Amazon has released the second generation of it's New Wireless Reading Device, the Kindel 2. I remember years ago reviewing the concept of the e-book. It consisted of a device that would enable one to read an electronic book which was going to replace the printed book. This electronic book was to be purchased and installed on the device. And well, there was the "pad" used on the new Star Trek episodes which was also an e-book of sort. Today an e-book is simply a book published as a PDF file. They are downloaded and read on any computer. The e-book has brought publishing to the common man so to speak.

Well the Kindel 2 is what I imagined years ago when I first heard the concept of the e-book. Amazon says it is "reading refined".

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The Kindel 2 utilizes a 6" diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale. It has approximately 1.4 GB of user storage, weighs 10.2 oz and has no system requirements because it doesn't require a computer. In fact it utilizes the Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint's 3G high-speed data network. Examining the Wireless terms I discovered "Amazon provides wireless connectivity free of charge to you for certain content shopping and downloading services on your Device. You may be charged a fee for wireless connectivity for your use of other wireless services on your Device, such as Web browsing and downloading of personal files, should you elect to use those services. Amazon will maintain a list of current fees for such services in the Kindle Store." I imagine the wireless coverage is the same as Sprint's 3G network. I checked it out and found that there is coverage even in Aztec, NM although it is low speed coverage. So instead of downloading a book in 60 seconds it might take considerably longer. The really nice thing about this is there is no monthly fee (for downloading purchases anyway) and one doesn't have to search for a Wi-Fi hotspot to get online.

Features include:

  • Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines
  • Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback
  • Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
  • Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images
  • Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging
  • More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books
  • Faster Page Turns: 20% faster page turns
  • Read-to-Me: With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you
  • Large Selection: Over 230,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs available
  • Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise

Some other features that I found interesting include a full New Oxford American Dictionary built in. Is the text to small? No problem it will display text in 6 different font sizes. Do you read several books at a time? (personally that would make me crazy) The Kindel remembers the last page you read in any book. Another nice feature is the ability to search the entire library for a keyword or phrase. You also have the ability to add annotations... like writing in the margin of a book. And Amazon will back up these annotations for you. Amazon will also backup your purchases so they can be reinstalled on the Kindel. Do you need to get some work done? You can email a Word document or PDF to the Kindel as well as have your favorite magazines and newspapers delivered to your Kindel before they are delivered to the newsstand.

The customer feedback video really piqued my interest in the Kindel 2. It was stressed how easy it is to read a book using the Kindel 2 even in bright sunlight. It is small and light weight. The display is easy on the eyes, unlike reading something from a computer screen. You can search and shop the Kindle Store wirelessly right from your Kindle, allowing you to click, buy, and start reading your purchases within a minute. If you are out of wireless coverage, such as traveling overseas, you can download books to your PC or Mac and transfer via USB to your Kindle.

The Kindel 2 comes with a 1 year limited warranty and service with an optional 2 year extended warranty.

Tags: amazon, e-book, kindel

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