Hi all. Don't necessarily know what the newer Kindle ereader with
audio over bluetooth has to do with sending/receiving email, but note
that I also have this Kindle ereader with audio over bluetooth. It has
the same basic OS as the old Kindle Keyboard which I also own and use
daily, except that this newer Kindle ereader has a touch screen.
Now, this new Kindle with audio over bluetooth has some pluses.
Pluging into your computer brings up the directory easily, and you can
add or delete media at will. However, one drawback is the amount of
time you can listen to a book since you are using some kind of
headphones or earbuds with bluetooth. Battery life is a factor. Since
my earbuds only last for six hours, I have to constantly keep
recharging. With the books that I read, often over thirty hours that
is a big negative for me. Of course, factor in the cost of the
bluetooth device when buying the Kindle ereader with audio over
bluetooth as well.
So, I own this device, but use it alot less than my other Amazon
tablets and the old Kindle Keyboard. However, the Kindle ereader with
audio over bluetooth is a really small footprint. It actually does fit
in the palm of your hand! And, if someone in your household is
sighted, like my wife, they can use as well without the audio. I
suspect that in order to make this device both blind and sighted
friendly they left out the obvious, a mini jack for headphones/earbuds
instead of relying on bluetooth. Sighted folks don't like ports like
those on their pure Kindle ereaders, even though there is the USB
charging port at the bottom.
In addition, I had my wife read all the promo material on the outside
of the box. There was nothing that would tell you that this device
gave audio feedback to a blind individual. Had to read the material
inside. Didn't want to scare away those sighted folks I guess. There
have not been any OS updates, so, I believe, that this device was a
poor seller anyway.
My two cents. Stay well. William
On 11/19/19, Colleen Edwards <ki7drs@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
One of the big improvements with the Kindle upgrade was the inclusion of
Bluetooth. This is so users can take advantage of the new VoiceView
<http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/amazon-releases-kindle-paperwhite-usb-audio-bundle>
technology.
VoiceView for Kindle <http://www.amazon.com/b?node=14100715011> uses
Amazon’s natural language text-to-speech voices (formerly known as IVONA)
to let visually impaired customers read millions of Kindle books and
navigate the Kindle via speech feedback. Like VoiceView on the Fire
tablets, VoiceView for Kindle supports linear and touch navigation, and the
same broad range of speech feedback rates and earcons.
Visually impaired customers will be able to use VoiceView for Kindle with
the new Kindle Audio Adapter—an Amazon-designed USB audio dongle—to connect
headphones or speakers, which then allows the ability to listen to and
navigate the user interface, in addition to listening to books.
Overall I like the design of this e-reader. It does not have a front-light,
so you will need to buy a case with a light build into it or make sure you
have the lamp on.
*Colleen
