Trying out the Kindle DX: So far, so good

The new Kindle DX, launched today, offers no dramatic breakthroughs over its predecessor. But, after using the device at Amazon’s press event, I found it delivers on the promise to preserve—and in modest ways enhance—the strengths of its smaller sibling, the Kindle 2.

Here’s how the DX, which will be available this summer for a hefty $489, does that:

The bigger screen. As Amazon claims, the new screen—at 9.7 inches, 50 percent bigger than the Kindle 2’s—appears to be identical in its resolution of type and images, and in how quickly it refreshes. All of which are good, since these are strengths of the Kindle 2.

The bigger size allows, though, for fewer page turns and for less need to reformat—and so disturb the design—of full-sized pages converted to Kindle format. The difference was as apparent on textbook pages chock full of diagrams and the like as on pages of the New York Times, where you could see more type in a readable size, and a more harmonious integration of type and art elements, than on the Kindle 2.

More viewing options. There’s also flexibility to tailor type not only to the size you want, which the Kindle 2 allows, but to also adjust the length of the lines to suit you. The adjustment is made in the same popup menu—accessed with a key press on the device’s keyboard—as you use for size adjustments and, like those, the changes are made on the fly.

Another plus over the Kindle 2: The screen automatically—or upon demand, if you prefer—rotates when you turn the device. The switch was very fast—faster, even than with my iPhone—and allows not only a switch from portrait to landscape view but a full 180-degree rotation, so that the page is completely inverted.

Because of that capability, though, Amazon has removed the navigation bars from one side of the new Kindle (on the Kindle 2, you can press tabs on either the right or the left of the screen to advance pages). That might irritate lefties who don’t want to always have the Kindle “upside down”—with the keyboard above the screen—or users of the Kindle 2, like me, who liked being able to click to the next page with either hand.

Those are some key highlights on my first spin with the Kindle DX; we’ll of course put the device through a proper evaluation when it becomes available “sometime this summer,“ according to Amazon staffers, who wouldn’t commit to any firmer timing.

Speaking of ordering, an important difference for the pre-ordering process—which is now up and running on Amazon.com—this time around compared with the last refresh of the Kindle. Then, owners of the first Kindle were moved to the front of the line if they pre-ordered the Kindle 2. This time, Amazon folks told me, there’s no such preferential treatment because “the Kindle 2 was a replacement device, which this isn’t,” as one put it.

While the spokespeople said they expect supplies to be ample, you might want to order your DX now if it’s important to you to get it early.

Of course, the $489 price tag for the new Kindle might help limit the stampede of buyers. Perhaps the only positive spin on the price is that, with (by Amazon’s math) 2-½ times the screen area of the Kindle 2, which costs $359, the DX costs less on a dollars-per-square-inch basis than its older sister. —Paul Reynolds

Comments

[Gary]

I’m buying a DX for my Mom who is 84 and suffering from macular degeneration. I’m splitting the price with my Dad and brother. Mom loves to read and can only read her books now with a magnifying glass and a strong light. The large format, variable text size, easy-on-the-eyes e-ink and landscape capability means she can now enjoy her favorite novels and not feel like she’s ‘going blind’. It will give back her independance and pride.
In light of all this, it’s more than worth it!

[Margaret Pro]

Were it not for the pricetag, I wouldn't hesitate to get a kindle. A reading teacher at elementary and college levels for 15+ years, I am curious to learn how people read and think and work with the electronic text versus traditional texts.

Given the price and weight of textbooks, the conservation of trees, and general convenience, I think this is the way to go, but I also think the technology has a long way to go. I'm looking forward to a future in which e readers have color, back lighting, better interactive/notetaking features and the like.

David, if your friends don't want the 2, I'll gladly take it off your hands! ;-)

[Marguerite Mosier]

a question. I am interested in the text to speech feature, for macular degeneration. Anyone using it?

[david blackman]

i guess i was one of the first pre order, because amazon has e mailed me that my new DX will be sent on june 10, first day of release. for me, it was a no brainer, although i wish there was some sort of discount for kindle 2 buyers of recent days. i bought mine first week of March. i love it, but download very few books. i am a news junkie, and so i read about 6 or 7 newspapers a day. new york times, usa today, los angeles times, wall street journal, etc. The lack of large screen has been frustrating. you can never see text and a picture on the same screen, and in fact, very few pictures at all are ever chosen. newspapers are large and it is hard to get used to reading them on the size of a paperback. some are a bargain. Time magazine weekly download is 1.50 per month, that is 40 cents a week to have Time's cover story e mailed to you on your kindle (very little else comes with the Time subscription).

So, i will probably keep both. The 2 for the occassional paperback book that i download. and the new DX for the daily newspaper download that i get. Or i just may give the 2 to a friend. either way, amazon wins. oh well......

[Stephen K.]

I am still in the process of debating whether to purchase a Kindle or not. Every week I receive multiple newsletters that I subscribe to along with e-mails and articles that I print out every weekend. The resulting paper pile is approximately 1/2 inch thick which I read during breakfast on Saturday morning. Several years ago I once posted on a blog describing my need for an electronic book that could do a decent job of displaying PDF files. Considering the cost of the printer ink I spend in printing all this information out just so I can read it once and then shred it seems like a waste. That would be my only push to buy a Kindle is if I could demonstrate some clear economic advantage in getting one. Right now I bring scrap paper from work to my home office and reuse the empty backside. I hesitated purchasing the previous versions of the Kindle based on consumer reports discussions that the clarity with which PDF files were displayed was questionable. Perhaps this new Kindle version has solved that problem with a larger screen.

The least feature of this product that attracts me to it is the wireless capability to receive newspapers and magazines. This would not be the primary purpose for me to purchase it.

I guess I will wait a little bit until I hear more reviews on this new Kindle product. Hopefully the price will go down a little bit further justify purchasing this product in lieu of buying printer ink.

Stephen K.

[mrrhum]

New, larger Kindle... New, larger price. Largely excessive price, I'd say, but it is a new product category using new technology and early adopters don't seem to mind paying a premium. I'm guessing that next year this time we'll be looking at a somewhat less expensive (or not, hey, I can spell "price point," too!) more feature-rich gadget. The thing that really gives me pause is the lack of color in the display. This would seem to be important for many textbooks, especially in the sciences, where diagrams can be quite complex. And I don't think that high-color e-paper is in the offing.

[George T.]

One caution to current Kindle owners: If you just bought the old Kindle, and want to return it and get the new one, better act fast. Amazon is incredibly strict about their 30-day return policy, and they are not accepting any returns or any credits from purchases even slightly earlier -- even if you are prepared to pre-order the new Kindle now. That means if you bought your Kindle within the past 30 days, return it now (Amazon has a "no questions asked" during that period). It's the only way you can get credit for the purchase if you want the newer one instead. Word to the wise.