Amazon Kindle

[TinkTanker]

Beat me to it! I don't like that the k2 looks bigger than the k1, but if it has cool new features I might upgrade.

When they decide to sell it for ~ $200, I might get one. Until then, I get by fine with audiobooks on the iPod. Ann would like one though.

[Spooky]

the Kindle, Books 2.0 and evolved literary forms

Posted on January 28, 2009 by switch11

Len will be covering this in a future Kindle Chronicles podcast – However, I couldn't resist writing about it. Tim (via Kindle Chronicles) suggested a really interesting topic for discussion.

    How the Kindle might affect literary forms in general ... Netflix and DVDs have changed my viewing habits considerably (shows rather than movies)... how then might the kindle affect books? I also wonder what the special features of digital books might end up being.



Here's my take on why the Kindle has basically unlimited potential to change literary forms, and what some of those forms might be.

What the Kindle Really Is

It's really important to see the Kindle for what it is - A device optimized for reading that still incorporates big technological advances that books do not have. Here are a few elements that creators and authors should take advantage of.

   1. The Internet – An always-on connection to the internet.
   2. Non Linearity - The option to have hyperlinks and create non linear books.
   3. Audio - The option to incorporate audio into books. Imagine having audio snippets as footnotes.
   4. Touch (soon) - Down the line adding the option of touch.
   5. Communication - Having communication between readers. Instant 'while you read the book' communication.
   6. Social – Connection with other people. When Amazon does open this up, it'll create an extremely powerful well knit community.
   7. Direct Feedback - Having feedback for authors and publishers.
   8. Moving Images (down the line). Hitting yet more of our senses.

The Kindle is giving creators much more powerful tools and giving readers a much more varied experience involving more of the senses than a book.

How will the Kindle's features be used?

Having all these new tools and means to tell your story creates an interesting problem – there is not much precedent here. In many ways we're still thinking too in the box. We're still thinking – a better book. We should be thinking in much bigger terms.

We are beginning to see, mostly on the internet, some examples of new creative forms – blogs, podcasts, life-streaming, home made movies, multi-player games, virtual worlds, crowd-sourced websites.

The Kindle creates the possibility of having advances of this scale in the world of reading and books.

Three big trends I see

The Kindle will result in a few trends (which, to be fair, started with the internet) -

   1. Network Effects - Very strong network effects with good books becoming runaway successes much quicker and at a larger scale than ever before.
   2. Socialization of Reading - Readers will be much more connected with each other and will start depending on each other much more for reading decisions.
   3. Democratization of Publishing – A lot more varied books and media will be published giving readers and authors unprecedented freedom and choice.

These are important – however, equally important is the possibility that entirely new literary forms and new forms of media emerge.

Big new literary and media forms

The Kindle does allow for new forms and my money is on -

   1. Micro News – snippets of news delivered every few hours that will supplant newspapers.
   2. A new type of 'collage book' that while it retains the essence of what it is to be a book i.e. some variant of "a book comprehends a treatise written on any material ... put together in any portable form", it uses all the means at the Kindle's disposal to create a fuller, richer treatise. Example - I'm a musician and my book is a collection of my songs, samples from the songs that inspired me, pictures of my loves, my essays on music, and snippets from books and movies that made me.
   3. Social Recommendations – a crowd sourced recommendations and ratings engine that will help you decide what to read next. It'll be bigger than YouTube because it'll not just determine what you watch (read), it'll determine what you buy.
   4. Audio-Text Hybrids – Plays with context, Books with ambient sound, Game Books with sound effects, and other combinations.
   5. Micro Radio - some variant of Podcasts. Again, I believe that shorter, consume when you want micro-radio with updates every few hours is what will become popular here.

In addition to the new products that I see here, I also see the Kindle 2.0 becoming an important purchase device. Buying straight from the device is an important, important part of the Kindle eco-system.

