I’m giving away my Kindle

Uncategorized 1 Minute

I’m giving away my Kindle. Why?

1. I have the Kindle app on my iPhone and I use that to read books a lot more than I use my Kindle.
2. I will get Apple’s iPad in two months and while that’s a shiny new object I’m sure I’ll use that a lot more to read books than the Kindle, at least until my eyes get strained as some of my commenters were promising would happen.
3. I have a stack of paper books that PR folks have sent me, so for the next two months I am going to try to catch up on those.
4. Even if I find after all of this that I like the Kindle better, I want the larger screen version of the Kindle, so this would let me get that.

So, how am I going to give it away?

Leave a comment here about what you’d do with yours by the end of the day Tuesday (Pacific Time). Most creative answer gets the Kindle. It’s in new condition. I will bias towards those who will use it to help the world, or who can’t afford to keep up on the latest gadget train. Sorry, it won’t come with an Amazon account so you’ll need to buy your own books.

Published by Robert Scoble

I help entrepreneurs build their technology business' story, help with getting ready for investors, with other launch plans, and many other strategic things that can help your new startup. Call to talk: +1-425-205-1921 (text first).

Published

346 thoughts on “I’m giving away my Kindle”

  2. In the busy world of food blogging (which means a lot of solo eating), a kindle would be extremely handy. So this way, I can continue helping locals find out about the food around town and stay occupied at the same time.

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  3. I'm a broke college student at Georgia Tech studying Mechanical Engineering. I can barely afford to pay for my own textbooks, yet alone an Amazon Kindle. Having one would make reading books for class much easier, and I would fit in with all the other technology nerds at this place!

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  5. Cool deal, Robert!I run a company called Assetmap that builds tools to help people manage their social capital. One of our early projects is a nonprofit collaboration to help nonprofits in Uganda better collaborate to get more done. We're working with an awesome team of young Ugandan developers called Appfrica Labs to build it. I would love to get your Kindle, load it up with some key reads about web development and entrepreneurship more broadly, and send it back for the team with Appfrica Labs founder Jon Gosier after his trip to the US this month as a TED Fellow!

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  6. Cool deal, Robert!I run a company called Assetmap that builds tools to help people manage their social capital. One of our early projects is a nonprofit collaboration to help nonprofits in Uganda better collaborate to get more done. We're working with an awesome team of young Ugandan developers called Appfrica Labs to build it. I would love to get your Kindle, load it up with some key reads about web development and entrepreneurship more broadly, and send it back for the team with Appfrica Labs founder Jon Gosier after his trip to the US this month as a TED Fellow!

    Like

  7. My wife and I have a baby coming in the next few weeks. It's a first for us, so like any first-time parents we're struggling to get things ready, and feeling generally overwhelmed.If we got your Kindle, we'd use it to do the following:- Read more parenting books- Read more parenting books while the baby refuses to go to sleep- Read more parenting books while our partner struggles to put the baby to sleep- Give up reading parenting books, and read some trashy fiction novels to “escape” from the reality our baby is never, ever, going to fall asleep.

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  8. My wife and I have a baby coming in the next few weeks. It's a first for us, so like any first-time parents we're struggling to get things ready, and feeling generally overwhelmed.If we got your Kindle, we'd use it to do the following:- Read more parenting books- Read more parenting books while the baby refuses to go to sleep- Read more parenting books while our partner struggles to put the baby to sleep- Give up reading parenting books, and read some trashy fiction novels to “escape” from the reality our baby is never, ever, going to fall asleep.

    Like

  9. My wife and I have a baby coming in the next few weeks. It's a first for us, so like any first-time parents we're struggling to get things ready, and feeling generally overwhelmed.If we got your Kindle, we'd use it to do the following:- Read more parenting books- Read more parenting books while the baby refuses to go to sleep- Read more parenting books while our partner struggles to put the baby to sleep- Give up reading parenting books, and read some trashy fiction novels to “escape” from the reality our baby is never, ever, going to fall asleep.

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  14. Dear Robert,If I win, I will give the Kindle to my father who at 76 has only recently discovered the joy of reading. His eyesight is not the best even with glasses and he has problems finding books he is interested in that are printed in a large font edition.The ability to change the font size on the Kindle will open up a world of books he would never otherwise get to experience.

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  15. Dear Robert,If I win, I will give the Kindle to my father who at 76 has only recently discovered the joy of reading. His eyesight is not the best even with glasses and he has problems finding books he is interested in that are printed in a large font edition.The ability to change the font size on the Kindle will open up a world of books he would never otherwise get to experience.

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  16. Dear Robert,If I win, I will give the Kindle to my father who at 76 has only recently discovered the joy of reading. His eyesight is not the best even with glasses and he has problems finding books he is interested in that are printed in a large font edition.The ability to change the font size on the Kindle will open up a world of books he would never otherwise get to experience.

    Like

  17. Dear Robert,If I win, I will give the Kindle to my father who at 76 has only recently discovered the joy of reading. His eyesight is not the best even with glasses and he has problems finding books he is interested in that are printed in a large font edition.The ability to change the font size on the Kindle will open up a world of books he would never otherwise get to experience.

    Like

  18. Dear Robert,If I win, I will give the Kindle to my father who at 76 has only recently discovered the joy of reading. His eyesight is not the best even with glasses and he has problems finding books he is interested in that are printed in a large font edition.The ability to change the font size on the Kindle will open up a world of books he would never otherwise get to experience.

    Like

  25. I'd put it in a blender, and see if it would blend. Maybe some ominous music, and an Apple logo at the end of the video.

    Like

  26. I'd put it in a blender, and see if it would blend. Maybe some ominous music, and an Apple logo at the end of the video.

    Like

  27. I'd put it in a blender, and see if it would blend. Maybe some ominous music, and an Apple logo at the end of the video.

    Like

  28. I'd put it in a blender, and see if it would blend. Maybe some ominous music, and an Apple logo at the end of the video.

    Like

  29. I'd put it in a blender, and see if it would blend. Maybe some ominous music, and an Apple logo at the end of the video.

    Like

  30. I'd put it in a blender, and see if it would blend. Maybe some ominous music, and an Apple logo at the end of the video.

    Like

  31. I'd put it in a blender, and see if it would blend. Maybe some ominous music, and an Apple logo at the end of the video.

    Like

  32. Robert, I plunged into the Kindle world without really thinking it through. Lately, I have been very weary of buying Kindle books realizing that I am locked in. I do not wish to buy an iPad or any other e-reader today, but I am very hesitant to fork out money for a Kindle book realizing that I won't be able to take it with me when the next new thing comes out. Which raises the question, what are YOU going to do with all those books you just bought over the last two years?TBH, it is gathering dust right now.

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  33. Robert, I plunged into the Kindle world without really thinking it through. Lately, I have been very weary of buying Kindle books realizing that I am locked in. I do not wish to buy an iPad or any other e-reader today, but I am very hesitant to fork out money for a Kindle book realizing that I won't be able to take it with me when the next new thing comes out. Which raises the question, what are YOU going to do with all those books you just bought over the last two years?TBH, it is gathering dust right now.

    Like

  34. Robert, I plunged into the Kindle world without really thinking it through. Lately, I have been very weary of buying Kindle books realizing that I am locked in. I do not wish to buy an iPad or any other e-reader today, but I am very hesitant to fork out money for a Kindle book realizing that I won't be able to take it with me when the next new thing comes out. Which raises the question, what are YOU going to do with all those books you just bought over the last two years?TBH, it is gathering dust right now.

    Like

  35. Robert, I plunged into the Kindle world without really thinking it through. Lately, I have been very weary of buying Kindle books realizing that I am locked in. I do not wish to buy an iPad or any other e-reader today, but I am very hesitant to fork out money for a Kindle book realizing that I won't be able to take it with me when the next new thing comes out. Which raises the question, what are YOU going to do with all those books you just bought over the last two years?TBH, it is gathering dust right now.

    Like

  36. Robert, I plunged into the Kindle world without really thinking it through. Lately, I have been very weary of buying Kindle books realizing that I am locked in. I do not wish to buy an iPad or any other e-reader today, but I am very hesitant to fork out money for a Kindle book realizing that I won't be able to take it with me when the next new thing comes out. Which raises the question, what are YOU going to do with all those books you just bought over the last two years?TBH, it is gathering dust right now.

    Like

  37. Robert, I plunged into the Kindle world without really thinking it through. Lately, I have been very weary of buying Kindle books realizing that I am locked in. I do not wish to buy an iPad or any other e-reader today, but I am very hesitant to fork out money for a Kindle book realizing that I won't be able to take it with me when the next new thing comes out. Which raises the question, what are YOU going to do with all those books you just bought over the last two years?TBH, it is gathering dust right now.

    Like

  38. Robert, I plunged into the Kindle world without really thinking it through. Lately, I have been very weary of buying Kindle books realizing that I am locked in. I do not wish to buy an iPad or any other e-reader today, but I am very hesitant to fork out money for a Kindle book realizing that I won't be able to take it with me when the next new thing comes out. Which raises the question, what are YOU going to do with all those books you just bought over the last two years?TBH, it is gathering dust right now.

    Like

  39. Robert, I plunged into the Kindle world without really thinking it through. Lately, I have been very weary of buying Kindle books realizing that I am locked in. I do not wish to buy an iPad or any other e-reader today, but I am very hesitant to fork out money for a Kindle book realizing that I won't be able to take it with me when the next new thing comes out. Which raises the question, what are YOU going to do with all those books you just bought over the last two years?TBH, it is gathering dust right now.

    Like

  40. I'll give it to my dad – 83 years old and is slightly sight impaired – it would be great for him (adjustable font size) and let him read in the house w/o disturbing my mother. Then I'll donate his books to the library (or other worthy cause!)

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  41. I'll give it to my dad – 83 years old and is slightly sight impaired – it would be great for him (adjustable font size) and let him read in the house w/o disturbing my mother. Then I'll donate his books to the library (or other worthy cause!)

    Like

  42. I'll give it to my dad – 83 years old and is slightly sight impaired – it would be great for him (adjustable font size) and let him read in the house w/o disturbing my mother. Then I'll donate his books to the library (or other worthy cause!)

    Like

  43. I'll give it to my dad – 83 years old and is slightly sight impaired – it would be great for him (adjustable font size) and let him read in the house w/o disturbing my mother. Then I'll donate his books to the library (or other worthy cause!)

    Like

  44. I'll give it to my dad – 83 years old and is slightly sight impaired – it would be great for him (adjustable font size) and let him read in the house w/o disturbing my mother. Then I'll donate his books to the library (or other worthy cause!)

    Like

  45. I'll give it to my dad – 83 years old and is slightly sight impaired – it would be great for him (adjustable font size) and let him read in the house w/o disturbing my mother. Then I'll donate his books to the library (or other worthy cause!)

    Like

  46. I'll give it to my dad – 83 years old and is slightly sight impaired – it would be great for him (adjustable font size) and let him read in the house w/o disturbing my mother. Then I'll donate his books to the library (or other worthy cause!)

    Like

  47. I'll give it to my dad – 83 years old and is slightly sight impaired – it would be great for him (adjustable font size) and let him read in the house w/o disturbing my mother. Then I'll donate his books to the library (or other worthy cause!)

    Like

  48. I'll give it to my dad – 83 years old and is slightly sight impaired – it would be great for him (adjustable font size) and let him read in the house w/o disturbing my mother. Then I'll donate his books to the library (or other worthy cause!)

    Like

  67. I'm a former Un*x hacker, software engineer, and tech executive (utopia.com, the original consulting company, not the incense company that got the domain) who changed careers 10 years ago and I am now working as a government wage-slave, protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts as a biologist/forester with MassWildlife.I read loads of books on my iPod Touch (free with my son's college computer), but it's hard on my eyes. Would love an iPad, but that's not in the budget anytime soon.Actually, on second thought, I don't really want the Kindle, even free. Thanks for giving it away to someone worthy, though!

