HomeBlooming.com - Kindle Lighted Leather Cover, Black (Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" Display Kindle)

Kindle Lighted Leather Cover, Black (Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" Display Kindle)

See larger image

Average Customer Rating:	4.5
Release Date:	2010-08-23
Brand:	Amazon Digital Services, Inc
Model:	515-1037-00
Color:	Black

Product Categories

Categories; Cell Phone; Kindle (6", Latest Generation) Covers

Product description

Amazon's Kindle Lighted Leather Cover

Our new design seamlessly incorporates a reading light into the cover, so you can carry your Kindle wherever you go and always have a reading light with you. Simply pull the light out to illuminate Kindle when you need it, and slide it away to be invisible when you don't. And since the light draws its power from Kindle, no batteries are needed.

The contoured, pebble-grain leather (available in 7 different colors) keeps your Kindle safe and secure, while the soft charcoal microfiber interior protects the screen from scratches. The cover is designed to fold back, so you can read comfortably with just one hand.

The built-in, retractable LED light pulls out to illuminate Kindle, and slides away when not in use.

Never Be Without a Light

Our all-new Kindle cover features an integrated, retractable LED reading light that lets you read comfortably anytime, anywhere. The high-quality LED light illuminates Kindle's paper-like display, adding brightness without adding glare.

A permanent part of the cover, the reading light is located in the top right-hand corner of the back cover. When needed, simply pull the light out and it automatically illuminates, eliminating the need for a separate power switch. To turn the light off, slide it back in to the corner of the cover.

Since the light is powered by Kindle's battery, no batteries are needed.

How It Works

In addition to securing Kindle in place, our new hinge system conducts electricity from Kindle's battery to the reading light - when Kindle is attached to the hinge, an electrical connection is formed that powers the light.

The cover's hinge points are gold-plated, to ensure a reliable electrical connection. Gold is used because of its ability to make good electrical contact even with low force, and for its corrosion resistance.

Secure Your Kindle in Four Easy Steps

Read Comfortably with One Hand

Reading with the cover on, you can easily access Kindle's navigation features and power switch, while the rounded edges offer a perfect fit in your hands. The cover is designed to fold back, so you can read comfortably with just one hand. And the retractable reading light is easily accessible with the cover open or folded back.

On the Go

This compact cover is perfect for taking Kindle wherever you go. The sleek leather ensures the ultimate fit and protection, without adding bulk or weight. Our patent-pending hinge system secures Kindle in place, and an elastic strap keeps the cover firmly closed for maximum screen protection. Simply attach Kindle to the hinge, apply the strap, and rest assured it will stay securely in place even when you're on the go.

You'll never be without a reading light, and since the light draws its power from Kindle, no batteries are needed.

Amazon’s official Kindle lighted cover features contoured, pebble-grain leather available in 7 different colors.

Read Kindle easily in the dark with Amazon's revolutionary, all-new lighted leather cover.

The hinge points are gold-plated to ensure a reliable electrical connection. No batteries required.

Read easily with one hand, with or without the light on.

Protect your Kindle on the go, and never be without a reading light

Features

Light draws power from Kindle device. No batteries required

Built-in, retractable LED reading light pulls out from the back cover when needed, and slides away to become invisible when not in use

Stylish genuine leather exterior. Soft, grey, microfiber suede interior protects Kindle

Customer reviews

« Practical and sturdy, slightly disappointed in color. »

I use my Kindle a lot (first the second edition and now the newest version) and a cover is an absolute must. There are a lot of accessories people buy to go with it, such as skins and bags, but I think of a cover is the most important secondary purchase after the device. From my ownership of the K2, I have a preferred manufacturer (Oberon Designs) who should be coming out with designs for the K3 any day now, but I didn't want to put off protecting it any longer. I figure my husband can get me a cover from the preferred company at Christmas.

I selected this cover because of the light. I've owned other book lights, but I liked the concept of it being a part of the cover and not having to worry about batteries. THAT sounded convenient, especially for reading in the living room where there is no light source in my preferred spot or when I read in the overstuffed chair in the dining room. I like the idea of knowing if I have my Kindle, I have the book light too instead of having to round one up.

