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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2009
Amazon Kindle 2
Introduction
Amazon Kindle is a software and hardware platform developed by Amazon.com for reading e-books and other digital media ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Amazon's Kindle 2 is newest version of mobile eBook reader developed by Amazon.com The Kindle hardware devices use E Ink brand electronic paper displays and are able to download content over Amazon("Wikipedia, 2009"). Amazon announced an international version of the Kindle 2 with a built-in 3G (HSDPA) and EDGE/GSM wireless modem for connectivity in over 100 countries, which went on sale October 19, 2009 worldwide ("Wikipedia, 2009").
The competition to the Kindle 2 is the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300. The Sony Reader is an e-Reader ("Wikipedia, 2009"). It uses an electronic paper display developed by E Ink Corporation that has 166 dpi (200 dpi in 5 inch version PRS-300, is viewable in direct sunlight, requires no power to maintain a static image, and is usable in portrait or landscape orientation ("Sony Wikipedia, 2009"). The reader uses an iTunes Store-like interface to purchase books from Sony Connect eBook store ("Sony Wikipedia, 2009"). It also can display Adobe PDFs, ePub format, personal documents, blogs, RSS newsfeeds, JPEGs, and Sony's proprietary BBeB ("BroadBand eBook") format ("Sony Wikipedia, 2009").
Price
[...]
The competition to the Kindle 2 is the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300, which has the price of $199 ("Miller, 2009"). The Sony Reader Pocket Edition is appealing because it is more compact than the Kindle 2 and costs $100 less ("Falcone, 2009").
The Kindle is too highly priced; it should be less than $200 dollars. When a Kindle 2 is purchased , the cover for $59 dollars is needed to protect it from damage. Headphones are another $ 8 dollars and the books are $9.00 each. The shipping is also expensive so at the end of the purchases, it is almost $400 dollars.
Price for me was an order qualifier. If the Kindle would have not lowered its price, I would have purchased a lower priced product.
Quality
Kindle 2 has 16 levels of grayscale (7:1), the most frequent criticism concerns the light text/poor contrast as compared to the original Kindle ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Some users have complained that the lighter text has caused eye strain or mild headaches after reading for long periods of time ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Some Kindle 2 users have become so disgruntled with the lighter text/poor contrast of the second generation device that they have downgraded to the Kindle 1 ("Wikipedia, 2009").
Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 has eight levels of grayscale, eight levels less than the Kindle 2 ("Falcone, 2009").[..] reviewed the PRS-300's contrast as arguably a hair better than the Kindle ("Falcone, 2009").
BAD
I rate the Kindle 2 poorly because difficulty of its difficulty to read. The Kindle 2 has no light, so if there is low light or no light, you have to listen to the book instead of reading it.
(I wish they had some type of lighting in the kindle)
(I also wish the Kindle's picture were in color. Amazon should really think of creating a Kindle with COLOR they should let the customers decide if they want color or just a plain page. Meaning it should be optional MAYBE TRUN ON A SWITCH IF YOU WANT COLOR OR JUST PLAIN PICTURE.=)
BAD->
The Kindle 2 has limited organization ability. The Kindle does not allow the user to organize books into folders ("Wikipedia, 2009"). There is one option which sets whether Your Documents, Subscriptions, Books, or everything shows up on the Home Page("Wikipedia, 2009").
The Sony Reader organizes the items in the Home Page according to title, author, or download date ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Books may also be tagged with one or more keywords by inserting the tags into notes added to the book ("Wikipedia, 2009").
BAD->
I rate the Kindle 2 poorly on organization. It is hard to find the book that you are looking for. When a book is purchased, it goes on the top of the list. It cannot be organized by author or date of purchase. The books that are part of a series that have the same title are the most confusing. I have to click on each book to see which book I want to read. It also does not have an owner's manual that is detailed enough to answer some questions. If a customer wants an owners manual, it is a separate purchase. =(
Customization or flexibility
The Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 comes in blue, silver, and rose, and retains the look, feel, and interface of earlier Readers ("Falcone, 2009"). This model has a nice, clean look with only a handful of buttons that keeps things simple and makes navigating the device simple ("Falcone, 2009"). Below the screen, you'll find a five-way directional pad, plus home, back, bookmark, and zoom; to the right are 10 buttons that correspond to navigation options on menu screens("Falcone, 2009"). The PRS-300's 5-inch screen offers 800x600 resolutions ("Falcone, 2009").
