will be solved with the Kindle Touch, but 2.) is here for good, sadly. Ugh. I'll be sending this $79 Kindle back later today. I'm going back to my K3. BOO!!! PS The huge "Kindle" lettering on the back is an eyesore. Bad reviews are part of the game. They gives us important clues about hidden problems. Thanks for bringing us these issues!! |
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 | Tom S. Figueiredo is the author of I remember my circus, a children's book about a boy who has never seen a circus show. It is also about happiness, empathy and love, and introduces us to intriguing characters such as a broken-hearted gorilla-woman, and a man able to, literally, carry the world inside of him. It is a children's book, but it has equally captivated older readers. (now only $0.99) |
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WilliamG
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« Reply #11 on: September 30, 2011, 01:43:56 PM » |
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Bad reviews are part of the game. They gives us important clues about hidden problems. Thanks for bringing us these issues!!
Well, based on some new findings (the software update etc), I'm willing to play with the Kindle a bit more. But it desperately needs a case to give the device some thickness/ease of use. |
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Ann in Arlington
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« Reply #12 on: September 30, 2011, 01:57:01 PM » |
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Ah, thanks guys. So I'm not *completely* losing my mind. Good to know!
The thing that annoys me most about the side buttons (K3, not the new shiny one) is I'm constantly inadvertently turning the blasted pages when picking the darn thing up, or rearranging. Have a cover on order, am hoping that will help.
Interestingly, I have never had that problem with my Kindle Keyboard. . . . it was a bit of an issue with the original Kindle but one learned how to pick it up without turning pages. Might be that training just carried over.  Using it in a cover will definitely help, though, 'cause then you won't really be touching the device at all. . . .wonder why they aren't available yet (for the new Basic Kindle that's shipping)? |
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« Last Edit: September 30, 2011, 02:13:40 PM by Ann in Arlington »
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Ann Von Hagel Arlington, VA |
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Betsy the Quilter
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« Reply #13 on: September 30, 2011, 02:05:47 PM » |
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Interestingly, I have never had that problem with my Kindle Keyboard. . . . it was a bit of an issue with the original Kindle but one learned how to pick it up without turning pages. Might be that training just carried over. I was wondering about that, too, Ann, as it's been years since I accidentally turned a page when picking up my K1...but with a keyboarded Kindle (K1, K2, K3), there's landscape at the bottom to pick the device up--less with the $79 Kindle... Betsy |
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"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt
"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing." -Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird
"Oh come on! Stake through the heart. A little sunlight. It's like falling off a log" -Buffy, the Vampire Slayer |
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drew0020
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« Reply #14 on: September 30, 2011, 02:29:38 PM » |
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I also bought the new $79 Kindle to hold me over to the Touch. I have no problem with the page turning buttons coming from a K3. In fact I love the size of the new Kindle so much. It is so lightweight and tiny. The keyboard is good as well although I rarely use it.
I also have no problems with the refresh every 6th page or so. I guess that's not an issue with the firmware update but I think it looks fine the way it is.
I only with the touch had buttons as well because I think this would be the best of both worlds.
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patrickt
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« Reply #15 on: September 30, 2011, 02:34:02 PM » |
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I got my Kindle this morning. For me, none of WilliamG's "issues" are issues. I like the size, love the on-screen keyboard, find the page buttons much more crisp than my K3, and I like the way the pages refresh. I'm delighted to see the creepy screensavers gone.
I don't have my case yet so I'm using a single sweatsock as a slip-on cover. The mate got lost somewhere.
I had an order for the Kindle Touch but I canceled it. This Kindle was a gift for a friend but I'm keeping it.
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Ann in Arlington
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« Reply #16 on: September 30, 2011, 02:47:13 PM » |
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I don't have my case yet so I'm using a single sweatsock as a slip-on cover.
I wonder if the marketing department can use that: The New Kindle, Fits in Your Sock  |
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Ann Von Hagel Arlington, VA |
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Luvmy4brats
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« Reply #17 on: September 30, 2011, 02:55:16 PM » |
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I wonder if the marketing department can use that: The New Kindle, Fits in Your Sock Why not? They have pictures of people carrying it in their back pocket! |
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leigh7911
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« Reply #18 on: September 30, 2011, 03:15:54 PM » |
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Interestingly, I have never had that problem with my Kindle Keyboard. . . . it was a bit of an issue with the original Kindle but one learned how to pick it up without turning pages. Might be that training just carried over. Heh. I've not had it even two weeks yet, so I'm hoping it's just a learning curve thing.  I don't have my case yet so I'm using a single sweatsock as a slip-on cover. That's hilarious. |
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Yossarian
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« Reply #19 on: September 30, 2011, 03:40:05 PM » |
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I recently sold my K3 but found I missed it, so I picked up the non-ads "Kindle 4." I LOVE it. Love the tiny form factor, love the design (which reminds me of my old Palm Pilots). The page refreshes don't bother me at all - haven't even noticed them.
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Seamonkey
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« Reply #20 on: September 30, 2011, 09:35:25 PM » |
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A couple of years ago, when I had to have surgery and didn't know what other treatment for cancer, my brother sent me his iPod touch (and ordered a new one for himself) right away so I could take it to the hospital.. and he sent it in the cutest little baby sock |
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HeyDrew
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« Reply #21 on: October 01, 2011, 02:30:03 AM » |
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Personally, I find the eInk refresh on page turns to be horribly annoying and prefer the way my 2011 Kindle handles page turns than the way my Kindle 3 did. For me, seeing the whole page flash black and white like some seizure inducing rorscarch test is a lot more obnoxious than seeing the words bleed into each other like some 1984 Mac Classic screensaver effect. But hey, I'm weird.
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Ames
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« Reply #22 on: October 01, 2011, 10:38:05 AM » |
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I agree on the paging buttons being to hard to press. You can't one hand hold and press like on the K3.
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CS
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« Reply #23 on: October 01, 2011, 03:17:11 PM » |
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So I updated to 4.0.1 and that definitely fixed the page refreshes. Thank GOODNESS Amazon added this option, whew! How did you update? My $79 Kindle isn't giving me the option...it's greyed out. |
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« Last Edit: October 01, 2011, 03:20:51 PM by CS »
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Luvmy4brats
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« Reply #24 on: October 01, 2011, 03:27:35 PM » |
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