Kindle Paperwhite for Dummies (6 page)
Read Kindle Paperwhite for Dummies Online
Authors: Leslie H. Nicoll
Tags: #Computers, #Hardware, #Mobile Devices, #General
Figure 2-1:
The bottom edge of the Kindle Paperwhite.
Selecting a Language
Following along from the preceding section, your next task is to select a language. After powering on your device, it displays the screen shown in Figure 2-2.
Figure 2-2:
Select a language here.
Tap the language you want to use for the device, and then tap OK.
If you want English but would prefer to see the time displayed using a 24-hour clock (for example, 3 pm will appear as 15:00), choose English (UK).
Note that you can change your language choice at any time by tapping Menu⇒Settings⇒Device Options⇒Language and Dictionaries.
Next up, connecting to a Wi-Fi network. If no Wi-Fi network is in range, you can add a network later.
If you do not connect to a Wi-Fi network and you do not have a 3G Kindle Paperwhite (see Chapter 1 for a discussion of the different types of devices) you will not be able to complete the registration process, the step after setting up Wi-Fi. You can register your device manually, as detailed later in this chapter.
Setting Up Wi-Fi
All versions of the Kindle Paperwhite include Wi-Fi; 3G is an additional option. If you have a Wi-Fi –only Kindle Paperwhite, you need to set up Wi-Fi to receive e-books and content wirelessly.
If you have a Kindle Paperwhite 3G, you don’t have to set up Wi-Fi to receive content — 3G works automatically without any additional setup. Still, if you have a Wi-Fi hotspot in your home or office, you probably want to go ahead and get it working, just for convenience.
Do you want to send documents to your Kindle Paperwhite 3G through e-mail? If you do so using 3G, Amazon will charge you a small fee. (See Chapter 7 for details.) Documents transferred by e-mail using Wi-Fi are free. Another good reason to set up Wi-Fi!
To set up Wi-Fi, you need to know whether the network is password-protected. Home and office networks are usually password-protected. Wi-Fi hotspots in public locations, such as Starbucks and McDonald’s, are generally not secured with a password.
To add a Wi-Fi network to your Kindle Paperwhite, follow these steps:
1. If necessary, turn on your Kindle Paperwhite.
2. From the same screen, tap Wi-Fi Networks.
3. If Wi-Fi is not turned on, you will get a message asking if it should be turned on. Tap OK.
4. Select the network to which you want to connect, as shown in Figure 2-3.
If the network you want to connect to has a lock icon next to its name, you need to enter a password.
5. If the network requires a password, enter it in the Wi-Fi Networks dialog box using the onscreen keyboard.
If you are connecting to a network at work and don’t know the password, see the system administrator.
You can enter numbers and symbols by tapping the keyboard’s 123!? key. Tap ABC to go back to the regular keyboard.
Figure 2-3:
My device found this network.
If you are unable to connect to Wi-Fi, see Chapter 11 for steps on adding a network manually.
Disabling Wi-Fi and 3G
A recent change in the Kindle family of devices is that you no longer turn Wi-Fi and 3G on and off. Instead, you use Airplane mode to disable both Wi-Fi and 3G. (Smartphones use the same method and terminology.)
To turn Airplane mode on and off, tap Menu⇒Settings⇒Airplane Mode. The button to the right is an on/off switch. When Airplane mode is enabled, a plane icon appears next to the battery charge indicator. When it is turned off, you see the wireless indicator (Wi-Fi or 3G).
When you are on a plane, Airplane mode must be enabled for the entire flight. You are allowed to use your Kindle Paperwhite for reading after the plane reaches an altitude of 10,000 feet and the pilot gives the okay. The Paperwhite itself must be turned off for take-off and landing and anytime the plane is flying at less than 10,000 feet.
When your Kindle Paperwhite is connected to Wi-Fi, a wireless indicator appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, next to the battery charge meter. You see this indicator on the Home screen and when you display the toolbar while reading an e-book.
The wireless indicator can be one of the following icons:
Wi-Fi:
The Kindle Paperwhite is connected to a Wi-Fi network. The arcs on the fan next to
Wi-Fi
indicate the strength of the Wi-Fi connection.
3G:
The Kindle Paperwhite 3G is connected to a 3G network. This icon pertains only to the Kindle Paperwhite that includes 3G and Wi-Fi. The bars next to
3G
indicate the strength of the 3G connection.