Alongside Netbooks, Kindle 2.0 and future iterations have the most potential to become primary devices and purchase devices. Phones are just too small, and laptops and desktops aren't mobile enough. The Kindle 2.0 and Netbooks really do hit the sweet spot and have the most potential to become our connections to the internet and by extension the world.


http://thekindle.wordpress.com/2009/01/28/the-kindle-books-20-and-evolved-literary-forms/

[Spooky]

http://thekindle.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/kindle-store-now-has-4700-free-public-domain-books/

The Kindle Store just added 4,700 public domain books. For how long? No Idea.

Quite an interesting change – I'd always find 10 or so free books when I searched the Kindle Store by low to high priced books. Now the first 389 pages of results are full of free public domain books – that's approximately 4,700 free public domain books. I ordered one and it does show up as free.

Quite a cool addition. Authors covered include H.G. Wells (The First Men in the Moon), Nietzsche, Sir Walter Scott, P. G. Wodehouse,  Tesla, Mark Twain, Samuel Pepys, Winston Churchill and many more.

A rather nice gesture by Amazon. And they do need to do more things like this since Google is threatening to play already playing the 'being good and sharing books' card. Google at the moment has scanned a total of 1 million public domain books, 1 million in print books, and 7 million out of print, not in public domain books. The focus on out of print, sellable books clearly shows exactly where Google's intentions lie with Google Books.

If you find any good free books in the list – do leave a comment so others can download it too. Also, the number of free books seems to be increasing – it increased by something like 20 or 30 books just in the time it took me to write this – so perhaps I caught them right in the middle of this 'free books' addition. Yes - it does seem that way - they're now up to over 7000.

[Spooky]

Kindle 2: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)


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

Technical Details

Display: 6" diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale.

Size (in inches): 8" x 5.3" x 0.36".

Weight: 10.2 ounces.

System requirements: None, because it doesn't require a computer.

Storage: 2GB internal (approximately 1.4GB available for user content).

Battery Life: Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.

Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours and supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.

Connectivity: EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint's 3G high-speed data network (check wireless coverage). See Wireless Terms and Conditions.

USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) for connection to the Kindle power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.

Audio: 3.5mm stereo audio jack, rear-mounted stereo speakers.

Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.

Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, rechargeable battery. Book cover sold separately.

Documentation: Quick Start Guide (included in box) [PDF]; Kindle 2 User's Guide (pre-installed on device) [PDF].

Warranty and Service: 1 year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2 year Extended Warranty sold separately.

Kindle Features
Advanced Design

Sleek & Trim

At 10.2 ounces, Kindle is lighter than a typical paperback and as thin as most magazines. Barely a third of an inch in profile, you'll find Kindle fits perfectly in your hands.

Improved Ergonomics

Kindle is as easy to hold and use as a book. We designed it with long-form reading in mind. When reading for long periods of time, people naturally shift positions and often like to read with one hand. Kindle's page-turning buttons are located on both sides, allowing you to read and turn pages comfortably with one hand from any position. The page-turn buttons now flex inward to prevent any accidental page turns when picking up or handling Kindle.

New 5-way controller

Kindle has a new easy-to-use 5-way controller, enabling precise on-screen navigation for selecting text to highlight or looking up words.

Simple to Use, No Computer Required

Kindle is completely wireless and ready to use right out of the box--no setup, no cables, no computer required.
Even Longer Battery Life

25% Longer Battery Life - Read for Days Without Recharging

With Kindle's 25% longer battery life, you can read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.

Charge via USB

Kindle supports wall charging via the included Kindle power adapter, and charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable. Kindle fully charges in approximately 4 hours.
Wireless Access with Whispernet

Fast 3G Network - Get Books in Under 60 Seconds

Whispernet utilizes Amazon's optimized technology plus Sprint's national high-speed (3G) data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, and download content on the go. Your books and periodicals are delivered via Whispernet in less than 60 seconds. And unlike WiFi, you never have to hunt for a hotspot.

Expanded National Coverage

We expanded Kindle's national coverage to include more cities and areas in all 50 states, enabling wireless downloads of books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Check our wireless coverage map for availability.

