Kindle 3: Newer keyboards have matte/anti-slip keys

Buran · 11-12-2010, 12:53 PM

This isn't a problem report or complaint -- just a curiosity.

I received a new Kindle yesterday to replace the one I got on launch day since somehow the bottom of the case had bent slightly (and it was never dropped in such a way to cause that kind of damage) and a small gap existed that slightly exposed the inside of the Kindle (e.g. the side of the USB port could be seen). I didn't think to mention it to the phone rep, but the unit also had the slow-sliding-switch problem (and always has); the replacement's switch slides freely and as expected.

I noticed immediately, though, that the keyboard and four-way controller have a new texture that feels and looks slightly different -- antislip, perhaps. This is only on the keyboard and controller, and there is no change in the page-turning buttons.

Here's a photo I took. It may be a little hard to see the change, but if you look closely the keyboard on one of the Kindles isn't as shiny as the other -- that's the new one. Model no. is D00901.

The "old" one goes back to Amazon today or Monday.

TheKindleWorm · 11-12-2010, 01:00 PM

Interesting. I wonder if this is to do with the fact that some of the early Kindle 3s had a problem with the characters on the keys rubbing off? Quite a few people had to send their Kindles back because of this fault.

I suspect they have now been coated with something better to prevent this from happening again.

Starstryder · 11-12-2010, 01:21 PM

I noticed this on my husband's Kindle 3 as well, don't like the feel of it probably because I am used to the slicker feel of mine. He loves it though but I guess it is because he never used mine so his is what he is used to.

Tiersten · 11-12-2010, 01:59 PM

Mine has always been like that and I preordered my Kindle. The buttons have a slightly rougher texture and aren't shiny like the case or the page turning buttons.

desertblues · 11-12-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiersten

Mine has always been like that and I preordered my Kindle. The buttons have a slightly rougher texture and aren't shiny like the case or the page turning buttons.

Also preorder, same texture as Tiersten, no wear and tear; all ciphers and caracters are intact.

Bookworm_Girl · 11-12-2010, 02:41 PM

My first Kindle purchased near launch had the smooth keys and the arrow labels wore off on the 5-way controller. My second Kindle about 2 weeks old has the matte keys. So far labels look ok. It feels like a light sandpaper. I don't like it because I had the smooth keys first. Other people like it though. If I had not had both versions, then I probably would never have noticed!

Buran · 11-12-2010, 03:13 PM

A question...

I resynced my books though they're out of order, no collections, and they all say "new!". If I copy the Documents folder from the previous Kindle, will they work or will the books fail to open due to the DRM not recognizing the new Kindle? It wasn't attached to the account when the books were purchased/downloaded.

Tiersten · 11-12-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buran

I resynced my books though they're out of order, no collections, and they all say "new!".

It should have restored your collections unless you didn't have them when you last synced your old Kindle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buran

If I copy the Documents folder from the previous Kindle, will they work or will the books fail to open due to the DRM not recognizing the new Kindle?

If they're items from the Kindle store then no, you can't just copy the files from another device.

Bookworm_Girl · 11-12-2010, 03:35 PM

Buran, I assume both your old and new Kindles are both currently registered to your account? Select Archived Items. Then Select Add Other Device Collections. Pick the name of your old Kindle. It will restore your Amazon purchased content into your old collections. I would redownload all your books from Amazon first and then sync the collections. Worked for me when I setup my new Kindle. Good luck!

MuzzaHukka · 09-14-2011, 05:04 PM

Same thing happened. Its probable that Amazon gives people like us (me and you) the new D00901 model with a Matte Kindle so Amazon knows if the customer already had a repair. Believe it or not, but the Kindle self-destructs and renders itself un-usable after 17 months so I guess the third time round you get a replacement, there will be a shenanigan. Might be a glossy finish, might be a lighter screen, the "amazon kindle" text on the top of your Kindle may be engraved.

Bookworm_Girl · 09-14-2011, 05:22 PM

I bought both of my Kindles from Target and not from Amazon. One was purchased in Sept (keyboard rubbing off) and one in Oct (matte version). I suspect that Amazon had a quality control issue for the early builds or perhaps they made a manufacturing process change.

