On my wishlist of things I want for Android, an easy to use eReader has been holding a spot for a long time. Granted, there are reading apps that have been on the market for a while; Â I’ve tried most of them. While they were good at navigation and customization, they often failed at ease of use. I was so excited this past spring when it was announced Kindle would be coming to Android, and I downloaded the app the the day it came out.
Kindle for Android is incredibly easy to set up. I downloaded the app from Android Market and signed into my Amazon account, at which point it scanned my profile for any currently owned books; as I had never used Kindle in any format, there were none. It’s worth noting that at this point only a couple minutes has passed since I started the download.
Once the account sync completed, I headed over to the Kindle marketplace on my computer to do some book shopping. While looking at a selection, I glanced at the buy button and was astounded to see that not only was the option to send the book to my phone there, but it even recognized my specific device.
Downloading books is just as fast as the original setup, and opening the book will take you to the first page if it’s an unread book or your furthest read point, whichever is applicable. You do have the option to see the cover as well as publishing details. Â It was at this point I felt a bit underwhelmed. In regards to page view customization, your options are very limited. Page colors are your choice of black, white, or sepia and can be adjusted for brightness. Â Compared to the high number of options available with Aldiko, another eReader, the choices feel a bit bland and lackluster. I’m not suggesting colors like red are needed, but there are plenty of other colors out there which people may prefer and are just as easy on the eyes. Turning pages can be done either by swiping across the screen or by simply tapping a corner. Bookmarks can also be changed with a quick tap.
Kindle for Android does have some limitations. Unlike the larger Kindle device which can be used to read magazines and newspapers, the mobile app can only be used for books. The good news is the Kindle book market is sizeable, with many new titles being offered at $9.99 or less; classical works are free.
All in all, Kindle for Android is a solid and worthwhile app to have. Hopefully, future versions will include additional viewing customizations. Kindle is free on the Android Market. If you would like to try it yourself, scan the QR code below or click HERE from your Android device.
