Exclusive: Amazon Kindle 2 official images + price + release date

[wallcraft]

Do thin reading devices need to have a wide frame (e.g. for rigidity)? Or is this just the current fashion? Both the Wizpac txtr reader and the Plastic Logic reader will have wide frames.

[HarryT]

The CyBook is extremely thin and it doesn't have a particularly wide "border".

[TheJohnNewton]

I don't get the appeal of thiness? From a functionality standpoint the K1 out of the case seems too thin to hold to me. I don't like holding a bare Sony at all. Maybe I just have biggish hands?

[CCDMan]

They have dealt with the major issues with the 1.0........... The corners are rounded so they will no longer dig into your hand when holding it for long periods. The page buttons are smaller so would be harder to touch accidentally. They got rid of the funky slider thingy (which collects dirt). The keyboard is more traditional. Overall better looking (although frankly looks are for the vain and shallow). I like it and have ordered a Kindle for my wife. Once it is announced I will see if they will be sending the 2.0 and, if not, I will cancel and reorder so as to get the 2.0.

I don't like holding a bare Sony at all

Actually, I don't either because it is metal (at least the 500 was) and therefore kinda cold. Kindle 1.0 is plastic and warm. 500 will prolly be sent on to my son.....

I rather would have seen a silicon-rubber layer finish which is warmer,and allows better grip.

Agreed! That metal back is a step backward from the rubber on the 1.0 - IMHO.

We have several really good sources inside Amazon.

I love spies! <g>

[ProDigit]

apple design, wide border,plastic cheesy looks...
Looks much better than kindle 1 though! is it compatible with Apple?
I still prefer the looks of the sony PRS-505 over this one,and can't help to think I've made a great purchase with it,and am glad I did not wait for the kindle2...

The only thing I do like over the Sony is it's ultra sleek design.
Also,the Sony reader is made out of plastic too, but has 'metallic paint',as well as a metal edge on the top and bottom which makes it indeed feel colder.
I rather would have seen a silicon-rubber layer finish which is warmer,and allows better grip.

[pilotbob]

Many people are assuming facts not in evidence on this device. I may have an SD slot. Perhaps at the top edge. Hard to tell, since they pics don't really show the edges of the device.

It also "looks" like there is no way to replace the battery. However, it could be possible. More like the Hanlin where you need to remove a small screw or two to open it up.

However, I really like the rubberized back of the Kindle classic. I didn't think I would but I do. Makes it nice to hold without a case.

Also, it is possible that this rev has a dual mode wireless chip that supports CDMA and GSM. They do exist. This would be to support European and Asian markets. But, perhaps in those markets it would be a BYOS (bring your own service) via SIM card or something.

BOb


BOb

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Do thin reading devices need to have a wide frame (e.g. for rigidity)? Or is this just the current fashion? Both the Wizpac txtr reader and the Plastic Logic reader will have wide frames.

Umm, the is Wizpac txtr reader is146mm x 128mm x 8mm and weights aprox. 260g

That is smaller than any e-ink yet on the market.
Which is why I will get one for me - it is as pocketable as a PDA.

[CCDMan]

Umm, the is Wizpac txtr reader is146mm x 128mm x 8mm and weights aprox. 260g

That is smaller than any e-ink yet on the market.
Which is why I will get one for me - it is as pocketable as a PDA.

IMHO any reader without good publisher support is not worth having unless it is used mainly for your own or other non-copyright content.
It's all about content which is what Amazon has in much greater quantity than anyone else. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

I can read most non-Amazon content on both my 505 and my iPod touch but seldom do either - 98% of my reading is Kindle.

[Dr. Drib]

About the pouch issue:

There will more than likely be numerous vendors out there releasing some incredible choices in cover designs for those owners who do not prefer a pouch.

I keep thinking kangaroos when I hear that word.

The Kangaroo....that could be Amazon's new touch-screen Reader to be released at the end of 2009.

Don

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

About the pouch issue:

There will more than likely be numerous vendors out there releasing some incredible choices in cover designs for those owners who do not prefer a pouch.

I keep thinking kangaroos when I hear that word.

The Kangaroo....that could be Amazon's new touch-screen Reader to be released at the end of 2009.

Don

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Phogg

Umm, the is Wizpac txtr reader is146mm x 128mm x 8mm and weights aprox. 260g

That is smaller than any e-ink yet on the market.
Which is why I will get one for me - it is as pocketable as a PDA.

It is less tall, because if does not have any keys on the top or bottom border. It is wider than most current 6" devices (same as PRS-700, a bit less than the Kindle-1). See E-book Reader Matrix, and note that the txtr isn't listed because it won't be available until the fall. Arguably, the Readius and Mentor should not be included either.

I agree that the Wizpac is a very nice design, and if the software is a good as the hardware it will be hard to beat.

[mdibella]

I'm not bothered by the lack of a memory card slot as long as the unit has a goodly amount of internal memory. At current flash memory prices, it would not be out of line to hope for as much as 4GB.

I rarely use the flash memory in my Kindle except to plug it in just long enough to offload any excess from the main memory. I am convinced that it reduces battery life to leave the flash card plugged in all the time.

I just ordered an 'old' Kindle, which shows as delivery estimated 2/26. I can always cancel it on Monday if I need to, but I am hoping I've gotten in the early queue for the new model.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Phogg

Umm, the is Wizpac txtr reader is146mm x 128mm x 8mm and weights aprox. 260g

That is smaller than any e-ink yet on the market.
Which is why I will get one for me - it is as pocketable as a PDA.

It's really not pocketable. It's a little wider, a little shorter, and considerably heavier than the CyBook Gen3 (which is 188x118x8mm and weighs 174g). Put it in your pocket and you'll almost certainly "bend" it and shatter the screen substrate.

[Mainemom]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Let me be clear - of course I think that this is what will be announced on Monday. I simply think that to state it as a categorical fact is perhaps a little unwise.

Oh ok. For a minute there I thought folks here were denying the difference between "wild guesses" (mere speculation) and rational, though still falsifiable, conclusions arrived via evidence and logical inference.

I take back my false assertion about Engadget. Thanks for correcting me!

[purl4peace]

Originally Posted by mdibella

I just ordered an 'old' Kindle, which shows as delivery estimated 2/26. I can always cancel it on Monday if I need to, but I am hoping I've gotten in the early queue for the new model.

I've suspected for a long time that the backlog that was created this fall and over the holidays was in large part due to the fact that they had stopped production of the K1 and were getting the production line going on the K2.

If you look at the Amazon website -- they say the delivery date is at 2-4 weeks which corresponds to the February 24th time frame. Plus -- all along, the delivery estimates have been aimed at a 2/24 time frame.

That, combined with the fact that they are keeping the price at 359, leads me to believe (speculate, if you will ;-) that everyone who has a Kindle on back order will be getting a Kindle 2. (as implied by the person that emailed Jeff Bezos)

re: the SD card speculation

Also, if you look at the image that shows the back of the kindle -- there is a "bulge" (not to be confused with Bush's bulge) where they could accommodate an SD card of some description -- perhaps they have decided to go with the smaller SD card that cell phones use. That's what you are using now... just with a big ol' plastic holder on it.

I still love my Sony but also know my weakness and will probably wind up buying one before all is said and done... plus, I have 150 bucks in Amazon coupons burning a whole in my pocket...