Amazon Kindle: meet Amazon's e-book reader

Oh, come now, like you thought the world's largest book retailer (online) -- which just started peddling digital video under the Unbox brand -- wasn't going to go head to head with Sony's Reader on an e-book device and service? Say hello to the Amazon Kindle, their take on a book reader device that comes equipped with a 6-inch 800 x 600 display (which we can only assume is e-ink), 256MB internal storage, smallish two-thumb keyboard cursor bar, scroll wheel, standard mini USB port, 3.5mm headphone jack, SD slot, and get this: EV-DO data! (Don't believe us? The spec sheet is after the break. Why do you think it was in the FCC?) The user manual also outlines the Kindle Store on Amazon (though doesn't spec out too many details), but we're a little less concerned with how we're getting these supposed e-books right now, and a little more curious about the price and launch. C'mon Amazon, we've got the dirt, now how's about you fill in the details?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 26th 2007 2:44PM]

Yeah I agree the thing is ugly- however I was thinking this would be nice for my Dad who is having a very hard time reading regular sized print in books. He has to read the large print books and there are very few large print books out there.
(he hates the talking books)
I know there is device out there that is for the 'sight challenged' but its over a grand.
I 'll have to keep my eye on this thing....

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2007 3:33PM]

I think the Kindle is Amazon's Newton...a cool idea regarding innovating how we interface with media that got realized in a really klunky and soon-to-be-forgotten sort of way. It's smart innovation and branding for Amazon, tho, as after Newton/because of the risk-taking came...well, you know the mantra. I've written about the marketing implications of Kindle at DIM BULB if you'd like to check it out: http://dimbulb.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/11/amazons-newton.html

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2007 3:36PM]

Can the font/printing be enlarged for low vision peopme?

[ran Posted Jul 9th 2008 9:40AM]

The font can be enlarged to a size that's bigger than the text size on large print books.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 28th 2007 1:53PM]

http://prolvideo.thomson.com/176060/demo.mov
a demo for the kindle

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 30th 2007 5:48PM]

How sad so many of you only care about how 'cool' this does or doesnt look.

If this device is affordable, (I mean REALLY affordable) and has some font-sizing options,
it could be a godsend to those with low-vision and other vision disabilities.
If you say you dont care about that, think about how stupid you will feel someday when YOU have a real disability!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 24th 2007 11:59AM]

Wow. Very "Space 1999"... very "Logan's Run"... very "ugly"

It looks like a Timex Sinclair glued to the bottom of an oversized 1st gen Palm device. Maybe this is just Amazon's back-door way of ensuring that people still buy the more expensive printed materials.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 3rd 2007 12:20PM]

The Kindle looks great but my question is about the books, do you have text books in your store? If not do you have any plans to include them?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 23rd 2008 7:27AM]

Hi

Who do I contact as I am interested in a business deal on behalf of my company. This is an urgent request.

Regards
Moitreyee

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2007 11:33PM]

People,

Do you not have any understanding or are you just ignorant?

The game here is dollars, millions of big dollars. The price now may be a little high, but its like any first time project, the cost will come down.

Your ignorance or entitled attitude is too much to bear. Go try and make your own product, prettier with more functionality. Its one thing to complain, but another to recognize and laud good features and suggest improvements in a mature manner. Oh, I'm sorry, the gen x generation doesn't know any manners.

Eman

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 1st 2008 6:53PM]

For those who commented that the Kindle is Ugly, 80's, over-priced and Stupid, here's a nugget:

Amazon can't keep 'em in stock.

For the rest, consider the Sony unit, which has an 8-level gray scale (Kindle's got 4-level). The Sony is also $100 less, reads PDFs and more.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2008 3:41PM]

I believe Amazon is having an initial go with a segment of the population interested in having "the latest thing". Nonetheless, the mere fact of being able to move - help create - a market for a product like this is good enough reason to do it for Amazon, I guess.

Technology wise, I admit one of my doubts was wether it would be possible for any human being to actually read more than a few pages from a book out of the screen of a device like this. I thought it would be pretty tiresome, but I guess I was wrong. Here's a photo showing how you see text on Amazon Kindle screen

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2008 3:46PM]

Sorry, forgot to add the link. Here you go :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22722973@N08/2180922791/