K2: Just as Good as the Original

[SpiderMatt]

I don't really care about the aesthetics of the new design but I would like to know if it's more comfortable to read with. Also, two major factors in me ordering a K2 is the 16 shades of gray for a sharper image and the faster refresh rate. Were these hardly noticeable? I really want a faster Kindle but I also hate the fact that they removed the SD slot. I'm also skeptical about the joystick. If the refresh rate is noticeably faster I can see it working, otherwise it seems like it would be a big step back from the scroll wheel, which was originally used--I imagine--for quick navigation.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by bwaldron

I agree on the poor placement of the home button -- it's one of the first things I noticed in the pics (though I would think that Amazon has usability testing supporting the placement?). I think as we get more reviews from more in-depth use, issues such as this will come out.

The placement of the home button also means that you have to move your finger/thumb past the home button to the page next button. More chance to hit the home button by mistake.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by krazy4katz

I am not in a hurry to update to Kindle2, but I was wondering if you had any impression regarding the screen. Do the 16 levels of gray make a difference in the clarity of the screen? Thanks, k4k

The screen is exactly the same as the screen on the K1. All currently made 6" eink screens are the same Vizplex screen. What Amazon has done is used the new Epson screen controller that gives 16 shades and faster screen updates. The 16 shades gives much better graphic rendering as the K2 now has more native shades to play with when it comes to dithering for images with more than 16 shades/color. The K1 only having 4 shades did not do all that wonderful a job of dithering (from the photos I've seen). But the K2 will do a lot nicer job at displaying graphics with 16 or more shades/colors. And do so faster then the K1.

One thing nobody has really mentioned is that the K2 has a faster processor. My guess is it's the same as the processor in the Sony PRS-700.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by SpiderMatt

I don't really care about the aesthetics of the new design but I would like to know if it's more comfortable to read with. Also, two major factors in me ordering a K2 is the 16 shades of gray for a sharper image and the faster refresh rate. Were these hardly noticeable? I really want a faster Kindle but I also hate the fact that they removed the SD slot. I'm also skeptical about the joystick. If the refresh rate is noticeably faster I can see it working, otherwise it seems like it would be a big step back from the scroll wheel, which was originally used--I imagine--for quick navigation.

The grayscale and screen refresh questions would best be answered by someone can compare the 2 devices side by side for a long period of time. I didn't have long enough.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The placement of the home button also means that you have to move your finger/thumb past the home button to the page next button. More chance to hit the home button by mistake.

You have mentioned this serveral times and I'm pretty sure it is a non-issue. You don't have to move you thumb "past" the home button. Your thumb will naturally rest on or below the Next Page button when you hold it. You are not taking into account that you will hold it lower on the side due to the keyboard adding to the devices dimensions.

After you get one and hold it and use it... then let me know.

BOb

[europas_ice]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

One thing I am surprised none of the reviews have mentioned the poor placement of the home button where the page forward should be and then under that should be the page previous. There is plenty of room elsewhere for the home button. The way they have it laid out means right handed people will need to use their left hand to page back.

In my experience, I use the page forward button way more than the page back. Perhaps it is naive, but I don't think it would bother me to not have page back on both sides. I do like that there is page forward on both sides, as sometimes I like to read with one hand, and sometimes the other.

[Drezin]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

However, I do not find it feasible that a visually impaired person could navigate the menu and select a specific book.

I think you underestimate the blind; they can figure things out in ways the visually burdened can't even dream of.

Also, with the 16 gray scale, I just want to make sure I understand this correctly. Basically, the contrast for words when your reading a book won't be any different, because the lightest scale and the darkest scale are still the same. There are just more variations in between the lightest and darkest scales, correct?

Also, on a side note, you were discussing how the K2 does not have a removable battery, unlike the K1. Do any of Sony's PRS models have the ability to change the battery?

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

One thing I am surprised none of the reviews have mentioned the poor placement of the home button where the page forward should be and then under that should be the page previous. There is plenty of room elsewhere for the home button. The way they have it laid out means right handed people will need to use their left hand to page back.

I suspect that you are wrong. Amazon almost certainly tested this. I would think they would have put it elsewhere if a better location was identified.

Anyway, this is something that will have to wait until the K2 comes out before it can be answered.

[MonaLS]

I do like the scroll bar, works great for me. I don't like joysticks. I don't like that the buttons depress inward. I can't imagine reading in bed and holding it so that I can depress the buttons inward. It just sounds awkward.

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

I suspect that you are wrong. Amazon almost certainly tested this. I would think they would have put it elsewhere if a better location was identified.

One would have to think so. Of course, they almost certainly tested the K1 design as well, and decided that changes were needed in the newer model.

Anyway, this is something that will have to wait until the K2 comes out before it can be answered.

Yes, definitely. What looks great on paper sometimes doesn't work out as well in day-to-day usage (and conversely, what looks problematic turns out not to be). I'm looking forward to reports from everyone when they receive the K2.

[jalyn_23]

I'm really surprised they aren't still offering the original kindle new

[MonaLS]

Originally Posted by jalyn_23

I'm really surprised they aren't still offering the original kindle new

Me too. There are so many people that wanted it.

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by Drezin

I think you underestimate the blind; they can figure things out in ways the visually burdened can't even dream of.

True, plus there are many visually impaired people who are not completely blind.

[NavyDad6]

Originally Posted by jalyn_23

I'm really surprised they aren't still offering the original kindle new

It is a matter of economics. You would have to continue to support two separate manufacturing lines. With the profit margins so low on these devices that is an impossibility without raising the price.

Amazon is making the bulk of its revenue on downloaded content and subscriptions, not the E-reader itself.

[Ervserver]

There are lots of issues with the original Kindle than many are aware of, it was in dire need of design change especially in the battery area. The Kindle II has a special chip to remedy those problems, hopefully. From a support standpoint Amazon readily looks forward to the original Kindle fading away.