Kindle 2 Users Guess What–PDF Support!

Posted by: Sophia (FV) on November 24, 2009

I guess Amazon was just waiting for me to post about how to convert PDF files to Kindle format. There is a software update that includes PDF support! Yay. Here’s what Amazon has to say:

Kindle Version 2.3 Highlights

The latest update brings several improvements to Kindle (Global Wireless), Kindle (U.S. Wireless), and Kindle DX devices.

Kindle (Global Wireless) and Kindle (U.S. Wireless)

Built-in PDF reader: Your Kindle can now display PDF documents without losing the formatting of the original file. Send PDF documents directly to your Kindle (via your @Kindle address) or drag and drop PDF files from your computer to your Kindle (when connected via USB). Learn more.
Longer battery life for Kindle (Global Wireless): You can now read for up to 1 week on a single charge with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks.

Manual screen rotation: The Kindle screen can now manually rotate between portrait and landscape views so you can see the entire width of a web page or magnify the page of a PDF file. The page-turn buttons work the same in either orientation, and the 5-way controller movements are switched to match the orientation. Learn more.
Option to convert PDF files to Kindle format. If you prefer to have your personal PDF documents converted to the Kindle format (so that they can reflow), type "Convert" in the subject of the e-mail when you submit your personal document to your @kindle.com address.

Kindle (U.S. Wireless) and Kindle (Global Wireless) users can go to Archived Items on their Kindle and download the Kindle User’s Guide, 4th Ed., which now documents all the features of Kindle Software 2.3.

All Kindles are designed to automatically check for and download updates when one is available. However, if you’re impatient like me you can go HERE and get instructions on how to update manually.

I installed the update and loaded a PDF and it read it. However the text was very small and when I tried to adjust the text size it was grayed out. So, no way to adjust text size? It was a little more readable when I changed the rotation (comes with the new update, you have to do it manually), but the text was still a bit small. When I converted the same PDF using mobipocket creator it was much easier to read.

So there you have it. I guess I’ll take it on a document buy document basis.

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About Sophia (FV)

Reader of urban fantasy, paranormal, historical and contemporary romance. Wife, mom, blogger, coffee drinker, iPhone addict, Kindle lover, and a bunch of other stuff too. Most of all, firm believer in Happily Ever After. Never without an audio-book on the iPod, an eBook on the Kindle and a paperback in the purse.