Both Kindle models use the same E Ink screens as the previous generation (and the DX version), though Amazon claims the refresh rate (page-turn speed) has been improved by 20%, while contrast is improved by 50% to match the DX. They're also 21% smaller and 15% lighter, and feature an expanded 4 GB of internal storage. The battery life has been improved, and according to Amazon the Kindles can last up to a month with the wireless networking turned off and up to 10 days with the radio enabled. The keyboard layout is also tweaked slightly, and has a larger directional pad. Finally, the new Kindles will be available in two colors: the standard white version and a darker "graphite."
The Kindle continues to be monochrome, and it doesn't look likely that Amazon will add a color display to the Kindle in the near future. and increasing the screen's refresh rate to support animation or video isn't a high priority. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos told the Wall Street Journal, "For the vast majority of books, adding video and animation is not going to be helpful. It is distracting rather than enhancing. You are not going to improve Hemingway by adding video snippets."
Do you own a Kindle or other e-book reader? If not, is $139 cheap enough for you to jump on board?
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First.
Looking forward to getting it, I'm really happy with all the new updates it has received, I'm glad I waited until now to purchase one.
Previously, if UK users wanted the Kindle they would have to ship from the US, incur £60 ($100) import tax and then have to buy everything in USD!
now I don't have to pay that stuff I have one ordered for myself!
If you are seriously looking to purchase a quality e-reader, you shouldn't let the price difference of less than $100 dollars lead you to make the cheaper, lower-quality choice. Drop the Wal-Mart, cheaper is best, philosophy and get yourself a Kindle. I love my Kindle.
I'm not sure about this new Kindle but, with free, downloadable conversion software provided by Amazon, you are able to make .pdf files viewable on the Kindle. I'm not sure about the other formats you mention.
PDFs suck on stand-alone ebook readers. Sorry, but PDFs are only good on a desktop or laptop. The best ebook file format is EPUB and, of course, Amazon failed to get something useful and open-source, and most likely the future format of choice for all, onto their device.
Not to mention as a sidenote, but the text-to-speech feature of the Kindle is bad. You seriously listen to that robo-voice for hours by choice? Seriously, you need to get some audiobooks off of a torrent site that are actually well-made. I suggest BBC made ones that are dramatized.
Sure the price drop is good, and actually having a color other than bland, boring white as a form factor is good, but the Kindle really needs work.
The Kindle needs this for me to even be remotely interested in it:
(1)EPUB file format. All other formats are either proprietary or lame like TXT.
(2) How about a colorful form factor like blue, green, silver/chrome, or something other than monochrome? Only thing more boring would be PC beige
(3) 100 dollars is the magic number. Almost there though. Personally, I don't see the appeal of 3G connections unless you are a full-time traveler. The average person doesn't need 3G. WiFi does the job well enough.
(4) color e-ink. I know its in the works, and will be implemented in a year or two, but without it, it truly makes the Kindle look second-class compared to a real machine like an Apple iPad or a well-designed Android tablet.
The Kindle does not support EPUB file format. The Kindle only works with lame TXT files, PDFs (which are horrible to use on such a device), MOBI file format, and their own proprietary file format that they use to sell their DRM ebooks.
The B&N Nook does use EPUB though, and a few other formats. However, the Nook is quite clunky to use.
Do yourself a favor, buy an Apple iPad or forthcoming Android tablet as your ebook reader. Stand-alone ebook readers blow .
Still, I'm glad to see them dropping in price. Should hell freeze over and I get a job so that I can buy all the things I need to replace, PC hardware and a comfortable chair to sit on while at my PC, then I would probably pick one up just because- even at the $139 price point.