How The Amazon Kindle Works?

Recently I wrote an article about the reasons of Why Buy Kindle And Why Not, on the launch of Kindle in Indian markets. So I thought why not write on How Kindle Works for more insight. The online bookstore Amazon.com recently launched the Kindle2, a thinner version with more memory and other enhancements. So what’s the big deal about the Kindle? The Kindle is intricately linked to Amazon‘s online book store where there are more than 230,000 book titles to choose from. These books cost as little as $1 or as much as $10. In addition, there’s a selection of magazines, newspapers and blogs. And all this is delivered wirelessly to the Kindle, without the need for a PC. The Kindle2 can hold as many as 1,500 books. Fortunately, the Kindle now can be used internationally. Since the Kindle has a USB connection you can transfer certain documents to it from your PC, such as audible audio books, MP3 files and text documents.

Amazon Kindle

The kindle device has the same dimensions as a paperback novel and weighs just 10.2 ounces (approximately 289 grams). It has page flip buttons (previous/next page) on both sides of the screen. Beneath the screen there’s a scroll/select wheel for scrolling through text or menus and to select options. It’s also used to initiate a book download. The device has USB connectivity and its storage is extensible through an SD card. Its unique electronic paper display is not backlit but it causes less strain on the eyes than a PC monitor. An optional clip-on reading light is available. Kindle uses cellular wireless technology. At the base of the Kindle there’s a headphone socket, a USB port and a socket for the power adapter. The power button and a switch for the wireless connection are on the back of the unit.

Wireless Connectivity

Amazon’s Whispernet network, a free service in the US, enables a user to connect wirelessly from anywhere to the Kindle online store. But this service uses a Local cellular service provider’s 3G network. Since Whispernet uses cellular technology the user does not need to look for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Internationally, this service is provided through AT&T network. The Kindle has a built-in EVDO wireless modem.

FILE FORMATS

Kindle has its own proprietary AZW format for e-books. It natively supports txt, audible (AAX) audio book files and MP3 files. However, files in any other format need to be converted to the AZW format and here’s how it’s done. Kindle users need to create a free account on Amazon.com and then register their devices. Once done they get a unique email address. They can send any file to this email address (as an attachment) and it will be converted into a format that can be viewed on the Kindle.

What you can do with the Kindle

• Read the Latest blog postings
• Subscribe to and read magazines
• Download New York Times bestsellers
• Get newspapers everyday
• Download and listen to audio books from audible.com
• Listen to MP3songs.
• Archive clippings from e-newspapers
• Look up the meaning of words
• Search for a word or book title in your library

Amazon Server

The Amazon server has a database of more than 230,000 book titles, newspapers, magazines and blogs.

Features List (Kindle 2)

• Lightweight: The Kindle2 weighs just 10.2 ounces (289 grams).
• Battery life: The charge lasts for two weeks.
• Electronic paper display is easy on the eyes; 16 shades of grey.
• Automatic downloading of e-newspappers.
• Download books can be backed up online.
• Text highlighting and annotating; text to speech.
• Wireless access to Wikipedia.
• View Word documents and image files after format conversion.
• Save the last place where you read or bookmark pages.
• Built-in dictionary.

The Kindle Store

Users can browse through books lists and reviews at the online Kindle store and place orders. Once payment details are confirmed the book can be downloaded wirelessly within a minute. Books that you download are backed up on the Amazon server.

CoreDump: “My software never has bugs. It just develops random features”

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