Neuer Kindle und reine WLAN-Version

The all-new Kindle has a new electronic-ink screen with 50 percent better contrast than any other e-reader, a new sleek design with a 21 percent smaller body while still keeping the same 6-inch-size reading area, and a 15 percent lighter weight at just 8.7 ounces. The new Kindle also offers 20 percent faster page turns, up to one month of battery life, double the storage to 3,500 books, built-in Wi-Fi, a graphite color option and more—all for only $189, and still with free 3G wireless—no monthly bills or annual contracts. Also today, Amazon introduced a new addition to its family of portable reading devices—Kindle Wi-Fi. Readers who don’t need the convenience of free 3G wireless can now enjoy the new generation Kindle for the lower price of only $139.

Feature-mäßig endlich mit den Nook von Barnes & Noble gleichgezogen. Und der Preis (für die reine WLAN-Variante) nähert sich einer zum iPad sinnvollen Distanz. Ich frage mich nur, warum die jetzt alle Grau sein müssen. Färbt das E-Ink-Display eventuell die Finger?

2010-07-29, 10:25, tagged with Amazon, E-Ink, E-Publishing, Kindle, tweet it

Kindle Software Update Version 2.3

• Longer battery life for Kindle (Global Wireless): You can now read for up to 1 week on a single charge with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks.
• Built-in PDF reader: Your Kindle can now display PDF documents without losing the formatting of the original file. Send PDF documents directly to your Kindle (via your @Kindle address) or drag and drop PDF files from your computer to your Kindle (when connected via USB).
• Manual screen rotation: The Kindle screen can now manually rotate between portrait and landscape views so you can see the entire width of a web page or magnify the page of a PDF file. The page-turn buttons work the same in either orientation, and the 5-way controller movements are switched to match the orientation.
• Option to convert PDF files to Kindle format. If you prefer to have your personal PDF documents converted to the Kindle format (so that they can reflow), type “Convert” in the subject of the e-mail when you submit your personal document to your @kindle.com address.

A welcome update, though coming over the air without asking for permission to be installed. Next stop should be better ways to organize its contents.

2009-11-25, 11:19, tagged with Amazon, Kindle, Update, tweet it