    Like

  68. I'm a former Un*x hacker, software engineer, and tech executive (utopia.com, the original consulting company, not the incense company that got the domain) who changed careers 10 years ago and I am now working as a government wage-slave, protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts as a biologist/forester with MassWildlife.I read loads of books on my iPod Touch (free with my son's college computer), but it's hard on my eyes. Would love an iPad, but that's not in the budget anytime soon.Actually, on second thought, I don't really want the Kindle, even free. Thanks for giving it away to someone worthy, though!

    Like

  69. I'm a former Un*x hacker, software engineer, and tech executive (utopia.com, the original consulting company, not the incense company that got the domain) who changed careers 10 years ago and I am now working as a government wage-slave, protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts as a biologist/forester with MassWildlife.I read loads of books on my iPod Touch (free with my son's college computer), but it's hard on my eyes. Would love an iPad, but that's not in the budget anytime soon.Actually, on second thought, I don't really want the Kindle, even free. Thanks for giving it away to someone worthy, though!

    Like

  70. I'm a former Un*x hacker, software engineer, and tech executive (utopia.com, the original consulting company, not the incense company that got the domain) who changed careers 10 years ago and I am now working as a government wage-slave, protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts as a biologist/forester with MassWildlife.I read loads of books on my iPod Touch (free with my son's college computer), but it's hard on my eyes. Would love an iPad, but that's not in the budget anytime soon.Actually, on second thought, I don't really want the Kindle, even free. Thanks for giving it away to someone worthy, though!

    Like

  71. I'm a former Un*x hacker, software engineer, and tech executive (utopia.com, the original consulting company, not the incense company that got the domain) who changed careers 10 years ago and I am now working as a government wage-slave, protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts as a biologist/forester with MassWildlife.I read loads of books on my iPod Touch (free with my son's college computer), but it's hard on my eyes. Would love an iPad, but that's not in the budget anytime soon.Actually, on second thought, I don't really want the Kindle, even free. Thanks for giving it away to someone worthy, though!

    Like

  72. I'm a former Un*x hacker, software engineer, and tech executive (utopia.com, the original consulting company, not the incense company that got the domain) who changed careers 10 years ago and I am now working as a government wage-slave, protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts as a biologist/forester with MassWildlife.I read loads of books on my iPod Touch (free with my son's college computer), but it's hard on my eyes. Would love an iPad, but that's not in the budget anytime soon.Actually, on second thought, I don't really want the Kindle, even free. Thanks for giving it away to someone worthy, though!

    Like

  73. I'm a former Un*x hacker, software engineer, and tech executive (utopia.com, the original consulting company, not the incense company that got the domain) who changed careers 10 years ago and I am now working as a government wage-slave, protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts as a biologist/forester with MassWildlife.I read loads of books on my iPod Touch (free with my son's college computer), but it's hard on my eyes. Would love an iPad, but that's not in the budget anytime soon.Actually, on second thought, I don't really want the Kindle, even free. Thanks for giving it away to someone worthy, though!

    Like

  74. I'm a former Un*x hacker, software engineer, and tech executive (utopia.com, the original consulting company, not the incense company that got the domain) who changed careers 10 years ago and I am now working as a government wage-slave, protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts as a biologist/forester with MassWildlife.I read loads of books on my iPod Touch (free with my son's college computer), but it's hard on my eyes. Would love an iPad, but that's not in the budget anytime soon.Actually, on second thought, I don't really want the Kindle, even free. Thanks for giving it away to someone worthy, though!

    Like

  75. I'm a former Un*x hacker, software engineer, and tech executive (utopia.com, the original consulting company, not the incense company that got the domain) who changed careers 10 years ago and I am now working as a government wage-slave, protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts as a biologist/forester with MassWildlife.I read loads of books on my iPod Touch (free with my son's college computer), but it's hard on my eyes. Would love an iPad, but that's not in the budget anytime soon.Actually, on second thought, I don't really want the Kindle, even free. Thanks for giving it away to someone worthy, though!

    Like

  95. I would use it for school since I am going back at the age of 31. I can’t really afford a new laptop as of now so it would be great to have something to study with and not have to sit at the desk.

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  96. If I should be so lucky, I would hand it over to my nephew who is in University taking Computer Science and Philosophy (double major sort of thing) and will likely need to read all the time. Plus books aren’t as handy on the bus. He is in Canada too, and its cold, so its battery heat might be a good way to keep his hands warm between classes. All the best to the winner!

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  97. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  98. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  99. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  100. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  101. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  102. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  103. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  104. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  105. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  106. I teach people how to use the internet. Mainly librarians, school librarians, corporate and so on. Many of them want to explore – not only resources and utilities, but also hardware, and I have my own iPhone which I let people have a look at, but to be able to illustrate the Kindle to librarians by letting them play with it, and explore it would be tremendously useful.

    Like

  107. I am a student with avid reading habit. I carry all my books with me and in last 8 years, I have moved to 6 different location in 2 countries. A Kindle would be really helpful as I can have all my collection with me along with notes in cloud. I use my iPhone kindle app currently but it has already strained my eyes, I need Kindle 🙂

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  109. I would give it to my mom, who is relatively technically capable and a former English/writing teacher and trainer who loves to read. She's a bit mobility challenged these days, so getting out to bookstores or even shlepping around real books is a bit difficult, and lives in a *very* tiny apartment that is already *crammed* with books, mainly her hundreds of children's books. I have no doubt that she'd be thrilled with the Kindle, and get a huge amount of use and enjoyment out of it, just as she does the PalmOS handhelds she has used until she's literally worn them out. (Yes, she could do e-books on the PalmOS handheld, but it's a bit small for her and the process of buying and getting them on her PDA is a bit beyond her, even with her proficiency.)In any event, thank you for the possibility, Robert. {ProfJonathan}

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  110. Hmm, what to do with a second hand kindle. I could tell you I would travel India or perhaps even Africa spreading such important masterpieces as 1984 or indeed Catcher in the Rye to all that I meet. But alas the truth is always simpler and often less gratifying. By shipping your cast-off Kindle to a poor and rather dejected tech geek from London, you'd be donating to someone who'd use it to simply lighten the load of his bag and enable me to release my substantial library of classics via freecycle to those in my area that would really benefit from them.Not the best answer you'll get…but probably one of the more honest!Ben

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  111. I'm an out of work, broke geek.I'd love to read it, and be able to read outside. Right now I have to read on my old PDA (doesn't work well outside), and I don't have the money for a new one. It would work great with the hundreds of PDF books I read, and I'd be able to lend it to other people when there's a group picnic or something.

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  112. We live in Puerto Rico, until August 2011 my wife will be spending 2 or 3 weeks a month in Vaasa, Finland. The Kindle would be an asset not just to provide entertainment during the long flights but could ease the amount of reference materials she has to lug around. Hopefully a Kindle, cellphone and a USB stick with a virtual environment will be all besides clothing she needs to carry.

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  113. My daughter has a learning disability and it's very hard to get her to read a regular book. She's a gadget freak, like me, so she likes to read on my iPhone but I always have it with me. If I had a Kindle I would give it to her so that I could get her to read more which would really help her in school.

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  114. Great idea, Rob!A year ago I formed a training program to teach programming to kids from a very young age. We take these kids from introducing them to the basics of programming all the way to advanced topics such as data structures and algorithms that they can never learn at school. A large number of our kids are from disadvantaged schools and have no access to computers, let alone a school teacher able to teach them programming. We offer this completely free of charge with no financial support, so it's all done from our passion to teach people. See http://algorithm.cs.uct.ac.za/ for further info.What would I do with the kindle? I would pass it around to the kids we teach to give them an opportunity to read. Books are far to expensive for them to afford, but e-books are within budget (i.e. I can personally fund some e-books). This will give them a great opportunity to further their skills in their own time without the requirement of a PC (which most don't have!).Thanks for considering this and I hope the kindle is donated to a good cause.RegardsMarco

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  116. I would use it for the next 2 months to read newspapers and magazines (and by doing so help to save some trees). After that I will give it away to somebody that wants to help the world with it, and buy myself an iPad.

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  117. Hey Scoble, I would love to donate a kindle to a school in Los Gatos and get feedback from grade school kids on how they used the kindle in the classroom. Basically my plan would be to pick a few kids in each grade and donate an appropriate book to them on the kindle and then get their feedback on how they used the Kindle during the time they had it as well as their thoughts on how they'd like to use tablet technology in the classroom of the future. I would do the same with a few teachers. I'd repeat this process with an iPad after it was released.

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  118. I want to make the world better by being a librarian. I'm not sure if that means working in a “traditional” library, doing web design, working in ux, or what – but I do believe that understanding how information is created, travels, and how it gets either preserved or lost is key to civilization. So I am in library school, and I try to learn about information shifts by engaging in them. I got a smartphone so I could see how they worked. I joined Twitter and have used it vigorously. I blog. I'd use your Kindle to see how reading is changing. Thanks for the innovative idea!

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  119. I have a cultural/entertainment blog and I think that ebooks will definetely change the way we acces culture and knowledge. So iw ould love to make an Kindle app that change the way of writing story, not like a blog with links but something interactive and very creative that change the way of story telling. It's an experiment I would love to have a free kindle to try that as fast as i can but I don't have the money yet. I hope living in france is not a bad thing to participate.Thanks for that nice idea anyway 🙂

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  120. Robert,I don't know if I have anything overly original or creative to say, but I can say that I would put a Kindle to good use. I'm an avid reader, and read books, blogs, magazines and Web sites all the time. But I can't see myself seriously reading E-books on a laptop or iPad because of my eyestrain. My eyes burn and are dry daily from eyestrain, largely due to my work on computers. Books give me a reprieve from staring at glowing boxes all day long. :)I work for a conservation NGO and could use the Kindle to read up on more conservation topics and PDF reports.I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the iPad. I may get one, but it certainly won't be for reading books. I just can't do it.

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  121. How about instead of giving it away, I buy it off you and you donate the money to a charity of your choosing? Seems like there would be more good come of it that way.

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  122. How about instead of giving it away, I buy it off you and you donate the money to a charity of your choosing? Seems like there would be more good come of it that way.

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  123. What are the odds of getting this free kindle…phew I'l take a chanceFirst I do not need a Kindle incentive to participate on your post… that should count :)Secondly, I won't lie I would use the Kindle to 'Change the world'. But this I can promiseIf I get this Kindle, I will read more, much more!, If I read more, I will know more. If I know more, I will apply and tech more. hopefully, that is good enough to get me Scobes' Kindle.

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  124. Hi Robert! I am a part-time radio news producer pursing a career in journalism and based in Pittsburgh, PA. I absolutely love technology and gadgets and have wanted an e-reader for so long. However, right now, I don't have much- well, any- disposable income. College loans aren't cheap. I don't have a smart phone (I Twitter from the web) or an iPod, and I just upgraded from, get this, dial-up internet (that's a secret few know). I would LOVE to have a Kindle. It would help me keep up on the latest news (I LOVE NEWS) and I wouldn’t have to carry around heavy library books (they are killing my back). Plus, I would get to tell my tech friends that THIS KINDLE once belonged to Robert Scoble! Your Kindle would be in good hands! :-)Thanks and I hope you enjoy your iPad!-MiaTwitter http://www.twitter.com/MiaAAquino

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  125. I would give it to my brother, who currently has to bring two backpacks to school in order to carry all the accounting and business books he needs. It is beginning to hurt his back, and I would love to make his life easier.

