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How the Kindle Paperwhite Works

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Author's Note: How the Kindle Paperwhite Works

I wanted an e-reader ever since I read about the concept in a couple of sci-fi books: namely Arthur C. Clark's "2001: A Space Odyssey" and Ben Bova's "Cyberbooks." Like a lot of technological innovations, the idea popped up in lots of speculative fiction before the things actually existed. It just took the combination of small but powerful hardware components, the Internet and wireless capabilities to emerge.

I don't yet have a Paperwhite, but I love, love, love my little Kindle five-button device. It's light, easily portable and comfortable in my hands. The E Ink screen is really lovely. And with the optional case, it feels more like a book than my phone or tablet possibly could. For the record, the case nearly doubled the price of the Kindle.

I am also one of those people who finds backlit tablet reading rough on the eyes and a bit headache inducing, despite what the studies say. Although I do watch videos nonstop on my tablet without ill effects, so maybe it's all in my head.

The major upside to having an e-reader is that I'm reading more than I used to. The downside is that I'm impulse-spending all my future earnings on e-books. But hey, at least it's educational. Well, depending upon what I choose to read. "See Spot run. Run, Spot, run...."

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