Last week, we finally posted our review of Kindle 3. It’s truly a wonderful device to own or give as a gift to someone. But it is not without its flaws. While Kindle 3 is a more compact device, has a better screen, and features a powerful battery in comparison to its predecessors, it can be improved in many areas. Since a lot of our readers actually own a Kindle, we thought it’d be interesting to find out what flaws they see in Amazon Kindle. Here are few areas that we’d like Amazon to address in Kindle 4 and beyond:
- Document support: Kindle does not support ePub. It does support PDF but the PDF reader included on it leaves a lot to be desired. Kindle does not support e-book lending either.
- Battery: Kindle owners can not remove their Kindle battery on their own. They can but Amazon has not made it really easy. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just buy a battery and replace it without having to jump through hoops?
- PDF Reader: Kindle 3′s PDF reader leaves a lot to be desired. It does the job but reading PDF books on Kindle 3 is a tad bit more difficult than reading regular Kindle books.
- Web Browser: Kindle’s web browser has seen a lot of improvements since Kindle 1. But it needs even more work. Of course, Amazon may need to improve Kindle’s software dramatically as well.
- Kindle Apps: Kindle apps have been so disappointing so far. Word games are fun but they are not what you can call real apps. Amazon needs to make up its mind here. Will we see Android on Kindle 4? Amazon is starting an Android app store, so it would not be too surprising if that happened.
- MP3 Player: Amazon Kindle can play mp3 files but its audio player needs to be improved dramatically. Kindle is considered the best e-book reader on the market. There is no reason it should not have sophisticated audio features.
What do you hate about Kindle? What Kindle flaws do you want to live without?
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7 comments
#1@muldercOctober 25, 2010, 2:14 am
I think i disagree with just about all the issues you have with the Kindle. Personally i find the PDF reader to work great and i read pretty much only PDF's right now. It has been a while since i had any problem with a PDF that wasn't quickly fixed with landscapemode or zooming.
The only issue i have had is with the web browser not opening links that want to be opened in a new window. This comes up a lot if you are using twitter or google reader. Fixing that is so simple that it almost makes me think they did that on purpose.
#2CyrusOctober 25, 2010, 4:26 pm
I think we did disagree on the PDF reader. I think the fact that Amazon does not support all document formats other ereaders support is a big issue. The web browser needs a lot of work. Can we claim Amazon Kindle is the best audiobook player on the market? I can't.
As far as the battery is concerned, that's a big issue. Sure. Kindle has gotten cheaper but why pay for a new one when you can get your battery for $20. Of course, you can always change it yourself. That said Kindle 3 is still a great device. With ebook lending coming, it's going to be even better.
#3LizardOctober 26, 2010, 8:08 pm
It's a ebook reader. I don't care if it doesn't play music or games or surf the web. When I pull out my kindle, I get to do exactly what I want: read a book.
#4Felipe FLorez, PhD.November 6, 2010, 9:12 am
I disagreee too. A reader must be a reader not an mp3 player. It seems you are nor really a very good reader not even a well educated person. Go an buy an mp3 player to listen to your filthy pop music or whatever crap you listen to. In the mean while I will read on classics on my kindle 3 and listen to Bach's music for harpsichord in my sophisticated stereo.
#5EricNovember 22, 2010, 12:02 am
That would have been amazing if it weren't for several grammatical errors, but none the less you are completely right.
#6MinaJanuary 18, 2011, 11:02 am
memory is too low only 3GB
#7FrankOctober 4, 2011, 4:11 am
I travel a lot for work and my Kindle is a great way to avoid lguuing books around with me. I'm REALLY annoyed that the book next on my list (Michael Connelly's A Darkness More Than Night) is not available to download to read – only as an audio book. I hated being read to at school, and now, 40 years after leaving school, I'm almost forced into short pants again!
What do I hate about Kindle 3? The ability to play audio books. If that ability was not there I could read to myself.
Looks like I'm going back to paper…
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