Large-screen Kindle DX arrives this summer, $489
Wed May 6, 2009 11:41AM EDT
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Confirming one of the worst-kept tech secrets in recent memory, Amazon today formally announced that it would be launching a large-screen Kindle this summer to further enhance its position in the surprisingly popular ebook reader market.
The new Kindle, called the Kindle DX, looks a lot like the smaller Kindle 2 which was released earlier this year, but it features a larger screen, measuring 9.7 inches diagonally, and a larger price: $489 instead of $359 for the 6-inch model. Another new feature includes the ability to automatically rotate between portrait and landscape mode based on how you hold the device, much like the iPhone.
Interestingly, despite the bigger screen, the new Kindle is only 0.02 inches thicker than the Kindle 2. The Kindle DX also has a little over twice the storage space as the Kindle 2 and includes a native PDF reader, so books need not be converted to a special Kindle format, which invariably causes the loss of a lot of formatting, a big problem for material that includes tables, charts, and other illustrations.
Many observers this week have discussed how a large-screen Kindle would improve the reading experience for users of newspapers and magazines, while some have posited that Amazon is hoping to use the Kindle DX to horn its way into the textbook market.
Turns out both sides are right. The combination of bigger screen and the native PDF reader means that both types of users will have a much better experience with the Kindle DX, as periodical content can now be displayed closer to the way it was intended. As well, Amazon will be cutting subscription prices on popular newspapers for users of the device.
Also, Amazon is positioning the Kindle DX as a way to lighten textbook loads for students and is partnering with several universities this fall where the device will be rolled out across the student body. This seems a little on the experimental side for now -- the lack of easy highlighting/note-taking remains a criticism of the device for use in an academic setting -- but I'll be interested to see how successful it is there. Historically speaking, college kids may well be the readiest market for the sea change of switching from dead tree books to digital ones.
More coverage of Amazon's announcement is available from the New York Times.
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47 Posted by teresa_mc_guire on Wed May 6, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse
This is the greatest thing since the invention of books. As an instructor and mother of school age children, I can attest to the unjustifiably high cost of so many college and school textbooks that are beyond the budget of many students. My stepdaughter went nearly an entire year sharing books with college classmates and/or using library books. My grade school children are suffering, too, from the sheer weight of bringing these books home, so we have often endured the additional costs of buying used versions from Amazon strictly for home use. Kindle DX, if it can offer lower costs, helps all and saves trees. Yeaaa!
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48 Posted by m2swim on Wed May 6, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse
$500 down the tube everytime your 1st grader kicks it off his desk! I don't think too many school can afford this "luxury".
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49 Posted by nalivayko on Wed May 6, 2009 2:48PM EDT Report Abuse
Yes, $500 is way to high. The ideal cost should be $100-150, the new size is what it should have been all alone and I don't care about online library as long as I can download RTF/PDF/DOC files from my PC. Still, why is it better (if not cheaper) than laptop option? Easy to handle with one hand, easy to go through pages with buttons designed to go through pages (unlike laptop) and easier to read during the day.
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50 Posted by cmpavey on Wed May 6, 2009 2:48PM EDT Report Abuse
I'd try it (if my univ helped pay the cost). hope it's durable, tho.
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51 Posted by azsunnygrl on Wed May 6, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse
It's about time! Now if they will just provide a way to highlight and insert personal notes;that's essential for many of us. Also, the price is really presumptuous. Start out with a promotional price of $275.00 and they will go like hotcakes!
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52 Posted by croatinpa on Wed May 6, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse
lol,,,i have a computer, laptop, cell phone, smart phone, and car stereo wifi lcd that can do this, and they have a PDF reader AND EDITOR too, heck my desktop has a 1 gb video card in it, i can even watch and get this VIDEO on it. My point is, PAPER is dead stop trying to invite things that look like it so dumb non tech people think they would want it, oh and $500 yeah that's a great starting msrp. LOL
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53 Posted by stephonorat22 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:51PM EDT Report Abuse
Laptop Kindle Textbook+ $500 Kindle It's a great idea however unless I just have $500 laying around it wouldn't be worth it. If by next year they can drop the price by half and add color they could have a competitive product. Nonetheless, the end is near for newspapers, and paper books, just like CD's DVD's etc...
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54 Posted by mark_nj002 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:52PM EDT Report Abuse
For that price, adapt the ASUS netbook and get more versatility
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55 Posted by orbtacular on Wed May 6, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse
heavy backpacks make kids strong. no more weak geeks!
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56 Posted by pblandfair on Wed May 6, 2009 2:56PM EDT Report Abuse
Color is a meaningful part of textbook information, especially charts and graphs. Without color, a Kindle textbook can't convey all the information of a paper textbook. Am I missing something?
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57 Posted by targetracing7 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:56PM EDT Report Abuse
yea they goes your eyes. I stick to my books, besides, having a physical copy of the book is better. As a PHD student in history I need the physical book.
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58 Posted by monty5309 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:56PM EDT Report Abuse
You still have to buy the books anyway...extremely expensive item for parents to buy as a supplement to required study material...is this where the stimulus money is going??? : }
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59 Posted by targetracing7 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:57PM EDT Report Abuse
#7 are you for real...wow get a grip.
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60 Posted by theoriginalninjacat on Wed May 6, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse
Maybe its the years I had learning to be a graphic designer, but I just can't stop loving the PRINTED word, not the lit-from-behind-on-a-screen-and-making-your-eyes-stiffen-and-want-fall-out-of-your-head word. ;) Let's just say after at least 12 hours on a stinking computer, I'd much rather sit down with a good book than an overpriced "Kindle" machine.
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61 Posted by tonitoni67 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse
If kids get this for school, they will be able to do their homework on this device and probably send it to their teachers from one device to another. But when will they learn to write?
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62 Posted by targetracing7 on Wed May 6, 2009 3:03PM EDT Report Abuse
Actually I probably spend 200-300 a quarter on text books....but before you chime in with well i spend 500 a SEMESTER, let me remind you i have 3 quarters. Also, 200-300 is just starting. As a phd student in history I find myself constantly purchasing books I need. So, i probably spend 500-600 every quarter plus another 200 over the summer. Point is, 500 for a machine that will F your eyes up trying to read off it and leaves you will no physical copy of the book...no ill pass. Ill pay the 30 bucks for a book I know will be on my shelf when I need it, and i wont have to worry about a mechanical problem that would cause me to either loose my downloaded books, etc
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63 Posted by etsgays on Wed May 6, 2009 3:03PM EDT Report Abuse
I prefer to wait under a color version exists. This is only in black and white and shades of gray. I need color too.
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64 Posted by sam_chen on Wed May 6, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse
Remember, You can re-sale your used Textbook; but, you may not be able to re-sale your used Kindle DX textbook.
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65 Posted by targetracing7 on Wed May 6, 2009 3:09PM EDT Report Abuse
#62 i grade papers (one of my lucky chores as a grad student)and writing is terrible. This, i assume, will make it worst.
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46 Posted by fishlindsey on Wed May 6, 2009 2:46PM EDT Report Abuse
Textbook companies will love this because it takes away the used bookstore market. No more amazon/half/college bookstores. They will sell a "New" book to every student who needs the book. So instead of students buying used books and new books the only option will be new books. And don't think the publishers will not have the nerve to lower the price because of no need to print. Printing such a small cost of books as it is, the prices will stay the same and they will sell many more!