Exclusive: Amazon Kindle 2 official images + price + release date - Page 8

Alisa · 02-07-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I would agree that it's still the most attractive for my tastes but there's a reason I don't have one: Features. I have a Kindle because I could search my documents, look up words and annotate. Add the Amazon store to that and it was a winning combination even though I'm not a fan of the Kindle's looks. The 700 came close in features but it's still not quite there and it's more expensive and I hear many grumbles about screen quality. "Best" is relative. If my main priorities were looks and cost, I'd own a Sony 505.

cobalt8 · 02-07-2009, 02:57 PM

The design itself isn't bad. I do hope that they invested just as much or more effort in redesigning the software. My personal wishes for the updated model are the highly requested folders/organizational structure and native support for other formats (non-DRM would be fine with me). I also hope that they haven't removed the SD card slot. That would definitely be a step-backwards as others have stated.

Alisa · 02-07-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

One thing that Amazon knows is that one of the biggest sources for Kindle 2.0 orders will be previous Kindle 1.0 buyers.

(From this Kindle blog posted by Nate.)

I'm always alarmed by this kind of speculation. How does he know that's their strategy? Just because iPod owners love to trade up to the latest and greatest doesn't mean the same impulse translates to readers. The impression I'm getting here is that very few of us K1 owners are planning on upgrading any time soon. As long as my Kindle holds out, I plan on having my next purchase be a large-format reader.

astra · 02-07-2009, 03:13 PM

Looks a lot better than k1.
Saw off the keyboard and I would be very tempted.

Boston · 02-07-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

(From this Kindle blog posted by Nate.)

I'm always alarmed by this kind of speculation. How does he know that's their strategy? Just because iPod owners love to trade up to the latest and greatest doesn't mean the same impulse translates to readers. The impression I'm getting here is that very few of us K1 owners are planning on upgrading any time soon. As long as my Kindle holds out, I plan on having my next purchase be a large-format reader.

My thought on the design is that the primary market might be those who held off buying a Kindle because of its original form factor (specifically the page turn key placement and clunky appearance).

Most current Kindle owners seem to report that they like the current form factor of the Kindle (or have gotten use to it) and want software enhancements. (Not to mention many have spent additional money on accessories that would need to be replaced).

wallcraft · 02-07-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

The impression I'm getting here is that very few of us K1 owners are planning on upgrading any time soon. As long as my Kindle holds out, I plan on having my next purchase be a large-format reader.

For me the primary advantage of the Kindle is the Kindle store, and I have not seen any additional advantage (yet) for the Kindle 2. We can complain about its deficiencies (folders?), but the Kindle 1 software is remarkably polished for a first attempt. I wonder what the Kindle 2 software will have we don't know about yet.

Even if the 500K estimate is high, there have to be 10's to 100's of thousands of Kindles out there, and I think the point is that Amazon wants to make it easy for those customers to upgrade to a Kindle 2 (vs a non-Kindle) and to make money out of the process, i.e. to take a cut of your Kindle 1 sale.

Alisa · 02-07-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boston

My thought on the design is that the primary market might be those who held off buying a Kindle because of its original form factor (specifically the page turn key placement and clunky appearance).

Most current Kindle owners seem to report that they like the current form factor of the Kindle (or have gotten use to it) and want software enhancements. (Not to mention many have spent additional money on accessories that would need to be replaced).

I agree. I think this design, while it still doesn't thrill me, has more widespread appeal and may get more people interested. Too bad they couldn't cut another $50 off the price. That would've moved even more people. I guess if there are enough people that want to upgrade, then there may be some less expensive K1s out there on Ebay but it's not like when the PRS-505 came out. There was a new, better screen. A higher-contrast screen in addition to the new controller might tempt me, but the controller isn't quite enough.

If they had some compelling new firmware features on K2 and not K1 it would be simultaneously tempting and infuriating. Hopefully anything new they add will go to both models.

bwaldron · 02-07-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boston

My thought on the design is that the primary market might be those who held off buying a Kindle because of its original form factor (specifically the page turn key placement and clunky appearance).

I agree with you.

I have no problem with the current Kindle design and (pending further information on the new model) see no reason to buy the new one or even consider it an "upgrade."

dalfiuss · 02-07-2009, 04:26 PM

All I want is the software. I like the new tweaks they made to the display, and if they add additional features that give me a bit more power I will probably end up getting one.

