Kindle 2.0 new rumored release date: Q1 2009

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

rounded off edges makes indeed look like some sort of apple designer got busy there...

Once you start looking at it,designing isn't an easy thing!
We've all been spoiled in the latest years by great design cars, computers, laptops...

seeing this kindle, makes me think back on the '80 and '90's when everyone was driving a square car, and computers where all yellowed out white plastic (some more yellow than others).

The screen boarder looks almost as big as the screen itself!
I like flat designs, but they should also come with a tiny border.
EeePc 901 has one of the best LCD borders around the screen;tiny, lovely, & expensive looking!
A big border makes it look like some sort of Fisher Price/Mattel design!

*Edit: Talking of Mattel,maybe I'm getting older, but lately I haven't heard much about it anymore...*

Sorry man but aPple is much more serious design wise. Look at an iTouch or an iPhone, the screen's the center and reason for the design. If you look at this ... well... *thing* it's got more acreage in the bezel and surrounding plastic than in the screen wich BTW should be the business center of a reader.
aPple smells, knows, and uses any business end.

[Boston]

Personally, I think pictures don't do the Kindle justice...maybe because its not as clunky as it appears. In fact, as a reader, I think most of the design makes a lot of sense. I would take functional over looks...but again, I bought a fugly Cowon PMP over the sleeker iPod.

When I look at the pictures of the supposed Kindle 2.0, I don't see anything that would tempt me to upgrade. I'd like to think that what we are seeing is a no-frills model that sells for much less. That's what the ebook market needs to make it more mainstream. Take away the web browser (keep Whispernet for the store only), no SD card, no audio, no removable battery and sell it for $199 (one can wish, right?). Personally, I would like to see more done to move eReaders to the mainstream (Amazon's content/pricing being a strong first step).

Admittedly, even before today's posts, I got worried when the ship period jumped from "by Christmas" to "early February" overnight. It made me wonder if Amazon had hoped to have produced enough Kindles for the holidays and was phasing out production for a newer model...and got caught short.


I hope that any software enhancements get pushed down or they will have some unhappy Kindle 1.0 users.

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by Boston

Personally, I think pictures don't do the Kindle justice...maybe because its not as clunky as it appears. In fact, as a reader, I think most of the design makes a lot of sense. I would take functional over looks...but again, I bought a fugly Cowon PMP over the sleeker iPod.

Cowon isn't as ugly as Kindle

Take away the web browser (keep Whispernet for the store only), no SD card, no audio,..

It doesn't really cost a lot to implement audio or SD card in a device like this. the most complex is the software support. Once that's done,you probably pay only $10-$15 to have these functions on the reader.

As far as SD card, I'd definitely not want without!
And I think the majority does not!, unless we're talking about 1,5GB diskspace books.
Prices should fall down, since the price for flash memory have dropped enormous since last year! It's only natural to get devices with more than twice the memory for the same price as last years.

... no removable battery and ....

This is becoming a standard in Europe,and probably in the world soon.
Batteries,due to being non-recyclable need to be removable. Better for the user to upgrade too.

$199 is a good price for an ebook reader like sony(or Kindle 1); I would definately agree!
The most expensive item at the moment is the e-ink screen.
Prices will probably fall with next upcoming generation of Ebook readers, especially after they vamp up production!

If E-ink is not going to, then I hope another company will,and there'llbe some concurrence in the market!

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by [COLOR="Red"

ProDigit;296336]Cowon isn't as ugly as Kindle

[/COLOR]

TAKE IT BACK!!!!!!

[Nate the great]

Nothing is as ugly as the kindle.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

But why buy if the new package has the same software as the old? If 1.0 can get a software update, I think eBay prices will go even higher for it. Losing user battery replacement and SD card support is not a good thing.

I will still buy whatever they put out.

Because the current Kindle has a pretty good set of features.

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

TAKE IT BACK!!!!!!

Mwahahaha

Okok, I'll take it back

Cowon:

*edit: darn,they removed their picture!*


I myself own an older Cowon D2 (8GB internal memory &touchscreen).

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Because the current Kindle has a pretty good set of features.

That's what I mean. Why buy 2.0 if you can get 1.0. The price of 2.0 will probably be higher and it's lost a couple of nice features. IMO, the form factor of 2.0 is not enough reason to buy if the software is not superior to 1.0.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

That's what I mean. Why buy 2.0 if you can get 1.0. The price of 2.0 will probably be higher and it's lost a couple of nice features. IMO, the form factor of 2.0 is not enough reason to buy if the software is not superior to 1.0.

I was thinking that Amazon would replace the current Kindle with the new one, and keep the price the same.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

I was thinking that Amazon would replace the current Kindle with the new one, and keep the price the same.

I think you're right but that was why I said I think eBay prices for 1.0 will go up. If 2.0 is not superior to 1.0, those who can will look to purchase 1.0 from other sources because they will still be able to change the battery and use an SD card.

BTW, 1.0 owners may want to purchase that replacement battery before they become rare (with lack of support for 1.0). I'm placing my order today.

[astra]

Originally Posted by TadW

Wait a sec... he wasn't satisfied with the software... but no word on the hardware? If the leaked image depicted here is real, then I must seriously question his sense of taste...

Didn't you question after Kindle 1.0?

[MaggieScratch]

It does look like they heard all the fanboi cries of "If Apple had designed the Kindle it would be cooooooool!" and did what they think is an Apple design--white with rounded corners. Unfortunately it looks like the keyboard is going to be uncomfortable to use with one's thumbs. Though it's hard to tell the scale from a photo.

I thought the Kindle was fugly from the leaked FCC photos, but when I saw one in person I thought it was rather cute. And the interface isn't nearly as clunky as it seems when you read about it. It's quite a nice package.

[CCDMan]

Many on this thread seem to be repeating a new version of the of the pre-Kindle "it's ugly" threads which we endured ad nauseum before and after the original release. I will say what I said then. WHO CARES what it looks like if it works better!? It is a fricking READER, not a piece of framed artwork.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by CCDMan

Many on this thread seem to be repeating a new version of the of the pre-Kindle "it's ugly" threads which we endured ad nauseum before and after the original release. I will say what I said then. WHO CARES what it looks like if it works better!? It is a fricking READER, not a piece of framed artwork.

I gave you Karma on that. Function over form!

[drgnbear]

Oh Bauhaus...

"Form Follows Function"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_follows_function

In the late 1910s the two principles of “form follows function” and “ornament is a crime” were effectively adopted by the designers of the Bauhaus and applied to the production of everyday objects like chairs, bedframes, toothbrushes, tunics, and teapots. Some of those forms were refined and purified to such an extreme degree that they became unusable by humans, but generally the Bauhaus still constructively influences the look, feel and function of consumer goods down to the present day.