The light does work pretty well and tucks away unobtrusively into the upper corner of the cover. The position of the light is not as flexible or adjustable as would be ideal, but the actual shape of the -- for want of a better word -- socket where the light is housed directs the illumination onto the screen and so that was clever.

So far it does not seem to be a big drain on the battery. The K3 does have longer battery life than the K2 and charges really fast. Keeping the WiFi/3G off when not in use will also extend it. I almost always kept the 3G off with the K2 but mostly on with the K3 without an issue. Anyhow, I used the light for a few hours tonight and I charged it when I began this review and it took about 10 minutes to give me the green light that says it's done. Not too shabby!

The actual case is really sturdy and solid and that's going to be a plus for a lot of people. I'm used to a more malleable and softer feel to my leather cases, and so there will be a little adjustment for me there, but if you want something that feels substantial, again, you'll probably be very satisfied here. This solid feel does add weight and thickness though and so you need to evaluate that. If one of the reasons you selected a Kindle was the lighter weight, this does counteract it somewhat.

Colors are really hard to judge online and I think from dye lot to dye lot there can be further variations. I went with the burgundy and hoped it wasn't quite like the shade in the picture, but more what I think of burgundy as with a little more purple. What I received was neither the shade in the picture nor my concept of burgundy (which the dictionary tells me can either be a purplish red or a blackish red.) If I had to name the shade, I'd call it a brick red -- some slightly orange-y/brown-y tones. I'm not in love with the color, but I'm also really spoiled by past cases and I do know that these things can vary. I will say that the color I received would be a viable option for men who might look at the word "burgundy" and rule it out. It's not a bad color either, I can see that, just not a personal favorite. :)

Overall, I'm pleased. If I do trade covers later on, I might end up improving it in some ways (color, that softness I like, and an embossed image) but I'll have to trade in the convenience of the light, which I do love! I think this would be an excellent choice if you like the light concept, want a sturdiness akin to an old-fashioned leather-bound book cover, and prefer a simple design. I'm calling this 4 stars, but I can easily see this being 5 stars for a lot of people based on the qualities I listed.

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2010-09-10

« pretty good for reading.. »

Just clipped on the Kindle 3 to my new lighted case. I must say first I am a "newbie" and I have not learned how to navigate my Kindle "in the dark". The light is easy to use for reading, but if you want to use the keyboard it's too dark. It only lights the printed word (which of course is the purpose). If you want to do an annotation or anything using the keyboard, in a dark room this light is not bright enough to see. I guess I will get better "typing in the dark" but for now...case? Great. Light for reading? Great. Light for keyboard? Ahh gotta fail it on that one...

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2010-09-10

« Too thick, light is poorly designed, not worth $60 »

I bought this case for my Kindle (3rd gen) since day 1 (launch day). Here are my impressions of the cover:

Overall, it is a well built product, but the design does not support some of the new Kindle's selling points. First and foremost, the new Kindle is thin. Deliciously thin. But once you put it in the cover, it feels thick. It's not uncomfortable, but it loses the thinness that is a key selling point for the device. The second item that is horrible is the light. You have a beautiful leather cover with a cheap, badly positioned and poor illuminating light! If you plan to read at night in total darkness, the light is bright enough for you to read but it adds glare to a section of the Kindle's screen. The build of the plastic light feels cheap, when compared to the grainy leather the cover is.

A very cool "feature" of the cover is the elastic strap that keeps the cover snug on the Kindle when not in use. I just hope the elastic doesn't give over time. The sad part is, this product doesn't feel like it was worth $60. I would have paid $30 and felt very happy with it, but now I feel that I spent money on a product that was not worth it.

