Kindle for PC - Updated

I am LOVING the updated Kindle for PC.

Kindle for PC has been updated so that you can now:

- Copy and paste, Add Notes. Highlight, Google It, Use Dictionary
    Just highlight a word within a book to get options. We have this with Kindles but it's new to the app.

- Look up Book Extras of Shelfari 
   This is reader added information that tells you what's next in a series, whether or not it's suitable for kids, who are the main characters etc
  
- Report errors 
   Oooo! I love this.  I often highlight misprints or typos and send them off to publishers or authors. This makes it real easy!  Again, highlight, right click and select More > Report error.

- Import collections from your Kindle
  So why would you do this if you don't like to read on a computer? For one, it makes a great visual library so browsing what to read next is very easy. What I really like too is that it doesn't download the library unless you want to read the book. You can look through your library, even move a book to a different collection, but it's not downloaded and index until you tell it to do so.

I particularly like this because I download a lot of books that are free or in sales, and by the time I come to read them, I have forgotten all about them.

New Import Collections feature

None of these benefits will make me ditch my Kindle device, but they are great to use. I have Kindle for PC at work so we can all read some work-related books from one account. Other than that, I didn't bother with it until now. Now I think I will be syncing it and using it for a few things on a regular basis. 

If you have Kindle for PC already, you need to download again to get the update. You won't lose any books you have on there.
Download and see other Kindle apps: http://amzn.to/KindleAppsFree


EDIT to add:  You can manage your collections back and forward from Kindle to PC back to Kindle.

First, you need to sync the most up to date system.
If it's your PC, click F5 or Tools > Sync.
From Kindle, Menu > Sync and check for items.

Then to move collections:
On the PC, File > Import
On Kindle, Menu > View Archived Items. At the top, click "Add Other Device Collections".

Kindle book sale

Amazon are having a big book sale until July 27! 

Visit http://amzn.to/KindleBigDeal - to browse 900 Books reduced to 0.99, 1.99, 2.99 and 3.99. Yes, some have been free in the past, but many are regularly much higher. I've nabbed a few 9.99 books for 99 cents today!

I am trying hard not to be tempted, but that's very difficult! I ordered a few for other people - gifted them to their email addresses. Amazon make it so easy!

Renting Kindle Textbooks!

The great thing about Kindle books for students is how they greatly reduce the weight a student has to carry around on their backs. Unfortunately they are not always much cheaper than paperbooks, and that's not always because publishers are greedy. Especially in subjects were research is always changing, text books can be very expensive to write and produce. That means the ebook edition isn't necessarily going to be very cheap. In some cases, an older text book might need some special formatting for Kindle and early release of it in Kindle format might even seen a price hike to cover these new costs.

In addition to that, a downside of ebook editions from Kindle/ Nook etc is that students cannot sell their ebook when they have finished the course as they could with a paper book. So aside from lighter book bags and a built in dictionary, where's the good news for our students?

Well, Amazon have introduced textbook rentals!  You can rent a textbook from Amazon for a period as short as 30 days up to a year, saving a lot on the cost of the book. You can still make notes and highlights - and even after the book is returned, you will still have access to those electronic notes on your Kindle!

Amazon's list of benefits include:

• Great savings: Save up to 80% off the list price of the print textbook
• Pay only for the time you need: Choose a rental length between 30 and 360 days and pay only for the exact time you need a book. Extend your rental for as little as one day or convert to purchase
• Rent once, read everywhere: Rent and read tens of thousands of textbooks on PC, Mac, Kindle, or your mobile device http://amzn.to/KindleAppsFree
• Keep your annotations: Access your notes and highlights anytime, even after the rental expires, at kindle.amazon.com

Pricing varies of course and it's not available for every text book (even if there is a Kindle edition) though I suspect, like all the other Kindle editions, the numbers will grow.
I noticed that prices seem quite high for the first 30 day rental, but don't jump as high if you rent for longer. Example. 30 day rental on one was $35, but 120 day $55, only $20 more for an extra 3 months rental.


Visit the Amazon Textbook store to see what's available!

New lower Kindle 3G price!

A new deal between ATT and Amazon means that the Kindle 3G with Special offers is now only $139!

This version has sponsored screensavers and a small ad at the bottom of the homepage. It also gets special offers like 1/2 price gift cards. 3G means never searching for wifi, & there are no 3G monthly bills.

http://amzn.to/Kindle3g

If you just bought a Kindle 3G with special Offers, remember you have 30 days to return it & get one at this lower price.