Tips
Follow these tips to make Kindle a better, more convenient reader, or to push the limits of what the device will do.
- Subscribe to magazines and newspapers for early delivery: If you sign up to receive subscriptions to print products on your Kindle, you’ll often get access to them before they hit the newsstands.
- Print screen: Make a screenshot by pressing Alt-Shift-G.
- Activate Kindle’s picture viewer: Create a "pictures" folder and "book," and you’ll be able to view images on your device.
- Turn off your wireless when the signal isn’t great: If you’re in an area where you’re not getting a good wireless signal, be sure to turn the function off or you’ll drain your battery quickly.
- Kindle supports multiple formats: You can read .mobi, .prc, .txt, .jpg, .gif, HTML and Word files on the Kindle.
- Preserve your book collection: Keep a digital copy of your literature in case of fire, flood, or theft.
- Skip more than one page: You can fast forward though pages by pressing and holding Alt plus the Next or Previous page keys.
- When in doubt, reset: If you get an "Unexpected error" or other troubles, try giving your Kindle a quick reset to see if it will solve the trouble.
- Find the web browser: You can find the Kindle’s web browser under the "Experimental" banner.
- Check out Wikipedia: If you’ve read about something and would like more information on it, simply hit Kindle’s Wikipedia search for an answer.
- Send IMs: You can use Yahoo! Messenger on the Kindle.
- Use it for reference material: Load reference books that you read frequently for work on the Kindle, and you’ll be able to access them in a searchable, portable format.
- Use Kindle NowNow: With this human-powered search system, you can get information on the go.
- Turn off your wireless anytime: Although a bad connection will drain your battery, just turning wireless off any time you’re not using it will help your battery charge last much longer.
- Use the calendar: You can download a calendar for the Kindle at a minimal price.
- Access your readings on Amazon: Amazon keeps a copy of your subscriptions and books online, so if you accidentally wipe everything out in an upgrade, you can get it back again with relative ease.
- Select between sizes: The Kindle offers six different font sizes.
- Avoid hitting the "Next Page" button: Try pressing a key on the keyboard to keep your crip, or slide a rubber band into the slit behind the page turning bar.
- Take advantage of the search function: Easily find the information you’re looking for by searching electronically on the Kindle.
- Read RSS feeds using Bloglines: Instead of paying to download subscriptions, set up your RSS feeds on Javascript-free Bloglines for free.
- GPS: You can use the Kindle’s CDMA mobile coverage to find your location on Google Maps.
- Use it as an MP3 player: Did you know that the Kindle doubles as an MP3 player? Put this functionality to use with its headphone jack and speakers.
- Make reading accessible: Try resizing text to make reading easier for the elderly or other visually impaired persons.
- Minesweeper: By pressing Alt-M, you can access Kindle’s Minesweeper game.
- Get free conversions: If you send attachments to "name"@free.kindle.com, you can have files converted and emailed to you, and then transfer the document to your Kindle.
- Use the dictionary: The Kindle comes pre-loaded with the New Oxford American dictionary.
Follow these documents for step-by-step instructions on Kindle hacking.
- Getting the Console: This tutorial shows you how to access your Kindle’s console.
- How to fill your Kindle for FREE: Check out this guide to learn where you can find free content for the Kindle.
- Ideas for Hacking Kindle WiFi: In this guide, you’ll get a number of ideas and resources for hacking into WiFi on the Kindle.
- The Kindle Browser-Wireless Information Tool?: SamSpeak considers the use of the Kindle browser.
- Jump pages in the Kindle: Skip ahead to a new location in your Kindle using the instructions in this tutorial video.
- Gmail on the Kindle: This resource offers instruction and a few tips for reading Gmail on the Kindle.
- A Beginner’s Guide to Kindle Content: Read this resource to learn how to find content for your Kindle beyond the Amazon store.
- Adding your own pictures to the Kindle Screensaver: Check out this tutorial to learn how to put your own photos in the screensaver rotation.
- How hard is it to return an ebook?: Visit this guide to learn how to handle returns with Amazon.
- Amazon Kindle-A Value Investing Tool: Fat Pitch Financial considers how you can use the Kindle for investment.
- Feedbooks Kindle Hack: This tutorial shows you how to use the Feedbooks Kindle Download Guide as an on-demand library.
- Listening to Audio Books: Find out how to get audio books from Audible in this guide.
- Bootloader and firmware updates: Here you’ll learn how to get into the interactive shell and perform firmware updates.
- Amazon Kindle Disassembly and Take-Apart Guide: Check out this tutorial to see how you can get into the guts of the Kindle.
- Creating Folders on the Kindle’s SD Card: Check out this guide for tips on Kindle folder management.
- Wanna Read Manga on Your Kindle?: Use the Kindle’s photo function to flip through manga and other image-based books.
- Play music on a Kindle: Check out this video to see how you can play MP3s on your Kindle.
- Getting Free Books: Here you’ll learn a few resources for finding books and a number of different ways to get them on your Kindle device.
- How to transfer and convert lots of documents to the Kindle: This library expert discovered that emailing her Kindle address would result in perfectly converted and available files.
- The Amazon Kindle: As a RPG Resource: This reviewer explains how you can use the Kindle for role playing games.
- Root shell and runtime system: Get into the root shell and runtime system with this tutorial.
- How to view PDF files on the Kindle: Check out this tutorial to learn how to read PDF files using your Kindle.
