The Kindle 2: A review of a fine device

As we used Amazon’s Kindle 2 today at our Testing Center, the new electronic book reader sustained the promise shown in demos when the device was announced on Feb.9.

As our online video review of the Kindle 2 (at right) demonstrates, this second-generation version offers a number of subtle improvements over its predecessor. Those include faster page turns; the more prolonged period required to refresh the screen of the first Kindle was among my criticisms of that older version. Amazon has also improved the controls and the rendition of artwork, and the new Kindle is slimmer than the old one.

The most groundbreaking addition, though, is text-to-voice capability that allows the Kindle 2 to read to you; see my earlier blog for more on that feature, including controversy over whether it violates the intellectual-property rights of authors.

I do have quibbles with the new device, mostly to do with small touches it lacks but which seem feasible. At 6 inches in size, the screen is no bigger than that of the original Kindle. (Click on images at right for closer looks.) That likely helps the device conserve energy—extended battery life being another enhancement over the mark-one Kindle. However, a screen that runs to the edge of the controls, and so displays more text than the old Kindle, might have been worth some sacrifice in battery life—especially since that now runs to a more-than-ample 4 or 5 days, according to Amazon.

There's still a charge—of a dime, charged to your Amazon account—for every document you e-mail to the Kindle and want to receive wirelessly.

I wish the Kindle 2 came with some sort of carrying case. You can buy aftermarket ones, but the neoprene Belkin case I bought from Amazon fits loosely. Apparently also designed to accommodate the fatter Kindle 1, the case makes the gadget bulkier to transport than it needs to be. And it costs $24.99. Given the Kindle 2's $359 purchase price, couldn't Amazon have thrown in a slim-fitting sleeve to protect the cherished device?

That price tag of course may be the biggest downside to the Kindle, and one that ensures the device will remain a niche product for now. In fairness, avid readers may recoup some of that cost if they curtail buying books in hard-cover editions—often the only way to buy them—and instead buy new titles as Kindle e-books. Most new releases, including most New York Times best-sellers, cost $9.99 for the Kindle. That's typically at least $10 less than the price of buying them in hard-cover. And most older titles for the Kindle cost between $3 and $9.

—Paul Reynolds

Comments

[JiminSeattle]

Great instrument that's been needlessly degraded. Amazon is following the Apple IPod model to a certain extent, but has missed in the boat in several areas with a flawed business model. Basically the Kindle is too closed. Because it won't work with other sources such as libraries or DRM protected formats, it is either too expensive to use or is too limited in its selection.

IPod is basically limited to a single source for purchase, but there is a much wider range of inputs allowed. Kindle's wireless capabilities are so woeful that it's so offset at all.

Amazon could offer a subscription service like Netflix or Real Networks which allows people access to a certain number of books at a time or like some public libraries which allow people to check out books for a specific period of time. That would offset the reality that many of Amazon's books are pricer than the hardcover or printed copies which are costlier to create and can be widely shared.

[cblee]

I would buy a similar gadget from Barnes & Noble as I've had their member card for years. I have been seriously tempted by the Kindle but I don't want a white border, I find that hard on my eyes. I wrote to Amazon and was told white was it, period. So, I won't buy one, period, unless they change the color. Sony's is black and much easier on my eyes (a friend has one). I'm hoping BN comes up with a darker bordered unit, I will probably buy it. Although, I can download audio books from the library to my mp3.....take heed gadget makers!

[Bill]

I would love to get one of these but I don't want to be stuck with Amazon's store. I downloaded and read the user manual. These two quotes from page 83 of the manual worry me.

"Tip: Mobipocket files must have no Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection applied to be readable on your Kindle. If you purchased a Mobipocket file from a Mobipocket retailer, you will not be able to open the file on your Kindle."

"Note: PDF conversion is currently an experimental feature on Kindle. Due to PDF's fixed layout format, some complex PDF files might not format correctly on your Kindle."

All of the material I can borrow from my local library to read is either Mobipocket (protected) or PDF.

I don't want to drop $400 on a reader and then have to buy every book for $10 to read it.

[Don Claro]

In answer to Lance, it is not true that "there is a charge for everything." There are many FREE books at Amazon for the Kindle. I have just downloaded 3 yesterday for my wife's Kindle 2. She loves it!

[Yitzhak Dar]

I bought the Kindle 1 in December 2008, and have been using it extensively since than. I do not reside in the US, so I have to download my books through my computer and copy them to the kindle.
Please note that although Amazon claims that most hard cover books on the NY Times Best seller list are sold for $9.99, and Paul Reynolds mentions it, I found books sold for higher prices (though usually still cheaper than the paper version of the book).
Still, for a retired person who is a bibliophile and reads a lot, this is a perfect solution.

[Lance]

Compare the iphone to a kindle. The iphone is easy to carry around. The price of the iphone and kindle are similar though much more can be done with the iphone. Many of the older books are free for download to the iphone, unlike for the kindle where there's a charge for everything. The selection of newer books at the moment is better with the Kindle. Hopefully soon, that will change-Amazon presumably will be offering books for the iphone.

[Mike Beath]

Great idea. Now, how do libraries become electronic, and when will this reader, or ones like it, come down to a price that most people can afford? I suspect a very high profit margin on the Kindle. The technology is really inexpensive.

Mike

[StephanieInCA]

My biggest concern about the Kindle, aside from it’s weird, book-buring-esque name, is that it compromises the integrity of the written word. A printed book may be unwieldy, but you know that once it’s on your shelf, not one letter is going to change. Can’t say the same for the Kindle: http://urbzen.com/2009/02/09/amazon-kindle-privacy-fail/

Also, when I spill coffee all over a book, I’ve only ruined that particular book :)