7/29/10:  Ray Hendon

Now we know the full story about the Kindle 2 being out of stock.  Today Amazon announced two new models of Kindles, shown below.  First at $189.99 is the replacement Kindle which is smaller, lighter, faster, easier to read and has both 3G and WiFi.

The bigger news is the introduction of a new model, identical to the one just described except for lack of 3G connectivity.  It is WiFi only and will sell for $139.99.  Both of the new models will begin delivery on August 27.

More specifically, the new models are 15% smaller, 21% lighter (8.7 oz for 3G/WiFi, 8.5 oz for WiFi only), 20% faster on page turns, and easier to read with higher contrast.  Amazon claims 50% more contrast than any other eReader.

You can tell from the photographs that the new models are being offered in graphite or white.  Their thickness is a mere 1/3”.  The newer models hold up to 3,500 books, doubling the old model.  The screen size, at 6” diagonal, stays the same.

This exciting thing to me is the new, WiFi-only model.  I would easily give up 3G since almost all of my reading is done at home, where I have a WiFi signal, and I don’t see downloading new material while driving.  Saving $50, the way I use my Kindle, is an easy tradeoff.

I was disappointed not to see some kind of touch screen ability, but it seems that this was not possible without reducing screen contrast.  So it looks as if we are stuck with the clumsy joy stub that still appears in the lower right side, just like the older models.

New reviews will be some time coming, since retail delivery is a month away.  But, PC World has already posted a review.  Click here for the full article.

Although the author of the article had the new device for only a short time, the changes in design were appreciated.  One improvement not mentioned on the Amazon site is an improved browser.  Although still an E-Ink screen, it is faster to refresh and better designed.