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  126. I think I would give it to the head of our local library. Many of the library systems I've come in contact with have a decidedly biased stance against electronic media when it comes to reading material. They're glad to let folks checkout music or movies, but mess with their precious books and you'll get a cross-eyed glare. The quicker our library systems learn to adapt to the digital age of books, the better off we'll be.

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  127. I travel for work, and love to read during slack time. I'd replace the 4 or 5 books, dozen magazines and newspapers that I carry! I'd stay current with local news in the city I'm in. My back would be much happier!

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  128. Why do I want the Kindle?I've just discovered the world of cinematography, and am trying to dive in full-force, reading as much as possible on techniques / trends / etc… As well as keep up on my news (which I've been quite lax on).I come from a journalistic / documentary background and would in particular like to do a couple pieces on being homeless / jobless in America. Unfortunately this topic matter just became a bit more real for me, as I found out a week ago I am losing my job. Technically starting tomorrow (Feb 1).I do however see this as a HUGE opportunity to take my passion much more seriously, although scrounging the funds to purchase a new gadget right now is definitely not at the top of my list. Either way… here's to what will I'm sure be an unbelievable adventure for 2010!

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  130. I would use it in my High School AP English class. The class reads about 7-14 books every semester. Rather than running to Borders or Barns&Noble (who usually are sold out of the book I need), I could use the Kindle and always have the necessary book.

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  131. What would I do with a Kindle?I'm studying to be an elementary school teacher so I'd use it to study as well as to integrating technology into my classroom.Plus I'm a broke adult college student so I'd never be able to afford one myself.I know that's not as creative as some here but I'm big on technology in education.

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  132. Hi Robert!Nice to “talk” to you again. We met at the Tweetup when you were in Indianapolis for the race last year. I don't want to read anyone else's entries, because I don't want to write competitively. It's up to you to decide, so I'll just share that….as tempting as it would be to use the Kindle myself, I would LOVE surprising my Mom with your Kindle. She's 82.5 😉 , and reads voraciously. I'm visiting her right now as she is in Florida for a break from the cold South Bend, IN winter. She powers through books in about a day each, but she isn't able to get out and go shopping for them herself. She was describing this “thing” that a lady in the building showed her the other day, where she could actually read books! It was, indeed, a Kindle, or perhaps some kind of book reader. She went on and on about how “neat” she thought that was. I told her I agreed, and showed her one online. I know there are a lot of people who would love to have your Kindle, and are very deserving, but thought I'd send you a little note here because it would be fun to make her day and surprise her. Thanks!

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  133. wish i could be more creative but i'm just a student, i would use to it read on my free time and try to put some textbooks on it.be able walk around and hang outside just to relax and bring with me.and i cant afford because all the bills and burdens of being a regular college student.

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  135. I'm a poor college student.I'd use the Kindle in two ways:1. I'd read books on it.2. I'd use it as a sturdy plate for some food.3. If I don't have any food, I'll read someone a story for food.¡Gracias!

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  136. If I win, I'd use it for a month I'd blog about it and then hold another 'KINDLE FROM SCOBELIZER' contest. My contest rules would be the same. Use it for a month, blog about it and then pass it along, etc. Your name would be immortalized, lots of people would get the chance to test drive a Kindle and I'd be a happy winner

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  138. I don't think Kindle is for people who actually like to read. Here's why:1. When I'm reading a book, I'm reading a book at a time. Two or three maybe. I'm not switching between hundreds of books.2. When I finish reading a book, nothing feels better than putting it on the wall, along with all the books I have finished reading. For me, it's like a wall of medals. Just by staring at them, I can remember how much I learned from them and it feels great.3. I love lending books I've read and really liked it. I can't do the same using Amazon store.4. If I'm travelling, I'm always taking a book with me. And if I'm out of home, bored and don't have a book at hands, I can always use the Kindle app on my iPhone or any other text-to-speech app. After all, iPhone fits my pocket and I if I'm supposed to take a carry-on anyway, why not carrying a book already?5. Kindle books are not that cheaper than physical books. And you just can't buy them used.6. Ok, you can buy and download a book within seconds. Yeah, like there's such thing as emergency book reading. If you need to know something right away, you'll just go to Google or Wikipedia.7. Kindle doesn't support those lovable stains of coffee cups.So, if you give me that Kindle, I will pack it up and send it to a friend who doesn't like reading at all. I got tons of friends who use the lack of Kindle as an excuse for not reading. Like you really need all the mobility in the world in order to choose, open and read a book!

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  139. I'd give the Kindle to my sister-in-law who wants one, but can't get one right now because her and my brother are expecting their first child. She's a heavy reader and would get lots of use out of having a Kindle. Especially after the baby is born.

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  140. I would stare at it, willing it with all my might to become an iPad. Just an entry-level iPad with WiFi only would be an acceptable transformation. I don't mean to get greedy.

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  141. I would stare at it, willing it with all my might to become an iPad. Just an entry-level iPad with WiFi only would be an acceptable transformation. I don't mean to get greedy.

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  145. This show that Amazon/Kindle is much more than the hardware. The ultimate winner in the ebook game will be distribution.Use your Kindle to generate a lot of discussion and promotion for your blog (Oh, I see you already have) then give away with some lame contest

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  146. This show that Amazon/Kindle is much more than the hardware. The ultimate winner in the ebook game will be distribution.Use your Kindle to generate a lot of discussion and promotion for your blog (Oh, I see you already have) then give away with some lame contest

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  147. This show that Amazon/Kindle is much more than the hardware. The ultimate winner in the ebook game will be distribution.Use your Kindle to generate a lot of discussion and promotion for your blog (Oh, I see you already have) then give away with some lame contest

    Like

  148. This show that Amazon/Kindle is much more than the hardware. The ultimate winner in the ebook game will be distribution.Use your Kindle to generate a lot of discussion and promotion for your blog (Oh, I see you already have) then give away with some lame contest

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  149. Sell it on eBay, give all proceeds to a charity ie Haiti or something. I am sure you can get like you, Kevin Rose, Tony Hsieh, Mark Zuckerberg etc to sign it. I think that would be worth while, cool and a lot of fun. You would get a lot of support from everyone and it would generate a lot of money. Take the money you need for the larger screen version and the rest goes to charity. Let me know if I can help!

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  150. Sell it on eBay, give all proceeds to a charity ie Haiti or something. I am sure you can get like you, Kevin Rose, Tony Hsieh, Mark Zuckerberg etc to sign it. I think that would be worth while, cool and a lot of fun. You would get a lot of support from everyone and it would generate a lot of money. Take the money you need for the larger screen version and the rest goes to charity. Let me know if I can help!

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  151. Sell it on eBay, give all proceeds to a charity ie Haiti or something. I am sure you can get like you, Kevin Rose, Tony Hsieh, Mark Zuckerberg etc to sign it. I think that would be worth while, cool and a lot of fun. You would get a lot of support from everyone and it would generate a lot of money. Take the money you need for the larger screen version and the rest goes to charity. Let me know if I can help!

    Like

  152. Sell it on eBay, give all proceeds to a charity ie Haiti or something. I am sure you can get like you, Kevin Rose, Tony Hsieh, Mark Zuckerberg etc to sign it. I think that would be worth while, cool and a lot of fun. You would get a lot of support from everyone and it would generate a lot of money. Take the money you need for the larger screen version and the rest goes to charity. Let me know if I can help!

    Like

  153. I'd purchase a subscription to Time Magazine for it and donate the kindle and subscription to my son's 4th/5th grade class for use in the classroom. I imagine the teacher could set up a schedule for the kids to take turns taking it home for the night/weekends. Hopefully other parents would donate additional subscriptions that would enhance the kids learning.

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  154. I'd purchase a subscription to Time Magazine for it and donate the kindle and subscription to my son's 4th/5th grade class for use in the classroom. I imagine the teacher could set up a schedule for the kids to take turns taking it home for the night/weekends. Hopefully other parents would donate additional subscriptions that would enhance the kids learning.

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  155. I'd purchase a subscription to Time Magazine for it and donate the kindle and subscription to my son's 4th/5th grade class for use in the classroom. I imagine the teacher could set up a schedule for the kids to take turns taking it home for the night/weekends. Hopefully other parents would donate additional subscriptions that would enhance the kids learning.

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  156. I'd purchase a subscription to Time Magazine for it and donate the kindle and subscription to my son's 4th/5th grade class for use in the classroom. I imagine the teacher could set up a schedule for the kids to take turns taking it home for the night/weekends. Hopefully other parents would donate additional subscriptions that would enhance the kids learning.

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  157. F those publishers, F Apple and F Amazon!Robert, if you had to do it all over, how would publish your book? You got your own audience, you don't need those guys, nor do you need to cut down the trees.You would go all digital.You would make it available right here on your blog!And you would market your book on your Twitter, your Facebook, wherever your audience is!We the people do not need those guys. What part of the future don't they get?If you decide to give me your Kindle it's because you don't understand what I'm saying here.

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  158. F those publishers, F Apple and F Amazon!Robert, if you had to do it all over, how would publish your book? You got your own audience, you don't need those guys, nor do you need to cut down the trees.You would go all digital.You would make it available right here on your blog!And you would market your book on your Twitter, your Facebook, wherever your audience is!We the people do not need those guys. What part of the future don't they get?If you decide to give me your Kindle it's because you don't understand what I'm saying here.

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  159. F those publishers, F Apple and F Amazon!Robert, if you had to do it all over, how would publish your book? You got your own audience, you don't need those guys, nor do you need to cut down the trees.You would go all digital.You would make it available right here on your blog!And you would market your book on your Twitter, your Facebook, wherever your audience is!We the people do not need those guys. What part of the future don't they get?If you decide to give me your Kindle it's because you don't understand what I'm saying here.

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  160. F those publishers, F Apple and F Amazon!Robert, if you had to do it all over, how would publish your book? You got your own audience, you don't need those guys, nor do you need to cut down the trees.You would go all digital.You would make it available right here on your blog!And you would market your book on your Twitter, your Facebook, wherever your audience is!We the people do not need those guys. What part of the future don't they get?If you decide to give me your Kindle it's because you don't understand what I'm saying here.

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  161. I'm a college student, and a Physics major to boot. Having a Kindle would save me a lifetime of back problems resulting from lugging heavy textbooks around campus all day. Granted, San Jose State doesn't have the largest campus around, as I'm sure you're well aware, but it would be helpful to me nonetheless.I tend to hold onto textbooks for a long time, since I often refer back to information I learned years ago, such as a physics formula or mathematical technique, so a Kindle could also serve as a comprehensive reference guide for me. I'd be able to keep all my good calculus and physics knowledge stored handily in a single place, easily searchable and always available.A Kindle of textbooks is far more practical than the shelves I have filled with books from just about every class I took since my freshman year of high school (~2003). This means I can finally let go of all this book clutter. In short, having a Kindle means I can finally sell my textbooks to students who can't afford to buy at SJSU's inflated prices, or even donate these books to the Physics Club.

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  162. I'm a college student, and a Physics major to boot. Having a Kindle would save me a lifetime of back problems resulting from lugging heavy textbooks around campus all day. Granted, San Jose State doesn't have the largest campus around, as I'm sure you're well aware, but it would be helpful to me nonetheless.I tend to hold onto textbooks for a long time, since I often refer back to information I learned years ago, such as a physics formula or mathematical technique, so a Kindle could also serve as a comprehensive reference guide for me. I'd be able to keep all my good calculus and physics knowledge stored handily in a single place, easily searchable and always available.A Kindle of textbooks is far more practical than the shelves I have filled with books from just about every class I took since my freshman year of high school (~2003). This means I can finally let go of all this book clutter. In short, having a Kindle means I can finally sell my textbooks to students who can't afford to buy at SJSU's inflated prices, or even donate these books to the Physics Club.

