Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)
The Amazon Kindle 2 is the 2nd generation eBook reader designed and sold exclusively by Amazon.com.
Users who have followed our site over the months will have remembered last years launch of the original Kindle reader, a device that went on to sell over 500,000 units worldwide and proved more of a success than Amazon had predicted.
Spurned on by the success of the original Kindle and after receiving user comments, reviews and feedback about the original Kindle device, Amazon have gone and developed the Kindle 2, adding to and improving on the functionality of the original Kindle eBook reader.
The Kindle 2 can store upto 1,500 eBooks on its internal 2GB of memory and if you should ever use that up you needn’t worry because every time you purchase or download an eBook from the Amazon eBook store, Amazon will automatically store a copy of your purchased books or subscriptions online at the site, so if you need to delete some books from your Kindle 2 memory you can easily do so, safe in the knowledge that you can retrieve your eBooks anytime.
Read-to-Me Feature
Now Kindle can read to you. With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you. You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can choose from both male and female voices which can be sped up or slowed down to suit your preference. Anything you can read on Kindle, Kindle can read to you, including books, newspapers, magazines, blogs and even personal documents. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.
Amazon Kindle 2 Features & Specifications
Dimensions: 8″ x 5.3″ x 0.36″
Weight: 10.2 ounces
Display: 6″ diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
Content formats supported: Kindle (AZW), TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.Storage: 2GB internal (approximately 1.4GB available for user content).
Battery Life: Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.
USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) for connection to the Kindle pow
Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours and supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.
Wireless Connectivity: EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint’s 3G high-speed data network. Check our wireless coverage map for availability. This expanded coverage is only available for Kindle 2. See Wirless Terms & Conditions Amazon Kindle 2.
Color: Bisque
Model: D00511
Release Date: 2009-02-23
Kindle 2: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)
Manufacturer: Amazon.com
Lowest New Price: USD 359.00
Color: Bisque
Model: D00511
Release Date: 2009-02-23
I won't buy one yet!
I have desperately wanted a Kindle for quite some time now. There are over 900 user reviews now and I decided that I still won't buy one yet. Here is why: After purchasing the Kindle 2, the extended warranty (after reading the customer reviews EVERYONE should purchase the extended warranty), a case to protect it, and the initial book to download, it is automatically already around a 0.00 investment. This is not worth the price when there is a book reader app on my iPhone and a PDF reader app. Now I love to read, and I probably read 2 books a month, and a couple of magazines a month, along with the news every day. A couple of books from Amazon and just one magazine, not counting newspapers, would work out to over 0.00. That is a 0.00 investment in one year, or about .00 a month. I have never spent that much on books/ magazines/ newspapers combined in one month that I couldn't return to a second hand store for credit to buy more books.
The bottom line is, I would love to have a Kindle 2 to carry around a collection of reference books, text books, and periodicals, but the price is not worth it. 9.00 is such a high price compared to what you get for it. I think a MUCH more realistic price for the Kinddle 2 should be set around 9.00 or less. Until then, I probably won't be toting round the latest Kindle 2 reading device.
Highly Recommended for Avid Bookreaders and Travelers
What can I say? I'm absolutely in love with Kindle 2. The first was great, but the second has some nice improvements. To sum it all up, I highly recommend Kindle. But if you don't read at least four times a week, and you aren't someone constantly on the go, the price tag may be a bit much for you.
The form factor feels thinner, and has better button placement overall. The keyboard is still a bit stiff to use, and requires one finger typing for someone who has small hands like I do, but since using the device is not dependent on much use of the keyboard, this is okay. I prefer the joystick to the silver strip of the previous model. My one complaint is I wish that the previous button was included on both sides of the Kindle, just as the next button is.
Overall performance is zippy, although I would recommend against relying on the experimental web browser for any heavy usage. Since Whispernet is designed to sync your files, it's not very quick to surf the web. One good thing you can use the web browser for is to access mobile versions of websites. Since the browser doesn't support scripting, it will usually support mobile versions of sites, which also load much quicker. This is also useful if you do not want to pay to subscribe to blogs. You can use Bloglines or the mobile version of NewsGator to subscribe to blog feeds, and access via the experimental web browser.
A couple of accessories I recommend for use with Kindle 2:
* Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On Light (Black, Kindle Compatible)
The Mighty Bright is PERFECT for use with Kindle. I use it every night. The LED light isn't too harsh, and there are two brightness settings.
* Amazon Kindle 2 Leather Cover
Great fit, and much nicer than many of the third party covers. It is super thick and has a softly lined interior. It protects Kindle very well.
* Kindle for iPhone app. It syncs with your Kindle via Whispernet to bookmark your place in the literature. This is great if you're in a really long line at the supermarket, or waiting at the doctor's office where you might not have your Kindle with you. Open up the Kindle app on your iPhone, catch up on a few pages, and when you return to your Kindle, it will automatically forward to where you left off on iPhone, and vice versa. I's great.
great anniversay gift
My husband surprised me with a kindle2 for our 29th anniversary. I have a slight case of "tech-know" fear but I read the instructions and ordered a book the first day. My only complaint is it's too easy to accidentally press the wrong button and order a book by mistake. Kindle support let me cancel the order, but now I'm really careful what button I push. Anyone else have this problem?? Thanks, love my Kindle2.
K2 - WOW!
I waited to write my review of my K2 until I had the item for about 3 weeks and all I can say is WOW! I love this device and as an avid reader (3-4 books/week without Kindle) all I can say is that I am devouring books with this device. First the Plus side: (1)Love the feel of the device, you truly do forget that you are reading on an electronic device after a while. (2)Love the ability to change fonts, after a day on the computer I tend to move up to a larger font when reading. (3)How easy it is to buy a new book, no going to the book store. Was in a class at church the other day, someone mentioned a book, I turned my Kindle on and found the book in the Kindle store and purchased it right there and then. It took the NIV Bible less than a minute to download and that's a long time, usually books take a lot less time. Chalk the download time to it being the Bible (big book).
Things I don't like: (1)K2 lacks a good content manager. I would really like to have the ability to organize the different varieties of books I read better. Hate having to scroll endlessly to get to the one book I want. (2)Lack of a cover (everyone has talked about this) and I agree with all the reasons cited. For the 9 one would think a cover would be part of the package. I hope Amazon re-considers this. (3)Lack of color choice which really isn't a big deal because I have a Istyle skin on the device which really personalizes my K2
Overall: Get one! If you are like me and would rather stay up till 4 in the morning finishing a really good book (knowing you will pay for it the next day) then this is the device for you. There are certain key things I never leave the house without: My Amex card, my Ipod and now my Kindle. I just cannot say enough good things about this device. Does Amazon have so more work to do - YES but does that negate the fact that the K2 is great now - NO! Buy it, you won't regret it.
Just what I wanted
Got it yesterday and all I can say is WOW! I am not a gadget person (got my first cell phone 3 weeks ago) but I love this one. I have books running out my ears. It is no longer a library but has turned into crowded. This little gizmo will allow me to have my books to read and reread without the clutter. And, it is so easy to use, even for an electronically challenged person like me.
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