Kindle 2 Announcement on Amazon Front Page

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

With 1.4gigs of free memory for data storage, and if each eBook was exactly 500k in size, you'd ba able to store 2936 eBook on the Kindle 2. Now how does that make the lack of an SD slot a bad thing? Does anyone here really need more than 2500-3000 eBooks at one time? if you think you do, please tell us why you think you do.

Some ebooks (with lots of illustrations) are significantly larger than 500K.

Some people use their Kindle for music & audiobooks, which can take up a good bit of space.

Without better library management features in the firmware, some people may choose to keep a collection of SD cards that they can swap in and out, each with a specific subset of their collection.

I personally would likely be OK with the internal memory of the Kindle 2, but my needs are not everyone's.

[NavyDad6]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I'll say it again, John. The point here is that before, I had a choice. I could load smaller SD cards by genre and use that as my 'folders. The cards would fit nicely in the little pockets of my m-edge case.

Also, If I chose to, I could load 4,000 books on one SD card, or 1000 books on 4 smaller SD cards, if too many books slowed the Kindle down too much.

Why? Because I CHOSE to. I love having all those books there, just like on my wall.

Now, some tech somewhere decided I didn't need that choice.

They also took away my choice of replacing the battery. While its still replaceable, I have to send it in to Amazon, or risk voiding the warranty by doing it myself.

These are two huge steps backwards.

No disrespect... but it sounds like you "choose" to keep the Kindle 1 then.

[kilofox]

The lack of a SD Slot is a result of keeping the cost down. Had they kept the SD Slot and included the cover, the cost would have been over $400.

Be that as it may, the K2 comes without a cover and SD Slot. Thus Amazon was able to "hold the line" on pricing... when in reality... they didnt.

Its still a nice device. I ordered one.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by NavyDad6

No disrespect... but it sounds like you "choose" to keep the Kindle 1 then.

Exactly. I realize the way I worded my post it sounded different.

Not only keep the Kindle one, but have bought another as a 'back up'............my husband thinks I've lost my mind, but hey.......its my 'mad' money.

No downside here.........can share with the family, at half the original price.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by kilofox

The lack of a SD Slot is a result of keeping the cost down. Had they kept the SD Slot and included the cover, the cost would have been over $400.

Why is it that a new iPod can come out every year... have more features, bigger hard drives (storage) more batter life and be the same price or cheaper.

The Kindle 1 was released 2 years ago. The Kindle 2 is the same device in a different case. I can't imagine which it should be more with an SD card slot. Assuming the eInk screen price hasn't changed, I can't imaging that CDMA chips, switches and SD card slots have gotten more expense. Heck, I have seen $99 phones with microSD slots in them.

BOb

[ahammer]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Why is it that a new iPod can come out every year... have more features, bigger hard drives (storage) more batter life and be the same price or cheaper.

The Kindle 1 was released 2 years ago. The Kindle 2 is the same device in a different case. I can't imagine which it should be more with an SD card slot. Assuming the eInk screen price hasn't changed, I can't imaging that CDMA chips, switches and SD card slots have gotten more expense. Heck, I have seen $99 phones with microSD slots in them.

BOb

my guess is the extra cost is the 16 colors over the 4 it had before.. and upfornt cost of books

[Elsi]

My question is with recharging. The Amazon site says that it charges through the USB port -- in four hours. Is that four hours during which I would not be able to use a K2? Will the K2 be able to distinguish between the USB for data transfer and USB for power? Today, I keep the antenna turned off except when I have the Kindle plugged in; looks like I'd have to change the way I do things if I were to get a K2. I think I'm going to wait. My assessment:

Positive:
* I like the next generation eInk with faster refresh rate.
* Longer battery life.
* Power switch on top edge of unit -- though this isn't a big deal for me.
* Hinge mounting system.
* Smaller page-turn switches mean less likelihood of accidental turn -- though this isn't an issue except when I hand the Kindle to someone else. Remains to be seen if they are comfortably placed.

Neutral:
* No SD slot. I don't need one since I don't use my Kindle for MP3s, Audio books, or digital pictures.
* I guess that more memory is a reasonable alternative to replaceable (SD card) storage. Not a big deal for me 'cause I only have 120 or so books on my K1 and I'm still have 81MB free. It looks like I'm using about 55% of the built-in memory.
* 16 shades of grey will result in better-looking book covers and illustrations. I don't care to carry digital pictures on my Kindle, so again, it's not a significant improvement.
* The TTS option sounds cool and may open the device to visually challenged users, but it's of very little value for me.
* While I'd like folders and the folder levels to be displayed in the listing of the books, it's not a deal breaker for me.
* Same network as K1.
* Book selection & prices the same as K1.

Negative:
* Although thinner, it's larger than K1.
* Uglier -- definitely.
* Previous Page button only on left edge of unit -- I have same complaint with K1.

Unknowns:
* Can I use the Kindle while it's charging?
* How easy will it be to use the new keyboard with the round keys?


Without a compelling reason to purchase a K2, I'm going to sit tight with my K1s for now. Of course, if I decide I need a 4th Kindle, I'll order whatever is current. But, I can't find a good reason to move to the next release for now. It's definitely *NOT* the next generation.

[mrkai]

It is a funny thing.

When I saw the "K2" the first thing I thought was finally Amazon has clued up.

