Is this the new Kindle 2.0?

Earlier this year, there were plenty of rumors about a collegiate Kindle 2.0 being released for students, but a spokesman for Amazon said a new Kindle wouldn't be released this year, and refused to give any further details supporting the Kindle 2.0 rumor.

The analyst that started the rumor said the new Kindle would have an improved interface and operating controls, but no MP3 player or audio capabilities to play audiobooks. Techcrunch, also speculating on the new Kindle, said the new model would definitely have a larger screen better suited for textbooks. Well, it looks like there may have been some truth in both of these speculations.

The Boy Genius Report managed to get some spyshots of what appears to be a new Kindle prototype with a slightly different keyboard, a joystick that replaces the old scrolling wheel, and smaller buttons on the side of the display. What's interesting about this new model is that the back of the device holds a speaker at the very bottom, a headphone jack, and volume controls on the front.

At first glance, you can see some major differences between the Kindle prototype and the original, like the rounded edges, an aluminum back, and operating buttons on the front. Obviously, it's not exactly clear if this is in fact the new Kindle, but there's a good chance it may be. Check out the Kindle 2 gallery over at the Boy Genius Report and judge for yourself.