Rating: (2 out of 5) @ 2010-09-09

« I'm still absorbing and experiencing it »

I received my K3 a week and a half ago and my new cover just this past Tuesday. I have a few comments when I first opened my box for my new cover. First of all, I have a K2 and have read it naked for the last 2 years (I put stickers on the smooth back for better gripping). I really did not want a cover for my new Kindle, but I decided to buy this new cover for a few reasons I thought would be beneficial:

1. The K3 would feel a little more substantial in my hands than it does naked
3. The light that is always there and does not need batteries (that was biggest sell)
3. My Belkin sleeve for my K2 is black and blends in with my surroundings; clothes, sheets, floor, etc. Now I have something that is colorful that may be easier to spot. I am forever losing my keys, bills; anything.
4. Thought I'd try something that makes it feel more like a book
5. I like buying new things (when I have the money)

Why would I review a new product I have only had for two days? Because I believe this will be an evolution of understanding and love. Most of the things I describe are adaptable in one way or another.

I am not 100% sure I will keep it, but I probably will. What I like:
1. 4 out of 5 things listed above (doesn't feel like a book because I flip the front cover all the way around)
2. It is a harder case than my Belkin sleeve; feels like it would be more protective with regards to pressure
3. The light
4. The light
5. The strap that keeps the Kindle cover closed (and it holds the front cover when I bend it all the way back)
6. Did I mention the light
7. It does give me a better grip on the K3, since there is less space to put my thumbs in the front of K3

What I don't like or must adapt to are:
1. I never got a K2 cover because I was concerned about cracking the Kindle at the hinges; still concerned
2. The hinges make me nervous regarding the ability to hold the K3 in place; seems fragile
2. Thickness - I lot thicker than K2 naked
3. The K3 staying tight to the back cover.
4. It is not full coverage for when I travel. The sides are open for crumbs, etc. Like I never have any of thos in my backpack.

Remember I said I lose things. That, oh so definitely, includes a book light and batteries. That may be the game winner. The other things I will get used to or will adapt to like velcro holding K3 against the back cover. I MUST read before I go to sleep. Even if I fall asleep after one page, it is a ritual for me. Clears my head. Having a light that will go off, and having having some protection if the K3 falls of the bed when I fall asleep are two bonuses (I read on my left side facing out from bed). When I travel, I leave something at home. Not my Kindle, but lights, chargers for electronics, batteries, etc. My husband has a hard time falling asleep with a regular light on, so I always have to have a book light.

I will use this for a week inside the house only, so I can see how I adapt. My husband thinks it's a keeper, but he does not know the cost ;)
Beth

Rating: (4 out of 5) @ 2010-09-09

« Light is great...the rest...eh. »

I am one of those people who constantly run out of batteries, and I have hated every clip on light that I have tried for my Kindles in the past. I was excited to see a light that runs off of the Kindle battery. No batteries?!?! Sold!

PROs:
1. Light doesn't glare on screen at ALL. Every other light I have used, I have had to adjust the angle a few times before I could read without a spot on the screen.
2. The interior is soft and well padded to protect the K3 well. The leather feels nice in my hands, and there were no visible flaws.
3. Putting the K3 in and out of the case is easy. I have never used a case with the clips on the side before and I find the process intuitive and simple.
4. The band holds the case securely closed even knocking around in my purse, and the ridge on the front of the cover allows the band to sit neatly inside and not come loose.

CONs:
1. The cover is on the heavy side. I compared my K2 with cover (and no light) with the K3 with cover (built in light). Both felt about the same weight in my hands. So although the K3 itself is lighter than the K2, I don't get any noticable difference in weight due to the heavier cover. But I also get a light...so I'd say it's a wash.
2. The cover adds bulk to an otherwise small and sexy device. While my K3 is noticably smaller than my K2 when I put them both in covers...the size is nearly identical. So no reduction in room it takes up in my purse.
3. The case has no opening around the speakers, so for TTS to be the most clear, I find I need to take the K3 out of the case, or use headphones. My K2 case had holes over the speakers to allow me to use TTS while in the case. I can't really do that now.
4. I find the style boring, frankly. I bought this case because of the light technology which I am in love with! But had there been ANY other case available with the light...well I wouldn't have bought this one.

So where does that leave the review? Well I gave 4 stars, because the product works as beautifully as it is supposed to, has great textural feel in my hands when reading, and considering it is a cover made of leather, with a light that never needs batteries it is a great value for the money. I wish it was lighter and really wished it looked different, but I will stick with it until another cover comes out with the same light, because after using it for just a couple days, I can't imagine being without this light.