[NPMUG] I Like Kindle for Mac

[Greg Simkins]

Has anybody else tried the Kindle for Mac application mentioned recently in MacRumors?  (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/03/18/amazon-releases-kindle-for-mac-application/).

I was greatly interested in the Kindle books when they were first offered, but couldn't justify the price of the reader, especially since the book prices seemed not to be discounted enough to justify forgoing the book. Even though I travel, I like the convenience of a printed book.  But the idea of loading up 25 lbs of books on one light, electronic device has its appeal.  The Kindle via free software seems like just the sweet spot for me.  Especially for the larger screen on the iPad.  

I have installed the Kindle software both on my MacBook and on my iPhone.  I purchased an electronic book on each platform and am happy to report that I can read either book on either platform.  I just need to log in to my Amazon account.  I am looking forward to receiving my iPad and installing there (assuming Kindle for iPad will be available).  

Since I am presently working in Japan, this avenue of obtaining reading material is really great.  I can buy books on amazon.jp and have them delivered to my hotel, but their English language site still has too many of those funny scribbles for me to completely understand what I am ordering.  

I was confused about navigation on the MacBook because the Kindle browser has a back button and no Next button.  I kept trying to find a next button.  Finally, the obvious thing worked - use the navigation buttons on the keyboard!  Also, when you mouse over the right and left margin, navigation buttons appear on the screen.  Of course on the iPhone, the pages flick back and forth just like photos.  I like it!   

Steve Jobs wants to sell books on iTunes for a higher price than Amazon is offering through Kindle software.  I wonder where that collision is headed?  

Greg