New Kindle App: "7 Dragons' Tips for Kindle" - UPDATE

See UPDATE added late afternoon (Original post 8:53 a.m. 9/10/11)

7 Dragons, maker of the popular Notepad, Calendar (which handles recurring events), Converter, and Calculator apps, just released their very useful Tips for Kindle, with over 100 tips you can browse through.  Here is their description:

' Did you know that your Kindle can play music, read text to you, and display your own pictures?  7 Dragons' Tips for Kindle shows you how to do these things and more.

Tips for Kindle has over 100 useful tips, and every time you open Tips for Kindle you are shown a Featured Tip.  You can browse through the Tips at your own pace, or use a slideshow mode that circles through the Tips for you.  You can add the Tips you like most to a Favorites List so they're easy to look up quickly if you forget one.  If you find a tip for Kindle elsewhere, you can type it in to Tips to become part of your Tips library... '

Many of my friends have Kindles, several of them having bought theirs before I got mine in 2008, and I know that they don't know about the many things you can do with the Kindle, described here.   They mainly want to read on it, and the Kindle (UK: K3) allows them do that very conveniently -- and that's the extent of the interest in exploring.

  However, for those who are more curious about other Kindle capabilities and who want to browse a guide to features (including undocumented ones) at their leisure -- a tip or two at a time -- this app is recommended.

  I've long recommended an interesting Amazon Kindle Forum thread on unique or creative uses of the Kindle, and that recommendation is one of the tips.

  The app opened, in my case, with information on the How to Manage your Kindle page, which has been expanded by Amazon from one page to several now.

You can export favorite tips in order to view and/or print them.  The Tips for Kindle app creates a text file for you, with the title and text of each of your favorites, and each time you use the Export feature it overwrites the previous text file of favorite tips.

TIP for using the app
The Menu's "Slideshow" option seems to function in the same way as "All Tips" selection on the Menu, but the "All Tips" doesn't move to the next tip as quickly.
  I wanted a Pause button for both and later found it in the Help area.  At the top right, there's an indication that you are in Play or Pause mode, something I hadn't noticed. Alt-M starts or pauses/stops a slideshow (which 'All Tips' is also).   You can change the speed of the slideshow with Alt-N.

What I'd like to see in the next version
I'd like to choose from categories of tips or be able to Search the tips for a keyword.

The purpose of the app
I noticed that a customer reviewed the app with expectations that it would be for very advanced users who want to "hack" (as she said) the Kindle.  But the app is for people who want to know what they can do with the Kindle as it is, with the many given features you won't find on other e-readers.

I just saw a customer review mentioning that even as an experienced user, the person found useful tips.  The customer also mentions a glitch with adding one's own tip.  I tried adding a tip on my own Kindle 3 and it added the tip and allowed me to edit it later also, so the customer should contact 7 Dragons.

UPDATE - After being gone for the day, I just got back and checked to see if the problem had been resolved and saw that the customer added this update to the review:

' It was a problem with my Kindle and not the app.  Kindle Customer Service solved my Kindle problem in minutes.  The app developer also followed up to make sure and I was able to tell them that it was not the app.  After fixing the Kindle problem the app works flawlessly when adding my own tips '

Summary
As I go through the app, I saw several items that many even-experienced users on the forums wouldn't tend to know.  I learned some of these from others in the forums, but not everyone gets to those places or has time to hang out in them.  The answers are concise and the tips are very useful for the non-hacker Kindle owner.


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's)   K3 Special ($114)   K3-3G Special ($139)   DX Graphite

---

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

For New and Olde Kindlers Wanting to Do More with their Kindles

CREATIVE USES OF THE KINDLE
Well, pleasurable reading is good enough for most, but there is a lot more that can be done with the Kindle, as shown in the short list just below.
  (I recommend bookmarking this for quick access later.)

  1. an old, continuing favorite forum thread about the more unique uses of the Kindle's capabilities thought up by members of the Amazon Kindle Community, and I saw another idea added today.

  2. a newer forum thread of favorite tips for new Kindle owners from Kindle oldtimers.

NOTE: If your web browser (especially Firefox) drops you onto the Amazon forum list of topics instead of bringing you to the forum thread, click on Refresh or Reload to get the message thread itself -- or click on the link again.  I don't know why a 'retry' is often needed, but it is.

  3. The Kindle Chronicles
  This is a very informative, fun resource for Kindlers at http://thekindlechronicles.com, a weekly podcast hosted by Len Edgerly who, each Friday night, brings us a roundup of the latest news (with links), excellent tech tips, an interview with someone from the Kindle world at large and some from just outside it who are of course in the Kindle net then :-)  Len also presents video reviews as well.  At the site are summaries of what is included in the latest podcast report.  Links are given there for items mentioned in the podcast.

  4. the new Kindle book by Stephen Windwalker, who has been explaining what can be done on Kindles since the Kindle 1, and this just-released book that includes info for the Latest Generation Kindles is only $0.99, which is more than a bargain.


STARTING GUIDE - BY AMAZON KINDLE SUPPORT TEAM - TOP10 FAQs
To START, though, Amazon has made a new 'Announcement' in the forums which introduces Kindlers to Kindle Top Ten FAQ's, and oldtimers add to the thread, explaining some of it from their experience and helping some there who have specific problems starting out.

Here is a regular WEB version of Kindle Team's TOP10 FAQs with active links (bracketed comments are mine).

  I'll keep a link to this post in the right-hand reference column of the web blog).

