REVIEW – AMAZON KINDLE 2019 MODEL (10TH GENERATION)

The main improvement offered by the 10th generation base model Kindle over its predecessors, is the inclusion of an integrated light, which was previously only a feature of the more expensive Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis, and this is a game-changer. The inclusion of the light vastly increases the ease by which you can read the Kindle in various conditions and dramatically improves screen visibility.  

While on the topic of the screen, it is Amazon’s 6″ e-Ink glare-free display, with a PPI of 167 pixels per inch and offers a 16-level grayscale color palette, meaning even comic books and graphic novels are easily readable and details do not get lost.

The Kindle 2019 model offers a comfortable read, with text size easily resizable to user taste and allows for much quicker reading.

The Kindle supports books, comics books\graphic novels, magazines, and audiobooks across the following file formats: Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX). Amazon has also vastly improved PDF support, and reading PDFs is now far less painful than in the past.

The Kindle model reviewed here comes with 8GB of non-expandable storage, enough to hold ample books and comics. However, heavy audiobook listeners might want to look at the 32GB version of the Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Oasis instead.

A Bluetooth audio device is required (Headphone, Speaker, etc.) to listen to audiobooks, and the Kindle does allow the user to switch between reading and listening rather seamlessly.

The Kindle is entirely Wi-Fi enabled, and once online, it seamlessly integrates into the Amazon ecosystem.

Amazon claims a battery life of up to 4-weeks, obviously depending on usage and light brightness selected. I found the Kindle needed to be charged once every ten days or so with moderate usage (1-2 hours a day), and the light turned up to roughly 80% brightness.

The Kindle weighs in at 174g without a cover, making it shockingly light for its size, definitely contributing to its reading comfort.

The Kindle 2019 model retails on Amazon for $89.99 with the special offer enabled (ads show on the device lock screen) and $109.99 without the special offer. I find the special offer unintrusive, especially if you use a cover that obstructs the screen when not in use.

Amazon’s Kindle e-book readers are pretty much the de facto standard for e-book readers, with Amazon controlling over 80% of the e-book reader market, and it is easy to see why. From the ease of use to simple convenience, Amazons Kindle Devices and Ecosystems are hard to beat.    

REVIEW – AMAZON KINDLE 2019 MODEL (10TH GENERATION)

BOOK REVIEW – ZERO TO MAKER: LEARN (JUST ENOUGH) TO MAKE (JUST ABOUT) ANYTHING BY DAVID LANG

Zero to Maker (originally published in 2013) chronicles David Lang’s journey into the Maker movement and documents the learnings and many of the experiences he had along his journey.

David Lang is one of the founders of OpenROV, a low-cost remote-controlled underwater robot, and his journey of becoming a maker is tightly intertwined with this project.

As part of his journey, he visits numerous maker spaces such as Haxlr8r, Maker Faire, Noisebridge, TechSoup, and FabLabs, and explores the topic of gaining access to tools and skills through these spaces.

The book also covers a wide variety of other topics, from the new world of collaborative making and Do-It-Together to Digital Fabrication Techniques such as CAD, 3D Printing, and Laser Cutting. Another interesting subject covered is turning maker projects into businesses and the numerous challenges faced during that process. Possible ways of overcoming these challenges, such as funding your undertaking using a crowdfunding platform such as Kickstarter to how to handle larger batch manufacturing by leveraging maker spaces and their community of makers, are also examined.

The last chapter focuses on educating future generations on the skills and mindset involved in making as well as the numerous benefits associated therewith. Many great initiatives currently underway at numerous schools and other institutions teaching children how to make is covered, and it is a very inspiring read.

The book is a fascinating read that gives some good insight into the maker movement at a high level.  However, It does not provide detailed instructions on any of the skills explored, and if that is your expectation coming in, you will leave disappointed. I recommend Zero to Maker as a light, informative read and found it a pleasant way of spending a few afternoons.

BOOK REVIEW – ZERO TO MAKER: LEARN (JUST ENOUGH) TO MAKE (JUST ABOUT) ANYTHING BY DAVID LANG