An Open Letter to Amazon Regarding the Kindle 3

Gear Diary is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Click here to learn More.

An Open Letter to Amazon Regarding the Kindle 3 Listen to this article

Finder.png

The about this time last year I wrote a series of posts about the Amazon Kindle. One of the posts was entitled “An Open Letter to Jeff Bezos”. It discussed some of my concerns with their DRM scheme and the issues that I was having with it. I wasn’t pleased with some of the apparent limitations of the DRM, and I was totally disappointed with the customer service people I spoke with.

A year later I want to write another open letter to Amazon. This one I’m going to title, “An Open Letter to Amazon Regarding the Kindle 3”

Yes, my Kindle 3 arrived just a few minutes ago. I’ve just begun playing around with it but wanted to immediately share a few thoughts. Before I do, just a note about being back among the Kindle faithful. I had both a Kindle 2 and a Kindle DX last year. I liked both of them a great deal and only sold them in anticipation of getting the iPad. Once I began using the iPad I quickly realized that I much preferred using the Kindle app over iBooks. I decided that it was important to select one particular platform and stick with it, so the Kindle won out.

I love reading on my iPad but, truth be told, at times it gets far too heavy after an extended period. That wouldn’t be as much of an issue were not for the real issue with the device as an e-book reader – it is horrible in the sun. It isn’t just bad… it’s horrible. And since I love to read outside it can be problematic at times. I promised myself that if the Kindle came down to below $150 I would likely pick one up, so when the Kindle 3 was announced and there was a WiFi version for under a $150, I immediately ordered. It came today and I am incredibly impressed.
An Open Letter to Amazon Regarding the Kindle 3

No doubt you’ve read on other sites about the new version of the Kindle. Its far smaller than its predecessor. Now the percentage of shrinkage doesn’t sound that significant, but when you actually hold the device in your hand it is remarkably noticeable. It has the same size screen but is smaller and lighter and feels good to hold.

The increased screen contrast is gorgeous. Things just look better on it making it far easier to read.

ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4

An Open Letter to Amazon Regarding the Kindle 3

The four-way toggle button in the lower right is responsive, intuitive and easy to use. It makes navigating the device a much nicer experience.

An Open Letter to Amazon Regarding the Kindle 3

But by far the best improvements on the device are the new buttons, which are quieter and easier to press, and the speed with which the page is refreshed. I found the old Kindle to be more than a bit annoying as I waited for the next page to come up, and I found the same thing with the new Kindle DX when I tried it; not so with the Kindle 3. Press the button and you move forward immediately to the next page. Yes, you’ll still have the quick flash as the page changes, but it’s so brief and the new page comes up so quickly that you don’t mind nearly as much. Add to that the fact that the WiFi is super fast here at my home.

So here is my open letter to Amazon…

Dear Amazon,

You done good!

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.