Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle logo.svg
Amazon Kindle 3.JPG
A third generation Kindle in graphite color
Developer Amazon.com
Manufacturer Foxconn
Type E-book reader
Release date November 19, 2007 (2007-11-19)
Introductory price $399
Operating system Linux 2.6.26
Power 3.7 V, 1530 mAh lithium polymer, BA1001 model
CPU Freescale 532 MHz, ARM-11
Storage capacity (total/user available) 256 MB/180 MB (original) or 2 GB/1.4 GB (Kindle 2) or 4 GB/3 GB (Kindle 3) or 4 GB/3.3 GB (Kindle DX) internal flash memory
Display 6 in diagonal,
3.6 in (91 mm) × 4.8 in (122 mm),
600 × 800 pixels or 0.48 megapixels,
167 ppi density,
4-level grayscale (original)
or 16-level grayscale (Kindle 2 and 3)
electronic paper
Input USB 2.0 port (micro-B connector),
SD card (original model only),
3.5 mm stereo headphone jack
built-in stereo speakers,
AC power adapter jack
Connectivity Amazon Whispernet using EVDO/CDMA AnyDATA wireless modem (selected models),
802.11bg Wi-Fi (Kindle 3)
Dimensions 8.0 × 5.3 × 0.8 in (203 × 135 × 20.3 mm) (original)
8.0 × 5.3 × 0.36 in (203 × 135 × 9.14 mm) (Kindle 2)
7.5 × 4.8 × 0.34 in (190 × 123 × 8.51 mm) (Kindle 3)
10.4 x 7.2 x 0.38 in (Kindle DX 2)
Weight 10.2 oz (290 g) (Kindle 1 & 2)
8.7 oz (247 g) (Kindle 3)
8.5 oz (241 g) (Kindle 3 Wi-Fi only)
18.9 oz (540 g) (Kindle DX 2)
List of Amazon Kindle models
*
(Grouped by product lines):
* Kindle (original) (White)
Release date: November 19, 2007
* Kindle 2 (White)
February 23, 2009
* Kindle 2- International (White)
October 19, 2009
* Kindle 3- 3G and Wi-Fi (White/Graphite)
August 27, 2010
* Kindle DX (original) (White)
June 10, 2009
* Kindle DX International (original) (White)
January 19, 2010
* Kindle DX International 2 (Graphite)
July 1/7?, 2010
* Kindle 3- Wi-Fi (Graphite)
August 27, 2010
The Amazon Kindle is a portable e-book reader. More precisely, it is a software, hardware and network platform developed by Amazon.com subsidiary Lab126[1] that uses wireless connectivity to enable users to shop for, download, browse, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other digital media in some countries.[2] The Kindle hardware devices use an E Ink electronic paper display that shows up to 16 shades of gray, minimizes power use and simulates reading on paper.
Several hardware devices support this platform, including a main "Kindle" line and a parallel "Kindle DX" line. The most recent Kindle device is the third incarnation of the main line, officially named "Kindle", but usually referred to as "Kindle 3".[3][4][5] Kindle 3 was released on August 27, 2010.[6] User reports indicate that the new display on the Kindle 3, with E Ink Pearl technology, is noticeably superior to prior generations.[original research?]
The Kindle DX line features larger screens than the main Kindle line and is marketed as more suitable for displaying newspaper and textbook content.[7] Amazon has also introduced Kindle software for use on various devices and platforms, including Microsoft Windows, iOS, BlackBerry, Mac OS X (at least 10.5 Leopard), Android and Windows Phone 7.[8]
Content for the Kindle can be purchased online and downloaded wirelessly in some countries, using either standard Wi-Fi or Amazon's 3G "Whispernet" network.[9] Whispernet is accessible without any monthly fee or wireless subscription,[10] although fees can be incurred for the delivery of periodicals and other content when roaming internationally beyond the customer's home country. Through a service called "Whispersync", customers can synchronize reading progress, bookmarks and other information across Kindle hardware devices and other mobile devices.[11][12]
Contents
[hide]
* 1 History
o 1.1 Original version
o 1.2 Kindle 2
+ 1.2.1 International version
o 1.3 Kindle DX
+ 1.3.1 International version
o 1.4 Kindle DX Graphite
o 1.5 Kindle 3
o 1.6 Kindle applications
o 1.7 Kindle sales
* 2 Overview
o 2.1 File formats
+ 2.1.1 Original Kindle
+ 2.1.2 Kindle 2
o 2.2 User-created annotations
o 2.3 Kindle Development Kit (KDK)
* 3 Business model
o 3.1 Kindle Direct Publishing
o 3.2 Remote content removal
* 4 References
* 5 External links
[edit] History
[edit] Original version
A first generation Kindle
Amazon released the Kindle First Generation[13] on November 19, 2007, for US$399 and was sold out in five and a half hours.[14] The device remained out of stock for five months until late April 2008.[15]
It is the only Kindle with expandable memory, via an SD card slot.
