Kindle Korner... You Light Up My Life (or at least my Kindle)

Kandle for Kindle

There's a new gadget for our Kindles, and it's designed to light up our lives... or at least our Kindle reading page. It's the Kandle, and it's a LED light with a wide grip that fits securely on the top of your Kindle (this also works on other eReaders). This wider design is suppose to help secure the light on your Kindle and NOT block the page your reading. And it does it nicely. The light is also on a pivoting arm that allows you to adjust your light to illuminate in different positions. Here are some of the highlights from the Amazon page:

*New patent-pending WideLipTM grip that does not block the screen on the KindleTM, Sony® Reader and other eBook readers.

*Double pivoting arms allows for easy positioning and adjustment for tailored screen illumination.

*WideLipTM grip also works perfectly on books without blocking text on the page.

*Powered by two lifetime X2 LEDs optimized to distribute uniform light without creating glare or eyestrain.

*Works perfectly as a stable, free-standing night light

All in all the Kandle is a cute little light that works pretty well. It's nice to be able to attach it to the top of theKindle and not have the page blocked. And because of the wide grip it's very secure. Before the Kandle, when reading in a low light situation, I'd use my Mighty Bright Light, which I attach to either to my Kindle cover or on the side of my Kindle (*see photo's below). The illumination of the Kandle is nice, but I did find that towards the bottom of the Kindle page that the illumination was not very strong - still readable though. The Kandle folds up into itself and is nice and portable. The LED light is protected when it's folded up too, so you can literally throw it in a pocket and not worry. The Kandle comes with a battery already installed AND 2 extra batteries too! Made by Ozeri and available through Amazon.com, the Kandle can be used not only for your eReaders, but regular books and can even be used for a nightlight. It's available in white or now in black for a discounted price of $25. If you're looking for a reading light for your Kindle, the Kandle is a nice choice. Don't forget about the Mighty Bright XtraFlex Clip on Light (Kindle Version) which has been a favorite among Kindle readers for some time! (It sells for $19.99)

Are you using a reading light that attaches somehow to your eReader? Which one? Share what you like and don't like about your reading light and enlighten us!

*Here are those examples of how to attach the Mighty Bright Clip on Light to your Kindle...

The Kindle Korner... The Great Kindle Cover Up!

No, I'm not talking about some secret conspiracy involving that wonderful eReader by Amazon called the Kindle... I'm talking about making a personal statement with your Kindle, protecting your Kindle, traveling outside the home with your Kindle... I'm talking about Kindle Covers!

Did you get a Kindle for Christmas or Chanukah this year? Are you using a cover? A cover is not just decorative, but serves as a source of protection for your Kindle screen and body. And just as unique as the books on your Kindle, there are plenty of Kindle covers to choosefrom to express your own unique style. So let's take a look at some of what's available...

Oberon Design... Beautiful tooled leather covers with a 100% wool felt LED screen protector. To secure the Kindle you have a choice of ordering your Oberon cover with corner straps or velcro. I have the corner straps and they are very secure and easy to put your Kindle in. The leather is stiff, gets softer over time, and is designed so that you can fully open the cover and fold it back over itself for one hand reading if you want. With a pewter button that serves as the closure, there is a bungee cord that wraps around the button. Oberon Design still makes every cover "to order" and they are exquisite. There are currently 20 Kindle 2 Designs available in a variety of colors. Oberon Design also makes covers for the Kindle DX, Sony eReaders and now for The Nook! Check them all out at the Oberon Design website!

M-Edge... This company has 12 different designsto satisfy almost any taste. The original case for my Kindle 2 was the Prodigy Jacket. It's a solid cover with plush interior to protect the cover. Straps hold the Kindle in place and a tab closure to keep the cover closed. The Prodigy Jacket opens up like a book, but there is also a style that flips open and is able to stay open that way on a desk or table. Available in leather or synthetic leather, there are a variety of colors to choose from. (I have the beautiful fuchia leather one!) One other notable cover is the Leisure Jacket that is a clear vinyl jacket that is designed to protect your Kindle from the elements, such as sand, dirt and moisture if you are reading by the pool or at the beach. Looks like it would be perfect protection, and maybe a good choice for an activity such as kayaking! But my new cover that I received as a Christmas gift this year is one of the New Yorker Jackets! They are solid beautiful padded covers featuring artwork from New Yorker Magazine covers. The cover uses the Kindle-compatible hinge system that is essentially 2 little metal tabs that slip into your Kindle to hold it in place. In addition there are 2 corner straps. There had been some problems in the past with the Kindle cracking when using this hinge system, but I believe those issues have been resolved. There are currently 3 designs. My DH bought me the Booklover cover, which appears to be not available any longer, but it's the middle design below...

Check out all the covers at M-Edge's Website! They also make covers for Kindle DX and Sony eReaders.

