NeatTrix

The first Kindle active content, ie applications and games, have started to appear.  The first offerings, released this week,  are two similar games, both free, and are available to Kindle users through the Kindle Store (link below).

The games are Every Word, and Shuffled row.  They both involve creating words from a set of letters.  In Every Word, you are given six or seven letter and then have to find every word you can using those letters. Your attempts are checked against the dictionary.  In Shuffled row, you are also given a set of letters, but in this game,  letters are constantly being added and removed adding an element of strategy to the game.

Hopefully, more and more games will start to show up now that Amazon has opened the gates. Then maybe they’ll let me try and make something.

http://www.amazon.com/s?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Amazon%20Digital%20Services

UPDATE – I noticed a few days ago that Every Word was no longer available for download.  I guessed it might have something to do with some potentially offensive (not to mention illegitimate) words that I noticed while playing the game.  Amazon is apparently working on fixing this and will release an updated version of the game soon.

I was playing around with my black light the other day, and when I put my Kindle under it’s light, I saw this:

I’ve asked a few people and they can’t seem to make anything of the pattern of florescent (or non-florescent) keys.  One suggestion was the first character (if that’s indeed what it is) is an ‘a’ presumably for amazon, but it’s less clear what the second thing is.

I suppose one explanation could just be a coincidental mixture of florescent and non-florescent keys were used to make my particular Kindle (perhaps they’ve changed the formula for the plastic in the keys, who knows?)  This explanation is easy enough to test.  I just need some other people with Kindles to check their keyboards under a black light and get back to me.  Does Kindle 1 have the same pattern, or any pattern?

If however, everyone sees the same pattern of lighted keys, then what does that mean? Does anyone see some significance in this pattern? Or perhaps with the individual letters themselves? Something I didn’t think of?

Thank you, Amazon! With this software, I can now read books on my PC, laptop, netbook, etc. The software can be configured to download books you’ve already purchased or new books. The big bonus is that maps, diagrams, and pictures are higher resolution and in color. With the original Kindle, almost any graphical content was unreadable. I avoided technical books and magazines for my Kindle because of this. Now I don’t have to. I can read technical books on my PC. Since that’s where I’m most likely to need the information, it’s a real win-win.

Amazon.com Download

In February, Amazon is having a limited beta for the Kindle Development Kit, which will allow development of third-party applications for the kindle.    There is very little information about it at the moment, but they do say this

Voice over IP functionality, advertising, offensive materials, collection of customer information without express customer knowledge and consent, or usage of the Amazon or Kindle brand in any way are not allowed. In addition, active content must meet all Amazon technical requirements, not be a generic reader, and not contain malicious code.

I can think of a few dozen useful things I’d like to see right off the bat, although I’m sure if you thought about it you could think of a few of your own.

http://www.amazon.com/kdk/

I take it back. I want one of these instead.

Kindle DX from AlleyInsider on Vimeo.

From Amazon:

Display: 9.7″ diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 1200 x 824 pixel resolution at 150 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
Size (in inches): 10.4″ x 7.2″ x 0.38″.
Weight: 18.9 ounces.
System requirements: None, because it doesn’t require a computer.
Storage: 4GB internal (approximately 3.3GB available for user content).
Battery Life: Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.
Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours and supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.
Connectivity: EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint’s 3G high-speed data network (check wireless coverage). See Wireless Terms and Conditions.
USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-USB connector) for connection to the Kindle DX power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.
Audio: 3.5mm stereo audio jack, built-in stereo speakers.
Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), PDF, TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.
Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, battery. Leather book cover sold separately.

Since the new Kindle will soon take the place of the current model, I thought I’d give a nod to Igor Skochinsky, who notoriously hacked the Kindle over a year ago.  In an interview, he described the Kindle as a closed system, but not that closed.  He also said the Sony Reader and iPhone were much more closed.  Easy or not, here are the three entries from his blog, detailing the steps taken to gain access to the console, and mess about inside. (continue reading…)

According to the New York Times, Amazon will unveil the Kindle 2 at a press conference next Monday (Feb 9th).  The site boygeniusreport.com leaked supposed photos of the new device last year.  According to the article, the Kindle has been out of stock since Oprah shilled for Amazon in November.  There is speculation that those who have already ordered their Kindle will receive the new version instead.  If the leaked pictures are indeed, the new Kindle, it certainly looks nicer.  Whether it functions better, time will judge.  The key improvement will most likely be graphic speed.  It is expected to use the Epson/E Ink display currently used by the Sony Reader 700, potentially allowing for touch-screen capability.  It doesn’t look, however, like it yet match the Rex Iliad with it’s 8.1 inch screen and 16 shades of color (I think I’m having an CGA flashback).  It will be cheaper than the Iliad, however.

Either way, I’m sure my employer will buy me one of each for thorough reviewing. (hint, hint)

Well, the JB Weld epoxy held for a month, and then gave up. I was really disappointed. I mean, it really did the trick…until it didn’t. The inside of my shower and car should be covered with the same substance as Amazon has coating the access cover of the Kindle. They might be a lot easier to keep clean then, as nothing much seems to stick to the stuff. What’s even more vexing is that the epoxy directly in contact with the cover material didn’t fully set. I saw the reverse situation in another project where silicone sealant covering an epoxy repair never fully cured. Curious.

