Tech Ticker » Kindle 2

Amazon Kindle firmware improves battery life by 85 percent and reads PDF files

Kunal Gangar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:38:29 +0000

Amazon has announced a firmware update to the current generation Kindle bringing two major enhancements. The enhancements – which Amazon reckons is a result of extensive 6 month firmware testing – are a 85 percent improvement in the battery life that lasts up to 7 days with wireless turned on or up to 2 weeks when wireless turned off and support for reading PDF files.

Users can simply email PDFs to their respective Kindle email address or transfer them over USB. Additionally, users can also convert the PDF to Kindle format by typing “Convert” in the subject line.

The firmware will be delivered automatically over Whispernet wireless.

Kindle 2’s twin brother surfaces – where else? – in China

Kinjal Sangoi — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:30:31 +0000

“If you can’t afford it, create it” – is the mantra of the Chinese companies. Cloned mobile phones are a common sight in China but it seems they’ve been smitten with something new, which the Americans have been carrying for more than one and half years – the Kindle. WeFound is the answer to Amazon’s e-book reader that looks similar to Kindle 2 sparing the buttons on the side. It uses the same e-paper technology but will use a SIM card to download the content as compared to Amazon’s Whispersync feature.

The e-book reader will start retailing by the end of this year for $210 in China.

[Techon via E-Inkinfo]

Kindle 2 gets a price cut, now going for $299

Apurva Agarwal — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:57:06 +0000

Amazon has lowered the price of its smaller version of Kindle. The 6-inch e-book reader that was previously selling at $359 will now sell for $299. The unexpected price cut is attributed to the competitors who are selling their respective e-book readers for less than the $300.

The Kindle 2 was launched early this year and boasts features like a 6-inch e-paper display, 2GB internal memory, WhisperSync, integrated dictionary and text-to-speech function.

Amazon Kindle

Amazon’s Kindle advances to next generation

Kinjal Sangoi — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:19:47 +0000

Amazon unveiled its Kindle 2 at a press conference yesterday. The new Kindle is slimmer, has a longer battery life, more storage and is faster than its predecessor. The Kindle 2′s thickest part measures just 0.36” and weighs just over 10 oz.

The feature set includes a 6-inch e-paper display, 2GB of storage to store around 1,500 books, Amazon Whispernet to download content, Whispersnyc to sync between Kindles and mobile devices, integrated dictionary to look up for words instantaneously and 25% more battery life that gives around 4-5 days of usage with wireless on. Another noteworthy feature is ‘Read-to-me’ feature that allows the users to listen to the content, either in a male or a female voice.

The device is restricted to US only and will sell at the same price as before, ie. at $359. It will start shipping from February 24.

Kindle 2

Press Release