The Gadget Blog » Kindle 2

Why iPhone Kindle Won’t Kill Kindle

Rico Mossesgeld — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:00:01 +0000

So people are saying that the iPhone Kindle app, which more or less provides the same ebook reading functionality on Apple’s smartphone, will kill the Kindle. Makes sense actually. After all, why spend $360 on a gadget that can only do one thing, when you can spend roughly the same for a smartphone that multi-tasks? This argument appeals especially to die-hard fans of the Apple “experience”.

Courtesy of Amazon

At the same time however, I can tell you that reading text on a backlit display strains the eyes. The e-ink of Amazon’s Kindle, on the other hand, is easy on the optics. That’s still why a lot of us still prefer reading printed words on dead trees, even if literally all books ever written are available through the web browser; no tiring light shines from them.

Future Kindles will definitely display color, free from the limits of grays. And you can bet that development will make Amazon’s reader more attractive; who wouldn’t artificially generated color pages that are easy to read? Amazon has the luxury of concentrating on ebook research, unlike supposed future competitors like Apple who are taking a more broad research towards R&D. What do you think?

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Periscope Lighted Folio For Kindle 2

Rico Mossesgeld — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:56:15 +0000

One benefit of e-ink is the fact that shining a light on it is enough to make low-light reading possible. That’s a reality exploited by the Periscope Lighted Folio for Kindle 2, which is basically a folio (well, duh!) with space for a notepad, pens, a swiveling twin LED light, and of course, a Kindle 2. That’s all for $50.

The Periscope Lighted Folio also has space for 3 “AA” batteries, which—as claimed by maker Periscope—can power the LED light for 40 hours or more. Periscope also made sure to highlight its Folio’s magnetic lock feature, which allows the user to keep the folio folded onto itself, compacting the whole she-bang “to faciliate one-handed use”. Surely you can spend $50 more, after you’ve spent $360 on the Kindle 2 itself!

You can visit periscopelight.com for more info on where to buy.

(Image courtesy of Periscope)

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Leather Cases for the Kindle 2

Rico Mossesgeld — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:30:12 +0000

I bet a common objection to the Kindle 2 (or any e-book reader for that matter) is the classy feel. Something about a well-bound book seems more traditional, weighty, and significant. Maybe that’s why these leather Kindle 2 covers (available from Amazon of course) could make up for the reader’s plastic-based existence. From vendors like Cole Haan, M-edge, and Amazon itself, here’s a sample listing:

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Kindle 2 to Ship on February 24; Some Claim Artificially-Spoken Text Violates Copyright

Rico Mossesgeld — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:03:01 +0000

Looks like the Kindle 2’s ability to read out spoken text is causing concern for the copyright holders of—what else?—books:

Some publishers and agents expressed concern over a new, experimental feature that reads text aloud with a computer-generated voice.

“They don’t have the right to read a book out loud,” said Paul Aiken, executive director of the Authors Guild. “That’s an audio right, which is derivative under copyright law.”

The reply of Amazon available to those who continue.

An Amazon spokesman noted the text-reading feature depends on text-to-speech technology, and that listeners won’t confuse it with the audiobook experience. Amazon owns Audible, a leading audiobook provider.

Personally, I’ll have to side with Amazon on this one. I can barely stand synthesized text for mere seconds. Unless the Kindle 2 comes with some super-revolutionary vocoder, I can’t imagine listening to an entire book’s text artificially generated as speech.

On a more technical note though, if Aiken’s argument holds true, then wouldn’t the timely ritual of reading a book to your kid be a copyright violation as well? In any case, this sounds like saber-rattling on the part of Author’s guild, who may want a bigger piece of Amazon’s apparently growing eBook pie.
(Thanks The Gadget Blog

Kindle 2 Now Available for Pre-Order

Rico Mossesgeld — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:15:50 +0000

According to an email received from Amazon, the latest version of the eBook reader is now available for pre-order at amazon.com (duh). Turns out the launch day sale won’t be a reality, since the price is still a hefty $360. Unless Amazon wants to screw anyone who pre-orders of course.

So what justifies the price for Bezo’s boys? Continue reading to see the marketing peeps’ point-by-point breakdown.

Say Hello to The New Kindle

Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines

Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback

Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots

Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required

Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images

Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging

More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books

Faster Page Turns: 20% faster page turns

Read-to-Me: With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you

Large Selection: Over 230,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs available

Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise

(Image screenshot of the Amazon Kindle 2 Product Page)

Post from: The Gadget Blog

2G Kindle Rumored to Cost $360

Rico Mossesgeld — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:17:04 +0000

Now that the rumored price is out of the way—as well as the rumor that the February 24, 2009 release will kickoff with a launch sale, continue reading to see an entire gallery of apparently intentionally-leaked marketing pics.

(click on the thumbnails for larger-sized versions; click those to see the full-size jewels)

I’ve never really been into e-readers, but I did enjoy reading The Count of Monte Cristo via iSilo on my long-lost Handspring Prism Deluxe (those were the days).

(Images courtesy of MobileRead)

Post from: The Gadget Blog