The New Kindle 2 eBook Reader

Amazon.com, which started out as an online bookstore, and is now rapidly becoming America’s marketplace, has recently made some interesting inroads into ebook reader technology.  It owns Wikipedia.com and recently introduced its S3 service, a simple web services interface that can be used to store and retrieve any amount of data, at any time, from anywhere on the web, has now entered the eBook Readers market with its Kindle eBook Reader.  Reading has always been a rather inexpensive past time.  With the exception of the actual purchase of source materials no other expenses need be incurred.  So why does anyone need to buy a device like the Kindle 2 ebook reader that costs $300 plus from Amazon?

For one thing take for example the college student.  Every semester the purchase and the hauling of books is quite an ordeal.  Now for the one time purchase of an electronic reading device, a student can download all the required books for a fraction of the cost.  Besides being environmentally friendly, these  portable ebook readers help to eliminate all the clutter caused by reading materials.  No more carrying bundles of newspapers and magazines to the curb for recycling.  No more moving loads of books around.   Imagine carrying a library in your purse, brief case or knap sack.

There have been many critics to Amazon’s digital ebook reader (its functionality, design and purpose).  But Amazon has steadfastly overcome all of these objections because the Kindle device works as intended, it provides a needed purpose and most of all, with the improved version of Kindle 2, its even become sexy.  One can subscribe to blogs and ad free newspapers. One can also email documents and PDF-formatted files to the Kindle, though due to PDF’s fixed layout format, some complex PDF files may not format correctly on your Kindle. .  One can buy books from Amazon’s online Kindle store wirelessly through the use of Sprint’s broadband network.  The Kindle Store has more than 230,000 ebooks available, plus top newspapers, magazines and blogs.  And one will never get caught without a dictionary. Kindle includes The New Oxford American Dictionary with over 250,000 entries and definitions.

Amazon first introduced the Kindle in November of 2007  and it sold 280,000 Kindles in hours.  The new Kindle 2 was unveiled February 24th 2008.  The Differences in the two versions are more in form than functionality. Kindle 2 has been able to imitate the look and feel of paper. Here are some of the comparison between the first and second Generation:

• Its thickness has been reduced by half. The first kindle was “19 mm” thick while Amazon Kindle 2 is only“9 mm” without any functionality loss.
• It is sleeker in appearance and much smoother to operate.
• An improved Joystick offering a five way controller option.
• Easily accessible dictionary. The dictionary words now appear at the bottom of the screen, instead of leaving current the book page.
• An enhanced E-Ink screen that uses 16 shades of gray versus 4.
• Much improved screen technology and sharper crisper text.
• A better Picture Quality as the images use more color composites and far greater gradations.
• The background of the screen has changed making it smoother.
• The pages turn 20 percent faster.
• It now has speakers for its Text To Speech Feature.
• A longer lasting Battery.
• Has more internal storage capacity with 2GB of memory versus 256 MB.

Technical Details

• Display:  6″ diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
• Size:  8″ x 5.3″ x 0.36″.
• Weight:  10.2 ounces.
• System requirements:  None, it does not require a computer.
• Storage:  2GB internal (approximately 1.4GB available for user content).
• Battery Life:  Read up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. On single charge.
• Charge Time:  Fully charges in approximately 4 hours and supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.
• Connectivity:  EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint’s 3G high-speed data network.
• USB Port:  USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) for connection to the Kindle power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.
• Audio:  3.5mm stereo audio jack, rear-mounted stereo speakers.
• 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.
• Included Accessories:  Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, rechargeable battery. Book cover sold separately.
• Documentation:  Quick Start Guide (included in box) [PDF]; Kindle 2 User’s Guide (pre-installed on device) [PDF].
• Warranty and Service:  1 year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2 year Extended Warranty sold separately.

So there you have it.  I’m sure everyone has seen Captain Picard and his crew on Star Trek TNG walking around with these handheld devices.  They are eBook Readers.  The future is here.  So why don’t you just get one.

Find More eBook reader products

575 eBooks on CD for the Barnes and Noble Nook Reader & US $3.75 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 21:44:36 PST   | Watch this Item

Amazon Kindle 2 EBook Reader Leather Case Jacket Cover US $18.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 22:00:37 PST   | Watch this Item

Classic Ebooks for Sony Reader - 11,000+ Free Shipping US $7.97 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 22:54:34 PST   | Watch this Item

Waterproof Case for Sony eBook Reader PRS 505 700 500 US $15.89 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 23:15:30 PST   | Watch this Item

a] ON CD 100+ Olympia Press ebooks LRF for SONY READER US $49.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 23:49:25 PST   | Watch this Item