Kindle 2 Reviews - Amazon Kindle Vs Kindle 2 Reader, Differences & Similarities
Kindle 2 review is at hand. Amazon Kindle vs kindle 2 reader? Differences in form are more evident than it’s function. We can say Kindle 2 got one step closer to imitating paper and its tactile and visual feel. No, you can’t not roll it up as yet, like in a sci-fi movie, but the latest cosmetic and technological Kindle upgrade can make any book reader wanting to own one desperately.
Amazon.com has officially launched the Kindle 2 in Feb 2009, and the response is building up like quantum leaps. Amazon gave preference to customer loyalty, which led them to assure owners of the original first-generation Kindle, to be able to pre-order much ahead of the queue. And their words were “our original Kindle owners are first in line to receive Kindle 2. Place your Kindle 2 order by midnight PST on February 10th and you will receive first priority.” Customers who have placed an order for the first generation of Kindles are due to receive a Kindle 2.0 much sooner.
Amazon Kindle vs Kindle 2 Reader - Comparison Between First and Second Generation Kindles
* Thickness reduced to half making it more handy. The first generation kindle was “19 mm” thick while Amazon Kindle 2 retains all of it’s capabilities, being as thin as “9 mm” now. The new device surely feels better in your hands, and is albeit easier to pack.
* Sleeker and Smoother : Like I mentioned before, Kindle 2 is a cosmetically advanced Kindle. It is thinner and sleeker in appearance. Smooth and gentle curves with rounded buttons make it all the more eye-candy.
* Improved Joystick : The slim silver line has been also been replaced by a few buttons and a joystick offering “5 way controller” option. Now making notes, highlights, and bookmarking options are easier to access through the keyboard and using the joystick.
* Easier Access to Dictionary : The dictionary has words that appear at the bottom of the screen, instead of leaving current the book page.
* Enhanced E-Ink screen : The Amazon Kindle has incorporated the latest E-Ink technology that uses 16 shades of gray versus the 4 shades available on the original Kindle.
* Improved screen technology and Sharper Text : The difference is noticeable on readable text that looks crisper and clearly tighter, with less ink-like bleed-in to the virtual page behind it.
* Better Picture Quality : Undoubtedly pictures appear more detailed with Kindle 2 as the images use more color composites and far greater gradations.
* Smoother Screen : The background of the screen also has changed. Earlier, the screen appeared to have a slight texture, imitating the look of a newspaper, but now the surface is completely smooth.
* Faster Page Turn Option : Pages supposedly turn 20 percent faster, although the difference is apparently subtle between Kindle 1 and Amazon Kindle 2. But with time we will know better.
* Sleek Speakers : The speakers are now integrated on the new, sleek back design.
* Longer Lasting Battery : The battery-power lasts longer.
* More Internal Storage Capacity: New Kindle has a memory of 2GB whereas earlier Kindle had an internal storage capacity of 256 MB only, shipping with 180 MB free.
* SD memory Card Expansion Slot Removed : Original Kindle 1 had a SD memory card expansion slot officially supporting up to 4GB which implied support for SDHC. But now the SD card slot has been dropped. This has although been compensated by an 8 times increase in the internal storage. And most likely just like ipod story, Amazon will probably focus more on increasing its internal storage than depending on external card expansions.
* Text To Speech Feature : AT&T ’s foray into text to speech recognition technology more than 30 years ago has come of age. Yes! Unlike Original Kindle the kindle 2 has integrated an experimental text-to-speech feature. Wow now kindle can read your favorite book or the news even while you are driving.
* Easier Article Copy Feature : Another addition to the new kindle is the ability to quickly copy entire articles.
* Faster Zoom in feature : Zooming into pictures is of great utility value too.
* Whispersync Feature Added : Wispersync is a new interesting and exciting functionality, that allows users to seamlessly switch back and forth between Kindle devices while keeping your reading location synchronized- simply pick up reading right where you left off. How Whispersync evolves is what we have watch out for, as it may transform Kindle 2 to work across multiple networks as well. Amazon is all set to allow Kindle files to be moved across different mobile devices such as cell phones etc. Current users can sit back and wait for Kindle cell phones and see what whispersync has to offer as well.
* Kindle Case Accessory Unavailable: Yes! The new Kindle does not arrive with a case, and it will not fit in the covers of first generation Kindles either, so the $359 price tag needs a $30 cover extra for a case.
Similarities Between Kindle and Kindle 2 version
* The Amazon kindle and Kindle 2 both still have 600 x 800-resolution screen size, measuring 6 in.
* Weight is virtually the same. Original Kindle weighed 0.29kg, but now even with it’s thinner profile it is currently weighs about 0.28kg.
* Whispernet download speed is still just as fast and is likely to improve. Kindle 2 retains its Wi-Fi ability.
* Adjustable and Variable font sizes making the text more readable.
* Battery life is still as commendable.
* It is still based on paperlike E-Ink display technology that considerably reduces eyestrain, as compared to the backlit displays of mobile phones and other mobile devices.
* Smart automatic bookmarking, remembering where it was the last time.
* Facilitates text conversions for txt and pdf files. Free books can just be converted and emailed.
* Glare-free screens making it readable against direct light.
Design enhancements are more appealing in Amazon Kindle 2 e-book reader than the preceding model. Technical upgradation, although commendable is apparently less enough to transport the original device to the next level. Whatever remarks or ratings does kindle review gets, it is still a revolution of a kind. So between kindle and kindle 2 reader, any avid book lover like me would want to lay hands on Kindle 2, anyday.
They say old flings die hard. And if you have romanced with original kindle 1 then version 2 will surely re-kindle your love interest for technological reading in a far more seductive way.