Editor’s Update August 2010: The sleeker, slimmer, and smaller latest generation Kindle is now available at a reduced price of $189 for the 3G and Wi-Fi version, and $139 for the Wi-Fi only model! Plus, you’ll enjoy 3G wireless coverage at home or abroad in over 100 countries. Read all about the all-new 6-inch Kindle in our Kindle 3 review.
Before we dive into this Amazon Kindle 2 review, it’s important to understand just how hot this ebook reader has become. The first Kindle version was so popular that it was sold out several weeks before Christmas last year. The only way consumers could get it was to pay a premium by picking one up on eBay. Some were paying as much as $600 for the device when it normally retailed for $299 (now at $189, see note above. -Editor).
Amazon was out of stock of the Kindles through Christmas and right into the new year. Consumers who placed an order anyway were told their Kindle would be delivered in 10-13 weeks. For those consumers who were willing to wait, they got a nice surprise. They were shipped the brand new Amazon Kindle 2 generation as it hit the Amazon website in February 2009!
Let’s take a look at what they got with the Amazon Kindle 2.0 by watching this cool video tour Amazon put together…
Click Here to Read Current Amazon Kindle 2 Reviews From Kindle 2 Owners!
So let’s review what you get with the Amazon Kindle 2009 version…
All Your Favorite Books With You – Without the Weight and Space
In most of its features, the Amazon Kindle 2 does measure up as promised. Weighing just over 10 ounces and being a 1/3 of an inch thick, it is lighter than most paperbacks, and is remarkably thin, being as slim as a typical magazine. It can store up to 1,500 books; all packed in a device that has a “nice, solid feel without being heavy.”
Easier, Longer Reads with Crisper, Glare-Free Text
Amazon has made the most use of the e-ink technology with the Kindle 2, introducing 16 shades of gray and 6 font sizes designed for clearer, crisper text and images. Those not familiar with e-ink technology it eliminates eye strain by producing a display that is virtually identical to printed paper. Even when using the Amazon Kindle 2.0 in broad daylight, the reading experience is still totally glare-free.
With a more convenient and faster page-turning feature and 25% more battery life than its predecessor, you can read non-stop for a few days without having to recharge, even two weeks with the wireless turned off.
“Look Ma, No Hands!” – Text-to-Speech
One of the new additions that the Amazon Kindle 2 Generation introduces is the text-to-speech feature. With this, you can have the device read to you, simply switching from reading to listening, with the choice between a male or female voice. When you’re ready to start reading again, you can easily go back to where you left off.
While some say this is a totally unnecessary feature as the device was designed in the first place for avid readers and not listeners, this is still a nice option to have for those who have difficulty reading text of any size or simply want to sit back, close their eyes, and have a book read to them.
Your Choice of Reading Content Anytime, Anywhere
With the introduction of the Whispernet technology, which provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint’s 3G high-speed data network, there is no need for you to be in a Wi-Fi hotspot or even connected to a PC! As long as you can get a cell phone signal, you can gain instant access to over 230,000 titles for purchase including thousands of bestsellers, top US and international newspapers, magazines, and even blogs. Enjoy wireless delivery of your choice in less than 60 seconds. What’s more, you don’t pay a single cent for this wireless connection and every purchase is backed up at Amazon.
The Little Details Do Matter
The redesigned navigation of the Amazon Kindle 2.0 holds testament to the fact that Amazon has listened to the complaints of first-generation Kindle owners. For one, the Amazon Kindle 2nd generation got rid of the awkward little rolling wheel that was used for navigating around, replacing it with a 5-way joystick which is much more straightforward to use especially with the Menu and Back buttons located just above and below it.
In addition, whereas the page-turning buttons of the original Kindle were longer, larger, and sloped outwards leading to many accidental page turns, the buttons for page-turning of the Kindle 2 are smaller and completely flat, eliminating the problem. Clearly, simple changes to these buttons make for more convenient reading and this is evident in the Kindle 2 2009 version.
Great Features but the Price Stays the Same
Reading enthusiasts, frequent travelers, and those who simply cannot do without the latest gadget will simply swoon over the features of the new Kindle 2. Its price at $259, however, is still rather alienating to average consumers who are not completely sold on the hefty price tag that comes with it – especially in these hard economic times. This important factor could hurt Amazon as there are other ebook reader manufacturers fast catching up which offer reading devices at lower prices.
Is the device worth the price? Possibly. But a lower price tag would certainly bring more consumers on board.
