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

[kuliand]

well i don't think this is a step forward the device looks like it's getting bigger there far too much space wasted around the screen. Still think the sony 505 is the best reader on the market.

[HarryT]

To add a note of sanity to the discussion, all we appear to know is that:

1. Amazon appear to have a Kindle 2 ready for launch.

2. Amazon are holding a press conference on Monday.

To suppose that there is any connection between these two events seems entirely speculative to me.

[Charbax]

1. Amazon needs to make it work internationally. It could be by providing an HSDPA version for Europe with an empty unlocked HSDPA SIM card slot.

2. Amazon needs to provide Kindle subscription plans which should provide unlimited access to all books, newspapers, blogs and more. For example at below $20 per month. When subscribing through a contract for 6-months to 2-years, the Kindle 2 should be subsidized and sold at a much lower price for example below $99.

3. The Kindle should natively support Google Books, Google News and Google Reader type of content access. That should be very well integrated. Also browser plugins should make it possible to easily send a whole bunch of stuff from your PC or Laptop browser to read on your Kindle. A one-click browser plugin process when reading websites.

4. Amazon should also release a version with a wacom touchscreen for online collaborative note taking.

If Amazon doesn't release and announce all that, then I will be disappointed. Amazon has a responsibility to get this thing moving. Amazon needs to do much more than just show a slightly different aesthetic design at the same price.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Charbax

1. Amazon needs to make it work internationally. It could be by providing an HSDPA version for Europe with an empty unlocked HSDPA SIM card slot.

True.

2. Amazon needs to provide Kindle subscription plans which should provide unlimited access to all books, newspapers, blogs and more. For example at below $20 per month. When subscribing through a contract for 6-months to 2-years, the Kindle 2 should be subsidized and sold at a much lower price for example below $99.

In your dreams . It'll never happen.

3. The Kindle should natively support Google Books, Google News and Google Reader type of content access. That should be very well integrated. Also browser plugins should make it possible to easily send a whole bunch of stuff from your PC or Laptop browser to read on your Kindle. A one-click browser plugin process when reading websites.

Who would pay for the massive increase in data traffic that this would generate?

4. Amazon should also release a version with a wacom touchscreen for online collaborative note taking.

That would probably significantly increase the price.

If Amazon doesn't release and announce all that, then I will be disappointed. Amazon has a responsibility to get this thing moving. Amazon needs to do much more than just show a slightly different aesthetic design at the same price.

Amazon's "responsibility" is to make a good profit for their shareholders. In fact it's more than a responsibility - it's a legal obligation. With respect, expecting access to the entire Kindle bookstore for $20 a month is "pie in the sky".

[Over]

Why would they announce the Kindle 2 to the world, if it's only for USA? :P

[Mainemom]

Originally Posted by HarryT

To add a note of sanity to the discussion, all we appear to know is that:

1. Amazon appear to have a Kindle 2 ready for launch.

2. Amazon are holding a press conference on Monday.

To suppose that there is any connection between these two events seems entirely speculative to me.

This is a joke, right? Very funny!

Thank you for getting the scoop. I am sorry that Engadget and some others are not giving credit where it is due. Everyone gave credit to Boy Genius for the leaked pics in October (which turned out to have been the real deal), but even BG doesn't mention that Mobileread is THE source (although it has a link at least).

Very excited now that I have a Kindle 2.0 on order.

I'm also glad this thread has stayed mostly on discussion of 2.0 and not discussion of whether folks with 1.0 should trade up. The things you all have noticed about 2.0 based on its appearance are very helpful and very interesting!

[TadW]

Originally Posted by Mainemom

Thank you for getting the scoop. I am sorry that Engadget and some others are not giving credit where it is due. Everyone gave credit to Boy Genius for the leaked pics in October (which turned out to have been the real deal), but even BG doesn't mention that Mobileread is THE source (although it has a link at least).

You think? Looks to me like they gave proper credits. Engadget is usually very cool about it (at least with MR).

[-Thomas-]

Originally Posted by Kindleist

Alexander, how did you get a hold of these leaked images?

