SEE THE MAIN NEW KINDLE INFO SECTION for details.
This image at the left shows how much smaller the new Kindle 3G/WiFi and Kindle WiFi-Only are when seen next to the Kindle 2 International model.
I saw this image from Amazon when reading Wilson Rothman's excellent summary for MSNBC of the new Kindle features, putting it all into perspective. It was refreshing after reading another report, one representing the Kindle as a giant reptile that won't die although the unnamed writer really wants it to be buried.
"HANDS-ON WITH AMAZON'S ZIPPY, ALLURING KINDLE"
That's the headline by Melissa J. Perenson at Washington Post's posting of the PC World report today.
' As soon as I took the Kindle in hand, I knew that this Kindle marked new territory...
...
For the first time, I could comfortably hold a Kindle e-reader in one hand. At 8.7 ounces, the Kindle is not the lightest such device on the market...But it is lighter than Barnes & Noble's Nook (11.6 ounces for Nook Wi-Fi, 12.1 ounces for Nook Wi-Fi + 3G)... The unit felt very balanced in-hand, and the buttons felt like they were in convenient, ergonomic places.
...
...in my experience, the darker border enhances readability, as would be expected given the visual perception a dark border provides. But the display is dramatically better in its own regard...
... the difference felt more dramatic when holding the device (an act also made easier by the rubberized backing). '
She mentions the smaller bezels, a redsign that helps the 6-inch screen now dominate although there's still enough room round the edges to comfortably hold the unit.
She also feels the buttons have been redesigned "to great effect" and that placing the Prev/Next buttons on both sides makes it convenient for both left- and right-handed readers.
I'm surprised that the slimmer buttons for page-turning are now depressed AWAY from the screen, which she prefers, and she doesn't seem to have experienced the old inadvertent page turns, calling it "a vastly superior experience."
She finds the keyboard buttons easier to type on than the Kindle 2's.
The reorganization of the navigation buttons was easy for her to adapt to, "and certainly better than the comparatively stiff joystick" though further time with this when she gets her shipping unit will give her a better idea, she says.
The navigation is "noticeably faster" as she was able to "breezily scroll through menu items with practically no lag" (I look forward to THAT) -- and she mentions the Kobo is "interminably slow" so that must be really bad.)
She didn't realize the Kindle 2 line-spacing could be changed by pressing the alt-shift and number keys to decrease or increase the spacing between lines (it's not well-documented) and appreciates the explicit line spacing options given with the text-key ["Aa"] as well as the 3 typeface choices (something I never cared about but I do hate the special fonts some publishers use along with too much line spacing in some "Topaz" editions -- am thinking of books on the "LOST" tv series).
The Webkit-based Web browser "provides a better experience than before."
I should hope! And that is still a cautious statement.
The improved battery performance is, Amazon told her, achieved through software. It's quite an improvement in the numbers given, but I'd like to know how much battery life is used by the the night-light in the special Amazon cover.
She sums it up with
' In my limited hands-on time with the new Kindle, this gadget made an unusually quick, and positive, impression. While I need to spend more time with it to vet my initial impressions, the new Kindle's solid build quality, improved design, integrated store, and cross-platform transportability (books are usable on any Kindle reader app, including iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, and PC) all add up to a winner poised to top the pack. '
Apologies for not remembering to LINK the report late last night. There is considerably more by Melissa Perenson in her report that I didn't include.
Be sure to read the full hands-on review.
UPDATE
PHOTOS BY POCKET-LINT
Photos of the new Kindle by Pocket-Lint, article by Stuart Miles
Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources. Top 100 free bestsellers.
Wow, this is great news. Just 3 weeks ago, I was gifted a K2 to replace the K2 that I had (a case manufacturer wanted my original unit for testing and I agreed)... and this morning Amazon sent a return label (I called) so that I can get a brand new unit instead... only bummer will be being without a Kindle for awhile. That kills me.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrys,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to let you know that Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com will be interviewed tonight on Charlie Rose on Bloomberg Television. He'll be talking about the new Kindle and about Amazon's future. Being that you blog about Kindle, I thought that you might enjoy this interview. To discover where to tune-in, you can find your local listings here: http://bloomberg.viewerlink.tv/
Enjoy!
Meghan
Community Manager
Bloomberg Television
http://www.Facebook.com/BloombergTelevision
MacLifer,
ReplyDeleteToo bad they didn't let you keep it longer until the new one is shipped but it's great you're able to return it after the 3 weeks with it.
Get a Kindle app, if you haven't already, for your computer or other devices so you can visit with your books a bit that way until the K3 arrives, since you're talking a month here!
I know it's no replacement ...
Meghan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for that info. I saw it last night on the West Coast and taped it during a late night repeat. But I also knew that if I missed it, Charlie Rose has repeats shown online.
Now we have your listing here, so I'll include it in an updated entry in a bit so that others who weren't aware of it can watch it. Thanks again.
Do you think Kindle 2 users will get a software update with the new features of the Kindle 3? I have been wanting a lot of the features it has.
ReplyDeleteAnonymoous,
ReplyDeleteIt's my best guess that Kindle 2 users will get some of the features with a software update. A customer rep mentioned that to a customer who reported it on the forums. My best guess is the PDF annotation features would be included, but I don't know that.
very strange, but the UK version can't be shipped anywhere except the UK.
ReplyDeleteCustomers in the rest of the EU still have to put up with import duties and sales tax over US shipping for their Kindles.
With Kindle3 (wifi-only), does it mean I can use it outside US (download and/or buy books via hotspot)? Been dying to get my hands on one, but Amazon has no plan to enter Indonesian market :-(
ReplyDeleteadih,
ReplyDeleteI think the publishers' digital rights focus makes it hard when it comes to what e-books would be available to there.
What some people do is use a U.S. address and a U.S. credit card (or some use a 2nd account which they buy globally-available giftcards for but even then they have to give a main U.S. address and of course that's not really appropriate unless you do have residence in the U.S. etc.)
Amazon forum customers have discussed this at http://amzn.to/koverseas.