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  163. I'm a college student, and a Physics major to boot. Having a Kindle would save me a lifetime of back problems resulting from lugging heavy textbooks around campus all day. Granted, San Jose State doesn't have the largest campus around, as I'm sure you're well aware, but it would be helpful to me nonetheless.I tend to hold onto textbooks for a long time, since I often refer back to information I learned years ago, such as a physics formula or mathematical technique, so a Kindle could also serve as a comprehensive reference guide for me. I'd be able to keep all my good calculus and physics knowledge stored handily in a single place, easily searchable and always available.A Kindle of textbooks is far more practical than the shelves I have filled with books from just about every class I took since my freshman year of high school (~2003). This means I can finally let go of all this book clutter. In short, having a Kindle means I can finally sell my textbooks to students who can't afford to buy at SJSU's inflated prices, or even donate these books to the Physics Club.

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  164. I'm a college student, and a Physics major to boot. Having a Kindle would save me a lifetime of back problems resulting from lugging heavy textbooks around campus all day. Granted, San Jose State doesn't have the largest campus around, as I'm sure you're well aware, but it would be helpful to me nonetheless.I tend to hold onto textbooks for a long time, since I often refer back to information I learned years ago, such as a physics formula or mathematical technique, so a Kindle could also serve as a comprehensive reference guide for me. I'd be able to keep all my good calculus and physics knowledge stored handily in a single place, easily searchable and always available.A Kindle of textbooks is far more practical than the shelves I have filled with books from just about every class I took since my freshman year of high school (~2003). This means I can finally let go of all this book clutter. In short, having a Kindle means I can finally sell my textbooks to students who can't afford to buy at SJSU's inflated prices, or even donate these books to the Physics Club.

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  165. “Most creative answer gets the Kindle.” / “…Or who can’t afford to keep up on the latest gadget train”– That's pretty lame. So you want to see ppl jump all over themselves and/or beg to get your Kindle? A random draw would have been better.

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  166. I'd give it to the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls (Chicago) in hopes that in would encourage a child to read.

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  167. I disagree. Already I see a few good answers. I'd rather give it to someone who'll actually use it than someone who just wins a random contest. One thing, I'm pretty sure I won't pick you. 😉

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  168. OK… I read everything on a PC or Portable… but have a bad habit of buying a lot of oothers recommendations, and then they just sit there when I'm done. With that in mind…1 – I would ask that you leave ONE BOOK on your Kindle before you send it to me. It would have to be the ONE book that YOU feel everyone in life can benefit from reading.When I get the Kindle… I will read the book you recommended and let you know, by posting on your contest page. Thank you.2 – After I read YOUR book, I will then hold the same contest through my own Facebook account, blog, website, whatever, and award it to one of My friends / fans / blog readers, etc.3 – Before I send them the Kindle however… I too will load One Book that I think everyone should read in their life! (Who Moved My Cheese – The Story of Hem and Haw, and adapting to change)This way the Contest Kindle reader will have two books on it by the time the next winner gets it. Your favorite, and mine.ALL WINNERS will be Required to have the same contest, read the books recommended by those in front of them, load their own favorite, and send it on…Just think Rob – within a year, it will hold a plethora of knowledge from many circles of life!… and thats what I will do with the Kindle. Spread a Wealth of knowledge Far and Wide!

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  169. I'd would like to donate your Kindle to Brooklyn Studio school, a charter school in Brooklyn that is sadly media poor due to budget cuts. I know many of the teachers, and having a Kindle in the classroom for open reading periods would be a great way for kids to sample different genres of literature, periodicals from around the world and textbooks the school might have. To go along with this, I would establish a Kindle book wishlist the kids could add to, and solicit all my geeky friends to buy them books they'd like to read.

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  170. My dad has been unemployed for a year and a half now. While he hasn't had any luck finding a new job, he's trying to read up about different careers so that he can hopefully find work and be able to build a business for himself as he is not yet able to retire. If he does not find a new job soon, my parents (my mom is also unemployed as of recently) will begin to have an extremely difficult time coming up with the money for their healthcare and to live.As we all know, books can be costly, and when you're unemployed, spending money on books is hard to justify.If I were to get your kindle, I would give it to my father and give him a second chance at a career.

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  173. I'm a huge UX fan working in the defence industry. I work with technologies that keep armed forces and civilians safe from enemy attacks. Part of my work involves keeping on top of HCI trends, usability paradigms and any new tech that connects people to machines. The more simple and intuitive a protective system is, the more effective it will be when it's needed.A Kindle would just be awesome for pulling down the latest books and journals on these subjects, no matter where in the world I'm working. Sadly, my company will never stump up for a new-fangled gadget like this, and I'm still paying off my student debts!If I were to get your Kindle I'd make sure it was packed with books that will help me build some great technology, and hopefully save a few lives in the process 😉

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  174. Robert, Does it come with a certificate of authenticity? A “this Kindle was owned by the Scobleizer” certificate? If so I would go to SXSWi and let people touch it for $5. I of course would would donate it all (minus 10% for travel, admin expense) to charity.I would also give it to my wife, because she has wanted one for a while, and have not been able to afford it yet.

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  175. The Kindle is not for me but for my 4 kids (5 but the youngest is less than 2 years old). It will be perfect for their homeschooling. So, in effect, the Kindle that you are donating automatically benefits 4-5 people, should you choose me. Imagine how much impact that makes… coming from a developing country. 😀

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  177. I work at a journalism school. As a donation to the school, this Kindle would help students to understand the experience the Kindle could provide for magazines/newspapers.

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  178. I would give it to my Dog. He is a 15 yo Lab named “Uncle Shamus”. My Dog likes to bury things and because he has not been able to dig up a Dinosaur in his lifetime I would like the Kindle to take on that role and make the years he has left bearable.

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  179. I love to read.I have some greedI admit, since needis not indeedmy biggest leadbut oh I'd be freedof weights, my chiro teedoff at income loss bleed,& my trusty daily steed(the bus) would now leadme to new worlds to feedmy hunger. Freedfrom paper (it can stay treed).My mind will grow like a weedand new ideas will breed.So will you heedMy “creative” plead?:-)

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  181. I'm in an upper level class at Syracuse University called “Technology and Literacy.” Basically we will be discussing how the evolution of technology has affected literacy rates across the globe, particularly in America. There are an innumerable amount of scholars who make correlations between our interactions with computers as negative influences on overall social literacy. Some of these arguments lean on the overuse of IM abbreviations, dependency on spell-check, and the fact that people substitute reading books with alternative activities on computers such as video gaming. As a young tutor, I want to conduct an experiment for this class that introduces the positive bridge between reading and technology. The Kindle is obviously the epitome of what I'm looking for. I interact with kids everyday who are hesitant to pick up a book, but are technologically adept. I want to see if the Kindle causes their desire to read literature to increase. I want to observe kids and see how they react to the Kindle.I barely have enough money to pay my rent, so I can't justify buying a Kindle to conduct research for a class. But if given the opportunity, I would really put the Kindle to good use. And in fact, I would more than likely donate it to one of the more impoverished schools I work with. So… it may not be as creative as giving it to my dog, or using it as a table prop…but it's something with unique purpose…Thanks 🙂

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  182. I’d give it to my mother-in-law. At 93 and with poor eyesight, she may not be able to easily read on it (although she does manage with a magnifier and strong lighting), but the TTS would be a godsend, as would the ability to use audiobooks. We bought her a smaller device for audiobooks, but the menus and buttons were impossibly small, so she could not use it. She is in a small town, with no bookstores (80+ miles to nearest one), so depends on others to help her find books; with large print required, she is very limited in her choices, as well, which the Kindle would eliminate.

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  183. Hi Robert, I'm a German part-time photographer and I'd love to shoot a 20-picture series called “Reading in the digital age” for my friends at TheEuropean.de — a Berlin magazine startup (funded by Team Europe Ventures). A Kindle would be the perfect device completing my setup.You can find my portfolio at http://www.kwiat.org or could get in touch with me @kwiat — I'd be very happy to hear from you! Of course I would cover any shipping costs.PS: I won't get paid for the shoot or any pictures published — I'll do it for fun only.

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  184. Thanks to Steve Jobs and the iTampon vaporware Kindle books are now disappearing from the Amazon store or are going up in price by 50% – so now is a good time to be giving your Kindle away.

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  185. I just went through voting a few I liked, and I recommend everybody else doing the same. The disqus 'like' feature is a pleasure to use. In an ideal world, I would like a Kindle to use for a few months and then give it back to you to give away again (since I am 2 semesters away from graduation, and my professors have suddenly fallen in love with pdfs) but there are much more worthy causes imho to give it to already before me. That being said, I wish there were some kind of Kindle loan / trial system, because I really don't see any use of it for myself after I graduate and I can't yet afford giving away hundred dollar gadgets for free just yet. Anybody else have any thoughts on this?

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  186. You are a successful blogger because people like me read a lot and build up your brand through + word of mouth. You could do something “nice” and sell it for Haiti or you could give it to someone who will produce much better value for both you and society by having it.To be a successful young entrepreneur you need tenacity, integrity and some outside help. I find a lot of outside help in the form of books. Help me help change the world.

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  187. I'm a manager for a Washington state liquor store. I would donate the Kindle to one of my employees. She's a single mom of 2 little girls. She's low income and lives on food stamps. I'd love to give her more hours, but other employee matters and the union prevents me from doing so. Instead, I've tried to help out when possible with donations of food, clothes, and presents for the girls at holiday time. One girl is 5, the other is 1.5 years old. Both girls are interested in reading and mom could use help in learning about finances, housing, working with a limited income, etc. A Kindle would be a big boost to help this family out, opening a world of reading, entertainment, and information to them.

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  188. As somebody who loves the smell of a newly printed book, I'm the skeptic. So come on Scoble — tempt me, entice me over to the dark side with one of your own. Seduce me with the ease of thousands of books in a single hand held machine. And if I don't like, much like all my other books, I'll donate it to the local library.

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  189. I'll just use it as another way of reading books. Why would it help me to become someone? With kindle, I would read more books than I possibly can. So, this nifty thing may become a reason of me, becoming someone important tomorrow. And ultimately, help people in need.Thanks

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  190. Ha ha, I was not really expecting to be included in the consideration.But if you wanted to have someone deserving get your Kindle, why not donate it to a local woman's shelter or another organization that may put it to good use? Why create a blog post soliciting “creative answers” and then post it to twitter?I'm sure your intentions are honorable, but the execution makes me think of self promotion.

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  193. I'm a computer science student leading a small team of students for a project course this semester. Two weeks ago our team prepared a project proposal for our Systems Analysis course. The idea was to create a text-based adventure game. Since development of a text-based game requires a flexible interactive fiction engine we decided to write one from scratch! Otherwise, there would be no work for any of the team members.After developing the first prototype for the presentation we created a market assessment (required for the course). In short, the commercial market for text-based adventure games dried up in the late 80's. That was when graphical point-and-click adventures came out to take advantage of advancing graphical capabilities. However, looking at the Kindles hardware requirements, creating a text-based game on this platform would be perfect! Amazon has recently announced the KDK (Kindle Development Kit) and its Appstore having closed beta launch sometime this month.What would we be creating? Simply an open-source interactive fiction engine for app developers. Your Kindle will help us with usability testing and presentation purposes. If you're interested in the project will keep you updated!

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  195. I’m a poor masters student at a theological seminary.
    I would use the to initiate theological — I mean, technological — conversations with liberals and conservatives. I mean, PC users and Macheads! I’d like to see their reaction when I try to evangelize to them about the benefits of the good book, the Holy Bible. I mean, the e-Book! I wonder… who would be more furious at me for using a Kindle–PC users or Macheads? Arminians or Calvinists?

    To be honest, I would simply use the Kindle to read theological books. After all, since Kindle books are cheaper than their hardcopy counterparts… what kind of PC user wouldn’t want to save money on one?! Well, all that being said, I’m a Machead, and I too want to save money. On books that is. I’d never go so cheap as to get a Windows laptop!

