Kindle 2.0

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Kindle 2.0

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1xenchu
Editado: Nov 26, 2008, 12:12 pm

Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.

2xenchu
Nov 26, 2008, 12:17 pm

Let's try this again. There is a report at http://news.cnet.com/amazons-kindle-2-leaked/ about a new version of the Kindle. There is no mention of a release date if this is indeed a new version.

Please read the article and let's discuss it.

3StringerTowers
Nov 26, 2008, 4:29 pm

This is interesting. I seem to remember that when rumours started a few months ago amazon said something along the lines of not until 2010. I actually don't have a kindle as I am in the UK but am waiting patiently. It is due out here "in the new year" apparently and what has held it up is them getting a european wide network going. This was according to "The Bookseller" - a UK book trade magazine.

As for the improvements I can't say. What do you think?

4xenchu
Nov 27, 2008, 4:09 pm

It looks somewhat handier with the button placement but I would rather have had the Next Page button on top, the the Prev Page button next then Menu button but that, of course, is a personal preference.

Also the joystick is of some concern. I wonder how hard it is to operate and if it is a fullscreen cursor. How convenient is the menu and how do you activate it?

Then there is the book pouch seen peeking out from behind the Kindle in one photograph. The book cover we now have is far from perfect but I like it better than I think I would a pouch. It is possible that the pouch is an attempt to increase the selling of book covers separately. Or Amazon might just want to get out of the book cover making business. Selling book covers separately (if they are going to do so) will certainly spark competition.

Also there is the question of ebook formats. Will Amazon allow the use of more formats and thus widen the scope of ebooks that can be read?

In one photograph a Kindle is shown that is wider than all others shown. I wonder if this will be a viable option and what the price would be. Would the wider screen require a different reading format?

Memory is not mentioned in the article. I wonder if the SD memory will be 4GB or if it will be increased? I don't think I will be filling my memory any time soon, but it is an interesting question.

Being in the UK you might be offered the newer version of the Kindle when it arrives on your shores. I would love to test-drive the newer version (if it actually exists) because it lo0oks more convenient and easier to manage. And it is possible it will have more bells and whistles.

5CurrerBell
Nov 28, 2008, 1:48 am

Personally, I've had my Kindle since July and I like it pretty much just as it is. The only significant change I'd like to see is in the software, to allow a folder hierarchy of some sort on the home screen to enable user-controlled sorting. It would really be convenient to be able to place everything by a particular writer into one folder, for example, or to place all samples into a single folder, or whatever, especially once you've got a couple hundred or more books in memory.

I really don't like what I see of the newer version, especially the keyboard layout. With the current version, I'm able to "thumb type" and I don't think that would be possible on the newer version shown in this photo.

As far as charging with a mini-USB cable, that's all fine and well, but I wouldn't want to be limited to that. I like the idea of being able to get a charge out of a wall socket (or out of my automobile charger using an AC Inverter) and I'd really hate having to connect to a PC or laptop to recharge.

The back of the newer version leads me to wonder if Amazon's eliminating the removable battery as well as the SD card. I really can't tell for sure, but I wouldn't like to see either of those features eliminated.

I really like my Kindle just as it is, with the exception of the inadequate sorting capability on the home screen, which absolutely should be improved with some kind of folder hierarchy.

6CEP
Ene 31, 2009, 7:20 am

I am just considering a Kindle, mainly for long trips. I do not want something that cannot be plugged into a plain old electrical outlet. I can always find an outlet, but do not always have a computer for USB charging. I see this as a way to cut costs on the production end, otherwise they'd offer both chargers.

7xenchu
Ene 31, 2009, 3:12 pm

I have read that Amazon will unveil a new version of the Kindle on Feb. 9. Amazon has neither confirmed or denied this to the best of my knowledge. If they do so it will be interesting to see what it looks like.

It would be good if the new version (if real) had a folder hierarchy and the ability to read more formats than it currently does.

8CurrerBell
Ene 31, 2009, 4:57 pm

#7 >> It would be good if the new version (if real) had a folder hierarchy and the ability to read more formats than it currently does.

The folder hierarchy is what everyone wants. At the very least, I'd like to be able to exclude the books on my SD card from the Home screen, the same way I can exclude them from the Content Manager. But ideally, yes, an advanced user-created/controlled folder structure.

The big question, though, is whether such a software upgrade on Kindle 2.0 will also be made available as a downloadable upgrade for the original Kindle. For me, it's not just a case of saving money. I'm really not all that sure I'm going to like the Kindle 2.0 hardware (at least from pictures I've seen, but who knows how real they are?), and I'm really quite happy with the Kindle the way it is right now, aside from the really poor sorting capability.

As far as "the ability to read more formats than it currently does," though, I'm not sure what additional formats you want. I really don't see that Amazon's going to start going cross-platform with proprietary formats from competitors like Sony, and they'd probably run into patent issues if they even tried. A number of formats are pretty easily convertible, including HTML, either through Amazon or by using the Mobipocket Creator freeware. Any problems that arise with conversion are usually due to the layout of the original (lots of images, table or column layouts) rather than the file format itself.

