Summary of How the Amazon Kindle Works
This article explains the benefits of e-book readers like the Kindle, highlighting their high storage capacity, portability for travelers, and reading features such as bookmarking and note-taking. It details various models from the original to the Paperwhite, noting design changes, screen technologies (E Ink), and connectivity options like WiFi and 3G.
Parts used in the Amazon Kindle:
- E-book reader device
- Memory card slot (original model)
- WiFi connectivity module
- 3G connectivity module
- Electronic ink (E Ink) display
- Five-way controller
- Physical keyboard
- Touch-screen interface
- Lit screen component (Paperwhite model)
- Rubberized back casing
- Cloud storage service
Why would you want to use an e-book reader in the first place? One reason is that a single e-book reader can hold many titles. The $69 Kindle, Amazon’s base model, can hold up to 1,400 titles (books, newspapers, magazines and blogs) in its memory [source: Amazon]. The newer models also offer WiFi connectivity. The original Kindle had a port that allowed users to save titles to a memory card, extending the device’s capacity, which appealed to people who like the idea of having an electronic library that takes up very little physical space. The models available today do not have card slots, but available Kindle models come with 2 or 4 gigabytes of storage space, and Amazon also stores your entire library in the cloud, allowing you to delete and re-download titles at will to organize and save space.
The Kindle’s memory capacity also makes it very convenient for travelers. With a Kindle, you don’t have to worry about packing heavy books in your luggage to keep you occupied for your whole trip. A single Kindle can hold more than enough titles to tide you over. And if you decide you want something completely different midway through your travels (as long as you’re traveling in the United States or a country in which Amazon offers service for its international Kindle), you can always use the Kindle to access Amazon’s store and buy a new book.
The Kindle also has several functions that you may find helpful while reading. You can bookmark a page, highlight a selection of text or even type notes as you read. With these features, the Kindle has the potential to replace hard copy textbooks in the future, something many students would probably welcome. While they would no longer be able to sell a used copy of a textbook at the end of a term, they wouldn’t have to tote around a backpack filled with hefty books either.
Amazon Kindle Layout
The original Kindle has an off-white plastic casing and an asymmetric, beveled shape, like a closed three-ring binder. It has a rubberized back that makes it easier for users to hold the device. It’s 7.5 inches (19 centimeters) long and 5.3 inches (13.5 centimeters) wide. It’s only 0.7 inches (1.8 centimeters) thick and weighs a mere 10.3 ounces.
Amazon has changed the design of the Kindle a few times since its introduction. The third-generation device, also known as the Kindle Keyboard, is less angular than the original model. It initially came in two versions: a WiFi-only model and a 3G and WiFi model, the former of which is no longer available. The Kindle DX, a larger keyboard-laden e-reader with a 9.7-inch (24.6-centimeter) diagonal screen, has also been discontinued. The Keyboard 3G is just as tall as the first Kindle, but is less angular and a little narrower at 4.8 inches (12.2 centimeters) wide. It’s 0.34 inches (8.5 millimeters) thick and weighs 8.7 ounces (247 grams).
In September 2011, Amazon unveiled three new Kindle models with E Ink electronic ink (we’ll talk about this technology more later) displays like the originals, along with a tablet called the Kindle Fire. The first new Kindle model, which is now the base model for Amazon, uses a five-way controller and doesn’t have a physical keyboard. It’s the smallest Kindle yet, measuring in at 6.5 inches (17.3 centimeters) long and 4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters) wide and weighing 6 ounces (170.1 grams). Two Kindle Touch models — one a WiFi only and the other a 3G and WiFi device, both with touch-screen interfaces and very few physical controls — were also introduced, but have since been discontinued in favor of the new Kindle Paperwhite devices.
The Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite 3G were released in October 2012. The Paperwhite is similar to the Kindle Touch in appearance and size, measuring 6.7 inches (17 centimeters) long and 4.6 inches (11.7 centimeters) wide. Two differences on the new device are a lit screen and the omission of the physical home button. Aside from the power button, the only interface on the Paperwhite is the touch-screen.
The central feature on all the Kindle models, with the exception of the Kindle Fire tablet, is the electronic paper screen. The screens on all Kindle models except the Fire and the recently discontinued DX measure 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) along the diagonal. Kindle Keyboard 3G and the base Kindle have a resolution of 167 pixels per inch (PPI), whereas the new Paperwhite models have a resolution of 212 PPI [source: Amazon]. The screen can display images in 16 levels of gray using a technology called E Ink. Unlike LCD screens, the Kindle e-reader’s screen isn’t backlit. For all but the Paperwhite, you’ll need a reading light if you want to skim a novel in a setting with little ambient light. And even the Paperwhite is not actually backlit like a tablet. Read on to find out more about the various Kindle features.
For more Detail: How the Amazon Kindle Works
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How many titles can the base Kindle hold?
The $69 base model can hold up to 1,400 titles including books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs. -
Can you access new books while traveling with a Kindle?
Yes, users can access Amazon's store to buy new books if they are in the United States or a country where Amazon offers international service. -
What functions does the Kindle offer while reading?
The device allows users to bookmark pages, highlight text selections, and type notes directly while reading. -
Does the Kindle have a backlit screen like tablets?
No, except for the Paperwhite which has a lit screen, most Kindles do not have backlighting and require ambient light or a reading light. -
What technology is used for the Kindle display?
All Kindle models use E Ink electronic paper displays that show images in 16 levels of gray. -
Are there physical keyboards on all Kindle models?
No, newer models like the base Kindle and Touch series do not have physical keyboards and rely on touch-screens or controllers. -
How is library storage managed on modern Kindles?
Modern devices come with 2 or 4 gigabytes of storage and also store the entire library in the cloud for re-downloading. -
What was the screen size of the discontinued Kindle DX?
The Kindle DX featured a larger 9.7-inch diagonal screen compared to the standard 6-inch screens on other models.