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  196. I would like to use the Kindle to help immigrant East Indian children to learn English. The non profit I work with does not have space for tons of books, kids come in after school to learn to read the language, and this would be a great way to have a group of kids who are more fluent read to and teach reading to those who are not as fluent.

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  198. I give the Kindle to my daughter who has a rather severe vision problem. They have lots of fairytales for 9 year olds that are free. Plus, it's possible that there are some there than haven't had the audio/reader component turned off and she could listen to them. Myself, I guess I stick to the library. *sigh*

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  199. I was going to make up a creative answer, but in reality, I'd sell it and use the money to pay my AT&T cell phone bill and buy a few books for the Kindle app on my iPhone.

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  201. Well, i'd take the Kindle, go to the local library here in Austria and convince them to also offer eBooks since devices like the Kindle, the iPad and others that are up to come are part of the future – just as eBooks in libraries will be. After all many handicapped and old people will profit from this, because they dont have to walk or drive to their library – which can be quite some distance, especially on the countryside.

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  202. I’m not going to teach my seven children to read (I don’t have any children)… nor am I going to fly to Haiti and help people read there. I will, however, be more inclined to read more myself – which would be a really good thing for me.

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  203. I would use it to get my college textbooks for cheaper. They’re such a rip-off! As a broke college student, I would appreciate being able to save a bit of money where I can.

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  204. Robert- I will auction it off at my office (if you would sign it too). You have a ton of fans in my office. I will give every penny to Doctors without Borders for Haiti.

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  205. My husband and I are both unemployed at the moment. We were laid off from different companies back in Sept. 09 and are still looking for jobs. We live in a 1 bedroom apartment and reading is the only thing I can do to get away from him. We try to stay off the computers as much as possible to conserve energy and buying ebooks or convincing my parents and 2 friends to buy them for me is much cheaper and less stressful than planning ways to…well, let's just say it would be much better for all of us 🙂

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  206. I'll love to get my hands on your kindle. And for the reason that I can take it apart and then twitter that I took apart scoble's kindle 🙂

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  207. What an offer…I have been trying to find some deals while saving up for one for my wife. She is an AVID reader… by AVID I mean several books a week. My comment is that she reads books, I read blogs.She is experiencing issues with reading… She has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and holding the books is actually bothering her wrists. So I would use the Kindle to help her keep reading while giving her wrist a rest.Thanks for holding a nice “comment contest” like this.I am a teacher and use a tablet pc in my classroom. I am not as thrilled with the iPad, but I am excited to see what the iPad does for the tablet & slate pc's. Increasing the market awareness, etc.Thanks again!

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  208. I would load it full of ebook versions of banned books, get a bunch of firewood, and see if this “Kindle” lives up to its name.But seriously I'm 27, single, and going back to college full-time to finish my business degree and can't really afford one even though I've been wanting any kind of eReader with eInk for ages. I am a voracious reader, but one of the types who gets strained eyes when reading too much on my computer. Plus reading long-format content at your desktop isn't exactly the most relaxing way to read a book, and I don't have a laptop or iPhone.

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  209. I'd give it to my mom, who has tried one out before, desperately wants one of her own, but can't afford it since she's retired.

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  211. I’d give it to my daughter, who is seven. She loves to read. This would allow her to carry around her favorite books and not add to the 20 lbs she already has to carry to and from school.

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  214. 1. I’m from Argentina, they don’t sell it here – I’ve been searching for a decent ebook reader over here – there’s none. 2. I can’t afford to buy it overseas. 3. I’m a constant reader. 4. I have tons of books to read for my degree thesis, but can’t read them on my computer. 5. I’ll do my best to cure cancer when I get my degree 🙂 Nah, I’ll probably just work very hard and earn a lot of money (luckily) and then I’ll give back as much as I can.

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  216. Ksenia has a valid point. Definitely partly self promotion and a good way to get even more action on the blog – not really sure it is needed though. 🙂 However I can also see why you would want to see it be put to good use and not just collect dust somewhere else.

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  217. I don't have a good story or solution on how I would make the world a better place. I just have been struggling financially for a while now since the economy tanked. I am working on other projects, essentially having to learn new fields at an “advanced” age. The entire industry I had spent my adult life mastering is all but obsolete now. I can't afford to keep up with tech toys at all, but the one outlet I have to try to catch up with the world has been long evenings at the physical bookstores, reading what I can until they close up for the night. It would be fantastic to be able to read at home, since those places aren't too close, so it's a long bike ride for my only real entertainment and educational outlet. I could more easily afford ebook pricing over physical books, but the price of the readers are so prohibitive for me at this point. I'm sure I'll catch up, it's just taking some time having to start all over again at my age. I haven't read all the other entries, but I'm sure there are people worse off than me or who have ideas for better uses than I have. I just can't read enough 🙂

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  218. I am a gadget geek trying to raise my twins now 8.5months old boy and girl, to be the same. looking for this to be essential in bedtime story telling.

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  219. Am I the only one here not wanting the Kindle? Don't get me wrong, I like it but my comment has to do with how difficult it will be to beat iPad — A DualCoreAtom-Windows7 tablet with Pixel Qi touch display and handwriting recognition should do? When tilted, it got to switch between portrait and landscape modes like iPad supposedly does. It will help to recognize that iPad will be to paid news what iPod was to music. Sooner or later, newspapers and magazines have to make money from digital content. More than books, that is where the money is. Apple knows this. I won't be surprised if it bags rights for exclusive content from major newspapers. Do the rest realize this?

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  220. I volunteer to teach a “Computers for Seniors” class every Sunday at the Alpert Jewish Community Center in Long Beach, CA. As you might imagine, it's mostly an “Internet for Seniors” class. It absolutely inspires me when I see a 92 year-old woman wanting to get online so that, “…the world doesn't start passing me by.”One thing that I've noticed is that reading is still one of the few remaining pleasures for so many of my “students.” Right after “learning” how to use google, they want to know all about accessing amazon.com and finding books by their favorite authors. I would use your Kindle to introduce everyone in our class to e-books, and we'd circulate it among the students so that everyone could benefit from using it. Being able to read a book and increase the font size instantly would make a lot of my students smile. Being able to instantly buy a book and begin reading it without first taking one or two buses to the local bookstore would knock down another obstacle that limits them as they age. Carrying the lighter Kindle, instead of a heavy book, would make a difference to many of them between being able to read a book or not. And, as 92 year-old Rae would say, “I could make sure that the world doesn't start passing me by.”

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  222. I'm going to use it to read books like I did when I was a kid. I'm going to read at the dinner table, lunch table, on the train, while running (yes, treadmill) and on my multiple thrones at home.Then I'm going to give it to someone else so they can feel my love of reading.

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  223. My wife and I have wanted to purchase this device for a while but unfortunately we could not afford it. We both work 9 to 5 and have two little kids and on the rare occasion we have some free time we try to read to escape from the daily grind. This device would absolutely make my wifes world as she reads during her breaks and lugs her book to work everyday. The Kindle would alleviate that. Hope I win 🙂

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  224. I'd use it to read my textbooks for University. I'm completing my degree to be a music teacher. What better cause than education? 🙂 But seriously, I have a mental problem with reading that makes it infinitely more difficult to read from an actual book and even worse off a super bright screen (like a non-eink tablet or laptop). My email is nathanbrauer[nospam@nospam]gmail.com

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  225. I would only want it if you can get Leo Laporte to sign it “Screw you Robert!, with both of your autographs. ;-)Have a great night,Larry

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  227. I'd give the Kindle to my wonderful teenage daughter who's been an avid reader since Kindergarten.In addition to being a National Honor Society student, she does charity work for the local animal shelter, Special Olympics, children with cancer, and battered women. All this after surviving months in a hospital with a potentially life-threatening illness, both her parents losing their jobs, and the death of her beloved Papa- all within the last 2 years. She never asks for anything for herself, and in fact said the only thing she wanted for Christmas and birthday this year was to be with her family. It hurts me that I cannot afford to give her any extras right now because she is a very kind and deserving person.

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  228. I am a young father of two who would love to have all of my parenting, bed-time, fiction, and tech books all in one place. What better way to get my young kids using technology early than to ready to them at night from the kindle.Also, I have plans of starting my own no-profit over the next two years and I would love to be able to have the management and finance books at hand on the kindle.

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  230. I would give it to my Mother who is the primary caretaker for my Dad. He has been very ill, bedridden for 6 months and this week he was put into Hospice Care at their home in Florida. My Mom is 81, loves to read, is very tech savvy (has her own facebook account!). I would fund with my credit card an Amazon account for her and let her choose her own books. Knowing my Mom they would be inspirational books. My Mom has always been a giver. The problems my Mom faces now is that she has limitations to go out of the home. When she does it's for groceries and necessities. Certainly no time to browse the book stores. I think this would be a wonderful thing to give to her. To think that someone may give her a gift of this magnitude is truly wonderful. My Mother has been my role model and inspiration. I live in NY and have plans to go see my Mom and Dad in 2 weeks. If I am the lucky winner, I will take it with me and present it to her in person! What a treat that would be!

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  232. I'd love to have that Kindle because I'm a bookworm but majority of books that are released are not available here in paper so I have to buy them online but the shipping charges are 4times the price of book. So I'm currently reading books and novels on the tiny screen of my mobile using mobireader software/application.

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  233. I need the Amazon Kindle as a chick-magnet to get chicks. Having one can reduce the need for me to used my worn-out (ok, horrible) opening lines- the Kindle can now give me an excuse to talk to them. If you like all the wonderful things your wife can do after she has recovered from her pissed-off-mode; Dude! I totally want that too! Please, help a bro by sharing the Kindle and watch a miracle happen on 34th street.

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  234. I'm a Software Engineer living in Washington, DC across from an Elementary School. While I love gadgets, I think if I were to give away my Kindle with the promise of replacing it with the new Apple tablet I'd have to find a teacher there who understands technology a bit, and who could use it in the classroom with some of the kids. The elementary school is made up of diverse students from all backgrounds, many who don't speak English as their first language, and are often disadvantaged as far as exposure to technology (and unfortunately other things). But having met some of those involved in the school, there are many dedicated souls who in fact work hard at making a difference in these children's lives.

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  235. Three reasons I’d love to get my hands on your Kindle:

    1) I can’t afford to spend money on something I’d consider a luxury
    2) Hopefully it would get me reading more, especially during BART commutes and “library” time
    3) Because you aren’t giving away an iPad

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  236. I would be honored to have your kindle! The main reason it'd benefit me is because of my eyesight. It gets worse by -1 every two years because i spend so much time in front of lcds (reading great articles like this one of course 🙂 . It's best use would be to help me keep up with me 3000+ unread instapaper articles. I'd also love to take some time out of my busy tech days to kick back and read. Not sure why, but a print book just isn't compelling enough for me to do so. But a kindle definitely would help me fuel that. Seriously, a digital/easy-to-read instapaper anywhere source? omg. i ❤ the iphone app but it doesn't cut it for more than 6 minutes. Thanks 🙂

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  237. I’d like to have your kindle so that I can lift your fingerprints off of it and frame you for some hideous crime.

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  238. I would use it on my own, I can’t stand reading ebooks too much on my pc screen. I usually prefer buying the physical book, but there are so many free ones that I would like to read are only digital, and that would cost a lot.

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  239. I would use it to read books. I was recently laid off and I sold mine for money. I miss the Kindle. But, I do still have the library and old fashioned dead trees. As an aspiring author, books inspire me.