The device features a 6 inch (diagonal) 4-level grayscale display, with 250 MB of internal memory, which can hold approximately 200 non-illustrated titles.[16]
Amazon did not sell the Kindle First Generation outside the United States.[16] Plans for a launch in the UK and other European countries were delayed by problems with signing up suitable wireless network operators.[17]
[edit] Kindle 2
A second generation Kindle
On February 10, 2009, Amazon announced the Kindle 2.[18] It became available for purchase on February 23, 2009. The Kindle 2 features a text-to-speech option to read the text aloud, and 2 GB of internal memory of which 1.4 GB is user-accessible. By Amazon's estimates the Kindle 2 can hold about 1500 non-illustrated books. Unlike the Kindle First Generation, Kindle 2 does not have a slot for SD memory cards.[19] It was slimmer than the original Kindle.[20][21][22]
To promote the new Kindle, author Stephen King made UR, his then-new novella, available exclusively through the Kindle Store.[23] On October 22, 2009, Amazon stopped selling the original Kindle 2 in favor of the international version it had introduced earlier in the month.
According to an early review by iFixIt, the Kindle 2 features a Freescale 532 MHz, ARM-11 90 nm processor, 32 MB main memory, 2 GB moviNAND flash storage and a 3.7 V 1530 mAh lithium polymer battery.[24]
On November 24, 2009, Amazon released a firmware update for the Kindle 2 that it said increases battery life by 85% and introduces native PDF support.[25]
On July 8, 2009, Amazon reduced price of the Kindle 2 from the original $359 to $299. On October 7, 2009, Amazon further reduced the price of the Kindle 2 to $259.[citation needed] The Kindle 2 was criticized[26] for its high original retail price, compared to the $185.49 manufacturing cost estimated by iSuppli.
[edit] International version
On October 7, 2009, Amazon announced an international version of the Kindle 2 that can download new titles in over 100 countries. It became available October 19, 2009. The international Kindle 2 is physically very similar to the U.S.-only model, although it uses a different mobile network standard.
The original Kindle 2 uses CDMA2000, for use on the Sprint network. The international version uses standard GSM and 3G GSM, enabling it to be used on AT&T's U.S. mobile network and internationally in 100 other countries.[27]
Kindle 2 International Version is believed to have a noticeably higher contrast screen, although Amazon does not advertise this.[28] Another review done by Gadget lab,[29] disputes this and actually states that the font appears to be fuzzier than the first generation kindle. The review goes on to say that changes to the Kindle 2 have made it harder to read the smaller font sizes that most books use. On another website[30] they also discuss how the font size is at times worse than the kindle 1's. It appears that whether or not the kindle 2 is clearer or fuzzier than the prior model depends on the font size.
