<p>does anyone know if the kindle has the memory to store some books offline for use when one is not near a network?</p>
<p>You do not have to be near a network or online to read a book on the kindle. In order to purchase books, you must turn on the wireless component. Once the download is complete (seconds) you can start reading the book. The book is then stored on your kindle for your to read whenever you want. I believe it can hold about 200 books without a memory card. I have about 50 on mine right now. With a memory card, obviously, it holds a lot more. Leaving the wireless component off when you’re only reading a book also saves battery power.</p>
<p>So is now the time to buy a kindle? Our kindle experts in the past have convinced me that more useful bells and whistles are coming.</p>
<p>A newer kindle is expected to be announced 2/9. My daughter has one and she uses it sporadically. She has found that not everything she wants to read is available on the kindle.
She has had no issues with wireless downloads, having enough memory, etc. She does not have a memory card.</p>
<p>You can also download a sample for most books (those that are available) which is really nice. I have about 20 books on mine so far. The new one may be better, but it might also sell out fast. I have a memory card, but haven’t needed it yet.</p>
<p>I just got one for sis for Christmas butr haven’t actually used it (she has been out of town all month but we live together so hopefully she will share when she gets back ;)). I seem to recall that any books you purchase are stored permanently in some cyberspace library so can always be retrieved again after removing from them the kindle but I am not sure whether they can be retrieved or are “readable” off the kindle since they are not in a pdf or other standard format. </p>
<p>Oh and the wireless connection is free and is available almost anywhere you might go (but you can check Amazon’s website to see what areas might not be connected)</p>
<p>It’s on my wish list! I’m waiting for the new improved version, though.</p>
<p>I’ve been waiting for the second generation too. First they said October, then Christmas. Is February for real? I did a search for news about a week ago and didn’t find anything.</p>
<p>Okay I heard there is a news conference scheduled for 2/9 and the thought is that they will announce the new product at that conference. Saw something on the internet about it, I think but I don’t totally remember.</p>
<p>What will be upgrades on the new version be?</p>
<p>I think the Feb date is for real. Don’t know what upgrades will be, although I heard they are changing the buttons a bit. It is easy to turn pages inadvertently, especially as you are getting used to the button layout, I think they are changing the layout.
DH loves, loves his Kindle, he likes gadgets anyway, and he hates the bed side reading clutter. I like mine, but i need to break down and get glasses (bifocals), so concentrated reading now gives me a headache, whether it is paper or Kindle. I enjoy it most traveling, I can take a whole suitcase of books in my hand.</p>
<p>I like the Sony eReader much better - IMO the form factor is superior.</p>
<p>Two friends who travel extensively love the Kindle. They download books while they are away and love the on-line features. That is why they prefer it over the Sony reader.</p>
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<p>This reminds me of something I saw in the airport yesterday. My sister downloads TV shows onto her ipod (a season at a time). I saw someone in the aiport watching his ipod–using a magnifying glass! </p>
<p>Where would you get materials to download on your Sony eReader? From Amazon also?</p>
<p>Problem with the Sony is far fewer books available.</p>
<p>I’ve been waiting for the second generation too. First they said October, then Christmas.</p>
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<p>The Sony bookstore has always had everything I have wanted to read for books. I have no interest in reading newspapers or magazines as an eBook. </p>
<p>Two other points: 1) Amazon has been quietly raising their book prices, and 2) Amazon had sold roughly 250,000 reader units while Sony has sold 500,000+.</p>
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Have you tried changing the font size on the Kindle?</p>
<p>My local library subscribes to netlibrary. I use them to download audio books for free. They also have ebooks in pdf format. Are they readable on either sony or kindle? Or is there a special format used for the books?</p>
<p>Yes, I change the font size, which is a good thing about the Kindle. reading in general is giving me a headache, which is worrisome since I love to read. In my job, glasses are a real pain, so I’m putting this off as long as possible. </p>
<p>There are a couple of websites where you can get free downloads for a number of E-book formats - I use those to get books often.
Also, on Amazon you can have up to 6 people share an account and share books. The point being that, unlike buying a book, a certain part of e-book reading is proprietary, and can’t be shared.</p>