UPDATE: Kindle 2 stokes eBook fires

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 9 Feb 2009 at 11:27

Amazon has launched its sleek new Kindle 2 eBook reader.

Amazon has focused on refining the design of the Kindle, with the sharp edges and bulky protuberances of the original smoothed out to create a far sleeker device.

Aside from aesthetics, the Kindle 2 has also had a screen upgrade. The 6in 600 x 800 E-Ink screen is now capable of producing 16 shades of grey, rather than its predecessor's four. The effect should be to create crisper text and graphics.

The internal memory has also been bolstered to 2GB, of which 1.5GB will be available to the user. The 3G network and free network for downloading eBooks from the Amazon store is still in place, but battery life has been extended. Even with the wireless turned on Amazon is claiming four days of continuous battery life.

The awkward looking keyboard of the original remains, but has been simplified and the elongated page-turn rocker has been replaced with more elegant paddles.

Intriguingly, the Kindle 2 is bundled with experimental text-to-speech software, which can read back books to the listener at varying speeds.

The original Kindle is thought to have been a staggering success for Amazon. The company has refused to release sales figures, but a Citigroup analyst has claimed that Amazon sold 500,000 Kindles in 2008.

The Kindle 2 will be released on 24 February, with the original's $359 price tag intact.

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