Shortcuts
Use your Kindle with ultra quickness by learning these handy shortcuts.
- Keyboard shortcuts: This resource offers, among other gems, a number of keyboard shortcuts for the Kindle.
- Jump to the Beginning or End of Home Menu or for a Book: This resource explains a few navigational shortcuts.
- GPS shortcuts: This resource has a bunch of different shortcuts to use with Kindle’s GPS.
- Search commands: Find some secret and not-so-secret search commands in this resource.
- Home screen time: If you press Alt-T, you can show time on the home screen.
- Kindle Keyboard Reference: Check out this reference sheet for keyboard shortcuts and commands.
Tools
Make use of these tools in order to hack and otherwise use your Kindle for extraordinary purposes.
- MobiPocket: Format PDFs into .mobi files that you can read on your device using MobiPocket.
- Kindle Coverage Tool: Check out areas of coverage with this tool that graphically indicates wireless availability.
- eBookSearchr: Use this ebook search engine to find material to put on your kindle.
- Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Light: This little light clips on to the back of your Kindle whenever you need a little extra light for reading.
- Gutenmark: This utility easily formats Gutenberg books to a format that looks nice on the Kindle.
- Tubby: Using Tubby, you can convert CHM to HTML.
- AudibleManager: With the AudibleManager, you can transfer Audible audiobooks to your Kindle.
- PDFCreator: This program installs a printer on your system, and you can use it to create Kindle-readable PDFs from any program with a print function.
- Mobi scripts: Use these scripts to be able to use mobi files on your Kindle.
- Book Designer: With this conversion tool, you can output files in a number of compatible formats.
- Project Gutenberg Conversion Template: Using this macro template, you can convert Project Gutenberg txt files into a more friendly format.
- Python interpreter: You’ll need to download a Python interpreter to read Mobipocket books.
- DailyLit: DailyLit will email you portions of books to read on your Kindle.
- Beam-ebooks Converter: With this web tool, you can copy and paste text into the form field and get a .prc or PDF file.
- ABC Amber LIT Converter: This free tool can convert the .lit format to a Kindle-readable .prc file.
- Use your Kindle as a EVDO WiFi Access Point?: This thread discusses one way to use your Kindle for WiFi.
- Google Book Search: With this Google function, you can read the classics online.
- ABC Ambe CHM Converter: Convert .chm format files to .prc using this tool.
Book Sources
Use these sources to find free or cheap ebooks and audiobooks for use on the Kindle. - Fictionwise: Fictionwise offers thousands of different ebooks, from romance to science fiction.
- Online Books Page: UPenn hosts more than 30,000 different books that you can read online.
- Audible: Check out this site to download audio books. You can use them to listen as you read along in print.
- Flazx: On this site, you’ll find computer and IT books to read on your Kindle.
- Diesel eBooks: Diesel has more than 750 free ebooks from authors like Jane Austen and Lewis Carroll.
- Mobipocket free books: This resource offers a number of different Kindle-compatible ebooks for free.
- Free Kindle eBook: This blog offers the occasional link to downloads of wonderful Kindle books.
- ManyBooks: Here you’ll find a large collection of ebooks.
- FreeTechBooks: This site offers free computer science and programming books.
- Well Told Tales: Listen to short, free audio books on Well Told Tales.
- Project Gutenberg: Download books in the public domain from Project Gutenberg.
- MobileRead E-Book Uploads: This community shares a number of ebooks that you can download.
- PinkMonkey: Pink Monkey offers free access to study materials and book notes.
- LibriVox: Visit this publisher to find more than 1,000 full length audio books recorded by volunteers.
- FreeComputerBooks: Get access to loads of technical information on your Kindle using this resource.
- Baen Free Library: This publisher puts out a selected collection of no-strings-attached titles for download.
- Wowio: Wowio is home to a large collection of free ebooks, comics, and graphic novels.
- WebScriptions: This site’s ebooks are compatible with the Kindle.
Publishing
Don’t just read other works, get your books and other publications available on the Kindle.
- Digital Text Platform: With this platform, you can publish your books to be read on the Kindle.
- Scribd: On Scribd, you can upload documents, publish, and more.
- Use hyperlinks: Share links to interesting resources and further reading in Kindle-published works.
Resources
For even more information on Kindle hacking, be sure to check out these resources.
- Kindle Hacking: Charlie Tritschler, director of Kindle, discusses the possibility of hacking the Kindle.
- Tips and Tricks of Kindle: Amazon offers a few different tricks for their device.
- Amazon Customer Discussions: Learn about tricks and tips from other Kindle owners here.
- eNews Content Available on Kindle: This list offers a collection of full feeds you can read on the Kindle.
- Amazon Kindle Hints and Tips: Mobility Today discusses a number of tips and hints for the Kindle.
- The Kindle Site List: KindleChat maintains a list of Kindle resource sites.
- Contact Amazon in an emergency: Here you’ll find useful contact information for Kindle owners.
- Share Kindle Tips: Check out this Amazon forum thread to find a list of useful tips for the Kindle.
- Yahoo! KindleKorner: Visit this community for ongoing tips and tricks from other Kindle owners.
- Tips, Tricks, and Hints: Visit this thread to learn about all of the different tricks Kindle users have come up with.
- A Million or so Kindle books available now: where to get them and how: Check out this resource for loads of information on where you can find titles for download.
- 30 Benefits of Ebooks: This resource takes a look at a number of different ways you can use ebooks.