9xenchu
Feb 9, 2009, 3:57 pm

The new Kindle 2.0 is out and being advertised on Amazon. There are a couple of videos that can be watched and some information can be gleaned from them.

There were a couple of things I liked about the new Kindle. First, I thought the button placement for net and previous pages was better. That is, of course, a merely personal opinion. YMMV. Second, the on/off switch and (probably) the wireless switch seemed to be on top of the Kindle instead of the back. Finally, it can be recharged either through the power adapter or the usb cable.

Now what I didn't like. First, the book cover is sold separately and at a damn high price in my opinion. The cheapest listed was $29.00, which I thought was expensive and the most expensive was $119.00 which i thought was ridiculous. Again, this is a personal opinion. While the keys seem to be a bit bigger, I didn't care for the format of the keyboard. And I like the scroller on the Kindle 1.0 better than I like the Kindle 2.0 '5-way' scroller. All my dislikes seem to be personal and should be taken with a grain of salt.

The Kindle 2.0 seems a bit larger on the videos than the Kindle 1.0 but thats certainly not a side-by-side comparison. There was no mention in either video I watched of a folder system in the new Kindle. That is probably the biggest improvement Amazon could have easily made. We'll only know for sure when someone reports on it after after after having the new Kindle in their hand.

10StringerTowers
Feb 9, 2009, 4:46 pm

I think it looks pretty good. I am pleased about the power adapter change.
I am bothered about the absence of a folder system. If you actually have 1500 books on it I'd like to be group some books together.
My biggest problem though is still that they haven't bought it out in Europe yet. I was hoping that this would be a worldwide release.

11CurrerBell
Feb 9, 2009, 9:58 pm

No, xenchu, as to the location of the wireless switch. It looks like there isn't a wireless switch any more. Instead, you turn the wireless on and off through the software, using one of the menus.

Yeah, the absence of a folder system is a big disappointment.

Also, note that the battery is NOT replaceable. If the battery goes, then goodbye to the machine, although at least the battery is covered by warranty. (The K2_Users_Guide indicates the battery is replaceable, but I called Customer Service which confirmed that it is not replaceable.)

Since the battery isn't replaceable, it's absolutely essential to spring for the $65 2-year extended warranty. This extended warranty is purchased from a third-party service company (not Amazon directly), and it does include a one-time coverage for dropping and other breakage.

One thing that looks nice is that you can limit your search to the current document, which might speed things up a bit (considering I have 25+ pages of books on my K right now).

One slight improvement in the Home screen sort is that you can show only Amazon-purchased material.

12shoshtrvls
Feb 9, 2009, 10:38 pm

Well, I just ordered it ... we'll see when it arrives.

13kageeh
Feb 10, 2009, 2:54 pm

I think the best part of Kindle 2.0 is the ability to have material (books, Mags, blogs, Newspapers) read to you in either a male or female voice. The speed of audio reading is also adjustable. And you can switch back and forth from audio to reading without losing your place. For people who love audio books (I hate being read to myself), this is a tremendous advantage because most Kindle books are cheaper than audible content. I know people who will buy the 2.0 just for this feature alone.

14rbott
Feb 22, 2009, 9:09 pm

I ordered a Kindle 2 on 14 Feb. and was given a shipping date of 5 March. Today, 22 Feb., I received notice that my Kindle was shiped.
I cant wait to get it in my hands.

15391
Feb 22, 2009, 9:30 pm

me too!!! I'm so excited!

16messpots
Feb 25, 2009, 1:57 am

My gripe with the earlier Kindle was that the unit was not symmetric.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/24330#338482

Apparently, my lonely little message has struck a chord with Amazon. Who says the little guy can't make a difference?

17lindapanzo
Feb 26, 2009, 1:06 pm

I am getting a Kindle 2 for my birthday. I think it's expected to arrive today or tomorrow but I won't get it myself til the actual day. Really looking forward to it!!

18rbott
Editado: Feb 27, 2009, 2:58 pm

About 30 min. ago the postman delievered my Kindle2 and all I can say is WOW!
It is all I hoped it would be, thin, light, and easy to operate. I plugged in the charger and it came up with a welcome message. I played with all the buttons to see what they did and then went to the Kindle store and purchased a book (Neal Stephenson's The Big U).
The book loaded in less than a minute. I have heard people complain that the page turning was slow but it turnes as fast as I turn pages in a book so this is not a problem (something tells me that these people have never owned a Kindle). I also bought the Kindle leather coveer and it holds the unit securely, you can fold the cover around back of the K2 and it is not in the way.
This is the best purchase I have ever made, I know I am going to enjoy it.

19BasilBlue
Mar 26, 2009, 11:28 am

The K2 comes with a plug for a regular outlet, and it is very convenient. I really like mine.