GOOD->
The Kindle 2 has a light sleek design that is lighter than a typical paperback book ("Amazon, 2009"). Sadly, it only comes in white. Kindle 2 is easy to hold with excellent button placement ("Biggs, 2009"). When people read, they shift positions ("Biggs, 2009"). The Kindle's page turning buttons are on each side of the unit, so pages can be turned from either side ("Amazon, 2009"). It has a 5 way controller, making on screen navigation easy ("Amazon, 2009"). It also has 800x600 resolution, and it has a six inch screen ("Amazon, 2009").
***=)TO THE AMAZON CREATERS THAT CREATED THE KINDLE READ PLEASE -> I would like the Kindle to come in other colors and to be more stylish. I would also like to have more covers offered that what they have available.
Innovation
GOOD ->
Kindle 2 utilizes a feature called "Whispersync bookmarking" to help users pick up where they left off, even between different Kindle devices. "Whispersync," customers can keep their place across Kindle hardware devices and other mobile devices ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Kindle hardware devices can be used without a computer, and Whispernet is accessible without any fee ("Wikipedia, 2009"). These devices also provide free access to the internet. (`Biggs, 2009')
GOOD->
The Kindle 2 allows its users to listen to 50,000 audio titles from Audio.com, including bestselling audio books, radio programs, audio newspapers, and magazines ("Amazon, 2009"). Because of their large size, the audio books must be transferred to the Kindle 2 through a PC using a USB connection ("Amazon, 2009").
GREAT WITH PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY->
I like the audio books that you can put in your kindle. I have a learning disability called "Dyslexia". I have a hard time reading and understanding something when I am reading. I have slow or inaccurate reading, I also have very poor spelling. I've had this problem since I was a child and I still till this day have a hard time reading and understanding something.
It's hard for me to tell someone younger than me to help me understand this article that I'm reading. IT HURTS TO ASK PEOPLE FOR HELP. I guess I have a very big "EGO". I HATED THE DAY WHEN THE TEACHER WOULD ASK ME TO READ SOMETHING OUT LOUD IN FRONT OF THE CLASS. It Hurts that I have to ask a 12 year old to help me read something I do not understand. I get so frustrated that I CRY sometimes. It drives me crazy!!
=) The Kindle has helped me in so many ways. Fist, They have a "auto Speech" that I LOVE. THIS HELPS ME BIG TIME, because when I do not understand something in a book that I'm reading, the Kindle will READ IT TO MEEEEE =). YOU GUYS do NOT KNOW HOW GREAT THAT MAKES ME FEEL. Now with the Kindle I could buy a book like a text book for COLLEGE and have the Kindle Auto speech read it to me. I understand things better when i have someone or an audio book, read it to me. NOW NO MORE PEOPLE READING THINGS TO ME. NO MORE ASKING A INSTRUCTOR TO HELP ME READ SOMETHING.
HA, LOVE IT =).
**A NOTE FOR AMAZON :
DO NOT TAKE THE AUTO SPEECH AWAY OR THE AUDIO PROGRAM THAT YOU HAVE ON THE KINDLE. IF YOU COME UP WITH A NEWER VERSION OF A KINDLE . Please do look at the customers that are blind, or the person with a disability. If people do not like the audio speech or the audio book program the simply do not NEED TO USE IT.
GOOD ->
The Kindle 2 also offers a built in The New Oxford American Dictionary with instant look up ("Amazon, 2009"). The reader can move the cursor to the word and the definition will automatically display at the bottom of the screen ("Amazon, 2009"). THIS HELPS ME OUT ALOT. =)
The Kindle 2 also has wireless free access to Wikipedia, the world's most exhaustive up-to-date encyclopedia. The Sony reader does not have any of these features ("Wikipedia, 2009"). =)
With the Kindle 2 files can easily be emailed files to your own Kindle email address for conversion to the Kindle for a 10 cents fee (Biggs). The Kindle 2 has a 3-speed text-to-speech that reads the text aloud; the Sony Reader does not have this feature ("Wikipedia, 2009").
BAD->
The Kindle 2 lacks the memory expansion slot which was part of the original Kindle, which not only affects the potential number of e-books which can be stored on the device, but also removes potential capabilities to import e-books onto the device via memory card ("Wikipedia, 2009").
Time
Downloading content to the Kindle 2 is wireless and usually takes 9 seconds ("Amazon, 2009"). Downloading a purchased book to the Sony Reader is a two-step process ("Falcone, 2009"). You launch the software, connect the Reader via USB, and browse the eBook Library ("Falcone, 2009"). After you purchase a title, it goes into a special folder; you then drag the title onto the icon for the device and it transfers to it ("Falcone, 2009").