I have a pretty good feeling that since they are rolling out 1.2 for the current Kindle, rather than waiting until the release of the K2 to match software, the two devices are going to be running different software.

Alexander Turcic · 02-07-2009, 04:29 PM

Hi-res images are now available here:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38174

StanDaMan · 02-07-2009, 04:50 PM

this just look delicious

I didn't get the first kindle. I MUST get this.

yvanleterrible · 02-07-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

White. Or is it egg shell? Maybe bone? Cream? Wait, maybe I need to find Nate's poll from about a year ago.

You mean those things you keep trying to cook?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonaLS

My Kindle better last a long time, cause I'm not buying that. I hate joysticks and suck at making them work.

Sigh.

I hope you realize that I have to answer this one.

Okay. It would ease your work to use viagra.

TadW · 02-07-2009, 06:22 PM

I found the FCC exhibits.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38189

akira28 · 02-07-2009, 06:38 PM

The Kindle 2 looks nice but there does seem to be a lot of wasted space on the sides and bottom. Surely the keyboard area could have been shrunken much more? If a device is that big the screen should be larger, no?

And what's with the $359 price tag? Technology should get cheaper as it gets more mature.

sassanik · 02-07-2009, 06:50 PM

It looks much better than the first kindle in my opinion! Which I thought was really ugly!

I would be tempted to buy if they "fixed" the format so you could view more formats without having to do funky stuff.

I would also love a price drop, but so far that doesn't seem like its going to happen.

Is the thinness really better? I have a eb1150 which is about as thick as a paperback book and I find it very comfortable to hold. Does the thinner ones really feel more comfortable? I have little hands but think that the thin readers might not actually be more comfortable because of how you have to hold your hands. I dunno, anyone have thoughts on that?

Amy

02-07-2009, 06:50 PM	#120
sassanik Guru Posts: 774 Karma: 1211741 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oregon Device: EB1150, iPhone, Cool-er Purple, Pocketbook 360, Kindle Fire	much better It looks much better than the first kindle in my opinion! Which I thought was really ugly! I would be tempted to buy if they "fixed" the format so you could view more formats without having to do funky stuff. I would also love a price drop, but so far that doesn't seem like its going to happen. Is the thinness really better? I have a eb1150 which is about as thick as a paperback book and I find it very comfortable to hold. Does the thinner ones really feel more comfortable? I have little hands but think that the thin readers might not actually be more comfortable because of how you have to hold your hands. I dunno, anyone have thoughts on that? Amy

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02-07-2009, 02:57 PM	#107
cobalt8 Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Stuttgart, Germany/Wilmington, NC Device: Kindle 2, iPhone	The design itself isn't bad. I do hope that they invested just as much or more effort in redesigning the software. My personal wishes for the updated model are the highly requested folders/organizational structure and native support for other formats (non-DRM would be fine with me). I also hope that they haven't removed the SD card slot. That would definitely be a step-backwards as others have stated.

02-07-2009, 03:13 PM	#109
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	Looks a lot better than k1. Saw off the keyboard and I would be very tempted.

02-07-2009, 04:26 PM	#114
dalfiuss Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle	All I want is the software. I like the new tweaks they made to the display, and if they add additional features that give me a bit more power I will probably end up getting one. I have a pretty good feeling that since they are rolling out 1.2 for the current Kindle, rather than waiting until the release of the K2 to match software, the two devices are going to be running different software.

02-07-2009, 04:29 PM	#115
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Hi-res images are now available here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38174

02-07-2009, 04:50 PM	#116
StanDaMan Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: kindle	this just look delicious I didn't get the first kindle. I MUST get this.

02-07-2009, 06:22 PM	#118
TadW Uebermensch Posts: 2,583 Karma: 1094606 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Italy Device: Kindle	I found the FCC exhibits. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38189

02-07-2009, 06:38 PM	#119
akira28 Nameless Being	The Kindle 2 looks nice but there does seem to be a lot of wasted space on the sides and bottom. Surely the keyboard area could have been shrunken much more? If a device is that big the screen should be larger, no? And what's with the $359 price tag? Technology should get cheaper as it gets more mature.