Review of What We Know

Amazon’s Kindle 2 eBook Reader is official and it looks amazing. Via press conference today Amazon took the wraps off the 2nd generation Kindle. While the photos we saw a few days before were indeed real and tantalizing, the details and capabilities revealed today continue to impress:

• Thinner than an iPhone
• Improved screen with 16 shades of grey (original Kindle had only 4)
• Improved memory holding 1,500 eBooks (original Kindle could store 200)
• New text-to-speech capability
• 600 x 800 ePaper resolution, with no backlight to improve battery life
• 4 to 5 days reading time with wireless on, up to 2 weeks with wireless off – on a single charge
• Built-in Oxford Dictionary for instant access to 250,000 word definitions
• Free 3G wireless coverage via Sprint’s WhisperNet
• Comfortable Reading: Adjustable type sizes & no glare in sunlight
• Bundled with free copy of Stephen King’s “Ur”
• $359 price – same as original Kindle

Units ship Feb 24th. Order now from Amazon.

Analysis

We had high hopes for the Kindle 2 and Amazon definitely delivered an attractive and feature-packed eBook reader in the Kindle 2. While price may be a barrier to some, consider the savings from libraries of classic ebooks online like gutenberg.org and the convenience of having an entire library of up to 1,500 titles in your pocket, er, briefcase or backpack.

We love the wireless ability – no wrestling with WiFi hotspots and no fees. This will allow Amazon to push software updates and customers to download books without a computer involved.

We have a feeling there’s going to be a very long line forming at Amazon.com!

UPDATE: The leaks were real and now we have the gory details … Kindle 2 Review of What We Know

Hot on the heals of our story yesterday about the anticipated Kindle 2.0 announcement, comes what may be leaked candid photos of Amazon’s soon-to-be-born baby. Not only that – we have a rumored price and release date too. How does $359 on February 24th sound to you?

If this is truly Kindle 2.0, we’re duly impressed. The reader is far more appealing in next gen form. Much improved form-factor and styling compared with the original Kindle. We’re still not a fan of the many many buttons around the sides and would prefer an edge-to-edge screen to maximum reading. At least Amazon has made them less obtrusive and the apparent thinness is unbelievable.

We guess Kindle 3.0 will be when they release it with a touch screen! Check the photos. More on Monday Feb 9 when Amazon’s official press conference is underway.

[Leaked via Forum Post at MobileRead.com]

UPDATE: No more need for speculation, Amazon’s press conference provided all the details … Kindle 2 Review of What We Know

Out for over a year now, Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader brought e-ink and portable electronic reading into the mainstream in a big way. Analysts estimate the ebook reader has sold over 500,000 units. Amazon is holding a press conference Monday February 9th. Most in the industry expect Amazon will use this event to usher in Kindle’s successor – Kindle 2.

Thanks much to Amazon’s efforts, consumers have many sources to find ebook content today – both free and paid. Popular sites for ebook aficianados include Amazon.com, gutenberg.org (classics), worldlibrary.net (400k titles; $8.95 annual for unlimited use) and fictionwise.com.

Amazon is mum on details of course, so we’ll have to see what they announce on Monday. For our part, we’re hoping for the rumored split in product line – a larger workhorse model as well as a more stylish, thinner model. Throw in a little touchscreen love while you’re at it, willya, Amazon? All those little buttons crammed on the face really drop the “hip” factor of the first generation.

The ebook space, despite a weak global economy, may be set to explode into a major new consumer electronics category. For our part, we are ready to welcome our new e-ink sporting overlords.