Amazon Kindle 2

I read a lot of books, and feel guilty sometimes about the stacks growing around me. I also travel a fair amount, and carrying a book, let alone books, is something I usually elect to not do. So the idea of a paperback size, light weight reader makes sense to me.

So I decided some time ago to try a Kindle, and decided to wait until the ‘next’ iteration came out. We’ll as you likely know the new Kindle 2 arrived in early March so I order one.

I’ve been using my Kindle now for about two weeks. I just finished my first book on it, The Ascent of Money (a good book). I’m also reading several regular blogs and two newspapers on it.

I like it and it does exactly what I wanted it to. I would buy it again.

The screen is very easy on the eyes, especially after staring at a normal CRT or LCD computer screen. The E-Ink technology is very easy to read from. The size seems just right, the weight just light enough, the software does exactly what I expect it to  - so the overall goal Jeff Bezos is purported to have had of making the device disappear so you can just enjoy your reading seems to have been fulfilled. I read a lot of documents from my laptop and desktop and reading from the Kindle is a much more natural and relaxing experience. I read from it every night before going to bed sometimes for hours.

It’s great to order a book and literally have it in a minute via WhisperNet. It just works, which is the best compliment one can have for a technology. It was nice getting the daily paper(s) while on my last trip (to Zion National Park). WhisperNet seems to have good coverage, even in Southern Utah.

The selection of books has been very good, I’ve bought six books now and every book that I have wanted has been available. Saving a few dollars and a few trees are big pluses.

If you want a device to allow you to carry hundreds of books with you at all times, in an easy to read and use form, fully backed up to your digital vault (on Amazon) then you’ll like the Kindle. It is not meant to be a multi-purpose machine (that’s what a laptop is for). Having ‘reading’ device seems appropriate and natural to me, and the Kindle fits the bill.