Waterfield Designs... Waterfield makes these nice ballistic nylon sleeve cases. Your Kindle is not actually secured into a "cover", but they are protected as you bring it along to your next reading destination, and the sleeve serves as a nice place to store your Kindle too. They are padded and look nice. My DH has one of the Sleeve Cases for his DX, which comes in a vertical or horizontal version, with or without a strap. All these things are choices you make when you place your order. He ordered the horizontal, but thought the vertical might be better when removing your Kindle because you are grabbing the plastic as apposed to part of the screen. He ordered it without a strap, but I would have ordered it with a strap in order to carry it like a handbag. If you don't order the strap originally, there is no place to attach a strap later on, so think if you want that option before ordering. And there are no other color choices besides the black, but the black is very classic looking. Waterfield Designs also has a few other types of cases, to check out all their designs, go to Waterfield Designs Website!

Other Kindle covers can be found at JAVOedge, bobarra (which sells beautiful fabric covers), and KindleChaos (which offers hard shell cases). Plus we shouldn't forget the nice leather cover Amazon offers too! Thanks to Diane for commenting about how much she likes her Amazon cover! What's on your Kindle? Any other companies offering Kindle protection you'd like to share here? We're talking about protection today, but there is also Kindle Skins available, which offer the opportunity to change the look of your Kindle from that stark white color to something more personal... we'll discuss that another post...

The Kindle Korner and The Nook... plus a new Kindle application!

Barnes & Noble throws the gauntlet down to Amazon!

"The Nook" challenges The Kindle

And Amazon fights back with lower pricing and a new application!

The Nook by Barnes & Noble is an eReader that offers real competition to The Kindle... especially if you love your Kindle. Although I haven't actually seen one yet, only the photos all over the internet, it looks very similar to the Kindle... A slim ergonomically designed eReader that will be comfortable to hold in your hand, with page turning buttons right where you want them - where your thumb is resting already.

There are a few BIG differences between The Nook and The Kindle though such as,

*The Nook can display texts in PDF and ePub format. ePub is a new standard format supported by numerous publishers who make e-books. That means you aren't limited to just what Barnes & Noble sells.

*The Nook will have both 3G and WiFi built in.

*The Nook will have a 3.5 inch color touchscreen LCD on the bottom of the reader. You can see your eBooks that you own in full color covers, and can browse thru them at the touch of your finger. (similar to Apple's cover flow). And you can shop for eBooks the same way.

*There already will be 2GB storage for 1500 books, but if that isn't enough for you there is a expandable microSD slot for more storage.

*You can lend your eBooks to your family & friends. Whoever you lend the book to must have the Barnes & Noble eReader software installed on their device, but the software is free. I actually have this installed on my iPhone. ** Thanks to J.T. Oldfield of Bibliofreak, we have a little more info on The Nook's lending "restrictions". Seems that it's a one time lend to someone for 2 weeks. No renewals. When you lend your eBook, you can't read it at the same time- kind of like a real book. Here's the link J.T. shared about The Nook and lending practices.

Standard on both Kindle and The Nook is the ability to look up words in a dictionary, highlight passages on the page, and make notations. You can easily personalize your screensaver with your photos on The Nook too. You can load your photos for screensavers on The Kindle too, although it's not a direct download. You can get samples of books before purchase from both, but Barnes and Noble is promising exclusive content if you are in their store and sampling books via your Nook. (of course my comment to my husband was why not just open the book...)

Would you like to compare The Kindle to The Nook? Here's the comparison chart from Barnes & Noble. And here's The Nook page at Barnes & Noble, where you can watch a 3 minute video about The Nook. And the price? The Nook is retailing for $259, which is the new lower price of The Kindle2.

Book sales have been falling for Barnes & Noble and they are hoping that this device will boost sales. Barnes & Noble says that they will have The Nook is stores to try before you purchase. And if you order one now, shipping is scheduled to begin end of November.... I love my Kindle, but The Nook looks like it combines the nicest features of The Kindle with the features I wished it had (great PDF display & ePub! AND that beautiful full color touch screen.) What do you think? Kindle or Nook? Are you in the market for an eReader, and are you going to wait now to take a real look at The Nook? I can't wait to actually see one! And competition is always good, it can only spur on innovations in the new eReader market.

And speaking of competition, Amazon has lowered the Kindle International/US version to $259! And has eliminated its US only version! You can still get a US version as a refurbished model selling for $219! PLUS Amazon has just announced Kindle for PC! "Kindle for PC," the free application that lets readers around the world enjoy Kindle books on their personal computers (PC). Kindle books can now be read on the Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, and PC. Read more about Kindle for PC HERE. And go to Amazon.com's Kindle for PC page HERE to sign up to be notified when "Kindle for PC" actually becomes available for download!