With a screen ratio of 600x800 pixels for the Kindle2, that translates into a 3x4 screen ration. I forget what the pixel count is for the new Kindle (3?), but assuming the same 3x4 ratio then trigonometry can be used to approximate the size:

ATN(3/4) = 36.86989765

Width = SIN(36.86989765) * 9.7 = 5.82 inches

Height = COS(36.86989765) * 9.7 = 7.76 inches

The Kindle 2 and Sony PRS-505 screens are as follows:

Width = SIN(36.86989765) * 6 = 3.6 inches

Height = COS(36.86989765) * 6 = 4.8 inches

That is indeed quite a step up in size but not in resolution as the new Kindle will display more overall pixels, though slightly fewer pixels per inch. The Kindle 2 has 166 pixels per inch whereas the new Kindle will have 150 pixels per inch. The new Kindle will actually have 2.61 times as much screen space (that is, squared inches of screen space) as the Kindle 2, Kindle 1, and Sony PRS-505.

(5.82 * 7.76) / (3.6 * 4.8) = 2.61 or 261% larger

(NOTE: My figures are probably off a bit as the specs seem to indicate 5.5" x 8", which is not a 3x4 ratio.)

However, having said that, the new Kindle will have to have much better firmware than the Kindle 2 to get my interest. And it will need to be able to view PDFs in native format without having to have Amazon convert them to a corrupted and inferior format.

Additionally, Whispernet needs to be improved. I live in the middle of the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex where Sprint should get good reception. However, Whispernet is almost always showing 1X speed and even small (200 page) books take at least 5 to 10 minutes to download. I feel sorry for any one who lives on the fringe of coverage areas.