Kindle Paperwhite for Dummies (32 page)

Covering Your Device

If you want to buy only one add-on for your Kindle Paperwhite, we suggest a cover, a sleeve, an envelope, or a jacket because it will protect your Kindle Paperwhite, particularly the screen, from damage. Although nothing is foolproof, having the screen covered when the Kindle Paperwhite isn’t in use is a good idea.

Following is a description of these essential add-ons:

Covers:
In general, a Kindle Paperwhite cover is kept on the device at all times, even while reading. Most covers fold back for reading and close with a snap, a buckle, or an elastic cord.

Sleeves:
Neoprene sleeves are usually close fitting and may have a zipper closure. Some users who opt not to use a cover protect their Kindle Paperwhite in a sleeve during nonreading times.

Envelopes:
Similar to a sleeve but not quite as form-fitting, an envelope is another option for readers who prefer to use their Kindle Paperwhite without a cover.

Jackets:
A jacket is like a bag or suit for your Kindle Paperwhite. The device goes inside, and the jacket is secured with a zipper. Some jackets are clear vinyl to provide protection while reading near water or in dusty areas.

Covers, sleeves, envelopes, and jackets are among the most popular Kindle Paperwhite accessories, so you can choose from plenty of options.

Covers galore!

Kindle Paperwhite covers are available in a variety of materials, from fabric to leather to neoprene, at prices ranging from less than $20 to more than $200. To get a sense of the variety out there, go to Amazon (
www.amazon.com
) and choose Kindle⇒Accessories from the navigation menu at the left. On the page that appears, you’ll see covers featured prominently.

Securing the device

Most covers are secured to the Kindle Paperwhite using one of the following options:

Tabs:
Simply slip the Kindle Paperwhite under the tab in each corner to hold it in place. Covers from Belkin, M-Edge, and Oberon are popular examples of covers that use tabs.

Oberon Design, a small family-owned business based in Santa Rosa, California, makes hand-tooled leather covers, such as red Gingko, purple Roof of Heaven, and navy Hokusai Wave (see Figure 8-1). Visit
www.oberondesign.com
to find out more.

Figure 8-1:
A variety of Kindles in Oberon cases.

Drop-in/snap-in:
Drop the Kindle Paperwhite into a snap-in frame. The Amazon cover uses this design. Pad & Quill (
www.padandquill.com
) makes a wood and leather snap-in case that looks like a book when closed, as shown in Figure 8-2.

Figure 8-2:
An empty Pad & Quill cover.

The Amazon cover

The newly designed cover from Amazon deserves special mention due to its unique feature: Open the cover and the Kindle Paperwhite turns on; close the cover and it puts the device to sleep. This “magic” is accomplished by a small magnet built into the corner of the case. The cover is made of leather with a felt lining on the inside front cover and is available in seven colors. Figure 8-3 shows a Kindle Paperwhite inserted in the snap-in case — and sporting a vinyl skin from DecalGirl. (See the previous “Vinyl Skins” section for details about this accessory.)

Figure 8-3:
A Kindle Paperwhite secured in the Amazon cover.