Quick question - moving to Zurich in a fortnight. Will I be able to download stuff on Kindle easily in Switzerland and rest of Europe?

Cheers

Isn't it somehow connected to Amazon? I assume if you have an internet connection you can download to your heart's content...

I do not think so but it seems that the question was discussed in this thread:

eReader gadget

I believe it is possible but not over whispernet. You will need to download your purchase onto your computer and then sync your kindle with your computer.

Yes it is, and very connected. Recently Amazon had to pull 1984 and Animal Farm from sale through Kindle due to the fact they didn't have the rights to distribute the books in kindle format. But, they didn't just pull it from sale, they also deleted from all the Kindles that had already purchased it, and then refunded the customer.

More here

I have one and I love it. I read so much that it was costing me a small fortune in FNAC. My friends back home all chipped in and bought me one for my birthday. Because you are in Europe, there is an intermediate step when downloading books but it only adds about 2 more minutes onto your transaction.

First you have to set up a kindle account on Amazon. Then you buy the book on Amazon for 9.99 USD or less. You tell your Kindle account to download the book onto your computer, not directly to your Kindle, (like you could if you were in the US). Then you just plug your kindle into your computer and drag and drop the document into the kindle. Total time from start to finish is about 4 minutes.

Trust me, it's amazing. The battery lasts forever. I have yet to have it run out and I have used it for days without having to recharge. The screen is some special kind of white screen. You can take it out in direct sunlight and there is no glare. I know I sound like an advertisement, but it so rare that a product lives up to expectations, that I felt like it deserved a big shout out.

Some free Kindle book sites/ideas:

http://www.blogkindle.com/category/free-kindle-books/

Check the other Kindle tags on the left. There are some other free books under the other listings. Including one called Spirit House (see bottom of one of the other posts).

Kindle uses what is called "e-ink" type screen which isn't like the computer screen you are used to. It only needs electricity to when you change pages. Otherwise, it doesn't use up any electricity just leaving the text on the screen. It's great for reading. Best of all, it bypasses the book cartel of Switzerland.

How does the Kindle compare with holding a book in your hands? I read a lot so am intrigued by the idea of this but not sure I would want to lose the comfort of a book.

What happens when you drop it on to concrete / soak it / expose it to extreme heat or cold / your toddler gnaws it? A book will continue to work as advertised (more or less).
I left my personal organiser on the kitchen counter next to the hob, and the wife put the kettle on. That was the end of that device.
Think I might stick with UK Amazon old fashioned books for a while yet.

Cheers

Jim

Reminds me of my Dad who got a PDA when they first came out, he left it on top of a radiator which in fairness was switched off when he put it there .

Does Amazon let you buy ebooks on Amazon.com with a Swiss address and a Swiss credit card?

I own a BeBook and love it. However, all major sellers of eBooks (mobipocket, ereader, fictionwise etc.) have, over the last couple of weeks, stopped selling books outside of the US because they were bought by larger companies. This is a major freaking pain in the neck - where the heck am I supposed to buy English eBooks now?

Peter

I have a Sony Reader, but I think the Kindle is pretty much the same view...anyway, there have been times I've been reading it that I have actually tried to turn a page. It's a lot easier than holding a heavy hardback or a fat paperback (and if you have a small apt., more room for lots of books)

And the same question: can you buy English books for the Sony Reader from a Swiss address with a Swiss credit card?

Peter

I'd like to try out a dedicated ebook reader. Up until now I've just been using ebook reader apps on the iPhone, which I like quite a bit. Tons of books for sale and for free, no dealing with regional restrictions for the most part, and best of all, I don't have to carry around a seperate device. I imagine a big downside is the battery life though.

Hey, all. I just asked my husband who is much more techno savvy than I and he said absolutely you can get Kindle without a US address or a US credit card. All questions have already been answered in this blog:
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45876

You need a US credit card to purchase the ebooks, but apparently foreign Amex cards work. Most people get around this by buying gift vouchers.

The Kindle devise itself can be bought with a foreign credit card but can only be delivered to a US address.

Yes, I do love my Kindle. The e-ink is amazing...

I just read that Amazon is being sued for deleting books on Kindle machines in the US without giving previous warning. Don't know the details, but here's a link to a newspaper article (in German):

http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/digital/...story/29023637

For over a year I have been teetering on buying kindle. I keep looking at the Kindle and the Sony E reader. My problems are :

1 I really throw books around they go everywhere with me, although my phone has survived well. Any electronic device must be robust.

2. Biggest problem. I write in my books, cross reference and highlight stuff, a filthy habit I know. I haven't found a kindle or EBook that will allow me to do this.

My daughter has told me about this:

http://business.theatlantic.com/2009...the_kindle.php

It sounds good to me but whadyall think- is this the answer?

Not sure if you're still considering a Kindle, but I use mine for research and, although I'm not able to flip pages as easily as I would a physical book, I am able to highlight, take notes, add thoughts, and bookmark pages. It's all added into a file called either "My Clippings" or "My Bookmarks". Click on that file, your notes for that particular book come up, click on the note you made -- or the passage you highlighted -- and the Kindle takes you to the page. It's very cool and extremely easy to do.

Just thought you'd like to know. :^)