The Kindle is a mobile device created specifically for reading e-books. Made by Amazon, the e-reader equipped with a screen with technology e-ink, which makes the display visually closer to the paper.
Currently, three models are available for sale on Amazon Brazil: the New Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis. The books are sold in a virtual store, with prices more affordable than those of paper. In addition, it is possible to start reading as soon as you buy.
AppGeek has prepared a comprehensive guide on the Amazon Kindle. Find out what, how it works, how to buy books and more.
What the Kindle
Kindle the name given to digital book reading devices manufactured by Amazon. The device has three models that, in common, have an anti-reflective touch screen, connected to Wi-Fi and a battery capable of lasting up to six weeks.
The main differences between them are the resolution and size of the display, the number of LEDs in the built-in lighting and the fact that it is waterproof or not.
New Kindle
The New Kindle weighs 161g and has a 6-inch screen with a resolution of 167 ppi. The most basic model of the franchise has 4 adjustable LEDs, which allow reading even in the dark.
It offers 4GB of storage, which, according to Amazon, is enough to hold thousands of books. The difference in relation to other models is the fact that it has two color options: black and white. This specimen is not waterproof.
Kindle Paperwhite
Kindle Paperwhite can offer the best value for money for those who believe that 4GB is not enough. The model, available in black, has options of 8GB or 32GB of storage.
The 182g device features 5 adjustable LEDs and the 6-inch screen has a resolution of 300 ppi, which adds clarity.
Being waterproof, it allows the user to read in the pool, in the bathtub or wherever else he wants. As long as you respect the limit of 2 meters of depth in fresh water for up to 60 minutes.
Kindle Oasis
The most sophisticated of Kindles, Oasis is the only model that has specific physical buttons for page turning. Its 7-inch screen has a resolution of 300 ppi.
The device has 25 LEDs with an adaptable sensor and light temperature control option. Available in graphite color, weighs 188g and has a capacity of 8 or 32GB.
Like Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis is waterproof (sweet) and withstands a dive of up to 2 meters for a maximum of 60 minutes.
How Kindle Works
Aimed specifically at reading, the Kindle is an electronic device that offers less functionality than cell phones and tablets. But that does not mean that it does not have useful resources for users.
How to download or transfer books and files
Books and files hosted on Kindle can be downloaded directly from the device, through the app for smartphones and tablets or on the computer. If your Amazon account is connected, you can sync them and thus continue reading where you left off.
It is also possible to transfer files via USB 2.0 cable or by sending it to your Kindle email. The address can be found at Settings All settings Your account Kindle email address.
Key features
While reading a book, you can highlight excerpts that you consider important and find them in the section Grades of the e-book. If you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can still search for the meaning of words or translate them.
If you want, you can share your favorite tickets with friends via email or social media.
The font of the text can also be changed, as well as the font size. The brightness can be adjusted to that which guarantees the most comfortable reading according to the ambient light.
Battery lasts for weeks
According to Amazon, the Kindle battery supports up to 6 weeks of use on just one recharge. This calculation is based on a daily use of half an hour, with Wi-Fi off and average brightness. Therefore, this time can vary widely according to use.
The New Kindle and Paperwrite are fully recharged in up to 3 hours when connected directly to the mains. Connected to a computer, it takes about 4 hours. Oasis takes less than 3 hours to fully recharge when connected to a PC.
File formats supported by Kindle
The Kindle is compatible with some document formats in addition to e-books. According to the manufacturer, the devices can open files in Kindle 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, MOBI without protection and native PRC formats.
Items saved in HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP extensions are also supported through conversion.
How the Kindle Screen Works
The Kindle screen equipped with a technology called e-ink, whose closest translation would be something like electronic ink. The display consists of millions of microspheres with white and black pigments.
They are positioned between two plastic panels, charged with electric current, which are called electrodes. The white pigment has a positive charge, while the black pigment is negative. The spheres move up and down according to the load applied to the lower electrode.
For example, if a negative charge is used, the black spheres are repelled and, at that pixel, the image is black. And this process is repeated every pixel, then forming the letters and images on the screen.
The technique allows the creation of an anti-reflective display, since it does not produce light, but takes advantage of that present in the environment. The result is a visual that is very similar to paper, ensuring comfortable reading even in the sunlight.
How to Buy Books on Kindle
Kindle books can be purchased through the device itself, through the Kindle app, available for Android and iOS, or through the company's website. The Amazon online store allows you to buy books individually or subscribe to a package called Kindle Unlimited.
The plan is a kind of Netflix of literature. Subscribers pay a monthly fee and have unlimited access to thousands of titles. In this case, the user does not own the book and, if he cancels the subscription, does not have the title available on the device.
It is worth noting that the program does not include all the titles available in the store, mainly best-sellers and launches.
In the case of purchasing works individually, there is the possibility to read a preview. To do this, just tap on the cover image and go to Download a sample.
Where to download books for your free Kindle?
Amazon itself offers works for free. At the time of production of this article, there were more than 8900 titles available for free. To find them on the Kindle, simply access the store and scroll down to the end. So find the option free eBooks.
Among the books found areLet's be all feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Dom Casmurro, by Machado de Assis.
Should I buy a Kindle?
Deciding whether to buy a Kindle or not can be a difficult decision for those who love to walk through bookstores and smell a brand new copy. To help, we've listed some advantages of having the e-reader. Check it out and see if it is worth it or not for you to buy such a device.
- Book in hand at the time: you may not feel that new book smell, but have the desired copy in a few clicks. Just have access to a Wi-Fi network.
- More economical: ok, digital books do not decorate the shelves, but they are also cheaper. According to a survey carried out by the CupoNation website, savings of an average of 27%.
- Less weight: the Kindle capable of storing thousands of books. If you are one of those who can't leave home with at least two volumes, your column will certainly thank you if you choose an e-reader.
- Take your questions: vocabulary questions or word translation can be asked on the spot via Kindle. You don't need to pick up another device to search.
- No distractions: speaking of other devices, anyone who has the habit of reading on the tablet or smartphone is constantly distracted by notifications. On the Kindle, it doesn't.
- Read samples before buying: staying long enough to read an entire chapter of a book in a difficult bookstore these days. On Amazon's e-reader, the user can download a preview of any title and read it wherever and whenever he can.
Other e-readers available in Brazil
Despite being the most popular, the Kindle is not the only e-reader model available in Brazil. Here, there is also the reader Lev, which has two models, and the Kobo, with three options.
The Lev Neo weighs 140g, has a capacity of 8GB and LED lighting. Lev Fit already has 140g, 4GB of internal memory and does not have screen illumination. E-books must be purchased at Saraiva bookstore. Unlike the Kindle, they are compatible with memory cards of up to 32GB and have physical buttons to change pages.
Kobo already has Kobo Clara HD as its most basic option. The device weighs 166g, has a 6-inch screen with a resolution of 300 ppi with lighting and a capacity of 8GB.
The Kobo Libra H2O has the advantage of being waterproof. In addition, it has a reading option in horizontal and vertical mode and the presence of buttons to change the pages. With a weight of 192g, it has a 300-ppi 7-inch screen.
Finally, Kobo Forma has technical specifications quite similar to Libra H2O, being just a little thinner and featuring an 8 inch screen.
Books must be purchased at the Rakuten Kobo store.
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