The New Kindle 2

Say Hello to The New Kindle 2
Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines

Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback

Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots

Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required

Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images

Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging

More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books

Faster Page Turns: 20% faster page turns

Read-to-Me: With the new text-to-speech feature, Kindle can read every newspaper, magazine, blog, and book out loud to you, unless the book is disabled by the rights holder

Large Selection: Over 245,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs available

Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise


Technical Details

Display: 6" diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale.

Size (in inches): 8" x 5.3" x 0.36".

Weight: 10.2 ounces.

System requirements: None, because it doesn't require a computer.

Storage: 2GB internal (approximately 1.4GB available for user content).

Battery Life: Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.

Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours and supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.

Connectivity: EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint's 3G high-speed data network. Check our wireless coverage map for availability. This expanded coverage is only available for Kindle 2. See Wireless Terms and Conditions.

USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) for connection to the Kindle power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.

Audio: 3.5mm stereo audio jack, rear-mounted stereo speakers.

Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.

Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, rechargeable battery. Book cover sold separately.

Documentation: Quick Start Guide (included in box) [PDF]; Kindle 2 User's Guide (pre-installed on device) [PDF].

Warranty and Service: 1 year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2 year Extended Warranty sold separately.
Kindle Features
Advanced Design

Sleek & Trim

At 10.2 ounces, Kindle is lighter than a typical paperback and as thin as most magazines. Barely a third of an inch in profile, you'll find Kindle fits perfectly in your hands.

Improved Ergonomics

Kindle is as easy to hold and use as a book. We designed it with long-form reading in mind. When reading for long periods of time, people naturally shift positions and often like to read with one hand. Kindle's page-turning buttons are located on both sides, allowing you to read and turn pages comfortably with one hand from any position. The page-turn buttons now flex inward to prevent any accidental page turns when picking up or handling Kindle.

New 5-way Controller

Kindle has a new easy-to-use 5-way controller, enabling precise on-screen navigation for selecting text to highlight or looking up words.

Simple to Use, No Computer Required

Kindle is completely wireless and ready to use right out of the box--no setup, no cables, no computer required.
Even Longer Battery Life

25% Longer Battery Life--Read for Days Without Recharging

With Kindle's 25% longer battery life, you can read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.

Charge via USB

Kindle supports wall charging via the included Kindle power adapter, and charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable. Kindle fully charges in approximately 4 hours.
Wireless Access with Whispernet

Fast 3G Network--Get Books in Under 60 Seconds

Whispernet utilizes Amazon's optimized technology plus Sprint's national high-speed (3G) data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, and download content on the go. Your books and periodicals are delivered via Whispernet in less than 60 seconds. And unlike WiFi, you never have to hunt for a hotspot.

Expanded National Coverage

We expanded Kindle's national coverage to include more cities and areas in all 50 states, enabling wireless downloads of books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Check our wireless coverage map for availability. This expanded coverage is only available for Kindle 2.

No Wireless Bills

No monthly wireless bills, data plans, or commitments. Amazon pays for Kindle's wireless connectivity so you won't see a wireless bill. There is no wireless setup--you are ready to shop, purchase and read right out of the box. See Wireless Terms and Conditions.
Carry Your Library in 10.2 Ounces

Holds Over 1,500 Books

The ultimate travel companion, Kindle weighs 10.2 ounces and holds more than 1,500 books. No longer pick and choose which books fit in your carry-on. Now you can always have your entire library with you.

Automatic Library Backup: Download Your Books Anytime for Free

A copy of every book you purchased is backed up online at Amazon.com in case you ever need to download it again. You can wirelessly re-download books for free anytime. This allows you to make room for new titles on your Kindle, knowing that Amazon is storing your personal library. We even back up your last page read and annotations, so you'll never lose those, either. Think of it as a bookshelf in your attic--even though you don't see it, you know your books are there.
Enhanced Reading

Lose Yourself in Your Reading

The most elegant feature of a physical book is that it disappears while you're reading. Immersed in the author's world and ideas, you don't notice a book's glue, the stitching, or ink. Our top design objective was to make Kindle disappear--just like a physical book--so you can get lost in your reading, not the technology.