11-12-2010, 12:53 PM	#1
Buran Geek Posts: 190 Karma: 471136 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brentwood, MO Device: Kindle Oasis Waterproof 32GB 3G (without offers)	Kindle 3: Newer keyboards have matte/anti-slip keys This isn't a problem report or complaint -- just a curiosity. I received a new Kindle yesterday to replace the one I got on launch day since somehow the bottom of the case had bent slightly (and it was never dropped in such a way to cause that kind of damage) and a small gap existed that slightly exposed the inside of the Kindle (e.g. the side of the USB port could be seen). I didn't think to mention it to the phone rep, but the unit also had the slow-sliding-switch problem (and always has); the replacement's switch slides freely and as expected. I noticed immediately, though, that the keyboard and four-way controller have a new texture that feels and looks slightly different -- antislip, perhaps. This is only on the keyboard and controller, and there is no change in the page-turning buttons. Here's a photo I took. It may be a little hard to see the change, but if you look closely the keyboard on one of the Kindles isn't as shiny as the other -- that's the new one. Model no. is D00901. The "old" one goes back to Amazon today or Monday. Attached Thumbnails

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Regret Buying Your Kindle Now that Newer/Cheaper One is Here?	BenLee	General Discussions	22	07-07-2010 08:54 PM
Ended Kindle DX with Octo slip case for sale	geekraver	Flea Market	1	04-02-2010 02:38 PM
Stock kindle 2 filesystem (2.0.3 or newer preferred)	eousphoros	Kindle Developer's Corner	10	02-17-2010 09:40 PM
Kindle 1 slip case - Waterfield Designs	crionox	Amazon Kindle	5	02-13-2010 04:43 PM
KEYBOARDS FOR EBOOK READERS	judahis	Which one should I buy?	8	01-31-2010 06:42 AM

11-12-2010, 01:00 PM	#2
TheKindleWorm Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 177868 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Anglia UK Device: Kindle 3G, iPhone 3G, iPod 4G, PB 360, Sony 600 sold, Kindle 2i sold	Interesting. I wonder if this is to do with the fact that some of the early Kindle 3s had a problem with the characters on the keys rubbing off? Quite a few people had to send their Kindles back because of this fault. I suspect they have now been coated with something better to prevent this from happening again.

11-12-2010, 01:21 PM	#3
Starstryder Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle 3	I noticed this on my husband's Kindle 3 as well, don't like the feel of it probably because I am used to the slicker feel of mine. He loves it though but I guess it is because he never used mine so his is what he is used to.

11-12-2010, 01:59 PM	#4
Tiersten Guru Posts: 987 Karma: 8641 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3G+WiFi	Mine has always been like that and I preordered my Kindle. The buttons have a slightly rougher texture and aren't shiny like the case or the page turning buttons.

11-12-2010, 02:41 PM	#6
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36507503 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	My first Kindle purchased near launch had the smooth keys and the arrow labels wore off on the 5-way controller. My second Kindle about 2 weeks old has the matte keys. So far labels look ok. It feels like a light sandpaper. I don't like it because I had the smooth keys first. Other people like it though. If I had not had both versions, then I probably would never have noticed!

11-12-2010, 03:13 PM	#7
Buran Geek Posts: 190 Karma: 471136 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brentwood, MO Device: Kindle Oasis Waterproof 32GB 3G (without offers)	A question... I resynced my books though they're out of order, no collections, and they all say "new!". If I copy the Documents folder from the previous Kindle, will they work or will the books fail to open due to the DRM not recognizing the new Kindle? It wasn't attached to the account when the books were purchased/downloaded.

11-12-2010, 03:35 PM	#9
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36507503 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	Buran, I assume both your old and new Kindles are both currently registered to your account? Select Archived Items. Then Select Add Other Device Collections. Pick the name of your old Kindle. It will restore your Amazon purchased content into your old collections. I would redownload all your books from Amazon first and then sync the collections. Worked for me when I setup my new Kindle. Good luck!

09-14-2011, 05:04 PM	#10
MuzzaHukka MuzzaHukka Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle 3G	Same thing happened. Its probable that Amazon gives people like us (me and you) the new D00901 model with a Matte Kindle so Amazon knows if the customer already had a repair. Believe it or not, but the Kindle self-destructs and renders itself un-usable after 17 months so I guess the third time round you get a replacement, there will be a shenanigan. Might be a glossy finish, might be a lighter screen, the "amazon kindle" text on the top of your Kindle may be engraved.

09-14-2011, 05:22 PM	#11
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36507503 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	I bought both of my Kindles from Target and not from Amazon. One was purchased in Sept (keyboard rubbing off) and one in Oct (matte version). I suspect that Amazon had a quality control issue for the early builds or perhaps they made a manufacturing process change.