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  240. I'll track down Arnold Schwarzenegger and have him autograph it, “I'm Detective John Kindle.” (I know it's really Kimble, but when I first heard the name Kindle, I thought of Kindergarten Cop.) And, if he's willing, “It's not a tumor!” Then I'll send you a pic 🙂

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  241. I would use it to read books on iPhone programming and then make the world's most kick-ass iPhone app. Plus, you have to admit, it's a pretty freakin' awesome piece of technology.

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  243. Well, considering that it’s an ebook reader, I would use it to read books. It would be quite handy for keeping up with any nonfictions that I might want to read. I normally read my fiction books in paper form, but being able to take a nonfiction with me everywhere would really help me get into reading more of them.

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  244. I would give it to my 74 year old father who is having a hard time reading the books and newspapers he has always loved.

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  246. I would use it as a paddle for my raft to leave this deserted island. When I got home, I would give it to an orphanage.

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  247. If I were to get the Kindle, I would go back in time and post this:”If I were to get the Kindle, I would donate the price of the Kindle to a fund for Haiti, specifically, Oxfam or Doctors Without Borders.”Thus, using my masterly skills of time-travel to usurp my arch nemesis, Brad Kellet, who doesn't know me at the moment, but had the wonderful idea first. From that point on, we would forever be locked in a never-ending battle, traveling further and further back in time in an attempt to prevent the other from coming up with the idea first. I would kill his grandfather, followed by him killing my grandfather, over and over again, until we ventured back to the dawn of time.Still, the charity would get the money. Unless we destroyed the planet first.

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  248. You and your friends at the Gilmore Gang talked alot about the kindle and praise it but here in Europe you dont see them. I have tried to order one several times but it's not working. Apparently it does not ship to all countries in Europe yet?I really want to try one and if it's as good has you all say i will spread that word here in Europe with special thank to Robert!

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  249. My idea is to go to the Croatian government, especially the Ministry of Education, and give them a presentation of Kindle's capabilities. The idea is to try to convince them to — instead of spending millions of Euros each year for free and/or subsidized primary and secondary school books, they should issue a number of Kindles to each school and provide textbooks in e-book form.So this is what I'd do if I had a Kindle…

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  250. As a generally frugal person doing arts and crafts from home, I find it hard to justify buying gadgets and as a result have become a luddite.But I could very much use a kindle. I sell laptop and netbook sleeves as well as ebook reader pouches on the handmade site etsy at http://www.bertiescloset.etsy.com. I'd love to use the kindle to take new product photos of our ebook reader pouches.Also, as a JD Salinger fan, I'd get a kick out of rereading Nine Stories in e ink. Thanks so much!bertie

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  251. Hi What a wonderful idea! Hope Kindle & Apple people appreciate the PR.I'm in SA and so wont stand a chance at getting the thing with a creative answer.If you are torn, I would take up the chaps offer to buy the Kindle and then give the dosh to Haiti.Change the world – One creative decision at a time!

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  253. I’d really like an Amazon Kindle for these reasons:
    -I am 17 years old, a high school senior and I’m going to college next year. A Kindle would be really helpful for reading all those books I know I’m going to have to read. 😀
    -I started my own small business with Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE, an entrepreneurship education program for low-income students). But I’m also committed to my community. I do design projects for local non-profits pro-bono (so they can divert more financial resources to the causes they serve and less toward overhead) and I think I could serve more clients if I had more updated access to the latest books on design and business and non-profit management (right now most of it I have to design at my high school). You can check out my portfolio here: crystaly.carbonmade.com
    -I’m putting together an e-book “What’s Next: Big Ideas from 25 Gen Y-ers Under 25” myself, inspired by Seth Godin’s “What Matters Now” but with 25 contributors under 25. I’d love to read some more e-books before I publish one. 🙂
    -With Rotary International, I am leading 6000 high school activists to raised $100,000+ to eradicate polio by June 2010. And I’m organizing a blogging-for-charity day at http://bit.ly/wwd2010 Since I have to education people about these issues, I’d really love access to the latest research papers and books on organizations using scientific methods to analyze the effectiveness of philanthropic efforts (read the article on MIT research in the recent issue of Fast Company magazine with @aplusk on the cover).

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  254. I have a Kindle, bought one for my mother for Christmas, and she adores it. So rather than join your contest, I'm hitting the “like” button on the comments I most like as my way of voting up those who I think have made their case best.

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  256. I would LOVE this kindle, as I would use it to read and catch up on the news during my long hours of medical treatment, and I will become more informed so that I can help spread the accurate news and fight against the Fox News propaganda. I'll have the facts and knowledge to combat misinformation and expand my literary world all at the same time!

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  257. I would use it to read, of course. I am a college student currently learning computer science who has had internships in the city in the summer (making for long commute times and a lot of reading on the train). I also have a second job where I tend to get a lot of reading done during down time. I also have a sister who recently bought a Barnes And Noble nook. It is my duty to keep the sibling rivalry going.

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  258. I would give it to my father in law who is currently going through chemotherapy. He has done so much to help other people in his life. Since he was a young man he has devoted so much time to working with the mentally disabled. He was also headmaster of a school and still helps people who want to become head teachers. He loves to read and it would really help him get through the next few months.

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  259. Nathaniel, thanks so much for even suggesting such a great opportunity go to us. If we get it it will go to one of the Ugandan members of my staff who love gadgets, but rarely get a chance to actually own or experiment with them. I'd love to see what they come up with for the Kindle app store!

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  260. Robert,
    it would be a great experience using a gadget “Robert Scoble” has used before. Could you sign the Kindle on the back before sending out? It would give the ebook reading on this device a special touch.
    cheers,
    Stefan

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  261. I am the IT Director for an international school in Kabul, Afghanistan, and I would give the Kindle to the president of the student council at our school. This young man comes from an poor family, rides a bus two-and-a-half hours one way to come to school, has a good chance to be our valedictorian (at a school where is not learning in his primary language), and is hoping to get to America next year on a college scholarship, if one can be found that can pay for basically all of his schooling. (The purchase price of the Kindle is likely to be as much as his family makes in a month) I would also help him to learn how to use Project Gutenberg and other sources to get free books for the Kindle, including reference books which would help him as he studies to be a doctor, along with giving him a small fund with which to purchase school-related books for his Kindle. This young Afghan man is an outstanding student, and I think this device would help him as he continues his studies.

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  262. I would actually set it up so that I'd give away that Kindle, and then buy a book for it, and the next person would do that, until finally the Kindle was filled with new books and we would give the final Kindle to some deserving teacher in the Third World who would teach his or her students using the Kindle. In fact, why don't we all buy a bunch of Kindles for a whole classroom in some country, or school district in the US that needs books?

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  263. OK so this isn't really a 'creative' use of the device but it is one that will help my fellow human being. If I were to win the Kindle you're giving away, I would provide it to a young girl who lives about two blocks away from me. Kendra is 14 and a huge reader. She, her mother, and two sisters, live in a tiny two bedroom house while the mother works two jobs to help make ends meet.Kendra and her family recently moved into the house they live in now and, because of the cramped conditions, they had to get rid of their cat and nearly all of Kendra's books. Now, Kendra spends all evening at the library reading interesting stories that take her away into a fantasy land where life is not quite so tough.I'd love to give Kendra some books but, unfortunately, can't because she has no room for them in her house. Using your Kindle, I could literally give Kendra hundreds of books if I wanted to and she'd never have to worry about space for them again. Thanks for doing this contest, Robert, you're a pretty cool guy. Of course, I think we all knew that before this lol. Oh, and one more thing: if I do win the Kindle, would you include a note to Kendra just saying hi? She doesn't really know you but it'd be cool for her to get a note from someone giving her such an incredible gift.

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  264. My girlfriend was injured in the army and is paralyzed from the waist down +fingers, She can’t read a book. A Kindle will enable her to read books like the rest of us.

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  266. Don’t give it away! You’ll regret it! Tell you what, you give it to me and then when you want it back you leave a comment on MY blog, if it is creative enough I’ll give it back to you…

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  267. I'd send it back, and ask for the Scoble autographed version. ;)But in all seriousness, I'd do the same with it that I'm likely to do with the iPad; think – wow, neat thing to have…but do i really need it?Cool concept on the giveaway though! I'm particularly fond of @Pdilly's answer.

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  269. I'd give it to my wife, who is a special education reading teacher. She is already an expert on integrating technology in the classroom and I would be thrilled to see her come up with ideas to implement the Kindle in her instruction.

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  270. I'd give it to my wife, who is a special education reading teacher. She is already an expert on integrating technology in the classroom and I would be thrilled to see her come up with ideas to implement the Kindle in her instruction.

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  271. I would give it to my wife so that she could use it in her classroom. She teaches in a 99% hispanic school and most kids cannot read very well. It would be an additional tool to help inspire the kids to learn to read while incorporating more technology in their daily routine.

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  272. Easy. It will go to my youngest son. He reads constantly. He sleeps between stacks of books. I clean up bent paperback spines and bits of cover from where he leaves them after he is finished. The running joke is that if a book is worn out, it is because he has read it too many times.

    He read Lord of the Rings cover to cover when he was eight. Nowadays he waits for books to be released with great anticipation. The best part of it is that his vocabulary is huge. He debates well, listens well and quietly calls us out if we express an opinion that was ill conceived.

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  273. I would probably bring it in to work where we have practically no training budget to speak of.This way I could get some good books and share them amongst people on the team.

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  274. I'm in Turkey, a country that ranks 2nd in the world for the number of newspapers produced, but has very few people reading books. Literacy is not the problem – books are associated school and after the exams students throw them away thinking they will never use them again. I'd use the Kindle to show all my Turkish friends and encourage them to read more and develop a habit of life long learning.

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  275. Robert,

    I would carry it with me to teach 4th graders better reading shills. It is amazing how many kids are not even at that grade level and need real help. It would be beneficial because I could enlarge the font and generally be able to do some more creative things that just standard print books for them. I dont have to carry a bag full of reading materials to use with them.

    Best,
    -Jason

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  276. I would take it to the South Pole, and I would read it.
    Then I would take it to Mt.Everest, I would take it across tempest seas, to the corners of the desert, and read it.
    I would read it while exploring the depths of the ocean, while wrestling with the Bengal Tiger, while fishing crab in the Alaskan blue.
    I will set it above all men, vanquish those who dare set their evil eyes upon it.
    It shall be me and my Kindle, just like Tom Hanks and his Wilson.
    And then Mr.Scoble, I would read it.

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  277. I would love a Kindle. I am a mother of 3 children with special needs. Reading is definitely a relaxing part of the day but I am not always able to run to the bookstore to pick up a new book. Having a kindle while waiting for therapy to end or school to finish would be a great opportunity to get a few minutes to read and relax for this mommy.

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  278. I would use it to help my pregnant wife not have to pack our 4-5 bookshelves worth of books when we move this spring!

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  279. My wife is going to law school in the fall and we really don't have a lot of money for text books. this would be a great way to try and consolidate some of her reading into a digital form.

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  280. I would donate it to my wife's book club. They have several readers who struggle to find copies of the latest books at the library, especially new best sellers. I would associate the Kindle with my account, get the book and let the device be borrowed like I do with our favorite paperbacks.

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  281. I'd like to give a kindle to my wife. She is a preschool teacher, in the wobbler classroom (10-18 months age group). During nap time she likes to read, but the classroom lights are off. Currently she holds a flash light in one hand and a book in the other. A kindle would make reading much easier and less to carry to and from work.

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  282. ….sell it and donate the proceeds to http://www.justgiving.com/give-a-pound-to-jamie Jamie Inglis is a 4 year old boy who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. The anti body treatment he requires is only available in the US and the family need to raise £200,000 in order to travel to the US from the UK and obtain access to that treatment.It won't change the world Robert but it might help to save the life of a very sick little boy.

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  283. I’d give it to my childhood nanny, who raised me. She’s a wonderful woman who has lived through far too much in her life (her parents death by age 12, WWII in Germany, an alcoholic husband, etc). She moved into my family’s house when I was a baby and raised like I was her own daughter.

