O Canada! > Canadian > Canadian Chat > Kindle Paperwhite finally launching in Canada

Kindle Paperwhite finally launching in Canada

Cool. I've been thinking about getting one, tough my DXG works well.

reply to Guspaz
I thought it read Kindle Paperweight when I first glanced. But then again it's as good as a paperweight to me so not far off.

reply to Guspaz
Just ordered it. I was suppose to do a video review of the Kindle a year and a half ago!

reply to Guspaz
Just bought one myself, with the case. It'll be a nice upgrade from my Kindle 3.
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Developer: Tomato/MLPPP, Linux/MLPPP, etc »fixppp.org

I have the previous version of the $89 model (sand coloured instead of black). I still feel that one's the best choice for public transit because you can hold it and turn the pages with one hand while holding your morning coffee in the other hand. Not that easy to do with a touchscreen -- or a real book!

I have serious issues with Amazon's Canadian release schedule however...

EDIT: Just compared the Canadian/US prices. The US prices for the non-ad supported models (what we get here) are the same. So no price gouging there.
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Watch my future television channel's public test broadcast!
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reply to Guspaz
I had the Kindle 3 (Keyboard), so that was also button-based. I'm still uncertain about how well the touchscreen is going to work for me, but we'll see...
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Developer: Tomato/MLPPP, Linux/MLPPP, etc »fixppp.org

reply to Guspaz
One difference is that we have to pay full sales tax, while the Americans don't (no tax on internet purchases in the US). That adds a chunk to the order. But at least this time around we're not paying international shipping. When I bought my Kindle 3, Amazon shipped it from the US and charged us shipping for that.
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Developer: Tomato/MLPPP, Linux/MLPPP, etc »fixppp.org

reply to Guspaz
FP's article on the launch: »business.financialpost.com/2013/···erwhite/

Post some pics when you get it, I am curious how well the screen, lighting, and capacitive touch interface function.

reply to Guspaz

reply to Guspaz
I'd get one in an instant if the silly thing supported ePub, but I'll probably get it anyway, the display is supposed to be excellent. I sideloaded the Android Kindle app on the Playbook and it's certainly the best mobi/azw reader out there. The only thing I don't like about it is that Amazon keeps shoving "recommendations" in your face to get you to buy more. If I wanted to watch advertising I'd plant myself in front of the TV all day.
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"The promoters of the global economy see nothing odd or difficult about unlimited economic growth or unlimited consumption in a limited world."
― Wendell Berry

reply to Gone

reply to Guspaz
This is good news. I am glad to hear Amazon.ca finally selling Kindle devices. Happy to see the pricing is identical to the US store (albeit without the ad-supported models). With Amazon opening the Kindle store at Amazon.ca and finally selling Kindles directly in Canada, maybe we might see an ad-supported model in the future.

I would definitely get a paperwhite if I didn't already have a fully functional Kindle Keyboard. The built-in front light looks intriguing. I use a "lighted cover" with my Kindlw which draws power from the Kindle. It adds a bit of weight overall, but I am used to it.

I'll probably get a second generation Paperwhite, whenever that is.

reply to Guspaz
Hmm holds slightly more than 1000 books, whoopdeedoo.

My Nexus 7 can hold several thousand books, and it can also do all the other things a tablet can do.

And every other tablet can pretty much say the same.

Not sure how these can be all that thrilling.

Now if they came for free as a means to getting us interested in a service that used the device....

Hey they do that with phones, so it is NOT a dumb notion.

My tablet has Kindle software, it reads books just like a Kindle, but, it is not just a Kindle.

The display doesn't need a backlight and they are incredibly easy on the eyes. They call it eInk for a reason. The battery in an eReader when compared to something like a Nexus 7 lasts forever. My wife doesn't have a Kindle, but she has a Sony e-Reader and absolutely loves thing. They serve a different purpose from a general purpose tablet and can't really be compared.

reply to Sukunai
Can your tablet, or any tablet, be used outside on a bright sunny day, especially while wearing sunglasses? Can your tablet last for several months of daily use without ever worrying about running out of power?

And while debatable to many, a lot of people still have trouble using backlit devices for too long as it hurts their eyes or gives them a headache. I know I can't read for too long on a tablet or my eyes will start hurting. eInk, on the other hand, is better than reading a real book.

eInk devices are far more useful to a lot of people that don't need tablets. I own a playbook myself, used an iPad and a Nexus... and would still buy an eInk device for reading no matter what.

reply to Guspaz
why are people so gaga over the Kindle Paperwhite?
I tried it out in the US, and much prefer the Kobo Glo's light.

Case of the Firmware?

reply to Guspaz
I have an iPad (3rd gen too, so very nice screen). I have a Kindle. I much prefer reading on the e-ink display.

In terms of the Paperwhite versus the Glo, I'm already in the Amazon ecosystem, so this is an upgrade, not a new device. I'm happy with the way things work at Amazon, and my experience with Kobo devices did not impress me in terms of the interface (my parents have a Kobo Touch).

Comparing the two devices, the Kobo has the following pros/cons that I'm aware of (from a hardware perspective):

Pros:
- Lighter (189g vs 213g)
- Expandable (microSD slot)
- Cheaper ($130 vs $139)

Cons:
- Thicker (10mm vs 9mm)
- Older touchscreen (infrared versus capacitive)
- Less even lighting

The extra thickness is probably because of the touchscreen, actually. Infrared touchscreens require a thicker bezel for the lights/sensors.

Either device is pretty good, from what the reviews say. It really comes down more to personal preference and which ecosystem you're already in. Most of my books are from Baen, so I have them in every conceivable format, although Baen just migrated to Amazon a month or two ago (and almost doubled their prices across the board).

EDIT: It seems like the Paperwhite promises longer battery life, but the manufacturers of eBooks all use completely different and incompatible measurements of battery life. They report battery life in months, but with different numbers of hours per day at different brightness levels.
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Developer: Tomato/MLPPP, Linux/MLPPP, etc »fixppp.org

I thought the Kindle Paperwhite had less even lighting over the Kobo Glo or did they improve it?

I have a feeling Amazon does a better job writing and testing their firmware, its and area that Kobo needs to improve.