The expected announcement on the Kindle 2 came from Amazon earlier today, and US ebook fans can rejoice in the news that Amazon’s next incarnation of the Kindle reading device will be released on Tuesday 24th February.
Thanks to the recently ‘leaked’ photos, everyone has pretty much known for days what the Kindle 2 was going to look like, but thanks to today’s announcement we get to know the release date and tech specs on the new model too. You can find out all of the details in the official press release, but just to summarise the main new features of the Kindle 2:
Wow, considering the Kindle 2 specs trump just about everything or anything it’s biggest rival Sony, has to offer, it’s enough to make one jump up and down with excitement isn’t it? Well it is if you’re in the US. Still no word from Amazon on when ‘ebookers’ outside of the US will get their hands on the Kindle. Maybe one day uh? 
) Anyway, enjoy America!
About Rob
I just really wish they had improved the price as well …
says:
I couldn’t agree with you more Kristen, although for the same price you are getting more for your money with this new release.
Oh Rob, you know I own a Kindle 1 … and I suffered the slings and arrows of outrageously bad timing to get it.
But I am not interested in Kindle 2. A few things you failed to mention (mostly because Amazon fails to mention them):
– The K2 is longer/bigger, but the screen is no larger. I like the smallish size of the K1.
– The K2 now has NO SD slot. So, although the K1 holds a “paltry” 200 books, I can (and do) always add as many as I wish, in different categories on different SD cards. I would miss this on the K2.
– The K2 now has a non-user-replaceable battery. The K1′s battery is easily removed and replaced by the user (under the back cover, much like a rechargeable battery pack for an AlphaSmart or a cordless home phone). SO now a person will have to send the Kindle in to have Amazon replace the battery once it wears out. You do without your Kindle during this process … and you pay a lot more than the current $20 for a replacement battery. K1 users can buy spare batteries in advance and keep them charged … for backups or longer trips away from wall outlets.
– Although the K2 has better battery life, I have no issues with the battery life on my K1. It’s currently (no pun intended) the best gadget I have in terms of battery life. I go upwards to a week without having to charge the thing, and I use it for hours every single day. And even then, it fully recharges in somewhere between 1-2 hours.
– For text readers, the 16 shades of gray is a marginal improvement over the 4 we currently have with K1. I have already doubled or tripled my reading output (input?) using the K1 because of its sharpness and clarity. I feel absolutely no need to spend more money to upgrade because it might do graphics better … when I don’t use the Kindle for graphics in any form.
Sooooo … in short, I don’t feel any sort of buyer’s remorse at getting the K1 a few months before the K2 was announced. In fact, I am relieved that, had I waited any longer, I would have gotten the K2 without the option of receiving the K1 instead.
FWIW, I am still madly in love with the e-reading concept in general — which still surprises me greatly. Eight months or so ago, I was skittish toward the idea at best, and as a writer was fearful of its implications. Now I “get” it — I read more. I buy more books. I see it as a great supplement to my library of books, since I travel a decent amount and since I don’t need to own every book I read in print form.
It’s a win-win combination for me now.
says:
Wow mega comment Linda. Your reply is even bigger than my original post (my post: 283 words, your comment: 481 words)
)
Thanks for all of the extra info though. I was just paraphrasing the official press release, and none of the really important stuff you mention was on it – for obvious reasons!
I’m glad the K2 specs aren’t good enough to give you any ‘buyer’s remorse’. It’s a real shame when that happens (which it does a lot as all ‘techies’ know fine well – with the exception of the AlphaSmart of course)
I’m also glad, really glad that you’ve also taken ‘ebooking’ so much to your heart. The main thing is that we all see it as an enhancement to our reading and not a replacement for traditional books, something you make abundantly clear in your tome-like response.
)
Anyway speak soon Linda
Rob
Addendum (of course, since 481 words apparently wasn’t enough):
I agree that the current price tag of these things $359 for the Kindle, and I think the Sony 700 is in this same range) is way too high. But this is the dilemma of any early adopter of technology. Usually I wait for huge price drops before dipping my toe in the water of any given technology. I didn’t get my first real laptop until about four years ago … because the price had finally dropped to something I could afford ($599 for that first one).
So I agree it stings a little to have parted with that much money (well, $309 in my case since I got in under the Oprah special discount) for a single gadget that does a single thing. But, considering the use I’ve gotten out of it already, and the hundreds (thousands?) of available free public domain books (and I love classics!), it’s going to pay for itself very soon in my case.
And, the prices will eventually drop. And eventually Amazon will listen to us and add a folder system for organizing titles. That’s all I’m really missing in the K1 … and the K2 didn’t add that feature anyway!
FWIW, I just bought about six new “dead tree” books last week too. I still love holding a book in my hands and reading … but now I wish the print size was adjustable.
How’s your Sony working out, Rob?
Linda
says:
Yes but the single thing it does do Linda, it does so well!! Well worth the investment in my opinion!
My Sony is working out like a dream Linda. I use it daily, not just for ebooks but also for short stories and any web articles/blog posts that I want to read ‘on the move’. A simple copy/paste into Wordpad and ‘a save as’ an RTF file onto the SD card (aahhhhh the luxury of an inbuilt SD card reader Linda..pokes out tongue
)) and I’m good to go.
Love it! Love it! Love it!
Now I’m confused. What is different about the Sony’s SD card system from the card slot I have in the Kindle??
says:
Errr..nothing! I was mixing up my Kindle 1′s with my Kindle 2′s and thinking you didn’t have a slot…[blushes]… Nothing to see here, move along please!…[coughs!]
)
Whew! That was a close one! I almost felt envy there for a moment! (snort)
Rock on, Rob! I just love your site. But I don’t know how you keep it going so well! Bravo.
says:
Nice of you to say Linda but it could be going better. There’s bits of this place that still need dire attention but I’ll get there…I hope
)