The 2nd generation Kindle from Amazon is now official and is available for pre-order for $359. Oprah surely did help boost sales of the e-book reader. Although the upgrades are not that record-breaking — 2GB storage for up to 1,500 books, 25% more battery life, better display — it sure doesn’t hurt that this model is thinner (9mm) and lighter (289 grams). 
The best new feature I guess would be Read to Me which is a text-to-speech feature that reads the e-book (and blogs, magazine, newspaper) for you.
But then again, this is one of those gadgets we’ll never get to see or use in the Philippines. Well, unless Amazon changes their business model and unlock the Kindle from Sprint’s 3G network.
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The Kindle can be used in the Philippines! I know a number of Kindle users here. Yes, you cannot use the wireless connectivity here, because the network is not available. However, you can buy and download to your PC, then transfer to the Kindle via USB.
@bob – wow, I didn’t know that part where you can sync the Kindle to your downloaded ebooks on your PC. Now that you mentioned it, looks like the Kindle 2 might be my next purchase (to get me back to reading books again!).
The email-dependent features won’t be available though, like document conversion.
Hope they could make it use WiFi.
Kindle is a groundbreaking device that will save trees and people’s eyes. It will definitely improve to put bookstores out of business. The books could get cheaper as well since bookstores usually get 50% of the cover price. I’m sure we’ll eventually have 5-dollar books out. One dollar on each book could go to the author with the publisher and Amazon splitting the difference… or so in my dreams.
i would like to get my fiance one! he has tons of books and loves books so much. i love it for one reason, no more paper! Save our trees! Eventually, it might kill bookstores, which is sad, I like going to bookstores.
I sure hope hope CD-r King makes a product similar to kindle. That would be really cool!
@Philippine Yobbo – If CDR King makes one it will still be 349. Pesos instead of Dollars, though!
If you can’t use the connectivity here in the Philippines then 359 USD plus tax and shipping is overkill. You are better off with a PSP and dowload bookr e-book reader software to get the Kindle’s functionality.
I would rather wait for a 400 usd netbook/tablet pc that Asus would be releasing soon.
issai — it would never kill bookstores.
I’ve had my Kindle for over a year now. I live in Manila and yeah, it sucks that I can’t get the whispernet feature but I can always buy and download books from Amazon.com and transfer it to my Kindle.
I’ve also ordered the Kindle 2 for my mom. It’s sad that they removed the SD slot and threw out the removable battery. But the Text-to-Speech will benefit my mom a lot.
Before you get excited, you should know that Amazon cannot ship the Kindle outside of the US. You have to get it while you’re in the US. I got mine when I was doing my internship in New York City.
And you need a credit card issued by a US bank with a billing address in the US in order to buy the Kindle and Kindle books.
RE: CD-R King’s version of the kindle
Unless the book publishers will give them rights to sell the books, it will be pretty useless. Sure there are plenty of free ebooks out there, but most are classics, what if you wanted a NYT bestseller? Lots of ebooks (from Amazon, Sony) are DRM-controlled.
Reading in netbooks, iPhone, PDAs, iPod Touch, etc. doesn’t compare to a digital book reader simply because DBRs uses e-ink technology that doesn’t strain your eyes. It’s pretty much like reading a paperback. There’s no backlight. And the battery lasts a while.
I don’t think it will kill bookstores either.
Not everyone can afford a Kindle. And this really is targeted for the bibliophiles.
Just came across your blog on Google. Interesting post, you bring up a few good things to think about. Good luck with the blog.
i don’t think kindle and other e-book readers will be bookstore-killers. nothing still compares to the experience of having to read books/mags/news made from paper. but being able to carry practically an entire library of 1,500 books is really amazing for any bookworm.
I’m split between these 2 seemingly opposing camps. I started reading ebooks again on my Palm but I still prefer reading an actual book. There’s something about holding a real book and flipping the pages that ebook readers simply can’t match. Honestly, I even like the smell of new books.
But yes, I also like the convenience of being able to carry several books in just a lightweight portable device. But Kindle is still too expensive just for an ebook reader. They need to lower the price a little bit more.
I’m pretty sure that the Kindle will work in a somewhat offline mode and will not be totally crippled without the wireless connection. It will just be a bit harder to get the files into the Kindle.
What’s attractive about the Kindle is the touted “electronic paper” display. I’ve heard that it’s an E-Ink brand. I’ve asked people and they seem to say that it indeed somewhat appears like paper, which is certainly a good thing because reading on a CRT or LCD monitor gives you more eyestrain that reading book paper.
Hi there, just came across your blog doing a search on Google for Amazon Kindle Product Reviews. My personal opinion is that the Kindle really blows away the Sony Reader and all other products out there, and the Kindle 2 will be Amazing! Can’t wait for the Feb. 24th release date!!!
I have been watching the news about this so I have been looking around for the best site to visit. Yours is great. Thank you.
The Kindle 2 is distinctly more smashing than the first Kindle, especially if you’re inclined to forgive the battery and want of a memory-expansion alternative. And while it’s not without its defects and oddities, the Kindle 2 is a more enticing device now, and the total feel of reading, buying, and even listening to electronic books has taken a gracious step up.
I’m thinking of buying either a Kindle or a Sony e-reader. Problem is, both are not available here, and are not shipped here from either Amazon or Sony.
Anyone among those with e-readers now selling? So you could upgrade to the newer models?
Please do let me know.
Thanks!
I just got a Kindle! And you can download books in the Philippines via 3G with no extra charge.
Get the international edition.