Anyway, I was back to square one. I really, really  liked the Velcro straps for the Kindle, and I’m not one to just give up.
(continue reading…)

NOTE:  There has been an update to this article. Click here for the most recent developments.

The Amazon Kindle is an electronic book reader with an electronic-paper display and an EVDO wireless network connection (no extra cost). More than 200,000 titles are available, most for less than $10. Some books are free (you get what you pay for). Overall, I’ve been very happy with the Kindle, and have read more than 75 books using it.

Both my wife and I have Kindles. Both are registered in my name. Once purchased, we can both download a title and read the same book at the same time. I suggest that book clubs considering using the Kindle purchase and register all the Kindles for the group together.

There are a few things I don’t like. The ridiculously large “Next Page” button, and the smaller (but equally annoying) “Back” button on the right side of the Kindle cause endless frustration when accidentally touched. I had considered several options including hammers, nails, and superglue) before trying the solution below. It really works well. Better yet, it’s easily undone.

The second problem was holding the Kindle comfortably. The folder/book cover/piece-of-crap Amazon included with the Kindle is fine for protecting the Kindle while transporting the Kindle, but doesn’t help me hold the Kindle comfortably while reading. The Kindle is very light, lighter than some paperbacks, and certainly lighter than most hardcover books. I tried a couple of things and settled on the solution shown below.

The access cover on the back of the Kindle slides out to gain access to the battery, SD memory slot, and some sort of programming connector hidden under another access door. This access cover (door)  is coated with some sort of soft, rubbery compound that improves your grip. Sadly, not enough. Also, the coating doesn’t bond to many adhesives.

The first attempt was to just put some large rubber bands around the access cover and snap the access cover back in place. Not only didn’t the cover sit quite flat afterward, but the rubber bands were too tight.

The second attempt was to use some self-adhesive, industrial-strength Velcro on the access cover. This is shown in several of the photos below (for example, button6). The “hook” side of the Velcro was  attached to the Kindle. Two loops were fashioned from Velcro One-Wrap. These loops were positioned so that I could put my hand through both loops to hold the Kindle. Thanks to the Velcro, I could reposition the loops on the Kindle, as well as the size of the loops.

I purchased the self-adhesive Velcro from Lowe’s.

This worked fairly well, but the self-adhesive Velcro kept pulling off the access cover because of the poor adhesion to the rubbery coating. Also, I had started with the hooks, so the interior of the loops (straps) made from the One-Wrap  was also of the hook variety. This was sort of rough on the hands.

The final attempt is more permanent. I glued strips of the Velcro One-Wrap (also purchased at Lowe’s) to the Kindle’s access cover with some J-B Weld epoxy I purchased at True Value Hardware . This epoxy is also available at K-mart, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and PepBoys. This epoxy mixes up to a gray color similar to the color of the outside of the access door. It takes almost 24 hours to fully set though.

Even though the strips of Velcro are glued in place, the access cover is still removable. Take off the straps, and the Kindle still fits in its book cover (not that I use it).

Button1: The Kindle at left. A full cable tie is shown next to the Kindle. Shorten the cable tie at both ends to the length of both buttons. This can be done by eye with some scissors.

Button2: Insert the cut cable tie under the edge if the “Next Page” button, starting at the top. The Kindle is sitting on a roll of Velcro One-Wrap.

Button3: Continue inserting the cut cable tie until the cable tie extends under the leading edge of both the “Next Page” and “Back” buttons.

Button4: Another view showing how the cable tie runs under the button.

Button5: After the cable tie is fully inserted, it shows along the top of the “Next Page” button the right side of the Kindle. This makes it easy to pull the stop out if you need to.

Button6: The bottom of the Kindle showing the fully-inserted cut cable tie. This completely inhibits these two buttons. Cut the cable tie even shorter and only place it under the “Next Page” button to retain operation of the “Back” button. Also shown the self-adhesive, industrial-strength Velcro applied to the Kindle’s access cover. I rejected this Velcro method afterward.

Strap1:  This shot shows the roll of Velcro One-Wrap, a cut cable tie for button inhibition, and a portion of my Kindle with its first application of self-adhesive Velcro.

Strap2: This is the original strap solution. Self-adhesive, industrial-strength Velcro hooks are affixed to the Kindle’s access door. Straps are made from two lengths of the Velcro One-Wrap. One-Wrap has hooks on one side and loops on the other. This stuff is terrific! This solution worked for a couple of weeks, but, sadly, the self-adhesive Velcro kept pulling loose.

Strap3: Original strap system from another angle.

Strap4: Revised strap system. After removing the white Velcro hooks, I used epoxy to glue strips of Velcro One-Wrap on the Kindle’s access cover. The loop side is up this time.

Strap5: Revised system with one strap. The strap now has the loop side inside.

Strap6: Kindle with two straps.

Strap7: Strapped Kindle from another angle.

Strap8: Ditto.

Strap 9-14: Photos of my meaty mitt holding the newly strapped Kindle at various angles. Your Velcro One-Wrap mileage may vary.