http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/ Engadget Comments for Amazon's Kindle 2 in the wild? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
I do like it a bit better, though.]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
No expandable memory? Screen isn't any bigger?

Maybe there's a faster refresh time, but that doesn't compensate for the loss of function. I'm glad that i chose to get the first generation kindle.

finally, the joystick as a control scheme? They should have learned their lesson from Sony! No matter how fast therefresh rate is, it isn't worth waiting just to see your selection change. I like the instant change lcd strip of the original kindle.

My two cents.]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/It's bigger without a bigger screen and typing looks even harder because keys are cramped]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
Now go play with your old-fashioned books.]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 10:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
1. Why devote even MORE space to a keyboard? When I had my Kindle, I hardly *ever* used the keyboard. I thought I would use it for web browsing but I hardly ever used my Kindle to browse the web because the interface was bad and the e-Ink refresh rate was way too slow for comfortable browsing. So, unless you've completely revamped the Web access to make the experience at least as pleasing as surfing on a Blackberry, the extra space for a generally superfluous keyboard simply makes no sense.

2. Why continue to make the bezel white? I know Bezos likes the white bezel because he thinks it "disappears" as you get lost in the text, but I just think it makes the already gray e-Ink screen look even darker in comparison. Use a dark gray, metal, or black bezel to make the e-Ink screen pop.

3. Where is the BACKLIGHT? That was my other complaint about the Kindle: For all the all the talk about how neat e-Ink is, the it was really tough to see in anything less than direct bright light. Newspapers and books are perfectly readable in indirect dim light, but e-Ink is not. It has to be directly under a light source. Your stop-gap measure seemed to be selling a clip-on light as a "recommended accessory." But there is absolutely no excuse to leave a backlight out of the 2nd gen Kindle -- or at the very least, a built-in light at the top of the screen that can flip out or something.

Please look at the Sony e-readers and try to understand what makes a compelling design. The problem with Sony is that their design is great but their selection is limited. The problem with Amazon is that your selection is great but your design remains 10-20 years behind the times. Oh how I long for a Sony-Amazon hybrid -- something with Sony's sense of style that can access the Kindle selection. Looks like it's not to be.

Please try harder for version 3.]]>Oct 3rd 2008 11:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 11:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Screen is still way too small, and the bezel is actually LARGER?? The plastic bezel on all the sides needs to be reduced by at LEAST 75%. God, this is just as bad as the first one! Why don't they just do a joint deal with Sony? At least sony has some decent japanese industrial designers...]]>Oct 4th 2008 12:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
I sure wish they would have fixed this. All they had to do is watch someone try to use and notice how many times you made this mistake!

Cole
]]>Oct 4th 2008 2:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 4th 2008 4:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 4th 2008 11:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/

note: I said looks better, not looks good.
]]>Oct 4th 2008 12:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
Backlighting is physical impossible with eInk. (It'd be like shining a light through a painting. Some of the light might pass though microscopic gaps, but it won't make it viewable.)]]>Oct 4th 2008 5:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 10:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
If you ask me I really like the look of that PRS-700 that we got a glimpse of a few days ago. That thing is sexy. Why aren't we talking more about that?]]>Oct 4th 2008 12:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Wouldn't center bottom mounted chargers make no sense since it would be impossible to 'kindle' it in your lap while charging?]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/v. kin·dled, kin·dling, kin·dles
v.tr.
1.
a. To build or fuel (a fire).
b. To set fire to; ignite.
2. To cause to glow; light up: The sunset kindled the skies.
3. To arouse (an emotion, for example): "No spark had yet kindled in him an intellectual passion" George Eliot.
v.intr.
1. To catch fire; burst into flame.
2. To become bright; glow.
3. To become inflamed.
4. To be stirred up; rise.


Yes I guess a bottom mounted charger would make it difficult to set fire to it while it was in your lap. Ironically you can read a dictionary on the device. ]]>Oct 6th 2008 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/1. I don't think navigating with the joystick will be as pleasing as the scroll wheel on e-books because e-ink is slow in refreshing and I think it'll be harder to click something, say, at the bottom of the page than to scroll to the bottom with the mirrored bar. Seems to me, the mirrored bar is a nice feature to have on the first kindle. I think the only reason they go with the joystick on kindle2 maybe they are coming out with some webbrowsing feature that was in beta on kindle1.

2. Although kindle1 is weirdly shaped, I think it look more ergonomic to hold in one hand vs the kindle2. I think if Amazon fix the large page flip button so people don't click it by accident will be enough. They don't have to come out with a new shape because the current kindle looks fine to me.

3. The kindle2 no longer have grips in its back, so people with sweaty hands might have a tough time holding it for long period reading. And from the back, it basically looks like a huge flat ipod with the metallic back....

4. I think stereo speakers are useless on a reading device because I'd get a compact mp3 player to do audiobooks and music...]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/(crosses finger for an attractive FLEPia)]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
For the love of god, hire better product designers, please. The Kindle 1 sucked big time, and the new one seems to follow the same stupid and absolutely lame style and unbelievably bricked mentality. I really believe that you have to change the placement of the main and important buttons, of course I'm talking about the next and back keys; they are simply wrongly placed, and any normal person who holds this thing will accidentally press one of the 4 buttons you are adding to the Kindle 2, it is a simple fact that your team seems to ignore like a kid designing their first science project and asking their mom to leave them alone! And talk about waste of space! Look at that screen! why don't you just a portable screen instead? it will give more white spaces so that your product design team can enjoy every bit of it! it's like they are in love with wide views of white uselessness!

I really believe in you and will support you guys, but not with the Kindle 1 nor the 2nd edition.

If god had a hell for products, the Kindle will be seen a lot.

Yours,
Someone who cares about Amazon.]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
Here is roughly what an ebook reader should look like: http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/02/sony-announces-prs-700-reader/

Yours,
Someone with eyes.]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
Please consider Wolfticket's request.

Yours,
Someone with some freaking common sense.]]>Oct 3rd 2008 10:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
HOW TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL KINDLE:
1) Create a dark-grey, aluminum shell roughly 9" H x 6" W x 0.5"
2) Put a 7" x 5" E-ink display on it, leaving roughly 1/2" bezel on the top and both sides for buttons. 1.5" bezel on bottom for small keypad placement.
3) Fill with logic components and battery]]>Oct 4th 2008 12:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
You have completely butchered the concept of Saad Rabia's comment and its replies. If you are going to reply, please reply accordingly to the rules set by the other parts of Saad Rabia's comment and its replies.

Yours,
Somebody with half a brain.]]>Oct 4th 2008 1:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
Is it just me or is the open letter format getting a bit old already?

Yours,
Mr Hip O'Crit]]>Oct 4th 2008 1:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/
I do like the look of the back however. Looks like they went with the same texture of the back of the original iPhone that Apple unfortunately dropped when they changed to plastic in the iPhone 3G. I don't know. We'll see.]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/especially down near the keyboard]]>Oct 3rd 2008 9:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 9:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 10:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 10:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 11:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 4th 2008 3:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Don't be sorry :)
FYI PC World, Gizmodo and other reviews stated that it was leather. But perhaps you are right, I never did email Amazon sales to confirm, as the design of the device wasn't very tempting anyway.
]]>Oct 4th 2008 4:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 4th 2008 1:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 10:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 10:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 10:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 4th 2008 1:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/amazons-kindle-2-in-the-wild/Oct 3rd 2008 10:18PM