Amazon Kindle 2 Review

The Amazon Kindle 2 e-Reader is perhaps one of the most popular and versatile e-Readers on the market today. This did not happen by accident, and it is certainly not a fluke. An enormous amount of work and energy went into the Kindle 2 and it shows. This review examines some of the finer points associated with this handy device.

Many users may cite the vast library that is available for the Kindle 2 as the main reason they purchased the device. Amazon has well over 300,000 titles, including 7000 public domain works that are totally free. In addition to books, users of the Kindle 2 can also download various newspapers and magazines. While some periodicals require a subscription, ie The New York Times, others do not.

The Read to Me feature is a very useful feature in the Kindle 2. This is basically a text to speech feature that allows those with visual impairments to listen rather than read. It can also be used by other users who simply want to enjoy the narration rather than scan with their eyes. One side not to this feature: Amazon now allows publishers to disable this feature for their titles, if they wish to do so.

One of the most important and useful features that you find in the Kindle 2 is its 3G wireless that allows users to download publications straight to the Kindle 2. Consumers will appreciate that there are no monthly fees or service plans associated with the device, and they do not have to hunt for often elusive Wi-Fi hotspots. Using the built-in free wireless "Whispernet" data network does not require a PC.

The WhisperSync function allows users to synchronize between Kindle 1.0, Kindle 2.0, and (in the near future) between other handheld mobile devices.

Some users will find the sleek, slimmer body to be a major advantage. The Kindle 2 comes in at .36 inches (about 1/3 of an inch) and that includes the metallic back of the device. It weighs in at only 10.2 ounces, which is less than many paperbacks.

One of the major improvements we see in the Kindle 2 is the new 16-level, gray-scale screen. When compared to the earlier 4-level, gray-scale screen, the difference is striking. The vastly improved contrast and sharpness of the new screen should be one of its main selling points.

While the Kindle 2 does not come with a color screen, it should be noted that many users do not want nor need a color screen, especially if the inclusion of such a feature would increase the price. For the vast majority of users whose primary purpose for the reader is to read text, the added costs of a color screen would simply be money wasted.

Another benefit this latest version has over its older sibling is a reported 25 percent increase in battery life.

The Kindle 2 also sports a much-improved button-function placement set up. This improved lay of the buttons will certainly help prevent accidental activation of the buttons which often resulted in unwanted page turns, either forward or backward, in the Kindle 1. The Kindle 2 comes with a very nice built-in keyboard that users can use for making notes as well as for navigation.

This version comes with a generous internal storage capacity of 2 GB, which, on average, equates to about 1500 books.

Font size is adjustable, making this an excellent choice for those who have problems seeing tiny text. Font adjustment is fast and easy.

The Kindle 2 is also an excellent choice for downloading and reading publications other than ebooks. With this device, you can download newspapers, magazines, and other print media, all at lightning speed. Much of this associated print material can be downloaded free of charge; other publications may require a subscription.

In addition to being able to download various types of publications, the Kindle 2 can also display image files, and it will play MP3 and AAC audio.

While the Kindle 2 can certainly convert PDF files so that you can read them, those who work with PDF files extensively may want to consider moving up the Kindle DX model which incorporates a native PDF file reader.

The Kindle 2 is compatible with Windows and Mac machines.

While it may not be a huge selling point to many users, the Kindle 2 has a huge array of accessories, including carrying cases. Some accessories are no-frills while others are somewhat exotic, to say the least.

Our overall impression of the Amazon Kindle 2 is that it provides superior functionality as an e-Reader. Its slim design and light weight make it perfect for those on the go. The new, improved screen is a revolutionary design change that puts this device at the top of the list when it comes to readability. While the hardware that you hold in your hands is impressive, the massive library that Amazon offers for this device is simply staggering. The library, combined with outstanding hardware, makes this one of the best options for consumers who are looking for a reliable, well-built e-Reader.