GOOD->
I like that that downloads are fast with the Kindle 2 and that I do not have to pay extra fees, like I would pay shipping charges if I ordered the book online. The order winners for me were in the innovation category, specifically the Text to speech option and the dictionary. The Sony Reader did not have these options. It is easier for me to understand the text if it is read to be as I read the text.
GOOD->
I also purchase children's books and I allow my 4 year niece to use the Kindle. The Kindle 2 will turn the page for the child, so she is able to read the whole book though without touching the buttons. Also, the dictionary feature helps me to understand what I am reading and it is convenient because it is directly on the screen that I am on. I also liked that I have the option of downloading audio books because it gives me the option of having an actual person read the book instead of a computer.
BAD->
A dissatisfier and the major value detraction for me was the fact that there is no expansion slot for added memory. I will have to start deleting books that I purchased earlier in order to add more to the devise or I will have to buy a new Kindle for new books. Deleting books is like throwing away money, which takes away value as well. Also, there are limited books on Kindle. The older books are usually not available on Kindle. The new versions are more likely to be available, but there is no way of knowing what will be offered. I want to be able to get any book that I want if I already paid over two hundred dollars for the item. An exciter/delighter that added value for me was the free books that are offered through amazon.com. There are hundreds of books for me to choose from that I can read. Amazon.com does not mention this when you purchase the item.
Post production benefits
* Instant access to the worlds most exhaustive up-to-date encyclopedia Wikipedia-order winner
* Instant dictionary access-order winner
* Free books-order winner
* Unique customized email for each Kindle for transfer of personal documents- order satisfiers
* Photos displayed-order satisfiers
* Internet-order satisfiers
* Music download-order satisfier
* Newspapers before they hit the new stand-order satisfier
* Order books online and on the kindle without plugging it in-order winner
* 9 second downloads-order winner
* Whispersync-sending books you bought on one kindle to another as long as both are registered to you which would enable you to share the books between family members for up to 5 readers-order winner
* Audiobooks download to the kindle2-order winner
I would love to buy another Kindle ONEDAY =)
THANKS AGIAN FOR MAKING SUCH A GREAT PRODUCT =)
MY LOVE EMILY =)
Introduction
Amazon Kindle is a software and hardware platform developed by Amazon.com for reading e-books and other digital media ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Amazon's Kindle 2 is newest version of mobile eBook reader developed by Amazon.com The Kindle hardware devices use E Ink brand electronic paper displays and are able to download content over Amazon("Wikipedia, 2009"). Amazon announced an international version of the Kindle 2 with a built-in 3G (HSDPA) and EDGE/GSM wireless modem for connectivity in over 100 countries, which went on sale October 19, 2009 worldwide ("Wikipedia, 2009").
The competition to the Kindle 2 is the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300. The Sony Reader is an e-Reader ("Wikipedia, 2009"). It uses an electronic paper display developed by E Ink Corporation that has 166 dpi (200 dpi in 5 inch version PRS-300, is viewable in direct sunlight, requires no power to maintain a static image, and is usable in portrait or landscape orientation ("Sony Wikipedia, 2009"). The reader uses an iTunes Store-like interface to purchase books from Sony Connect eBook store ("Sony Wikipedia, 2009"). It also can display Adobe PDFs, ePub format, personal documents, blogs, RSS newsfeeds, JPEGs, and Sony's proprietary BBeB ("BroadBand eBook") format ("Sony Wikipedia, 2009").
Price
[...]
The competition to the Kindle 2 is the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300, which has the price of $199 ("Miller, 2009"). The Sony Reader Pocket Edition is appealing because it is more compact than the Kindle 2 and costs $100 less ("Falcone, 2009").
The Kindle is too highly priced; it should be less than $200 dollars. When a Kindle 2 is purchased , the cover for $59 dollars is needed to protect it from damage. Headphones are another $ 8 dollars and the books are $9.00 each. The shipping is also expensive so at the end of the purchases, it is almost $400 dollars.
Price for me was an order qualifier. If the Kindle would have not lowered its price, I would have purchased a lower priced product.
Quality
Kindle 2 has 16 levels of grayscale (7:1), the most frequent criticism concerns the light text/poor contrast as compared to the original Kindle ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Some users have complained that the lighter text has caused eye strain or mild headaches after reading for long periods of time ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Some Kindle 2 users have become so disgruntled with the lighter text/poor contrast of the second generation device that they have downgraded to the Kindle 1 ("Wikipedia, 2009").
Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 has eight levels of grayscale, eight levels less than the Kindle 2 ("Falcone, 2009").[..] reviewed the PRS-300's contrast as arguably a hair better than the Kindle ("Falcone, 2009").
BAD
I rate the Kindle 2 poorly because difficulty of its difficulty to read. The Kindle 2 has no light, so if there is low light or no light, you have to listen to the book instead of reading it.
(I wish they had some type of lighting in the kindle)
(I also wish the Kindle's picture were in color. Amazon should really think of creating a Kindle with COLOR they should let the customers decide if they want color or just a plain page. Meaning it should be optional MAYBE TRUN ON A SWITCH IF YOU WANT COLOR OR JUST PLAIN PICTURE.=)
BAD->
The Kindle 2 has limited organization ability. The Kindle does not allow the user to organize books into folders ("Wikipedia, 2009"). There is one option which sets whether Your Documents, Subscriptions, Books, or everything shows up on the Home Page("Wikipedia, 2009").
The Sony Reader organizes the items in the Home Page according to title, author, or download date ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Books may also be tagged with one or more keywords by inserting the tags into notes added to the book ("Wikipedia, 2009").
BAD->
I rate the Kindle 2 poorly on organization. It is hard to find the book that you are looking for. When a book is purchased, it goes on the top of the list. It cannot be organized by author or date of purchase. The books that are part of a series that have the same title are the most confusing. I have to click on each book to see which book I want to read. It also does not have an owner's manual that is detailed enough to answer some questions. If a customer wants an owners manual, it is a separate purchase. =(
Customization or flexibility
The Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-300 comes in blue, silver, and rose, and retains the look, feel, and interface of earlier Readers ("Falcone, 2009"). This model has a nice, clean look with only a handful of buttons that keeps things simple and makes navigating the device simple ("Falcone, 2009"). Below the screen, you'll find a five-way directional pad, plus home, back, bookmark, and zoom; to the right are 10 buttons that correspond to navigation options on menu screens("Falcone, 2009"). The PRS-300's 5-inch screen offers 800x600 resolutions ("Falcone, 2009").
GOOD->
The Kindle 2 has a light sleek design that is lighter than a typical paperback book ("Amazon, 2009"). Sadly, it only comes in white. Kindle 2 is easy to hold with excellent button placement ("Biggs, 2009"). When people read, they shift positions ("Biggs, 2009"). The Kindle's page turning buttons are on each side of the unit, so pages can be turned from either side ("Amazon, 2009"). It has a 5 way controller, making on screen navigation easy ("Amazon, 2009"). It also has 800x600 resolution, and it has a six inch screen ("Amazon, 2009").
***=)TO THE AMAZON CREATERS THAT CREATED THE KINDLE READ PLEASE -> I would like the Kindle to come in other colors and to be more stylish. I would also like to have more covers offered that what they have available.
Innovation
GOOD ->
Kindle 2 utilizes a feature called "Whispersync bookmarking" to help users pick up where they left off, even between different Kindle devices. "Whispersync," customers can keep their place across Kindle hardware devices and other mobile devices ("Wikipedia, 2009"). Kindle hardware devices can be used without a computer, and Whispernet is accessible without any fee ("Wikipedia, 2009"). These devices also provide free access to the internet. (`Biggs, 2009')
GOOD->
The Kindle 2 allows its users to listen to 50,000 audio titles from Audio.com, including bestselling audio books, radio programs, audio newspapers, and magazines ("Amazon, 2009"). Because of their large size, the audio books must be transferred to the Kindle 2 through a PC using a USB connection ("Amazon, 2009").
GREAT WITH PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY->
I like the audio books that you can put in your kindle. I have a learning disability called "Dyslexia". I have a hard time reading and understanding something when I am reading. I have slow or inaccurate reading, I also have very poor spelling. I've had this problem since I was a child and I still till this day have a hard time reading and understanding something.
It's hard for me to tell someone younger than me to help me understand this article that I'm reading. IT HURTS TO ASK PEOPLE FOR HELP. I guess I have a very big "EGO". I HATED THE DAY WHEN THE TEACHER WOULD ASK ME TO READ SOMETHING OUT LOUD IN FRONT OF THE CLASS. It Hurts that I have to ask a 12 year old to help me read something I do not understand. I get so frustrated that I CRY sometimes. It drives me crazy!!
