Amazon Kindle 3 review: what's all the hype?

The Kindle 3 (called so by the consumers, because it just got a bit confusing to simply call it the Kindle) was released in August 2010 and was immediately a top seller and known as the best eBook reader available on the market.

The Kindle has transformed the eBook reader from curious gadget to a growing mass market device in the short span of three years.

I had to start wearing glasses to read and that made me wonder, how I am going to be able to read when I am much older with even worse eye sight and possible joint aches (from holding all those heavy books) and the answer came to me, with my Kindle 3 (or whichever version is out by then).

Kindle got people reading again especially people who have physical limitations such as arthritis and poor eye sight, but this is not the only reason the Kindle is so great, there is MORE.

What makes the Kindle so great?

The Kindle is lighter than any other eReader on the market weighing only 240 grams, thinner than a magazine at 8.5mm and about the size of an average paperback with a 6inch screen. Making it easy to hold and read for long periods. I am a bit of a pink fanatic and like to keep my "toys" looking brand spanking new so I got myself (you guessed it) a pink leather cover to protect my Kindle 3.

The Kindle 3 also has a e-ink Pearl display which creates better contrast making the words clearer to read, putting less strain on your eyes. The contrast actually improves in sunlight (that is my experience) which is the opposite of what you would expect due to the fact that it is not back lit like normal devices such as tablets.

I've always struggled to choose which books to take with me when travelling and which to leave behind, but now I can take as many books with me as I want. The Kindle 3 can store up to 3500 eBooks in its tiny light body. Imagine carrying so many paperbacks with you, crazy. No more heavy handbags or leaving books behind.

What is the difference in the Kindle 3 versions?

There are mainly two Kindle 3 versions the Kindle 3 Wi-Fi and the Kindle 3 WI-Fi and 3G. I personally feel with so many coffee shops and restaurants these days with WI-Fi available you don’t really need the 3G, only if you don’t have internet at home. But if you travel often and need to read newspapers and magazines on the go then the 3G version is perfect for you.

You also get a cheaper version now called the Kindle with special offers which is much cheaper than both options. So what is the snag you ask? Well it displays ads, limited to the home screen and the screen saver with no interruptions while you read.

What are the fantastic features?

I mainly got my Kindle 3 simply for reading although it has some impressive additional features.

The Kindle 3 is ready to use right out of the box no need to install programs or anything and it is really easy to use (keep in mind I am technologically challenged).

The kindle never gets hot in your hands and is comfortable to hold for long periods of time.

Page turning is really fast, amazing me each time. Plus the buttons is located at comfortable points making it easy to read and turn pages in any position.

There is no need to drive to a book store when you finished a book, simply download one with your Wi-Fi, easy and hassle free.

Oh and have I mentioned that your Kindle library can hold up to 3500 of your favourite books in ebooks form?

There is no need to simply skip over a word you don’t know or understand because the Kindle 3 has a built in New Oxford American Dictionary. I am not so fond of the fact that the dictionary is the American version instead of British but it still works perfect in explaining the “Big” words. Now you can really increase your vocabulary.

The Kindle 3 also has free built in access to Wikipedia. The vast encyclopaedia is perfect for students and anyone interested in looking up facts and history as you read.

Take notes while you read with the QWERTY keyboard right on the text, bookmark pages and highlight passages which you can share with others. You can become a real vandal with these great features.

The battery life is longer than any eReader on the market by far. When the wireless features are turned off, your Kindle 3 battery can last up to a month with a single charge. With the wireless constantly on the battery lasts up to three weeks which is truly impressive if you ask me.

There are more great features I could tell you about but that would keep me typing for far too long and I think I have already gone over my word limit (oops).

Why buy a Kindle eBook Reader instead of a tablet?

Allot of people ask why should you buy a Kindle eBook reader or any eBook reader when you can buy an iPad or tablet, that has the same and more, well let me try to answer that. The Kindle 3 is much more affordable than tablets, smaller, lighter and provides a better reading experience with its specially designed clever e-ink technology screen. The Kindle is not back lit so it puts less strain on your eye, basically the same as reading printed text on paper. The battery life also lasts longer so you can read for longer periods of time, weeks instead of hours.

If you read a lot an eBook reader is perfect for you but if you only read occasionally and want to surf the net as well, send mail then a tablet will be a better choice for you. It all depends on your personal preference and needs.

What about the competition and future?

Since the release for the Kindle 3 in August 2010 it has been in the lead of the pack and the top selling product on Amazon for two years with other eBook readers trailing far behind. Since then other eBook reader manufacturers have tried to close the gap between them and the Kindle 3 with some degree of success. The new iRiver Story Reader with their Google alliance as well as the new touch screen Barns & Noble Nook eReader have succeeded in closing in on the Kindle 3 and put some pressure on Amazon but the Kindle still remains the strong leader. With talk about the new Kindle 4 being released before the 2011 Christmas rush we can only wonder how they are going to upgrade the already impressive Kindle 3 and leave more dust in their competitor’s eyes.

Ending off on the Kindle 3

I am a big book lover and love placing a book in my mini library, but must admit carting heavy books around is not my idea of fun. Also considering living a greener life by saving some trees from being mashed into books you could justify to yourself (a book lover) why a Kindle 3 is such a great buy. I must also admit that I have probably read more books in the last month on my Kindle 3 than what I would normally read in a month due to the simple fact that you can read for longer and you have new books so readily available. So if my review did not convince you of how great a Kindle 3 is and you are still in doubt, just think of the trees.

Read more about the Kindle 3 and all its great features on Amazon.