Paper-like Screen

Utilizing the latest in electronic-ink display technology, Kindle provides a crisp black-and-white 6" screen with the same appearance and readability of printed paper. Sharp and natural with no glare or backlight, reading on Kindle is nothing like reading from a computer screen. Those who see it for the first time always do a double-take. The screen works using ink, just like books and newspapers, but displays the ink particles electronically. And unlike a laptop or smart phone, Kindle never gets warm so you can comfortably read as long as you like.

Sharper Display of Images and Photos

Kindle's high-resolution screen now boasts 16 shades of gray, so images and photos are sharper and clearer than ever.

Read in Sunlight with No Glare

Kindle's screen reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, eliminating the glare associated with other electronic displays. As a result, Kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.

Adjustable Text Size

Because one size doesn't fit all, you can increase the text size of your favorite book or periodical with the push of a button. If your eyes tire, simply increase the font size and continue reading comfortably. Kindle has six adjustable font sizes to suit your reading preference. Now every book in your library can be large print.

Read-to-Me Feature

With the new text-to-speech feature, Kindle can read every newspaper, magazine, blog and book out loud to you, unless the book is disabled by the rights holder. You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can choose from both male and female voices which can be sped up or slowed down to suit your preference. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.

Improved Newspaper Experience

Using Kindle's new 5-way controller, you can quickly flip between articles, making it faster and easier to browse and read the morning paper. Want to remember the newspaper or magazine article you just read? Clip and save entire articles for later reading with a single click.

Faster Page Turns

Pages now turn 20% faster on average.

Bookmarks and Annotations

By using the QWERTY keyboard, you can add annotations to text, just like you might write in the margins of a book. And because it is digital, you can edit, delete, and export your notes. Using the new 5-way controller, you can highlight and clip key passages and bookmark pages for future use. You'll never need to bookmark your last place in the book, because Kindle remembers for you and always opens to the last page you read.

Full Image Zoom

Images and photos display crisply on Kindle and can be zoomed to the full size of the screen.

Personal Documents

Kindle makes it easy to take your personal documents with you, eliminating the need to print. Each Kindle has a unique and customizable e-mail address. You can set your unique email address on your Manage Your Kindle page. This allows you and your approved contacts to e-mail Word, PDF documents, and pictures wirelessly to your Kindle for a small per document fee--currently only 10¢ per document. Kindle supports wireless delivery of unprotected Microsoft Word, PDF, HTML, TXT, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PRC and MOBI files.

You can email your PDFs wirelessly to your Kindle. Due to PDF's fixed layout format, some complex PDF files may not format correctly on your Kindle.

If you are not in a wireless area or would like to avoid the fee, you can send attachments to "name"@free.kindle.com to be converted and e-mailed to your computer at the e-mail address associated with your Amazon.com account login. You can then transfer the document to your Kindle using your USB connection. For example, if your Kindle email address is Jay@Kindle.com, send your attachments to Jay@free.kindle.com.

Built-in Dictionary with Instant Lookup

Never get caught without a dictionary. Kindle includes The New Oxford American Dictionary with over 250,000 entries and definitions, so you can seamlessly look up the definitions of words without interrupting your reading. Come across a word you don't know? Simply move the cursor to it and the definition will automatically display at the bottom of the screen. Never fear a sesquipedalian word again--simply look it up and keep reading.

Wireless Access to Wikipedia

Kindle also includes free built-in access to the world's most exhaustive and up-to-date encyclopedia--Wikipedia.org. With Kindle in hand, looking up people, places, events, and more has never been easier. It gives whole new meaning to the phrase walking encyclopedia.

Search

Kindle makes it easy to search within a book, across your library, in the Kindle Store, or even the Web. To use the Search feature, simply type in a word or phrase you're looking for, and Kindle finds every instance in your book or across your Kindle library. Looking for the first reference of a character in your book? Simply type in the name and search. You can extend your search to the Kindle Store to find related titles you may be interested in. Explore even further by searching Wikipedia and the Web.

