MobileRead appears to have some official looking Kindle 2 photos along with a purported release date for the updated device and its price.
First, two things strike me about the new Kindle–if this is truly what the Kindle 2 will look like–it’s thin. Very thin. Thinner than a pencil. I’m guessing this means the device will be lighter. If correct, both of these are big wins.
The Kindle 2 also looks to be a little taller than the previous version although the rest of the design, though updated, looks quite similar to the first generation device. I’m guessing the updated design is going to make it easier to hold, page through documents, and carry around.
Again, this looks like a winner.
I still question the idea of a full keyboard for something that’s not going to be used all that much for reading the current generation of books, but I imagine a touch screen or the like would be too difficult and not responsive enough for now. It’ll be interesting to see how long this physical keyboard lasts in future versions.
One other point: It sure looks like Amazon and Apple must be eating the same engineering food. I don’t mean just in design or materials. I mean in terms of creating a device that people want to use. The first Kindle was clever in its purchase and deployment with novel pricing for its connectivity. The Kindle 2 looksto be continuing the Apple-led tradition of thinness. I guess this is showing how far ahead the Arm processors can lead products. Does this mean that when Intel finally comes out with its next generation Atom processors, which will cut power consumption further and maybe lead to more thinner, fanless designs. I’m not sure if these Atom processors will fit in something as thin as a Kindle 2 or iPhone, but if so, Intel’s volume strength will have a tremendous impact on the market. We’ll have to see. I’m hoping so.
I’m cashed out right now, but if I did have an extra $359 I’d be in line to get a Kindle 2 on February 24th when it’s supposedly to be released. It looks like a winner.
This is a good looking product. I’m very interested. BUT if you’ve been following the past few months the company plastic logic, I think you in particular would have an interest in their future product, given the touch screen on it. Granted the plastic logic reader won’t be out for a bit, but I think it’s gonna be the one to get. Save your nickels now.
go to plasticlogic.com. Coincidentally they are doing another showing of their reader Monday as well at a technology conference. (maybe it will deflate the Kindle announcement enthusiasm some.) Too bad it might not be available to the public until Jan 2010. 🙁