Basically, Amazon decided the smart thing for them to do was to look at the current, best-selling portable devices on the market and...

"Do That."

(micro)SD? *Really*?!?!

For a bunch of folks that want their niche passion/hobby to become mainstream, ya sure don't sound like you understand what mainstream means.

The idea is to get the thing to be *less and less 'gadgety'*...

How many iPods have microSD again? Books are *tiny* *tiny* things...you really want to be fumbling around with thumbnail size fragile flash cards when you can load the thing up with drag and drop?

Folders? Gee-gaws?

REALLY?!?!

Wow

-K

[mrkai]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Why is it that a new iPod can come out every year... have more features, bigger hard drives (storage) more batter life and be the same price or cheaper.

Because Apple ships millions and millions of them per quarter, worldwide?

Here is something tho you might not know:

Every generation of iPod comes with less and less. The first ones came with case, dock, cables, software, headphones, substantial packaging, etc.

When you buy an iPod now, it comes with very thin/crappy headphones, a few sheets of paper and crappy packaging....which oddly enough, is still better than the rest of the industry.

As someone that has owned almost every generation of iPod it is really obvious.

The Kindle doesn't *have to be* $249...or whatever price you think it should be. They will NOT be sitting on a warehouse full of them

-K

[SpiderMatt]

Originally Posted by Elsi

My question is with recharging. The Amazon site says that it charges through the USB port -- in four hours. Is that four hours during which I would not be able to use a K2? Will the K2 be able to distinguish between the USB for data transfer and USB for power?
[...]
* Can I use the Kindle while it's charging?

On the new Kindle page at Amazon it says, "Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, rechargeable battery." Since they listed them separately, I took this to mean a power adapter other than the USB cable, ie a wall adapter. Did Amazon specifically say it would only be rechargeable via computer? That would seem odd. Amazon seemed very intent on making the original Kindle completely usable without computer access.

[SpiderMatt]

Originally Posted by mrkai

It is a funny thing.

When I saw the "K2" the first thing I thought was finally Amazon has clued up.

Basically, Amazon decided the smart thing for them to do was to look at the current, best-selling portable devices on the market and...

"Do That."

(micro)SD? *Really*?!?!

For a bunch of folks that want their niche passion/hobby to become mainstream, ya sure don't sound like you understand what mainstream means.

The idea is to get the thing to be *less and less 'gadgety'*...

How many iPods have microSD again? Books are *tiny* *tiny* things...you really want to be fumbling around with thumbnail size fragile flash cards when you can load the thing up with drag and drop?

Folders? Gee-gaws?

REALLY?!?!

Wow

-K

Except iPods are either HD based and have such a large capacity that an SD card wouldn't make too much of a difference or they're too small to really include one. There would be no damage to the Kindle by including an SD slot. People who don't want to use it don't have to. This is clearly something that happened with the original Kindle. People who didn't find the SD slot necessary didn't use it. For people like me who hate plugging their Kindles in to load books, this is a bit of a nuisance. It also negatively affects people who would like to put a gig or two of music on their Kindle. The only reason I can think of that would lead Amazon to leave this feature off is that they want the ability later down the line to sell higher capacity Kindles. If that's the case, I would be very annoyed. I put my order in for a Kindle 2 but I'm happy I have the original... just in case.

[Donnageddon]

I am hoping Amazon or a 3rd party makes a cover with a light wedge similar to Sony's for the 505.

That would be one factor that might make me more interested in K2.

I love my K1, but since I got the light wedge for my Sony, I find I am using it much more often than the K1.

But, then I could just get the Sony 700.... but I like the wireless aspect of the Kindle...

I will probably just sit this out and what for the next generation.

[Nate the great]

It does come with one. I've seen it. The power supply plugs in the same place as the USB cable.

Unfortunately, the K2 does not use a standard USB mini-B connection. Instead it uses some funky nonstandard one. If you lose the cable, you're SOL.

[kjn24]

[Not only keep the Kindle one, but have bought another as a 'back up'............my husband thinks I've lost my mind, but hey.......its my 'mad' money.

No downside here.........can share with the family, at half the original price.[/QUOTE]

I've been watching the Kindle prices on eBay since yesterdays press conference. Monday is always a slow day, but it looks like it might be about a $50 - $75 drop on prices for the Kindle1.

Kathy

[pshrynk]

Originally Posted by mrkai

It is a funny thing.

When I saw the "K2" the first thing I thought was finally Amazon has clued up.

Basically, Amazon decided the smart thing for them to do was to look at the current, best-selling portable devices on the market and...

"Do That."

(micro)SD? *Really*?!?!

For a bunch of folks that want their niche passion/hobby to become mainstream, ya sure don't sound like you understand what mainstream means.

The idea is to get the thing to be *less and less 'gadgety'*...

How many iPods have microSD again? Books are *tiny* *tiny* things...you really want to be fumbling around with thumbnail size fragile flash cards when you can load the thing up with drag and drop?

Folders? Gee-gaws?

REALLY?!?!

Wow

-K

Other than the tone, I agree with you on everything but the folders comment. Being able to organize my books would be a great advance and I would really have liked to see that. 1.4 gigs of storage is fine with me, but I can see the need for more if you use it for playing music.

Making something less gadgety is probably the way to get the reader mainstreamed and then lead to more niche oriented "high end" readers for our inner geeks.