As for the new keyboard, I suspect that fewer pundits will accuse it of being an unnecessary eyesore. But I found the first-generation model’s split keys to be surprisingly comfortable–the new one is more cramped, and I had to press hard to register my input. This isn’t a major downside given that the instances in which you type on a Kindle–to search a book or look up one you want to buy, for instance–tend to be sporadic and brief.
The Kindle 2 retains a very, very basic Web browser and MP3 player from the first one, both of which are still dubbed “Experimental” features. “Experimental” seems to be a code-word for “We know these aren’t very good, but don’t blame us”–Amazon says that the former is useful mostly for sites that are predominantly text, and that’s about right: It’s okay for looking up words in Wikipedia, but isn’t up to displaying most modern sites (including Technologizer, which seemed to push it over the edge into a nervous breakdown).
Also in the “Experimental” menu is a new feature: text-to-speech reading of books, over the Kindle 2′s built-in speakers or via headphones. The feature is based on technology from Nuance and lets you choose a male or female voice and control the pitch. About eighty percent of the time, it’s startlingly good, but it tends to stumble over compound words (“coproducer”) and hyphenates (“first-rate”). I can’t imagine using it for fiction–it’s just too creepy and soulless–but might dabble with it for nonfiction on an airplane if I wanted to use my laptop, eat, or rest my eyes.
So what’s the bottom line on the Kindle 2? It’s a meaningful improvement on Amazon’s first pass, and I think many book junkies will be delighted with it–especially ones who travel much. (I don’t want to carry even a single hardcover with me in flight, but the Kindle lets me tote dozens.) With some of the original model’s design gaffes out of the way, the Kindle 2′s two main cautionary remain the price ($359 is still a lot of money for a one-purpose gadget) and the screen (better than before, but still an acquired taste). If these don’t faze you and you love to read, the Kindle 2 is easily the best electronic option to date.
How about owners of the first Kindle? I’m guessing that of them will eye the upgraded model with envy, but pass on buying it–most of what’s different amounts to refinements rather than game-changing new functionality. Those that do buy the new model will find any books they’d bought before in an archive, where it’s easy to redownload them, complete with any bookmarks from the old Kindle. That’s a hint of a feature that Amazon calls Whispersync, which it says will eventually permit seamless sharing of content among multiple Kindles and Kindle-compatible devices. (What sort of devices it isn’t yet saying, but it’s obvious that a Kindle reader for the iPhone could be spectacular–and create an enormous new market for Amazon’s e-books.)
The Kindle 1 may have been imperfect, but it was appealing enough that Amazon struggled to keep it in stock for much of the device’s history. Right now, it says it has Kindle 2 units on hand for immediate shipment. Let’s hope that continues to be true–and that Amazon continues to invest in Kindle hardware and services for a long time to come. Wouldn’t it be a boon for book fans if Kindles, Kindle-compatible devices, and Kindle-like devices reached iPod-like ubiquity someday?
21 Comments
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February 25th, 2009 at 5:35 am
I rather wait for Plastic Logic’s awesome reader to become available.
Though Kindle is a nice but expensive device, Plastic Logic’s reader is definitely a must have!!!
February 26th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I’m loving the new Kindle. Very sleek and readable. I also picked up the Patagonia 2 case. It is padded and so versatile, I feel comfortable taking the Kindle wherever I (See below)
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=varioucontena-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001GVIUMW&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Love your article. Thanks for the insight. For others who are interested in the Kindle 2 and in the same boat as me, this site has a ton of reviews as well..check it out: http://www.kindle2reviews.com
December 12th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
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December 17th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Nice article. In the beginning of the ebook reader era the amazon kindle was the leader. But now there are a lot upcoming brands like Sony, Barnes and Noble and others.
One of the reason why the kindle is still the leader is because it’s net connection works internationally. Also the new battery life is a huge improvement.
By the way I have also found a nice review of the kindle reader
I thought it was worth sharing