=) The Kindle has helped me in so many ways. Fist, They have a "auto Speech" that I LOVE. THIS HELPS ME BIG TIME, because when I do not understand something in a book that I'm reading, the Kindle will READ IT TO MEEEEE =). YOU GUYS do NOT KNOW HOW GREAT THAT MAKES ME FEEL. Now with the Kindle I could buy a book like a text book for COLLEGE and have the Kindle Auto speech read it to me. I understand things better when i have someone or an audio book, read it to me. NOW NO MORE PEOPLE READING THINGS TO ME. NO MORE ASKING A INSTRUCTOR TO HELP ME READ SOMETHING.
HA, LOVE IT =).
**A NOTE FOR AMAZON :
DO NOT TAKE THE AUTO SPEECH AWAY OR THE AUDIO PROGRAM THAT YOU HAVE ON THE KINDLE. IF YOU COME UP WITH A NEWER VERSION OF A KINDLE . Please do look at the customers that are blind, or the person with a disability. If people do not like the audio speech or the audio book program the simply do not NEED TO USE IT.
GOOD ->
The Kindle 2 also offers a built in The New Oxford American Dictionary with instant look up ("Amazon, 2009"). The reader can move the cursor to the word and the definition will automatically display at the bottom of the screen ("Amazon, 2009"). THIS HELPS ME OUT ALOT. =)
The Kindle 2 also has wireless free access to Wikipedia, the world's most exhaustive up-to-date encyclopedia. The Sony reader does not have any of these features ("Wikipedia, 2009"). =)
With the Kindle 2 files can easily be emailed files to your own Kindle email address for conversion to the Kindle for a 10 cents fee (Biggs). The Kindle 2 has a 3-speed text-to-speech that reads the text aloud; the Sony Reader does not have this feature ("Wikipedia, 2009").
BAD->
The Kindle 2 lacks the memory expansion slot which was part of the original Kindle, which not only affects the potential number of e-books which can be stored on the device, but also removes potential capabilities to import e-books onto the device via memory card ("Wikipedia, 2009").
Time
Downloading content to the Kindle 2 is wireless and usually takes 9 seconds ("Amazon, 2009"). Downloading a purchased book to the Sony Reader is a two-step process ("Falcone, 2009"). You launch the software, connect the Reader via USB, and browse the eBook Library ("Falcone, 2009"). After you purchase a title, it goes into a special folder; you then drag the title onto the icon for the device and it transfers to it ("Falcone, 2009").
GOOD->
I like that that downloads are fast with the Kindle 2 and that I do not have to pay extra fees, like I would pay shipping charges if I ordered the book online. The order winners for me were in the innovation category, specifically the Text to speech option and the dictionary. The Sony Reader did not have these options. It is easier for me to understand the text if it is read to be as I read the text.
GOOD->
I also purchase children's books and I allow my 4 year niece to use the Kindle. The Kindle 2 will turn the page for the child, so she is able to read the whole book though without touching the buttons. Also, the dictionary feature helps me to understand what I am reading and it is convenient because it is directly on the screen that I am on. I also liked that I have the option of downloading audio books because it gives me the option of having an actual person read the book instead of a computer.
BAD->
A dissatisfier and the major value detraction for me was the fact that there is no expansion slot for added memory. I will have to start deleting books that I purchased earlier in order to add more to the devise or I will have to buy a new Kindle for new books. Deleting books is like throwing away money, which takes away value as well. Also, there are limited books on Kindle. The older books are usually not available on Kindle. The new versions are more likely to be available, but there is no way of knowing what will be offered. I want to be able to get any book that I want if I already paid over two hundred dollars for the item. An exciter/delighter that added value for me was the free books that are offered through amazon.com. There are hundreds of books for me to choose from that I can read. Amazon.com does not mention this when you purchase the item.
Post production benefits
* Instant access to the worlds most exhaustive up-to-date encyclopedia Wikipedia-order winner
* Instant dictionary access-order winner
* Free books-order winner
* Unique customized email for each Kindle for transfer of personal documents- order satisfiers
* Photos displayed-order satisfiers
* Internet-order satisfiers
* Music download-order satisfier
* Newspapers before they hit the new stand-order satisfier
* Order books online and on the kindle without plugging it in-order winner
* 9 second downloads-order winner
* Whispersync-sending books you bought on one kindle to another as long as both are registered to you which would enable you to share the books between family members for up to 5 readers-order winner
* Audiobooks download to the kindle2-order winner
I would love to buy another Kindle ONEDAY =)
THANKS AGIAN FOR MAKING SUCH A GREAT PRODUCT =)
MY LOVE EMILY =)
