Comments for Amazon's Kindle Gets an Update, But Doesn't Wow

Amazon's Kindle Gets an Update, But Doesn't Wow

2009-02-09T17:30:48Z

Amazon today announced a new version of its highly successful Kindle eBook reader. The new Kindle now features 2GB of memory, and a new 5-way controller for easier navigation. Amazon has also upgraded the screen, which can now show sixteen shades of gray instead of just four, and the battery, which now lasts about 25% longer. The old retro look of the Kindle 1 has given away to a far sleeker, more high-tech looking device, but nothing about the new Kindle is really more than an minor evolutionary step forward. Even the price ($359) has stayed the same.

]]> The new Kindle also feature a new text-to-speech mode.

Sync with Mobile Devices Coming Soon?

Maybe the most interesting part about the announcement was that the new Kindle will be able to sync with the Kindle 1 and that it "will also sync with a range of mobile devices in the future." Just last week, we heard rumors about a Kindle reader app for the iPhone and other mobile phones. For now, however, Amazon is clearly more interested in selling its own hardware than in providing software solutions for other devices.

Still the Best

But don't get us wrong - the announcement of the new Kindle didn't exactly wow us, but the Kindle store now features over 230,000 electronic books and the Kindle 1 and 2 are still the best dedicated eBook readers available. As we mentioned last week, the momentum towards eBooks is gathering steam, and even if the Kindle 2 doesn't quite have the wow factor of the first device, it is still a great device and the quality of the screen really as to be seen to be believed (though our experience is obviously limited to the Kindle 1).

If you currently own a Kindle 1, there is probably very little reason to switch to the new version, but if you were holding out for a new version, and assuming the $359 price-tag doesn't shock you, the new Kindle, with it's sleeker design, additional memory, and better battery life is as good as it gets.

Comment from Aziz Poonawalla on 2009-02-09

2009-02-09T18:00:27Z

I think the expectations that the new Kindle would be anything more than an evolutionary refinement are unfair. It has more memory and a better screen than Kindle 1, there are more books than ever available for download (and blogs, too) - these are teh core functions that the Kindle needs to improve on every iteration. The single greatest failing of Kindle 1 was the external design, and on that score I think they've hit a home run - the Kindle 2 is iPod sexy.

Comment from jonathan on 2009-02-09

2009-02-09T18:18:10Z

whats so amazing about it? i mean, its expensive as hell and does basically one thing... people is buyng it just because had a bigger screen???

Comment from Viktor on 2009-02-09

2009-02-09T19:12:02Z

I was rather surprised by the "still the best" section. According to me the kindle is far from being the best, that's why I've chosen iRex' Iliad.

Of course, it's even more expensive, but if you would like to read articles or books that were not specifically created for your device, then the screen size matters a lot, and the Kindle simply fails here. Even Kindle2 gives only 6" compared to my one year old 8.1" Iliad.

If you're would like to get a detailed overview of the available ebook readers, I would recommend you to check out this:
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix

To me the Kindle's only advantage is that it's sold by Amazon, and as a result they can actually provide a huge amount of ebooks in their proprietary format that no other ebook reader can read. This is a huge advantage, but far from being fair. If you think about the Apple store, it was brought to court a couple of years ago for the same reason.

On the other hand if you plan to read non-Amazon ebooks, then the Kindle's screen is just not enough.

Comment from StephanieInCA on 2009-02-09

2009-02-09T20:15:01Z

I'm shocked more people aren't talking about the serious privacy-rights implications of the Kindle. Sure, it's convenient, but is it worth your civil liberties?

Comment from Offbeatmammal on 2009-02-10

2009-02-10T18:01:35Z

I love the idea of the Kindle but looks like the v2 has the same problems that put me off getting the v1:

- annoying flash to black on the screen on every page transition. I’m sure they’ve spent millions of dollars proving it makes for a better experience but I hated it when I played with one.

- DRM. I have no problem with DRM to protect Amazons revenue and the authors income but not at the expense of fair use. With a Kindle can I share a book with my wife? Can I lend it to a friend? Can I give it away? Can I trade it at a book exchange?

The other roadblock for me is the lack of authors like Iain M Banks, William Gibson and Terry Pratchett … without them the Kindle is much less interesting to me.

It also seems a bit cheeky to charge me to translate a Word doc and sync it over the air when the device has a USB connection but I guess I can’t begrudge them a few pennies.

Comment from coffee on 2009-02-24

2009-02-25T05:09:43Z

the Kindle reminds me of something i saw in an old school Star Trek episode, which is a good selling point... and it's so thin!

Comment from Jerry Limonta on 2009-12-06

2009-12-07T03:01:26Z

Can the Kindle compete with this? http://www.ereaderuniverse.com/page/astak-ez-reader