Amazon's third major iteration of its flagship reading device, the Kindle, comes out of the gate looking strong: the new graphite finish (just like its big brother, the Kindle DX) with a slimmer, lighter form factor, plus a bumped refresh rate for its E Ink screen. Best of all, the WiFi only and 3G readers have newly lowered prices (though they're still not exactly bargain basement level). We've spent the past few days putting the tinier Kindle through the paces to see just how much Amazon's improved it. Though the market is increasingly flooded with cheap readers, the Kindle is arguably still the leading name in the field, and Amazon is already touting the third model as its bestselling ever -- even though there are still no sales figures to be had. So, is this the best Kindle ever? Read on to find out.

Continue reading Amazon Kindle review (2010)

Amazon Kindle review (2010) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It certainly feels to some degree that converged functionality is replacing the standalone and dedicated device. Look at the state-of-the-art iPod touch today and the state-of-the-art iPod of just three years ago. Compare the camera on your phone to the point and shoot digital of just four years ago. The argument seems strong for converged rather than dedicated and standalone devices.

I think the reality is a little more complicated.

Continue reading Entelligence: One device to rule them all -- or not

Entelligence: One device to rule them all -- or not originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Join Aleks Krotoski and Jemima Kiss for this week's mobile phone-filled podcast. The team are joined by Tim Satchell, the commercial director of InfoMedia, to talk about the future of handheld devices – from augmented reality applications to the next wave of GPS-enabled apps. How has the iPhone changed the world, and what do its competitors need to do to stop it?

Also on this week's show, Jemima deconstructs the newest Kindle e-book reader and the team discuss the ban on BlackBerrys in the United Arab Emirates.

Don't forget to ...

• Comment below
• Mail us at tech@guardian.co.uk
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Join Aleks Krotoski and Jemima Kiss for this week's mobile phone-filled podcast. The team are joined by Tim Satchell, the commercial director of InfoMedia, to talk about the future of handheld devices – from augmented reality applications to the next wave of GPS-enabled apps. How has the iPhone changed the world, and what do its competitors need to do to stop it?

Also on this week's show, Jemima deconstructs the newest Kindle e-book reader and the team discuss the ban on BlackBerrys in the United Arab Emirates.

Don't forget to ...

• Comment below
• Mail us at tech@guardian.co.uk
• Get our Twitter feed for programme updates
• Join our Facebook group
• See our pics on Flickr/Post your tech pics

Amazon's new thinner, lighter, grayer, and most importantly cheaper Kindles are all sold out on Amazon.com. This goes for both the $139 Wi-FI-only model and the $189 3G-equipped one. Ebook reader pricing sweet spot: achieved! [Amazon] More »

Gone so soon, Kindle? Due to what we can only assume is unprecedented demand or a terrible shortfall in supply, Amazon's third-generation Kindle (you know, the one with 3G and WiFi) is already sold out. Just days after being pushed into the world, the $189 e-reader is now hoisting a "temporarily sold out" sign, with Bezos and Company urging prospective consumers to place their order now in order to "reserve a place in line." So, what'll it be? Reserve now, or throw a temper tantrum? Tough call, we know.

[Thanks, Philip]

Amazon's third-generation Kindle 'temporarily sold out,' bookworms curse the universe originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your Kindle-on-iPad experience just got a boost: the Kindle 2.2 iOS4 update adds a dictionary and the ability to search inside your books. Just another reason to stick with Kindle's platform even if you skip the hardware. [iTunes] More »

The new $140 Wi-Fi Kindle might have been the latest salvo in the ebook reader wars, but it's definitely not the last. The ball's in Barnes and Noble's court, and they're focused on the home field advantage of 720 storefronts. More »

While Amazon is being as coy as usual when it comes to an actual number (still keeping to the vague "millions" figure), the company has revealed that sales of its Kindle hardware has tripled since the price took a plunge from $259 to $189. While it's hard to gauge just how many champagne corks are being popped over that statistic, news that downloaded kindle books has overtaken its hardcover brethren is certainly cause for major celebration. According to a press release, 143 Kindle books have been sold for every 100 hardcovers in the past three months, and that ratio is a more impressive 9:2 if you only look at this past month. Before you start asking about the obvious caveats, the data both include sales of hardcovers where no Kindle equivalent exists and exclude free Kindle downloads -- meaning if those weren't considered, the ratio would be even greater. Guess the agency pricing model didn't deter too many customers. Since you're in such a good mood, Amazon, how about a slimmer model to satiate the remaining holdouts?

Kindle's digital book sales overtake hardcover, device purchases triple after price drop originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You can, of course, already download tens of thousands of free classics for your eBook reader of choice. But now Barnes & Noble is hopping on the bandwagon of including free books as part of their retail store (making the download process super easy). They'll offer 10 themed classics a week, starting with this week. [B&N] More »