Throughout the 10-day road test, I had subscriptions to The New York Times and USA Today. Spending less than five minutes scanning through user instructions, I quickly learned how to turn on the Kindle, enable the wireless connection, read that day's edition of the papers, disconnect from wireless and turn off the device. After enabling the wireless connection, it usually took about a minute for that day's editions of The New York Times and USA Today to download onto my Kindle.
In this interactive age where newspapers are trying to figure out ways to enhance their Web sites with all sorts of features to engage readers, the Kindle is a throwback to the days when we just cared about getting the news we wanted. Kindle puts the focus back on the news content. There are no interactive features that appear when reading a newspaper on the Kindle, and that was good since I didn't feel like participating in polls or chats.
So, here are the five most important insights I gained about what the Kindle provides users:
1. The newspaper consumption experience on the Kindle consists of reading stories and seeing very few black-and-white photographs. There are no videos, e-mails, story comments, slide shows, reader polls, or discussion forums. It's back to the basics news consumption with the sole focus being content. Each day's edition of a newspaper lists specific sections you would find in print editions. You can then browse the headlines in each section to find stories that interest you.
2. While one of the greatest advantages of using the Internet for news consumption is the availability of a wide array of sources, the Kindle offers limited options of content to choose from with less than 30 U.S. newspapers provided. I'm sure in time Amazon will increase the number of newspapers available, but right now there aren't many options. At least you can sign up for free, 14-day trials of the available newspapers. You have to cancel those free trials at the end of the 14 days, though, or charges will start. Also, you can't cancel them from the Kindle itself. You need to have Internet access via another device in order to cancel Kindle subscriptions.
3. Another great advantage of using the Internet for news consumption is that Web sites are constantly updated with the latest news. The Kindle doesn't work this way. Whenever you enable the wireless connection for the first time on a particular day, your Kindle proceeds to download that day's electronic edition of the newspaper. You receive no more updates that day.
4. Transporting the Kindle around the country, or in this case across an ocean, is just as easy as it would be to carry a laptop around. The Kindle is definitely a mobile device that is easy to operate and easy to store in a backpack or briefcase. That makes it a convenient option to use for news consumption while on a trip or even when you're just getting coffee at the nearest cafe.
5. Finally, I never experienced any connection problems with the Kindle and it's battery stayed charged throughout the 10-day trip. I charged the battery once before departing on the trip, and I never had to charge it again. Also, whether I was in an airport, hotel or elsewhere, the Kindle's wireless connection always worked. It worked in Kentucky, Ohio, Utah and Hawaii.
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