No Wireless Bills

No monthly wireless bills, data plans, or commitments. Amazon pays for Kindle's wireless connectivity so you won't see a wireless bill. There is no wireless setup--you are ready to shop, purchase and read right out of the box. See Wireless Terms and Conditions.
Carry Your Library in 10.2 Ounces

Holds Over 1,500 Books

The ultimate travel companion, Kindle weighs 10.2 ounces and holds more than 1,500 books. No longer pick and choose which books fit in your carry-on. Now you can always have your entire library with you.

Automatic Library Backup: Download Your Books Anytime for Free

A copy of every book you purchased is backed up online at Amazon.com in case you ever need to download it again. You can wirelessly re-download books for free anytime. This allows you to make room for new titles on your Kindle, knowing that Amazon is storing your personal library. We even back up your last page read and annotations, so you'll never lose those, either. Think of it as a bookshelf in your attic--even though you don't see it, you know your books are there.
Enhanced Reading

Lose Yourself in Your Reading

The most elegant feature of a physical book is that it disappears while you're reading. Immersed in the author's world and ideas, you don't notice a book's glue, the stitching, or ink. Our top design objective was to make Kindle disappear--just like a physical book--so you can get lost in your reading, not the technology.

Paper-like Screen

Utilizing the latest in electronic-ink display technology, Kindle provides a crisp black-and-white 6" screen with the same appearance and readability of printed paper. Sharp and natural with no glare or backlight, reading on Kindle is nothing like reading from a computer screen. Those who see it for the first time always do a double-take. The screen works using ink, just like books and newspapers, but displays the ink particles electronically. And unlike a laptop or smart phone, Kindle never gets warm so you can comfortably read as long as you like.

Sharper Display of Images and Photos

Kindle's high-resolution screen now boasts 16 shades of gray, so images and photos are sharper and clearer than ever.

Read in Sunlight with No Glare

Kindle's screen reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, eliminating the glare associated with other electronic displays. As a result, Kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.

Adjustable Text Size

Because one size doesn't fit all, you can increase the text size of your favorite book or periodical with the push of a button. If your eyes tire, simply increase the font size and continue reading comfortably. Kindle has six adjustable font sizes to suit your reading preference. Now every book in your library can be large print.

Read-to-Me Feature

Now Kindle can read to you. With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you. You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can choose from both male and female voices which can be sped up or slowed down to suit your preference. Anything you can read on Kindle, Kindle can read to you, including books, newspapers, magazines, blogs and even personal documents. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.

Improved Newspaper Experience

Using Kindle's new 5-way controller, you can quickly flip between articles, making it faster and easier to browse and read the morning paper. Want to remember the newspaper or magazine article you just read? Clip and save entire articles for later reading with a single click.

Faster Page Turns

Pages now turn 20% faster on average.

Bookmarks and Annotations

By using the QWERTY keyboard, you can add annotations to text, just like you might write in the margins of a book. And because it is digital, you can edit, delete, and export your notes. Using the new 5-way controller, you can highlight and clip key passages and bookmark pages for future use. You'll never need to bookmark your last place in the book, because Kindle remembers for you and always opens to the last page you read.

Full Image Zoom

Images and photos display crisply on Kindle and can be zoomed to the full size of the screen.

Personal Documents

Kindle makes it easy to take your personal documents with you, eliminating the need to print. Each Kindle has a unique and customizable e-mail address. You can set your unique email address on your Manage Your Kindle page. This allows you and your approved contacts to e-mail Word, PDF documents, and pictures wirelessly to your Kindle for a small per document fee--currently only 10¢ per document. Kindle supports wireless delivery of unprotected Microsoft Word, PDF, HTML, TXT, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PRC and MOBI files.

You can email your PDFs wirelessly to your Kindle. Due to PDF's fixed layout format, some complex PDF files may not format correctly on your Kindle.

If you are not in a wireless area or would like to avoid the fee, you can send attachments to "name"@free.kindle.com to be converted and e-mailed to your computer at the e-mail address associated with your Amazon.com account login. You can then transfer the document to your Kindle using your USB connection. For example, if your Kindle email address is Jay@Kindle.com, send your attachments to Jay@free.kindle.com.

