The mechanism for sending documents directly to a Kindle device involves utilizing a unique email address assigned to each registered Kindle. This address facilitates the wireless transfer of personal documents, such as PDFs and ePubs, to the user’s Kindle library. The recipient is the Kindle device, allowing the user to access content that is not available through the Kindle Store. For example, a researcher could email a journal article in PDF format directly to their Kindle for offline reading.
Knowing this designated electronic mail destination is crucial for expanding the functionality of the Kindle beyond purchased content. It allows users to personalize their reading experience by importing self-authored works, documents shared by colleagues, or DRM-free ebooks obtained from other sources. Historically, this feature distinguished Kindle devices by providing a convenient and direct alternative to sideloading content via USB connection.