Amazon releases Kindle 2

Feb 09 2009

Amazon (aff link) has finally released the next generation ebook reading device, Kindle 2. Jeff Bezos himself unveiled the new Kindle today at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City. Stephen King (a big Kindle fan himself) was also on hand to help promote the device and even read from a new short story available exclusively on the Kindle.

The Kindle 2 does come with some new features. According to this live blog from the New York Times, it sports some surprising and not-so-surprising tricks:

The Kindle 2 is thinner (thinner than an iPhone, to give you some idea), has a crisper black-and-white display, turns pages much more quickly and should hold its battery charge for about 25 percent longer than the previous version. New features include text-to-speech and the ability to transfer content to other devices (such as mobile phones and other Kindles). It’s the same price as the outgoing model ($359) and will be shipped February 24th. Amazon is taking preorders now. The online retailer has said customers that are already on the waiting list for the old Kindle will get new Kindle 2′s.

The text-to-speech feature is one I didn’t expect, and I’m sure it will make the ADA happy. But it will also turn any ebook into an audio book, assuming you can put up with a computerized voice.

While the Kindle 2 is definitely a step in the right direction for ebooks, I don’t think I’ll be jumping on that bandwagon quite yet. For one thing, the $359 price tag is a little too rich for my blood. Also, who needs a Kindle when I already have an iPhone that does a darned good job as an ebook reader? I think I’ll stick with my iPhone for now.

Are you going to buy a Kindle 2? Why or why not? Or are you like me and prefer another device to the Kindle? Leave a comment below with your thoughts!

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