    She’s 86 now and her eyesight is naturally poor. Though she’s not exactly tech savvy, she’s asked for a Kindle because of its larger font size and, interestingly, the weight of the device. Many of the books she likes to read (Harry Potter, etc) are too heavy for her to hold up and read in bed.

    A Kindle would make her day.

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  284. I will give the Kindle to my better half, to hopefully reduce the risk of the book mountain alongside the bed falling on me, and trapping me for several days while rescuers attempt to dig me out.I will also keep a broomstick and some tape handy – so in the event of the great flood coming, the Kindle might be fashioned into an oar, to help paddle our makeshift raft to safety.

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  285. Hey Robert,

    I am a graduate student and can’t afford to buy a Kindle. I need to read a lot of research papers and in addition to that, I love to read Non-Fiction books. I will read the PDF versions of books I have got from Project Gutenberg.

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  286. Hi Robert,I have been looking for an in on a Kindle for some time. I have a great product idea that uses an e-ink platform to assist in maintaining of complex machines like ocean liners and freight trains (as examples, but not the actual target market). With the new announcement of the Kindle API, the Kindle becomes a pretty good proof of concept platform. Regardless, I haven't yet been able to get my company to pop for a Kindle for this skunkworks project.I believe that this project could benefit society by creating information systems that can help in keeping people who work on heavy devices safe, and those who use or are nearby those devices in well maintained machinery. This is an ever-more important application of technology as the complexity of machines increases.Best, ~ Paul

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  287. I would use it to teach my kid how to read… after he's born and gets to the age that he's able to read that is, meanwhile I'd give it to my wife, who's pregnant and working on her PhD thesis and has TONS (literally) of papers to read

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  288. Greetings Robert,Just saw your offer and was amazed. I've been wishing for a Kindle for a while now as it would be a boon for me in my work. I'm a full time volunteer (room and board only) for the non-profit, educational organization that teaches Transcendental Meditation. Right now we're focused on teaching at risk youth worldwide. Filmmaker, David Lynch has already helped over 100,000 in North and South America learn TM. The automatic result of increased coherence in world consciousness will be permanent world peace. It's not just a hope, it's doable.See http://www.TM.orgThe Kindle would be a most valuable tool for me and no doubt help save my eyes from further strain at a computer screen.Thanks for considering me.Peace.Roger

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  290. Hi Robert,I would love to get the Kindle. I will sell immediately and donate t he proceeds to ISHA VIDHYA (schooling in rural India) project.Isha Vidhya is committed to raising the level of education and literacy in rural India and to helping disadvantaged children realize their full potential. The project seeks to ensure quality education for children in rural areas, opening the door for them to participate in and benefit from India’s economic growth. Link to Isha Vidhya website – http://www.ishavidhya.org/about-us/our-vision.htmlThanks,Pushkar

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  291. I'd use your kindle to gather more twitter followers by re-giving it away in a random draw among those who add me as a friend on twitter. I'd then spam all of those new twitter friends with links to websites I'm involved with.No, my name is not Jason Calacanis.

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  292. I am a retired pastor on fixed income, however, I still have two Bible studies and a nursing home worship service. The Kindle would be a very wonderful blessing for my study. I read voraciously to stay up with the latest thought on todays world and our needs. It would give me a wealth of knowledge at my finger tips at all times. I have many people that look to me for hope in this troubled world and I am so inadequate that I need all the help I can get. Bless you for your thought and gift.

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  294. This sounds a lot like my idea, and I am happy to help, by either buying a Kindle of my own to do the same thing, or by buying the apps and books to put on the Kindle. I'd like to work in the future in Africa, and this would be some of my self-interest, forming relationships there.

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  295. I'd load it up with my Mom's favorite books, and send it to her. She's hospitalized, and will remain there for the rest of her life, so she doesn't have space in her hospital room for the books she loves to read.

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  296. I'd load it up with my Mom's favorite books, and send it to her. She's hospitalized, and will remain there for the rest of her life, so she doesn't have space in her hospital room for the books she loves to read.

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  297. I'll hack it for running open-source Android apps, make a video review of these open SDK features on my site http://ARMdevices.netBasically I want my e-reader to have RSS reader, synchronization with the PC (click “Read on my e-reader” from a Chromium/Firefox plugin on the Laptop)..E-ink or Pixel Qi LCD screens are imperative if you really want to read text for a long time. Backlight LCDs are only for reading short texts.

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  298. When I was in China trying to learn using open courseware, one big obstacle is I don't have access to textbook. Actually, I would still not have access to textbook if I get a kindle. But then again we also have a dysfunctional or nonfunctional library system(don't only look at the big cities, look at the county or rural area where I am from). After finishing my degree in education here in the States, I could get back to China and read from a kindle or access books using its global network. I also wonder how the gap in information-accessibility affect the gap in development and everything. Hopefully, education, especially education change from bottom-up using open education resources(free textbooks please!), could revolutionize everything and flatten everything in the following decade.

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  299. Well there isn’t much that I could say that hasn’t already been covered in the above comments but here goes…

    I would love to have a Kindle because my hubby hates all my books and at least with a Kindle he couldn’t complain that it cluttered up the bookshelves…what the heck are bookcases for anyway?! Oh wait that’s right…for his firefighter books 8-

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  300. Well, with all the grand, altruistic responses here, I feel bad saying that I would use it simply because I used to be ravenous reader but no longer am. For whatever reason — the preponderance of social media, web-sized information being somehow preferable to longform, shorter attention spans, Barack Obama's hideously socialistic, America-crushing, “help-other-humans” crazy ideas — I have a hard time getting through a paper book any more. But the Kindle? I can read all day on that (a friend has one) and I have no idea why. It's the beginning of a truly disruptive culture shift, one that has ravaged my 40 years of ingrained habits to the point I now read and learn in an entirely different way.This notion — all of this — was perfectly encapsulated when I was borrowing my friend's Kindle for a week. My five year old son took it off the couch, pointed at it, and said to my friend, “This is daddy's book.”Amazing. It's the next gear in our cultural transmission as it relates to reading and consuming information.

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  301. I long for a Kindle! It would almost make up for having no cell phone, AND I could read it at the park with the kiddies.

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  302. My son has a genetic disorder (22q deletion, he's missing a chromosome, it's somewhat similar to Downs Syndrome) and he has a difficult time concentrating on paper books. I would use it to help him read more, since he's able to focus more easily on a computer screen. It would also help with his IEP at school, since I would do my best to upload books that they are reading in the special ed. room so he could keep up more easily.

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  303. Most creative answer ? ? ? here you go:I will download Naked Conversations on the Kindle and read it in the bathroom.:-)

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  304. Robert, heres hoping you'll look kindly my wayWhen the 'Giving Away My Kindle' comes up as a dayIt's glossy surface, the grey-scale displayWill mean much, scanning books and blogs that all come my wayI have my account, so no worry thereIt's the cash to buy more books for which I need careI'll carry it here, I'll carry it thereI'll read books and blogs from most everywhereStarbucks will prosper from the dollars I spendWhile reading in a chair there, you will dependRobert, the Kindle shipped right to my doorwill assure that bookless, I go roaming no moreIn advance I say thanks, to be consideredand not just thrown away like trash, cast off and littered

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  305. G'Day Rob, Not sure if you willing to send it to overseas but thanks for your kindness to give away your Kindle. If I happend to be next owner, I'll be using it to read children books to my son. Evenmore I can teach him how to read and later on his sister.That's all I will do with your Kindle.Cheers,Uzzie from Down Under

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  306. Boy, there's some competition here! What would I do with a Kindle though? Plenty….I teach English in Mexico to adults, some of whom pay me 10 to 20% of their monthly salary – for them it is simple. No English, no career progress. I try and give some extra value for money by giving cheap classes as an extra to their normal classes, where we watch and then discuss documentaries. A book reading club sounds just as helpful….instead of everyone having the book and following along, a pass around Kindle with one person reading, the others listening.Plus, I spend 20 hours a week on the metro and microbuses going to and from classes. Getting hold of reasonably priced English language books in Mexico City is a nightmare. I have a US Amazon account though….a Kindle would solve that problem.Plus, of course, being an English teacher, I'm always broke! I am buying a $300 camera in two weeks….it took me 12 months to save up for that!Bottom line though…..I'd use your Kindle. Really use it. I might not be able to change the world with it, but I'll put some serious hours through it. And that's what these products are for right? To be used….

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  307. I'd use it to get smarter in college and read my E-text books. My college has discontinued all printed media because of the economy and I'm now forced to read for hours off of my laptop screen.

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  308. I doubt you will scroll this far, but here goes:I am of course a poor student which is in great need of reading device other than the computer monitor. My eyes have been gradually getting worse throughout my student life and at this rate i will need binoculars to focus on the tiny text offered in my class lecture notes and ebooks. I plan on creating software that will change the world and hopefully end world hunger.Therefore by allowing me to go blind you are single handedly letting bad things happen all around the world. Please give me the Kindle to maintain my eyesight while stimulating my brain with the knowledge that will save this world. The ball is in your court Mr. Scoble…

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  309. I'm a teenage blogger and student. Being a teenager, I don't have the money like adults to buy these gadgets to review. I would really like to get my hands on one so I can actually have a ebook reader present when I give news in that field. Me being a student I need easy access to books to help increase my reading skills. Please support teenage media!http://www.techxav.com/author/jake

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  311. Last week I accompanied my daughter who is in 3rd grade on a field trip to a museum called the White River Valley Museum. We spent the afternoon walking around to the various exhibits, many of which told the history of the area here in Auburn where the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has lived for many years. As we walked around, I noticed this cute little girl with dark black hair wandering around on her own. This went on for a bit and I wondered if maybe she wasn't feeling well or had her feelings hurt. I asked my daughter who this girl was and why she wasn't following her group. My daughter said, “Her name is (xxxx) and she just moved here from Korea. She's very quiet and she can't read yet”. If I owned the Kindle I'd give it to the parents of this little girl. I'd also fill it with a number of children's books.

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  312. You'd be better off with a more interactive device. Something you can use to find a new place, take in with you to the restaurant, browse other reviews on a variety of foodie sites, take photos/videos during your meal and upload them as you eat, then write your opinions and post them to your blog while you wait for the after dinner mint. As you sign the bill, you could also tweet or send a note to your email subscribers. With a Kindle, you'd be pretty much relegated to reading a book. And that's fine – I like reading and eating. But a Kindle will help with food blogging as much as a tattered copy of Wuthering Heights.

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  313. I would donate it to the “Museum of Overpriced, Overhyped, Single Use, Walled Garden Things Which Didn't Evolve & Expand With Market Demands.”It would sit next to the BetaMax, DeLorean and ThighMaster.

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  315. I would give it to Mark Horvath @hardlynormal for him to read books and relax while he travels the country documenting the homeless or if he chooses to auction it off to pay for his travels. He's doing such amazing work!

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  316. I've been trying to learn more about Buddhism so that I can understand my wife's religion and help her to teach my 1 year old son. I have some very interesting pdf's to read but get terrible eye strain when I read them on my computer. A kindle would be an amazing way to get through these and you could be part of my path to enlightenment. Karma!

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  317. Hi Robert,I live in Bombay, one of the most expensive cities in the world. I was married about a year ago, and my wife and I are struggling to buy a house of our own. We simply can't afford a decent-sized house – owned or rented. I'm an avid book reader, with a collection spanning thousands, and a few yet to come. I don't have the space to keep new books, and I can't do without them either. The cost of ordering the Kindle in India comes up to about $359, and I can't afford that right now as I'm spending all my money on furniture for our tiny, rented house. Not to mention the monthly payments to our landlord.That's the selfish reason. There's something nice I will do in return. A portion of my salary every month (INR 200, about $5) is automatically sent to GiveIndia.org, a charity organisation that donates to various causes. If you gift me the Kindle, I will double that monthly contribution and donate it to a cause that appeals to you. I will also send you receipts and the evidence of how the money's been used so you know that I'm not bullshitting.Hoping to be chosen.Regards,Samit Malkani

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  318. I would read until my eyes fell out! Mostly fantasy and sci-fi, then some general fiction, then the news! Mmm escapism and gadgets combined – how lovely!