Sorry, Alex can't answer right now as he is in custody. He announced me to be the Forum's master from now on...

So:
1. No more polls
2. No more Lounge threads
3. "The ministry" is also closed.

You see, there will be only serious discussions from now on... But wait!

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by Mainemom

This is a joke, right? Very funny!

Thank you for getting the scoop. I am sorry that Engadget and some others are not giving credit where it is due. Everyone gave credit to Boy Genius for the leaked pics in October (which turned out to have been the real deal), but even BG doesn't mention that Mobileread is THE source (although it has a link at least).

Very excited now that I have a Kindle 2.0 on order.

I'm also glad this thread has stayed mostly on discussion of 2.0 and not discussion of whether folks with 1.0 should trade up. The things you all have noticed about 2.0 based on its appearance are very helpful and very interesting!

You may indeed have a Kindle 2 on order. I sincerely hope you do, as that is what you want.

However, Harry is absolutely right: Everything else is speculation. Perhaps the Kindle 2 will indeed be announced. But unless you know something that everyone else does not, then it remains exactly what Harry and other reasonable people have said: MERE SPECULATION.

I think it wil be announced on Monday, since that's a pretty good bet based upon the "NOW" official photos.

Don

[Daithi]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

That's what she said.

BOb

[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.

[Spartacus2112]

Originally Posted by Daithi

Echo...echo!

[koland]

Originally Posted by Alisa

Interesting. I wish they had an image of the case and how it attaches.

No case, has a slipcover. It's identical to the leaked pics: thinner but fewer features, same price. The lesser functionality will mean that a third party cover will be necessary (and you can't use the one you have, it's the wrong size).

Not a great bargain unless all the rest of the leaked info is completely wrong. Thinner may be sexy to iphone users, but isn't a functional improvement (nor is the much larger case [width/length]) or the ran together keyboard that is further from your thumbs. To be worth the same money, it will need a LOT more features (including keeping a replaceable battery and SD card support with the step backwards in form format (which does appear to be possible, still). Changing up the key size is pretty much a wash, and probably a decrease in usability for some. You still can't grab it anywhere on the edges (as those who try to show how awkward it is, do), but need to hold it by the bottom edge (ie, the keyboard). You can grab it at the top now, but don't know anyone that would (it'll wear out your arms, eventually. The shiny back may get some style points, but is another step backwards over the grabby rubber of the existing battery cover (since there is no case, having it not skid across the table due to a shiny bottom is more important than before, but the material less functional).

The only pluses to the new design, so far: better button placement of the on/off and whispernet controls. Having a button for menu is more intuitive (some people have trouble remembering to press the scroll), but also frees up a line on screen -- which now shows your % thru the book, location and the total number of locations along the top of the dots. Info on the battery and whispernet has moved up top, near the title (instead of book author or the issue date info on magazines or the logo when at Home screen). Having a Home button is a bit overkill (would have been better to have next/prev on both sides and support lefties), but again, some people can't figure out the house pic (they probably don't understand Home either - should have put "booklist" or "catalog" for them). Changing the backspace key to say DEL may confuse those who use computers (ok, 99% of the audience), but does make it clear which button deletes items in the Home menu now.

Hopefully the changes in location of info on the home screen won't mean that the software is entirely incompatible with the original Kindle (none of it is something that could not be supported, at least from appearance). The only "killer" item on most wish lists is probably Folders - and there are no pics to confirm or deny there inclusion.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by lisreed

From the pictures, it does look like on the left side that there are a couple holes for maybe a Sony -like attached case. Unless those slots are for something else. They look pretty small so I can't figure out what else it might be for.

I thought these might be to allow the back to be removed, like the groove on a watch case. The only reason to remove the back would be to replace the battery. The Boy Genius Report said "What might be a little troublesome is the fact that the battery does not look to be user-accessible, and there’s no more SD card slot." There might be a SD slot back there too, although I doubt it. Most likely there is 1.5-2 GB of internal storage and no SD slot.

[myridom]

WOW! I'm glad Frank broke mine, hopefully I will get one of these as my replacement!!!!

MyridoM