Audiobooks

With Kindle, you are able to download and enjoy more than 50,000 audio titles from Audible.com, including bestselling audio books, radio programs, audio newspapers, and magazines. Due to their file size, audiobooks are downloaded to your PC over your existing Internet connection and then transferred to Kindle using the included USB 2.0 cable. Listen via Kindle's speaker or plug in your headphones for private listening.

Own an iPhone?

The iPhone is a perfect companion for your Kindle. To read Kindle books on your iPhone or iPod touch, simply download our free Kindle for iPhone application. Our new Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes your reading location across your Kindle(s) and your iPhone. Now you can read a few pages on your iPhone and pick up right where you left off when you return to your Kindle.
Experimental Features

The experimental category represents features we are still working on to enhance the Kindle experience even further. Try them out and let us know what you think.

Read-to-Me

With the new text-to-speech feature, Kindle can read every newspaper, magazine, blog and book out loud to you, unless the book is disabled by the rights holder. You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can choose from both male and female voices which can be sped up or slowed down to suit your preference. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.

Basic Web Browser

Kindle's Basic Web browser works well to read simple, text-centric Web sites such as Google and Wikipedia. Need to find a movie listing or look up a sports score? Now it's easier than ever to find the information you're looking for right from your Kindle.

PDF Document Conversion

You can email your PDF documents wirelessly to your Kindle, just like other personal documents. Due to PDF's fixed layout format, some complex PDF files may not format correctly on your Kindle.

Listen to Music & Podcasts

Transfer MP3 files to Kindle to play as background music while you read. You can quickly and easily transfer MP3 files via USB by connecting Kindle to your computer.
Included in The Box

Kindle electronic reader, power adapter, and USB 2.0 cable (for connection to the Kindle power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer).


Amazon Reviews:

1st Review
Hello, my name is Ben. I'm a 29-year-old quadriplegic (paralyzed from the chest down, all four limbs affected. I can move my arms pretty well, but I have no use of my fingers and they are contracted.)

Without the use of my fingers you can imagine how difficult reading books could be, but I loved reading and I found ways. I had a surgery about two years ago on my midsection which made it impossible to tolerate the weight of heavy books, and without the use of my fingers paperbacks were not an option (they would simply fall off the book holder when I tried to turn a page.)

Into my life comes the Kindle. That was back in December when I got the Kindle 1. I literally shed tears as I realized Amazon had given me back the passion that had been stripped away from me after my surgery just as my mobility had been taken away 14 years earlier. Now just a few months later we have an upgrade. I feared an upgrade with a sleeker design would be the end of its handicap accessibility. I am here today to tell anyone with disabilities nothing could be further from the truth. For those of us with poor dexterity the five way controller can be manipulated easily with a knuckle, or even the side of your hand since the controller sits just slightly above the other buttons. This for me was a major improvement accessibility wise from the first unit since trying to push the button with my knuckle would often scroll down and select the wrong thing. The five way controller also takes very little force to push, I was often afraid of breaking the Kindle 1 with how hard I had to push on the wheel with the side of my hand.

I love reading the newspaper every day, but reporters love to push the boundaries of our vocabularies, but the Kindle 2 dictionary is right there to keep us reading, and make sure we know exactly what we are reading so we don't misinterpret anything. The improved dictionary lookup is amazing. I no longer have to go to a menu and look up an entire lines worth of words. I just use the controller and go to the word I want and the definition is on the bottom of the screen :-)

We can now access the Internet without turning over the Kindle to flip a switch :-) you just go to the menu and turn on the wireless. I couldn't tell you how many times I wanted to look something up I was reading in the newspaper only to find out I didn't have the wireless on. Turning it on then would've required me to call my caregiver, have them turn it on, leave the room while I did my research, and then call them back to turn it off. Thank you very much for the great improvement :-)

The buttons are a little smaller, but not so small that they are not accessible. I can still easily hit the buttons with the side of my hand. The only real difference is now when my caregivers put the Kindle away for me they don't accidentally turn pages, or click a button and say "I didn't mess anything up did I?"