'                       Last edited by the author on Dec. 25, 2010 10:35 AM PST

Amazon Kindle Customer Service says:
(AMAZON OFFICIAL)

Did you recently receive Kindle as a gift? Welcome to our growing family of Kindle users!  To help you quickly get started with your new Kindle, we've created a list of some of the most common questions new users have:

1. How can I start reading on my new Kindle?

Visit our Getting Started page to see the simple steps (including videos) to start reading on your new Kindle right now:

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_200580340_gettoknow?nodeId=200580340


2. How do I set up the Wi-Fi connection on my Kindle (Latest Generation)?

Kindle (Latest Generation) automatically detects nearby Wi-Fi networks and hotspots that broadcast their network name.  You can watch a video about how to connect to a Wi-Fi network here:

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200588130#connect

For more information on how to connect to a Wi-Fi network see our guide here:

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200505540&#setupwifi

  [Note that you can click to get larger videos, if wanted, at the video pages.]


3. How do I apply and use a gift card to purchase Kindle titles?

To use an Amazon.com Gift Card for purchases from the Kindle Store, redeem the gift card in Your Account (http://www.amazon.com/your-account).  Any gift card balance available on your account will be applied to purchases from the Kindle Store, except for content with recurring subscription charges.

To successfully complete your purchase, you'll need to establish your home country or region and set a valid 1-Click billing address.  You can set your billing address at the link below:

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/css/account/address/view.html.

  [The billing-address page sometimes takes a while to load.]


4. How do I register/deregister my Kindle?

From Amazon.com, you can register or deregister via the Manage Your Kindle page

  (http://www.amazon.com/myk).

From your Kindle, select Home > Menu > Settings > Register or Deregister.


5. How do I start shopping in the Kindle Store?

You can shop in the Kindle Store directly from Kindle or from Amazon.com.  Shopping the Kindle Store on your Kindle is a convenient way to find and buy Kindle books, newspapers, magazines, and if you are a U.S. customer, Kindle active content and blogs for your Kindle.  If you are in your wireless coverage area, your purchases from the Kindle Store are delivered to your Kindle, typically in less than 60 seconds.

  [KINDLE SHORTCUT: If on the Kindle, press Alt-Home keys at the same time.]


6. How do I give a Kindle book as a gift or redeem a Kindle book that I received as a gift?

To gift a Kindle book, click the Give as a Gift button located under the Buy button on Kindle Store product detail pages, and follow the prompts to complete your order.

You can find more information about Kindle book gifts here:

  http://www.amazon.com/help/kindlegift


7. Are there any free books available for Kindle?

The Kindle Store contains the largest selection of the books people want to read.  This includes the most popular classics for free with wireless delivery in under 60 seconds to your Kindle, computer, or other mobile device.

Learn more: Free eBook Collections (http://www.amazon.com/b?node=2245146011)

  [Also see this blog's Free Kindle Books for more.]


8. Can I read Kindle books if I don't have my Kindle with me?

You can read anywhere with our free reading apps, no Kindle required. Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes your last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across your devices.

To download: (http://www.amazon.com/kindleapps)


9. I have the Kindle (Wi-Fi), but I don't have a Wi-Fi network at home.  Can I still buy and download books from home?

  If you don't have a Wi-Fi network set up in your home, you have the following options for receiving Kindle content:

I. If your Kindle was recently ordered, you may return the Kindle (Wi-Fi) and purchase the Kindle 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi).  The added convenience of 3G enables you to download books anytime, anywhere, while on the go-without having to find a Wi-Fi hotspot connection.

  The full Return Policy is posted on the Kindle Support pages
    (http://www.amazon.com/kindlereturnpolicy).
  You can process your return and print a mailing label by visiting our
    Online Returns Center (http://www.amazon.com/returns).

II. Even without a home Wi-Fi network, you can still buy content from the Kindle Store and access your Kindle items Archived on Amazon.com through your computer and transfer them via USB to your Kindle.  Information about transferring content to your Kindle with USB is available on our Kindle Support pages here:

  http://www.amazon.com/kindletransfer

III. You can purchase a home Wi-Fi router to establish a Wi-Fi network in your home with which the Kindle can connect.


10. I have a problem with my Kindle, what should I do?

If you're experiencing software or hardware issues with your Kindle, please reach us by phone for personalized support.  You can reach us by phone directly and toll free from many countries by clicking the Contact Us option in the right-hand column of our Kindle Support pages at:

  http://www.amazon.com/kindlesupport

Contacting us through the website allows you to verify security before a call is placed and ensures we have your account information ready when we call you.  If your country isn't listed or you're unable to take advantage of the Contact Us feature, you can call us directly at 1-866-321-8851 or 1-206-266-0927 if you're calling from outside the U.S.


Still have questions?

Additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions, how to use Kindle, and the Kindle User's Guide can be accessed from our Kindle Support pages here:

  http://www.amazon.com/kindlesupport

Happy Reading! '

The "Do More" idea is represented by an overview, at the top, of what Kindle owners have enjoyed doing beyond reading a book and there'll be more detail in the new year.

Be sure to check the reference-section in the right-hand column of the website version of this blog, for guides to making Collections, using the Send Passage to Facebook and Twitter features, and many other tips.

  In the coming weeks, I'll be updating those and streamlining them a bit in newly modified blog articles that can also be read on the Kindle edition of the blog for those with not enough time to get here regularly.

NOTE: At the end of each more-recent blog entry, you'll see ready-made links to getting the very latest temporarily-free Kindle books available whenever you're curious about what has been offered since you last checked, sorted by publication date, most recently posted, best-selling, etc.  These are links to both the Amazon-US and Amazon-UK sites.  Also there are links to information on all free books available for your Kindle.


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's),   DX Graphite

---

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or highest-rated ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.