Built-in Dictionary with Instant Lookup

Never get caught without a dictionary. Kindle includes The New Oxford American Dictionary with over 250,000 entries and definitions, so you can seamlessly look up the definitions of words without interrupting your reading. Come across a word you don't know? Simply move the cursor to it and the definition will automatically display at the bottom of the screen. Never fear a sesquipedalian word again--simply look it up and keep reading.

Wireless Access to Wikipedia

Kindle also includes free built-in access to the world's most exhaustive and up-to-date encyclopedia--Wikipedia.org. With Kindle in hand, looking up people, places, events, and more has never been easier. It gives whole new meaning to the phrase walking encyclopedia.

Search

Kindle makes it easy to search within a book, across your library, in the Kindle Store, or even the Web. To use the Search feature, simply type in a word or phrase you're looking for, and Kindle finds every instance in your book or across your Kindle library. Looking for the first reference of a character in your book? Simply type in the name and search. You can extend your search to the Kindle Store to find related titles you may be interested in. Explore even further by searching Wikipedia and the Web.

Audiobooks

With Kindle, you are able to download and enjoy more than 50,000 audio titles from Audible.com, including bestselling audio books, radio programs, audio newspapers, and magazines. Due to their file size, audiobooks are downloaded to your PC over your existing Internet connection and then transferred to Kindle using the included USB 2.0 cable. Listen via Kindle's speaker or plug in your headphones for private listening.

Whispersync

Have more than one Kindle? Our new Whispersync technology allows you to seamlessly switch back and forth between your Kindle devices while keeping your reading location synchronized--simply pick up reading right where you left off.
Experimental Features

The experimental category represents features we are still working on to enhance the Kindle experience even further. Try them out and let us know what you think.

Read-to-Me

Now Kindle can read to you. With its new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you. You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can speed up or slow down the reading speeds or choose a male or female voice. Anything you can read on Kindle, Kindle can read to you, including books, newspapers, magazines, blogs and even personal documents. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.

Basic Web Browser

Kindle's Basic Web browser works well to read simple, text-centric Web sites such as Google and Wikipedia. Need to find a movie listing or look up a sports score? Now it's easier than ever to find the information you're looking for right from your Kindle.

PDF Document Conversion

You can email your PDF documents wirelessly to your Kindle, just like other personal documents. Due to PDF's fixed layout format, some complex PDF files may not format correctly on your Kindle.

Listen to Music & Podcasts

Transfer MP3 files to Kindle to play as background music while you read. You can quickly and easily transfer MP3 files via USB by connecting Kindle to your computer.
Included in The Box

Kindle electronic reader, power adapter, and USB 2.0 cable (for connection to the Kindle power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer).


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00154JDAI/ref=amb_link_83626371_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=gateway-center-column&pf_rd_r=0H8WTK7YGCHWMJZZ5YMG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=469548931&pf_rd_i=507846

[Eric]

[Spooky]

Been reading blogs about the new Kindle and I can't believe the number of people who are po'd that the new Kindle has been announced. You'd think that the announcement has some how magically made their current Kindle worthless POS that doesn't do what it did before?!? LOL

[Eric]

That same thing happens every time the game engine company we work with releases a new engine.  You have one person complaining because they just bought the engine for every fifteen who are ecstatic.

Granted, there's an upgrade path with software that there isn't with hardware such as Kindle, but still....

[Phyll33]

  People always want the newest and best especially if they just bought what they thought was the newest
only to find that something better comes out just a few weeks later. They feel like they were took and I
kind of agree with them if the price is the same.

[TinkTanker]

  People always want the newest and best especially if they just bought what they thought was the newest
only to find that something better comes out just a few weeks later. They feel like they were took and I
kind of agree with them if the price is the same.

If news that Kindle 2.0 would be out 'soon' hadn't been around for months, I could understand people being po'ed. But everyone knew this was coming. Buyer beware.

[SerenityValley]

I knew there was a reason I was waiting!  *Well, besides the cost!!  I've signed up for a few sweeps to win one in the past month!  Wish me luck...