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Amazon Kindle

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Amazon Kindle
ManufacturerAmazon.com
Availability by regionUnited States November 19 2007
Compatible networksAmazon Whispernet
Dimensions7.5 × 5.3 × 0.7 in
(19.1 × 13.5 × 1.8 cm)
Weight10.3 oz
(292 g)
Operating systemLinux (2.6.10 kernel)
CPUIntel PXA255.
Memory64 MB RAM,
256 MB (180 MB available) internal storage,
SD expansion slot.
Complete back up archive of all purchased material archived on Amazon Cloud.
Battery3.7V, 1530mAh lithium polymer, BA1001 model.
Display600×800 px,
167 ppi resolution,
6" diagonal,
7.5" x 5.3" size,
4-level grayscale
Electronic paper,
LCD side scroller.
ConnectivityEVDO/CDMA AnyDATA wireless modem, USB 2.0 port (mini-B connector),
3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, built-in speaker,
AC power adapter jack.
Data inputsQWERTY keyboard,
select wheel,
next/prev/back buttons.

Amazon Kindle is an electronic book (e-book) service launched in the United States by Amazon.com in November 2007. It uses an electronic paper display, reads the proprietary Kindle (AZW) format, and downloads content over Amazon Whispernet, which uses the Sprint EVDO network. This means that unlike previously existing e-book readers, the Kindle can be used without the need for a computer. Whispernet is accessible through Kindle without any fee.[1] On the release day, the Kindle store had more than 88,000 digital titles available for download.[2] The Kindle sold out in five and a half hours.[3]

Technical specifications

The Kindle features a 6" (15 cm), 4-level grayscale electrophoretic display (E Ink material) with a resolution of 600×800 pixels (167 ppi). It measures 7.5″ × 5.3″ × 0.7″ (19.1 cm × 13.5 cm × 1.8 cm) and weighs 10.3 oz (292 g). The Kindle's internal storage capacity is 256 MB, shipping with 180 MB free, though it supports expansion through SD cards. It has 64 MB of RAM. The battery lasts roughly two days with wireless on, and one week with wireless off. The battery charges in about two hours. A computer is not required, but a USB 2.0 port (mini-B connector) is available for connecting to a computer (where it acts as a USB flash drive). The Kindle features a headphone jack and one-year warranty. The device runs on a modified version of Linux based on the 2.6.10 kernel.[4]

Content

The internal memory of the Amazon Kindle can hold approximately 200 non-illustrated titles.[5] Users can download content from Amazon in the proprietary Kindle format (AZW), or load unprotected Mobipocket (PRC, MOBI) or plain text content. Amazon offers an email-based service that will convert HTML, DOC (Microsoft Word), JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP documents to AZW.[6] It also supports audio in the form of MP3s and Audible 2, 3, and 4 audiobooks, which must be transferred to the Kindle over USB or on an SD card.

Users can download content through the Kindle store. The Kindle store is accessed through a version of Sprint's EV-DO 3G internet service. Amazon provides the service free of charge so that the end user does not need to set up a monthly contract. New releases and New York Times bestsellers list books will be offered for approximately $10. Classics like Bleak House sell for around $1.99, with free samples available of the first chapter of each book. Subscriptions to newspapers cost between $5.99 and $14.99 per month, magazines between $1.25 and $3.49 per month, and blogs for $0.99 per month.[7] Users can send documents to a conversion service which will send a Kindle-formatted file to the device directly for $0.10 or to a personal e-mail account for free. Users can transfer converted documents from a computer to the Kindle via a USB cable or an SD card for free. Access to Wikipedia is offered at no additional charge.[8]

Amazon launched the Digital Text Platform in open beta concurrently with the Kindle device, and promoted the platform to established authors by e-mail.[9] Authors can upload documents in several formats for delivery via Whispernet and charge between US$0.25 and $200 per download.[9] The authors receive 35% of revenues based on their list price, regardless of discounts by Amazon.[10]

The device comes with electronic editions of its owner's manual and the New Oxford American Dictionary.

Experimental support for web browsing is included.[11]

Criticism

  • Although it supports unprotected Mobipocket books (.MOBI, .PRC), plain text files, and HTML and Word documents, Kindle also uses its own proprietary, DRM-restricted format (AZW). It does not fully support the widely accepted PDF format, but Amazon provides "experimental" conversion to the native AZW format.[12] A user may also convert PDF files to supported formats using third-party software.
  • The Kindle allows RSS subscription to select blogs for $0.99 or more monthly, even though one may use the experimental web browser to navigate to and read blogs without cost.[13]
  • Text is fully justified but without hyphenation.[14]
  • Amazon does not sell the Kindle outside the United States, and Whispernet only works in the U.S.[15] However, U.S. owners traveling abroad have the option of managing their Kindle purchases via PC and can then in turn download items from the PC to their Kindle.

Some users and potential customers have voiced concerns in Amazon.com forums as to whether previously purchased paper titles will or will not be made available for free or at a discount in Kindle format.

References

  1. ^ What is the Amazon Whispernet wireless feature and how does it work?, Amazon.com
  2. ^ Steven Levy (November 26, 2007). "The Future of Reading". Newsweek. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  3. ^ Nilay Patel (November 21, 2007). "Kindle sells out in 5.5 hours". Engadget. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
  4. ^ "Kindle Powered by Linux". Robert Love.
  5. ^ "Amazon Kindle vs Sony Reader". comparati.com. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
  6. ^ "Reading Personal Documents on your Kindle". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  7. ^ Thomas Ricker (November 19, 2007). "Amazon Kindle available now on Amazon". Engadget. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
  8. ^ "Kindle: Amazon's New Reading Device". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2007-11-24.
  9. ^ a b Rick Aristotle Munarriz (November 27, 2007). "Why Kindle Will Change the World". Motley Fool. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  10. ^ "Amazon DTP Support:Terms & Conditions". Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  11. ^ "Accessing Basic Web and Kindle NowNow". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  12. ^ Amazon (2007). "Amazon.com: Help > Digital Content > Amazon Kindle Support > How to Use Your Kindle > Reading Personal Documents on Your Kindle". Amazon. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
  13. ^ Joel Johnson (November 19, 2007). "15 Things I Just Learned About the Amazon Kindle". Boing Boing. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  14. ^ Glenn Fleishman. "Hands on with Kindle". TidBits. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  15. ^ Amazon Kindle FAQ
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