On October 22, 2009, Amazon lowered the price on the international version from $279 to $259 and discontinued the U.S.-only model. On June 21, 2010, hours after Barnes & Noble lowered the price of its Nook, Amazon lowered the price of the Kindle 2 to $189
[edit] Kindle DX
The larger Kindle DX with a Kindle 2 for size comparison
Amazon announced the Kindle DX on May 6, 2009. This device has a larger screen than the standard Kindle and supports simple PDF files. It was also the thinnest Kindle to date and offers an accelerometer, which enables the user to seamlessly rotate pages between landscape and portrait orientations when the Kindle DX is turned on its side.[31] It is marketed as more suitable for displaying newspaper and textbook content.[32] The device can only connect to Whispernet in the United States. It can be distinguished from the later International version by a serial number starting with "B004".[33]
[edit] International version
Since January 19, 2010, the Kindle DX International has shipped in 100 countries.[34] The Kindle DX comes with a 24.6 cm (9.7 inch) E Ink screen instead of the 15.2 cm (6 inch) normal Kindle screen. It has support for International 3G Wireless, and its serial number will start with "B005".[33]
[edit] Kindle DX Graphite
On July 1, 2010, Amazon released a new revision of the Kindle DX (3rd Generation Kindle DX). As well as dropping the price from $489 to $379, the new Kindle DX has an E Ink display with 50% better contrast ratio and comes only in a "graphite" color. It is speculated the color change is to improve contrast ratio perception further, as some users found the prior white casing highlighted that the E Ink background is gray and not white. Like the prior Kindle DX, it does not have a Wi-Fi connection.[35] Its serial number will start with "B009".[33]
[edit] Kindle 3
Amazon announced a new generation of the Kindle on July 28, 2010.[36] While Amazon does not officially add numbers to the end of each Kindle denoting its generation, most reviewers, customers and press companies refer to this updated Kindle as the "Kindle 3".[3][4][5]
Kindle 3. (Left to right) Volume control, headphone jack, microphone, USB and power switch
The Kindle 3 is available in two versions. One of these, the Kindle Wi-Fi, is initially priced at US$139 / GB£111, and connects to the Internet exclusively via public or private Wi-Fi networks.[36] The other version, considered a replacement to the Kindle 2, is priced at US$189 / GB£152 and includes both 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity.[36] The built-in free 3G connectivity uses the same wireless signals that cell phones use, allowing it to have download and purchase availability from any location with cell service.[36] The new Kindle with 3G is available in two colors: classic white and graphite. Both models use the new E ink "Pearl" display, which has a higher contrast than prior displays and a faster refresh rate. However, it remains slower than traditional LCD displays.[37]
The Kindle 3 utilizes a Freescale i. MX353 applications processor, Freescale MC13892 power management chip, Epson EINK controller and Samsung DRAM and Flash. Other hardware changes include a larger 1750 mAh lithium polymer battery, AnyDATA DTP-600W 3G GSM modem and Atheros AR6102G 802.11bg Wi-Fi chip.
The third-generation Kindle is 0.5 inches shorter and 0.5 inches narrower than the Kindle 2. It supports additional fonts and international Unicode characters. An experimental browser based on the popular WebKit rendering engine is included, as well as text-to-speech menu navigation. Internal memory is expanded to 4 GB, with approximately 3 GB available for user content. Battery life is advertised at up to one month of reading on a single charge with the wireless turned off.[36]
Pre-orders for the new Kindle concurrently began with the announcement of the device, and Amazon began shipping the devices on August 27, 2010 in the United States and United Kingdom.
With the announcement of the Kindle 3, Amazon also launched an Amazon.co.uk version of the Kindle store. Existing UK users are currently offered the option of migrating to the UK Kindle store at no loss to their existing purchases.[citation needed]
On August 25, 2010, Amazon announced that the Kindle 3 was the fastest-selling Kindle ever.[38]
In late January 2011, Amazon announced that digital books were outselling their traditional print counterparts for the first time ever on its site, with an average of 115 Kindle editions being sold for every 100 paperback editions.[39]
Reception: The Kindle 3 generally received good reviews after launch. In their Kindle 3 Review, Review Horizon [40], describes it as offering "the best reading experience in its class" while Engadget [41] says "In the standalone category, the Kindle is probably the one to beat".
