N1cky

I have a little light thing for my nook which works great. Mine's not backlit but it may be an option on the newer models

nettlebed

The display technology used in Kindle and the Nook is eInk, which can't be backlit.

However, since the screens are reflective, any light source will do, such as a clip on book light.

However, you can get a rather nice (though not cheap) case for the latest model of Kindle that has a handy built-in light. The light is powered from the device itself, and needs no batteries or charging. I have one of these, and it really does work.

Bob

That's pretty nifty!

Now do they both have the Stephen Hawking text to voice option? Think they do don't they? But how good is that?

fatbrit

Problem is, I hope you like the old stuff. Because I'd predict the printed stuff for the vast majority of trashy novels will be otherwise virtually unavailable in the next five years or so.

And if you get a spiffy new Nook Color, you can irritate the wife by the changing movies playing on the HTPC even while her ladyship holds the remote.

dbark

Wow, looks amazing! Thanks.
Good point!

dbark

nettlebed

Yes, there is text-to-voice. It's better than Stephen Hawking, but it's not yet, say, Martin Jarvis.

It is definitely listenable, but if you are an avid audio book fan, it's worth knowing that Kindle also has a built in MP3 player, and is compatible with anything bought from Audible.com (Audible.com is an Amazon.com subsidiary).

Not every book has text-to-voice enabled, though: when the feature was originally available it was set up for everything, but the publishers screamed bloody murder, and now it is up to them to decide whether t2v is enabled or not, just like the fact that the published sets the price. On both the detail page for items on the website, or the detail page on the device itself it is clearly stated whether t2v is enabled, and also whether the publisher set the price.

MsElui

you mentioned the flip camcorder thingy. I loved my little canon digital camera. Tiny enough to go in a pocket but can switch between photo and video with one switch (well it did until i dropped the bugger). It means i take short movies of the kids all the time - something i never did with the old camcorder.

my microsoft trackball. i used to get sore arms and wrists all the time - but since i switched to a trackball i never do. and it means i dont have to clear a big space on my desk as the thing doesnt move.

Bob

I was only asking because though I'm not really into audio books, would be nice to have the book and be able to listen to it whilst on a car ride and then read the story else where rather than get a specific audio book for whatever.

So this t2v is only on specific books, that's a shame, so not able to read off pdf's, even if you convert them?

nettlebed

t2v is on by default, unless the publisher has specifically disallowed it: if you convert the PDF to Kindle format, t2v will work.

Kaffy Mintcake

I really like my iPod and primarily use it at work. If someone is having a loud conversation near my desk and I find it distracting, the iPod goes on. If I'm working on a rather solitary task, the iPod goes on. It really helps me focus and makes the day more enjoyable.

As pet owners, a must have for us is what we call "tape rollies", though there has to be a better solution out there!

dunroving

I thought these things had gone out of style - I remember a big square Kensigton trackball that was available several years back (maybe in the late 90's?) and thinking at the time that it was a good idea, but I never tried it. I get a lot of right wrist problems (no jokes, please!), due largely to sitting at a computer for 6-10 hours every day - what model trackball do you use? I Googled Microsoft trackball and Wikipedia says the following:

"Microsoft was a major producer, but has since discontinued all of its products. The Microsoft Trackball Explorer continues to be extremely popular (it has no analogous design in production by another company), with used models selling for ~$200 on ebay."

There seems to be two different types - one type looks like the old square Kensington model, the other is almost like a mouse, but with a little ball on the left (thumb) side.

I'd give it a try if you think it helps with wrist pain and weakness. Maybe I can get one off eBay or Gumtree and try it out.

Rete

I know. Ain't that the bithc. Since I'm not a strictly trashy novel reading it isn't a great problem.


Don't have a wife but do have a husband. Only have a TV and a DVR. Can't record either and not missing it. Don't know what the hell an HTPC is and don't watch movies on the computer either. Fortunately, hubby feels like myself, we couldn't care less.

MsElui

Ithe one i have looks a bit like this..
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...30806&csid=_21 Its large enough that my whole hand basically sits on it and I just move my thumb for the trackball.

hobbes79

I would think things like the Kindle have a positive environmental impact. To produce books (down go some trees) and then transport those books all around the globe must have some sort of detriment to the environment.