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  319. A Kindle would change my life. You see, some people see me as a loser…someone with no sense of style. My shoes are ugly…my car is old…and my skin – well, a good dermatologist might be able to fix that. But I digress. About that Kindle…With a Kindle people would look at my differently…they would say – hey, there's something different about her now. Maybe she lost weight? Cut her hair? Visited that dermatologist? They would not realize that the subtle glow of the Kindle screen brings new light to my id. The cool kids will talk to me. People will offer me a seat on the train…perhaps I'll even get some respect.So yeah, a Kindle would change my life forever.

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  320. While I would certainly enjoy a kindle, my sister, pregnant with her 2nd child, would get a kick out of this too! Wrapped in special paper, dressed up with a bow, and fitted with just the right card…I’d present this present from one very special and generous individual to another. I’m simply a messenger. You are very kind to offer such a gift.

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  321. I’d code like crazy and rip out app after app with the new Kindle API (which I’ve already signed up for, just without a Kindle).

    I already have an idea or two, and they just keep flowing. Definitely something social. Yaknow.

    And my wife can feel free to read with it every now and then (when I am not testing)…

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  322. Dear sir, I’m a student in a developing country, and to have enough money to buy an English book is not easy in comparison with the income. And ebook give me a whole new world! i really hope that you will give Kindle to me, it will be the most valuable thing to me, it give me chance to read more than ever. Kindle is the world of knowledge to me!!! Please!

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  323. What would I do with a Kindle?As a student by day and a book blogger by night (cape optional), I'd totally read books on it. Other than that obvious but very truthful answer, this is what I'll do.1) Brag. Show it off to others with the pre-requisite “Nah nah nah!” 2) Try out the system, see how it works, do a review on it3) Probably get bored with it because I'm broke and don't have a lot of money to spend on ebooks for now, and rereading the same books would be.. urgh4) Ask people to donate e-books to put inside the Kindle5) Do a Kindle tour, sort of like an ARC tour, where those in the tour can get to read the books inside, but on one condition: they'll donate a book for that Kindle for the next reader to read (sort of like a mobile library) and so on and so forth!6) Get it back, so I can read all the books (oh ho ho) and then donate it.I might have mixed up my plans to take over the world, but don't worry, the ebook will be in the Kindle and I'd lend it to you anytime. 😉

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  324. I would use it to change the world. How? By giving it to my 16 year old daughter. She has been a straight A student since starting school and has one of the biggest hearts that I know of. If anybody can help change the world, I know she will. She has already be touching her family and others through her hard work at school and as a very talented dancer. From volunteering at the local children’s hospital to instructing little ballerinas, she is the apple of my eye.

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  325. I would use a Kindle to help my kids learn to enjoy the joys of reading, I think they would be more likely to want to try a new gadget than pick up one of dads dusty old books. I see anything that would help me bring the joys of literature to the next generation as a good thing . For right now the kindle, iPad or Sony reader are out of my price range but I soon hope to get one for the family's use. I hope whoever you choose to get your kindle will put it to good use.

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  326. I use my iPod Touch to read my Kindle books, too. It's backlighted. I love it. Why pay for the uber-expensive dedicated readers when you can get the software free and use it on your PC, laptop, iPhone or iPod Touch for free. I thought the little screen would be horrible and was planning to buy the Kindle DX, but, even with middle-aged eyesight and trifocals, the little iPod touch is working just fine. I can see where the bigger screens would be better for textbooks and technical manuals, so I would suggest that you donate yours to someone who truly would need a bigger screen. I use mine for novels, so I'm doing just fine as I have it now. The iPad will have to do something way more fantastic than my iTouch for me to shell out any kind of money for it.

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  327. Hi Robert. I would give the Kindle to my wife. She is an in-home nurses aid and works for a company that takes care of a lot of elderly people. She is very kind and treats all her clients with respect. She could use the kindle to read while she is waiting long hours for the clients to need something, such as at night. She is also planning on going back to school even though she already has a college degree. She is the hardest working person I know, working 24 hour shifts regularly, and once even 32 hours straight She's doing this because we have a son in college and two more to go. So it would help the world, because she helps people, and would provide her with knowlege and entertainment to help her get through her days. There's no way we could justify buying one. Thanks, Brian

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  328. Math/Computer Science major in college. My face is plastered in front of an LCD all day trying to understand theorems and code. Yah, the kindle would be nice to give my eyes a break. All my books get sliced, scanned and converted into PDF with Adobe Acrobat. It's tough finding ebooks relating to upper division math courses. A Kindle in my grasp would ask me the question, “So who are you?” I would gladly respond, “I'm the guy that can't wait to graduate so he can teach the two subjects he loves.”A Kindle in my hands would be beneficial and in use a large part of each day, but it would later benefit my students because they'd have this–Phenomenal, Great, Gorgeous, Screamer–future teacher of the American youth.

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  329. I would give Robert’s Kindle to my 98 year old grandfather so he can read articles that he OCRs with his scanner. His vision is limited but he still reads quite a bit. Most of his reading is engineering, science, and business subjects that do not get produced in audio format. He also gives feedback on his reading list to local libraries and shows them how he processes online content to make it legible, so his experience benefits a wider audience of seniors.

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  331. My 13 yr old daughter would use it. She has cerebral palsy and loves to read. She has problems with reading the small text and turning the pages in regular books. It seems like the Kindle would be the easiest and best solution for her. Never thought of it before your offer.

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  332. Oh please, Robert, give it to me! I am missing both hands, and thus cannot hold a physical book. Also, I'm so poor that I only have two pairs of pants. Yet surprisingly, I can afford to PAY FOR my e-books. When not in use, I will be most generous and let my 13 siblings have a go at it as well. In addition, I will use this Kindle to teach my illiterate mother, unborn child and dog to read. All this begging is really quite sad. There are some people on here who genuinely deserve this Kindle. To the rest of you: get a job, save some money and buy one yourself, because your reasons are weak, to say the least.

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  334. “I will bias towards those who will use it to help the world, or who can’t afford to keep up on the latest gadget train”- We can all stop be selfish and look at your example,we need to be happy because someone will get that device.That is example how one man can change things.I am going to collage next yaer and i would love to use Kindle for learning but I am from Europe and I am not sure you will send it to me and I don't have money to pay it anyway.But,I am happy,why not,we need to share not just things but also love,positive energy,ideas.I hope one day I will be able to do things you do for us,Robert,not just this Kindle but also your tweets,comments,gillmore gang talks all that things help us to find what is really important,family and frends).Thank you for thatStay positive Steve (and I like when you smile at gillmore gang you makes me so …I don't know,it's like am there)Let's change the world

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    1. If you can borrow me your Kindle just for few months so I can use for at least first year of colledge,that would one of the best things in my life.I read a lot but I can’t afford that Kindle.
      I wanted to contact you but I know that you are already too busy and it’s imposible to read all our comments….

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  338. Maybe I'm too late but I just got the information on Cliqset.I will use an ereader for all the documents I need to read and so I don't have to print them, and for books too of course.Leaving in French Guiana I am concerned with the destruction of the rain forest of Amazonia :”e-readers could have a major impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on the publishing industry, one of the world’s most polluting sectors” (http://tr.im/MNut). Ereaders are greener than books !

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  339. I'd donate to my brand-new public library! I've been volunteering with the friends of the library since I was a toddler, and we finally succeeded in opening a new library to replace a leaky 56-year-old building just two months ago. I think it'd be nice to add a Kindle to the new collection.

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  343. With an amazon Kindle, I'd wander the Googleplex, waiting for Michael Arrington so I could stand in front of his vehicle and read in defiance of his using a phone while driving.But in reality, the Kindle's long battery life and offline reading features would allow me and my partner to keep up on news and carry maps/directions while traveling to disadvantaged areas. We're interested in clean water initiatives which have had dramatically more impact than some more expensive world health initiatives like the distribution of antibiotics.

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  344. My world-weary, time-weathered soul is a sucker for two things in this world: giveaways for gadgets I cannot afford, and top ten lists. Here is a list of ten things I would do with a Kindle.1. Read naked. Yes, I am aware you can do this with physical printed books. But man, the papercuts are a bitch.2. Purchase “Do You Remember Pong, 8-Tracks, and Betamax?” (This is an actual book.) Put it on my Kindle. Appreciate the irony.3. Give it to Conan O'Brien. After seven months, take it back and give it to Jay Leno. 4. Pull it out during Valentine's Day dinner. “Oh, this old thing?”, I'll say. “Another beau gave it to me, darling Scoblie…” (My boyfriend is a comp sci phd. He won't know which one of us to be more jealous of.)5. Put next to my bed. Drape cheap tapestry over it. Complain about how e-books have ruined the building blocks of grad-student furniture.6. Every other week, call up Amazon and announce there are anagrammed instructions on terrorism in the bestseller of my choice. Watch said bestseller disappear from my, and every other, Kindle. Rinse and repeat.7. Use the adjustable font to indicate volume and “intense poetry-reading voice” (you know the one) for my poetry readings. “There ONCE was a GIRL….FROM NANTUCKET.”8. Give it to my grandmother. Watch as, within the space of two weeks, it miraculously acquires viruses unseen since 1994 and forwards every chain email it receives. How did you get four versions of AOL on a Kindle, Grammy?? This isn't even a computer!9. Sprinkle glitter over it. Sell it on ebay as Edward Cullen's Kindle. Pay off my student loans.10. Go to the line for iPads just as it opens up. Read Kindle prominently. Fake a loud orgasm. Yell at the crowd “I bet your new gadget can't do THAT, can it?! WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW??!!!”

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  345. My world-weary, time-weathered soul is a sucker for two things in this world: giveaways for gadgets I cannot afford, and top ten lists. Here is a list of ten things I would do with a Kindle.1. Read naked. Yes, I am aware you can do this with physical printed books. But man, the papercuts are a bitch.2. Purchase “Do You Remember Pong, 8-Tracks, and Betamax?” (This is an actual book.) Put it on my Kindle. Appreciate the irony.3. Give it to Conan O'Brien. After seven months, take it back and give it to Jay Leno. 4. Pull it out during Valentine's Day dinner. “Oh, this old thing?”, I'll say. “Another beau gave it to me, darling Scoblie…” (My boyfriend is a comp sci phd. He won't know which one of us to be more jealous of.)5. Put next to my bed. Drape cheap tapestry over it. Complain about how e-books have ruined the building blocks of grad-student furniture.6. Every other week, call up Amazon and announce there are anagrammed instructions on terrorism in the bestseller of my choice. Watch said bestseller disappear from my, and every other, Kindle. Rinse and repeat.7. Use the adjustable font to indicate volume and “intense poetry-reading voice” (you know the one) for my poetry readings. “There ONCE was a GIRL….FROM NANTUCKET.”8. Give it to my grandmother. Watch as, within the space of two weeks, it miraculously acquires viruses unseen since 1994 and forwards every chain email it receives. How did you get four versions of AOL on a Kindle, Grammy?? This isn't even a computer!9. Sprinkle glitter over it. Sell it on ebay as Edward Cullen's Kindle. Pay off my student loans.10. Go to the line for iPads just as it opens up. Read Kindle prominently. Fake a loud orgasm. Yell at the crowd “I bet your new gadget can't do THAT, can it?! WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW??!!!”

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