Speaking of pushing buttons I loved reading magazines on my Kindle 1, the only problem was I didn't want to read every single article, and being disabled it was just a little inconvenient to have to keep clicking the wheel to get to the menus to scroll through the magazine. So what did my good friends at Amazon do for me? Well they went and made it so if I don't like the article I'm reading I just have to push my little joystick to the left or right one time to go to another article :-)

Some people miss the memory card slot. I myself did not start reading e-books until the Kindle, and I have no problem with their prices for books. Since the device can hold 1500 titles and whatever erase from the device to make room is backed up at Amazon I have no complaints in that department. Anyway if I do find other e-books I like I can simply e-mail them to my Kindle :-)

Yes we have to send our Kindle to Amazon to replace the battery, being disabled this is actually a convenience for me, and there are also a lot of music devices out there that you have to do the same thing. So I will not complain about this either :-)

If I knew the e-mail address for Jeff Bezos I would happily send him this review that I will also be posting in the forums so he would personally know that he has truly changed one man's life for the better, that this device for some of us will not just be incredibly convenient, but that it will be life altering.

In my profile is a picture of me holding the Kindle 2 reading one of my favorite books :-) I hope the picture shows accurately how easy it is for people with disabilities to use. I just put a pillow on my midsection so the book will have something to lean against while I turn the page with my knuckle.

I can offer no higher praise so with that in my review ends. Thank you...... thank you Kindle team.


2nd Review
After 6 months with the first Kindle, I was stoked when I saw gen 2 coming out. After hearing me rave about my Kindle, my wife was more than happy to take the "old" one off my hands so that I could buy the latest gadget. She's nothing if not tolerant of my gadget addiction! :)

Anyhow, I wanted to share my impressions of the old vs. the new.

First of all, the things that the Kindle 2 did better than the original:

1. It's a lot thinner. I travel frequently, so the smaller, the better. This is a noticeable change from the first to the second version and one that I love.

2. The page turn buttons are better. With the Kindle 1, I was constantly at risk of accidentally bumping the next page buttons. They are extremely sensitive and very large. With the Kindle 2, the buttons have been scaled down to a much more manageable size and are a lot less sensitive.

3. I love the 4-way directional button. It took a little getting used to after having used the Kindle 1, especially since the context menus that I was used to in the first gen have changed due to the new directional button, but for any Kindle user, this change is a god send.

4. Power charging via USB. Having a single cord for the Kindle is great. The little USB->Socket converter is great to have, too.

There are a few things that I will miss about my Kindle 1, too.

1. The power buttons. I really liked having control over the power with a simple toggle. Yes, it's great in the Kindle 2 that you can easily put the Kindle to sleep, however, if you want to turn the 2nd Gen off, you have to hold the power slide for 4 seconds. I am going to miss being able to wait until the last second to just flip a switch as I'm putting it away. I'm sure I'll get used to the change, but it will take some time.

2. The location of the headphone jack. In the Kindle 1, the headphone jack was conveniently located on the bottom of the Kindle. This kept the headphone cord out of your way. On the Kindle 2, it's top-center. Now, I don't use audio on my Kindle much, but when I do, it's because I forgot my mp3 player and want to listen to music while I read. Having the cord coming out of the top means I have to adjust it to keep it out of my way when reading. Really, this is just a minor annoyance, but I felt like it was worth sharing.

Finally, the one thing that I still feel like the Kindle is missing (and I knew this going in, so I can't ding the Kindle for it) is global wireless support. It has 3G capabilities, so technology is not the problem, it must just be cost. My hope is that they will allow international access at some point in the future, even if it comes with a small delivery surcharge - although of course we'd all like to see it cost the same! :)

One last thing to mention... I'm an avid reader and was somewhat concerned that losing the feel of true books would take away from my enjoyment of the Kindle. After having used it for 6 months, I went back to a standard paperback book and found myself getting a little frustrated with the more traditional format. I find that it's easy to get lost in the book with the Kindle2. The one thing I miss about the traditional format is the ability to peek a page or two ahead to see when the next good stopping point will be.

All in all, I am very pleased with my Kindle(s), and definitely had no hesitation in buying a second.