[edit] Kindle applications
Amazon released a "Kindle for PC" application in late 2009, available as a free download for Windows 7, Vista, and XP.[42] This application allows thousands of books to be read on a personal computer in color, with no Kindle unit required, as e-books can simply be purchased from Amazon's store.[43] Amazon later released a version for the Macintosh, in early 2010.[44] In June 2010, Amazon released a "Kindle for Android" version. With the Android application release, versions for the Apple iPhone, the iPad, PC and Mac computers, and BlackBerry cellphones are also available.[45] In January 2011, Amazon released Kindle for Windows Phone 7.[46]
[edit] Kindle sales
Specific Kindle sales numbers are not released by the company, however, Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com, stated in a shareholders' meeting in January 2010 that "millions of people now own Kindles."[47] According to anonymous inside sources, over three million Kindles have been sold as of December 2009,[48] while external estimates, as of Q4-2009, place the number at about 1.5 million.[49] According to James McQuivey of Forrester Research, estimates are ranging around four million, as of mid-2010.[50] On March 6th, 2011, AT&T stores officially started sales of the Amazon Kindle. [51]
In 2010, Amazon remained the undisputed leader in the e-reader category, accounting for 59% of e-readers shipped, and it gained 14 percentage points in share.[52]
[edit] Overview
Content from Amazon and some other content providers is primarily encoded in Amazon's proprietary Kindle format (AZW). It is also possible to load content in various formats from a computer by simply transferring it to the Kindle via USB (for free) or by emailing it to a registered email address provided by Amazon (for a fee via 3G, or free via Wi-Fi); the email service can convert a number of document formats to Amazon's AZW format and then transmit the result to the associated Kindle over Whispernet. In addition to published content such as books and periodicals, Kindle users can also access Wikipedia, free of charge, via either Wi-Fi or 3G.[53]
The New Yorker subscribed on a Kindle 3
The Kindle's terms of use forbid transferring Amazon e-books to another user or a different type of device.[2] However, Amazon announced on December 30, 2010 that lending books on Kindles was allowed.[54] Users can select reading material using the Kindle itself or through a computer at the Amazon Kindle store and can download content through the Kindle Store, which upon the initial launch of the Kindle had more than 88,000 digital titles available for download. This number continued steadily increasing to more than 275,000 by late 2008, and exceeded 500,000 in the spring of 2010. As of July 24, 2010, there were more than 650,000 books available for download.[55] In late 2007, new releases and New York Times best sellers were being offered for approximately US$11, with first chapters of many books offered as free samples. Many titles, including some classics, are offered free of charge or at a low price, which has been stated to relate to the cost of adapting the book to the Kindle format. Magazines, newspapers and blogs via RSS are provided by Amazon per a monthly subscription fee or a free trial period. Newspaper subscriptions cost from US$1.99 to $27.99 per month; magazines charge between $1.25 and $10.99 per month, and blogs charge from $0.99 to $1.99 per month.[56] Amazon e-book sales overtook print for one day for the first time on Christmas Day of 2009.[57]
International users of Kindle pay different prices for books depending on their registered country. For U.S. customers traveling abroad, Amazon originally charged a $1.99 fee to download books over 3G while overseas. That charge was quietly dropped in May 2010.[citation needed] Fees remain for wireless delivery of periodical subscriptions and personal documents.
In addition to the Kindle store, paid content for the Kindle can be purchased from various independent sources such as Fictionwise, Mobipocket and Webscriptions. Public domain titles are also obtainable for the Kindle via content providers such as Project Gutenberg and World Public Library. A survey has revealed that the Kindle store has more than twice as much paid content as its nearest competitor, Barnes and Noble.[58]
The device is sold with electronic editions of its owner's manual and the New Oxford American Dictionary (UK version includes, Oxford Dictionary of English). Users are able to purchase different dictionaries from the Kindle store as specified in the included manual.[59][60] The Kindle also contains several free experimental features including a basic web browser.[61] Users can also play music from MP3 files in the background in the order they were added to the Kindle. Operating system updates are designed to be received wirelessly and installed automatically during a period in sleep mode in which wireless is turned on.[62]
[edit] File formats
[edit] Original Kindle
The original Kindle supported only unprotected Mobipocket books (MOBI, PRC), plain text files (TXT), Topaz format books (TPZ), and Amazon's proprietary DRM-restricted format (AZW). Version 2.3 firmware upgrade for Kindle 2 (U.S. and International) added native Portable Document Format (PDF) support.[25] Earlier versions did not fully support PDF, but Amazon provided "experimental" conversion to the native AZW format,[63] with the caveat that not all PDFs may format correctly.[64] It does not support the EPUB ebook standard. However there is software available (e.g. Calibre) which can convert a non-DRM EPUB file into the unprotected Mobipocket format that the Kindle can read. Amazon offers an email-based service that will convert JPEG, GIF, PNG and BMP graphics to AZW.[65] Amazon will also convert HTML pages and Microsoft Word (DOC) documents through the same email-based mechanism, which will send a Kindle-formatted file to the device directly for $0.15 per MB or to a personal e-mail account for free. These services can be accessed by sending emails to
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