April 15th, 2009

Kindle 2 Study Abroad Travel Tips

If you read our original blog post about the , you
know we are big fans of using this wireless reading device during your study
abroad adventures. To be able to store all your phrase books, guide books, and other reading material on one lightweight, handheld device is a traveler’s dream! However, there are a few things you will need to think about before you throw your new Kindle 2 into your bag and head to the airport. Here are some important tips to keep in mind while traveling
to keep your Kindle 2 running smoothly.

The Kindle 2 does not come with its own case, so make sure
you invest in one in order to keep it from breaking in the event that you drop
it accidentally. There are a wide variety of cases available, make sure the one you choose has some padding to help protect the screen.
Even though the Kindle 2 comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty, it does not insure against accidental drops or damage. For those that plan on traveling with their Kindle 2, it’s not a bad idea to get the 2-Year Extended Warranty, which will replace your Kindle in case of accidental breakage.
When packing, make sure there is nothing putting excessive
pressure on the screen that could cause it to break. (And make sure you put it in its case before packing!)
The Kindle 2 is not waterproof, but an easy way around this
is to encase it in a Ziploc bag while reading on the beach or in the tub.
In order to preserve the look of the text on the screen,
there is no built-in light for the Kindle 2, so if you are planning on reading
in the dark, a clip-on light is a necessity, unless you fancy holding a flashlight while you read.
The Kindle 2 battery is not replaceable, so you can’t have a fully charged back up battery. When traveling abroad, don’t forget you will need to use a universal travel adapter in order to plug your Kindle 2 in to recharge it!
For data transfers outside of the US, you will need a micro
USB cable (included with the Kindle purchase) to attach your Kindle 2 to a PC.Then you can download more books,
newspapers, etc to your device.