Waiting for the 24th Feb Kindle 2 release date, and suddenly realized that the Kindle 2 User Guide must have some interesting details (thanks to Kindle Chronicles for the tip). And I do find it rather disconcerting that the Kindle 2 User Guide is a PDF -
Basic Kindle 2 Tips
- To turn the Wireless On/Off - Press the Menu button, then use the 5 way controller up to underline ‘Turn Wireless On/Off” and then press the 5-way button to select.
- To Change Text Size on Kindle 2.0 – Press the Text Key (Aa key), move the 5 way controller to choose the size you prefer, and then press the 5-way to select.
- To Use Read To Me (Text to Speech) – Press the Text Key (Aa key), move the 5 way controller down to the Text To Speech row, and then select 5-way to start Text To Speech. You can also use the Aa Key and then 5-way to change the speech rate and the speaking voice.
- Look Up the Dictionary – use the 5-way controller to move the cursor in front of the word you want defined. A definition appears at the bottom of the Kindle 2′s Screen. Press the Return key on the keyboard to look up the full definition.
- View your Content - Press the Home button on the Kindle 2.
- Read Newspapers and magazines – Pressing the 5-way controller’s left and right buttons, you can move to the next and previous articles. Also, pushing the 5-way bring up the periodical’s section list.
More Specific Kindle 2 Tips
- Travelling – The Power Adapter is a worldwide power adapter and will work everywhere – You will need a physical plug adapter for the specific country. You can also charge your Kindle 2 via USB.
- Here’s what the Menu looks like on the Home Screen -
Kindle 2 Home Menu
- And Here’s the Menu inside a Book -
Kindle 2 Book Menu
- Just a Note: The keyboard does seem rather primitive to me. Oh Well.
- Home Screen Organization of Items via Show Options – I really don’t know what to say or think, so I’ll just describe it. Show Options let you choose between displaying All Your Items, Personal Documents, Subscriptions, and Books (eBooks and Audio Books).
Show Options for Home Screen
- Home Screen Organization of Items via Sort Options – Again I’ll just describe it. Sort Options let you choose to display items by Date Acquired, Alphabetically by Title, or by Author (periodicals will be sorted by date).
- Kindle 2 Sort Options for Home
- An important thing to keep in mind is that Personal Documents are not backed up at Amazon.
- You can go to www.amazon.com/manageyourkindle/ and turn off WhisperSync. There are also a lot of other good options there.
I’ll add on more tips later. I’m a little upset at the lack of Folders still and the rather pre-historic Show and Sort Options.
Filed under: kindle 2
Actually, they’ve published it in .azw format as well. Here’s the link: http://s3.amazonaws.com/kindle/Kindle2_Users_Guide.azw
I’ll tear through the PDF as I’m (of course) eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Kindle 2.
-greg
[...] Tips & User’s Guide”…02.18.09 18 02 2009 I found the following on the Kindle 2, Kindle 2.0 Books Reader, Amazon Kindle 2 Review site with useful information. I just wish I had the cash to get a Kindle 2. :-( I would trade [...]
I have the new kindle 2 and love it. Will i have any issues reading on a plane. Will the Whispernet work in Europe and China?
Thanks
Theresa,
you’ll have to switch it off during landing and take-off.
Whispernet will not work in Europe or china. You can buy kindle books and download them to your laptop and then transfer them via usb to kindle 2.
Will I be able to use my Kindle 2 in route to and in NZ?
Also, I’m reading War and Peace, (over 1200 pages)–slowly. The first problem: can’t get to the footnotes; the second: I understand that there ius a limit on the number of times a book can be downloaded. I wonder If I will be able to download it a sufficient number of times to complete it.
in route to – yes. however no whispernet and you cannot use kindle while plane is taking off and landing.
in nz. yes. however, no whispernet. you’ll have to buy books at amazon.com kindle section and then download them and transfer them vai usb.
don’t forget to get your charger as it works in new ealand with an adapter plug.
There is no limit on the number of times a book can be downloaded. the limit is on how many different devices it can be downloaded.
oh – don’t now about the footnotes problem. how are they showing up – are you highlighting them using the 5-way controller and then pressing enter?
Thank you, –very helpful. Re: the adapter plug, I assume you are saying that I should buy and all-country adapter plug?
Happily, I also received a response relative to the footnotes. It’s a bit cumbersome, but works. Go to menu from within the book and Aha! it’s just a scroll down to notes and a second click takes you to t he note. Return is easy and of course, it keeps track of the last note viewed.
you’re welcome. yes, an all country adapter so you can fit the different wall plug designs.
it can be rather difficult in some countries (like UK) to find a good, cheap adapter so it’s better to take it with you.
Why isn’t there a simple OFF/ON button on this thing? Why does it “go to sleep” instead of just a handy ON/OFF button? This is absurd.
Slide the power switch and hold it for 4 seconds = Off.
There’s no off button because it doesn’t really use power unless you’re changing the screen. So the minute you stop changing screens it’s off.