this post was submitted on 16 Nov 2023
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I’ve got a kindle keyboard 3 and want to know if there’s anything better out now. My main requirement is being able to load in my own content and have a nice cover/case

I don’t care about apps or web browsers, but it would be nice to have something that is easy to sync or upload data to.

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[–] SatanicNotMessianic@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

I am a moderately heavy kindle user and have been since the second version they shipped. When I upgrade, I usually buy the best new model available. I am skipping the one with pen support because Amazon’s text autosuggestions are absolutely the worst I have ever seen - it’s like they’re just using a random number generator and not a predictive algorithm - so my current Kindle is the Oasis.

It is so far beyond any other one I’ve owned that they’re not really comparable. The backlight is steady and even with no patchiness. The text reads cleanly with no fuzziness around the fonts. It’s comfortable to hold, and because it just inverts very cleanly and automatically it makes it trivial to hold upside down if you change hands or roll over. My requirements for a case are that it makes the device easier to hold and prop up for hands free reading in bed. Any of the origami cases should do - I think they’re all very similar in design but I’d just go off the reviews for build quality.

That said, there’s a number of kindle books that cannot be read on kindle devices because the publisher decided to prioritize the formatting over the text, and those I have to read on one of my iPads. I still prefer the kindle for text only books because it’s lighter and easier to hold.

The oasis has a slightly different form factor so it might be worth checking out in person, but I went from skeptical to really appreciating the design.

[–] andthenthreemore@startrek.website 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Any Kobo ereader

Much better for loading your own content than kindle as it supports more formats natively. You can also load alternative ereader applications to it via niclemenu opening it up further.

They also natively support borrowing books from your library through overdrive.

[–] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

ONYX BOOX makes several different models, including some with color screens and most with reading light built in. They also have fantastic battery life. I have a Poke 2 which has lasted a month of active reading before needing to be charged.

These are basically Android tablets, so data transfer is not locked down. You can put whatever you want on it.

I know you said you don't care about apps, but on these you can run basically any Android app (within limits of e-ink screen functionality), including useful stuff like Obsidian for notes and Syncthing for syncing files across devices.

[–] stealth_cookies@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

I just got a Boox Page to replace an early generation Kindle Paperwhite. Being able to load up android apps makes it much more useful (I find it to be great for cooking from recipes I store in Paprika) plus more flexibility with the eReader app you use.

[–] mrjfilippo@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

In hindsight, that's what I'd go for. You could have audiobookshelf, tachiyomi or any of your favorite android reading apps. But the Kindle does what it does well, and for relatively cheap. Maybe in 5 years I'll reconsider, if my kindle ever dies!

[–] outbound@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

I've got a Meebook M6 that I'm very happy with. Its basically an e-Ink Android tablet with and SD slot and Google Play, so you can load the Kindle app or whatever you want if you've got that stuff. Most importantly, I use the Moon+ Reader app and load .epub/.cbz/etc formats plus it does an awesome job of reformatting .txt/.pdf/.lit. Bonus for me: Moon+ also supports custom fonts, so I can use Dyslexie.

[–] Subtex@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago

Wow that's an amazing run you've given that kindle! I used to have that one as well, years ago.

If you are sticking in the Amazon/Kindle world, then a new Kindle (whether you go with the base Kindle or the Paperwhite) you'll have a much faster experience for sure. The newer eink readers now can do several page turns without any real visual flash of the refresh. It's a small thing but very nice.

The Paperwhite has a backlight which is helpful for night reading. You'll also get dark mode in the new software (not sure if your keyboard kindle has stayed up to date with software updates or not). Also there's waterproofing.

The base kindle just loses the light and the waterproofing.

If you're not going to stick with Amazon, take a look at the Kobo readers. They're a great alternative to people not stuck in the Amazon world.

[–] ipha@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

I used a kindle keyboard for a long time and I think the new front lit ones are a big improvement, especially in low light (I use a kindle oasis.) I can't speak for sync improvements though since I keep it completely offline and transfer everything though calibre.

[–] fratermus@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago

I’ve got a kindle keyboard 3 and want to know if there’s anything better out now

Better in what way?

KK3 + calibre is hard to beat. I own a paperwhite and some kind of nook (thrift store pickup for $10) and prefer the K3 experience the most. I typically end up using the paperwhite more because I am often in low-light conditions.

When these die my perfect ereader would be

  • eInk
  • android-based so I could run my preferred reader (FB Reader)
  • google play supported so I could choose my own browser
[–] metaStatic@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

I have a kindle paper white 6th gen and my first case expired a few years back, you can still get great cases for it with hard plastic instead of rubber, which is why my first case died :(

I would probably shop around for non-amazon stuff if it ever dies but it is the absolute minimum standard I would accept.