Other Drawbacks
Even with the price issues aside, the Amazon Kindle 2nd generation has some other minor drawbacks.
First, the option for removable memory was removed. While the Kindle 2 now carries an amazing 2G of internal memory, other people still find it useful to be able to organize their files and music into different external memory cards.
Second, the batteries are now sealed right into the gadget. Amazon says that with its extended battery life, replacement batteries are no longer necessary.
Finally, a purchase of the Amazon Kindle 2 no longer comes with a protective case so you’ll have to shell out an additional $20-$30 for it.
Bottom Line of this Amazon Kindle 2 Review
The Amazon Kindle 2 is by no means perfect. Yet it does carry some great improvements from the original Kindle. I would still choose this as the best eBook reading device available – by a long shot! Oprah declared that the first generation Kindle was her “new favorite favorite thing in the world.” I wonder what she would call the Amazon Kindle 2nd generation!
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
This video by butter scotch is decent. Is this what you were looking for?
Is there any place to view directions for the kindle w/o having to read the eleven chapters of directions? for example, how to go back to a page that you have already read?
making notes about pages,etc?
My Kindle, 2nd gen will be here tomorrow. I am a student. Can I load word documents into my kindle for study or manipulation? Can I carry with me, papers that I am writing? Can I copy and paste or download online references to carry with me while I’m taking notes and putting drafts together? Can I download jouranl articles from my computer to my kindle?
Ann:
Yes, “latest generation Kindle” and “Kindle 2″ are the same model. The only other different model is the Kindle DX – which is much bigger.
TravisVS
Site Admin
Quick question – I am trying to buy accessories for my just purchase Kindle Latest Generation 6″ display – most of the accessories I am finding say Kindle 2 or Kindle DX – Are the Kindle 2 and Latest Generation the same thing? -
Janice:
That is exactly the case. Anything on your Kindle will be viewable anytime – anywhere. It’s no different than viewing a file sitting on your laptop. Also, you will be able to download more books to your Kindle while in Europe IF you have access to a computer (and you bring the USB cable that came with your Kindle). You’ll simply log on to your Kindle Amazon account and download your books to the computer. Then you’ll drag the books from the computer to your Kindle via the USB cable. The only thing you won’t be able to do is download books “on the fly” directly to the Kindle via the wireless connection. You can only do that within the U.S. – unless of course you have thew new International version of the Kindle;)
TravisVS
Site Admin
I just ordered a Kindle 2. My family is planning a trip to Europe and I wondered if I would be able to view pre-loaded books on my Kindle when we are there. My understanding was that I would be able to view a book, just not download one over in Europe. Is this correct?
It’s great to see the price dropping on the Kindle 2. Thanks for the information and review.
Tom:
Yes, the international version will be perfect for her. And I double-checked for you…Japan is one of the many countries the international version is available;)
TravisVS
Site Admin
Daughter lives in Japan, is English speaking, will the international version be what she needs? Thanks
To Vans: No, you can’t download books into your Kindle wirelessly if you’re out of the Whispernet coverage area. But if you have a computer and internet connection, you can still do it by logging on to your Amazon account, downloading the books to your PC or laptop, then transferring the files via USB connection. Hope this helps!
Vans:
No, you cannot download material to the Kindle if you can’t get wireless coverage. It works on the same cell coverage a cell phone does so like a cell phone if you can’t get a signal, you can’t get wireless access to the Kindle store. You can check the coverage here:
http://www.showmycoverage.com/mycoverage.jsp?id=A921ZON
TravisVS
Site Admin
I’m one of those who were able to get the Kindle 2 at the reduced price and glad I did so. It’s definitely still a bit more expensive than other ebook readers but it’s worth the price. I’m just wondering though, can I download books even when I’m in an area that’s out of the wireless coverage?
First, you should submit your work as double spaced and in a size 12 Times New Roman font. Anything else may simply be brushed aside. As a literary agent, I can assure you that many pieces are never even viewed simply because they are formatted improperly.
You publisher will format your novels the way they like and sell them to Amazon per your contract. You do not personally have to worry about it. You pieces will be transcribed from paper format anyways.
I teach Creative Writing. I have several novels already written. I have read your contract fully and here’s my problem: while I write profusely and all are ready tobe sold (1 inch on all sides; 1.5 line spaced; Font Courier 12 or 14) I don’t know much about all the requirements you say are needed. I am not a computer expert by a long shot because I write books and not much else. My question is: Since I can send them by email and by pdf or not, is that sufficient regarding your rules to get my novels and ebooks sold on Amazon?