Kindle questions regarding PDF, syncing

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iamaelephant

90 posts

Master Geek

#76167 29-Jan-2011 15:56

I just ordered a Kindle and I have a couple of questions. First of all, is it difficult to get plain old PDF files onto the device? Secondly, I see Windows Phone 7 has a Kindle app. If I put my PDF ebooks onto the Kindle (presuming a 'yes' for my first question) will they sync to my phone too?

The reason I ask is because I have some PDF ebooks (not pirated, [url=http://www.manning.com/]Manning[/url] gives free ebook copies with all hard copies) and it would be great to view these on my fancy new device.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#432607 29-Jan-2011 17:30

All you need to know is here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200375630

iamaelephant

90 posts

Master Geek

#432636 29-Jan-2011 18:46

Negative

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#432669 29-Jan-2011 20:33

Yes, you can copy PDFs straight onto your kindle via USB or via the free email address.

No, your PDFs won't sync across kindle "apps".
The only thing that syncs are proper kindle books you buy from the kindle store.

iamaelephant

90 posts

Master Geek

#432671 29-Jan-2011 20:45

That's pretty lame, I'm certainly not rebuying books I already own in eBook format. Might just cancel the order :<

networkn

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#432685 29-Jan-2011 21:31

I wouldn't. I consider my kindle the single best gadget I bought in 2010 by a country mile. I'll never look back. I had a sony prs600 which i liked as well, but the Kindle is in a league of it's own.

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#432689 29-Jan-2011 21:45

You're not going to buy an ereader because it's missing the sync feature?

You'll have the same problem with every other ereader too :P

freitasm

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#432707 29-Jan-2011 22:24

There are lots of logical reasons why it won't sync. I might put some time explaining later, but not from my phone now.

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miguelwrang

121 posts

Master Geek

#432713 29-Jan-2011 22:36

Actually you can sync non Amazon bought ebooks but only in mobi format.

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#432718 29-Jan-2011 22:41

miguelwrang: Actually you can sync non Amazon bought ebooks but only in mobi format.

Really? How do you do that?

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#432721 29-Jan-2011 22:46

Calibre

It's not the prettiest application that I've used, but it has quite a bit of functionality.
It will convert PDF into MOBI and EPUB.

miguelwrang

121 posts

Master Geek

#432722 29-Jan-2011 22:48

kyhwana2:
miguelwrang: Actually you can sync non Amazon bought ebooks but only in mobi format.

Really? How do you do that?

http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kindle_Sync_with_non-Amazon_eBooks_on_Windows

zenourn

271 posts

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#432747 30-Jan-2011 08:09

I spend a lot of time reading PDFs - can't read for long periods from the screen so used to use lots of paper - and got both the Kindle DX and 6" last year and they handle PDFs so much better than other devices I've tried (such as the iPad). Although there is no automatic sync, I can understand why and don't actually mind.

The Kindle DX is great for A4 PDFs - With PDF and dead tree combos I actually prefer reading the PDF version on the Kindle. Only issue with DX at the moment is that you have to ship to a friend in Aussie and have it taken/shipped over to NZ. Also have to manually select wireless carrier to get whispernet working (Settings, Alt + 311).

Kindle 6" is also fine for reading PDFs although the smaller screen size does pose some issues. I do like the smaller size of the Kindle 6" and it is also much quicker at changing pages (especially with the latest 3.0.3 firmware).

+1 to rating Kindle the best gadget purchase in 2010. So nice not to have to print off PDFs anymore!

iamaelephant

90 posts

Master Geek

#432750 30-Jan-2011 08:26

Seems like an excellent solution, thanks guys :)

janders

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#432860 30-Jan-2011 16:35

PDF's on a kindle 3 non dx are a often too small to read - instead download calibre library, its free and just convert the PDF to mobi - the preferred format for kindle.