Large-screen Kindle DX arrives this summer, $489
Wed May 6, 2009 11:41AM EDT
See Comments (98)
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.
Top 5 Posts
More About PDAs
Comments on Large-screen Kindle DX arrives this summer, $489
Post a Comment
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
-
7 Posted by mimcuoi21 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:04PM EDT Report Abuse
They should also be made available to younger students. Perhaps middle school or high school and up. The health benefits of carrying a lighter load to school and the financial savings could be tremendous.
-
8 Posted by spkff8 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:04PM EDT Report Abuse
Its nothing for a graduate student to spend $1000+ on books a semester and they are typically so expensive because of the kick backs to the Prof's (That may only auther a few lines) but I wonder if this would the actual text books cheaper to offset the $500 cost. Perhaps the text books will have to become cheaper to compete, either ways its a nice idea to try.
-
9 Posted by mgshockley10 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:05PM EDT Report Abuse
SO, do you buy the machine at 500, and then the books remain the same amount of 500 per semester? I am all for no heavy backpacks on kids, but, only if the books you load on there are cheeper than printed books.
-
10 Posted by webkruzer1 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:05PM EDT Report Abuse
Ahhh Geee.. Just get a notebook. They are almost that thin and does a lot more. A netbook does things better and a lot cheaper. As for students... go ahead and type on that thing...on those tiny keys if you want to take notes.
-
11 Posted by trishanm on Wed May 6, 2009 2:05PM EDT Report Abuse
If Amazon is hoping to replace textbooks with the new Kindle DX, I hope they do a better job of transferring the data/text from hard copy. I just purchased a Kindle and downloaded a dozen books ... every single book has AT LEAST fifteen or twenty typos (misspelled words, incorrect words, ridiculous punctuation, etc.) I don't think that would lead to a very good "learning experience" for students!
-
12 Posted by bandvwagner on Wed May 6, 2009 2:06PM EDT Report Abuse
Textbook publishers would hate this. Think how much money they would lose out on. They love updating a book every year and charging $170.
-
13 Posted by stopthat21 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:07PM EDT Report Abuse
For $500 I can get a laptop and for a little more I can get a tablet PC. I hope this thing can do more than read books- does it also have a web browser?
-
14 Posted by waycap@sbcglobal.net on Wed May 6, 2009 2:07PM EDT Report Abuse
The smaller Kindle is overpriced and the cost of books installed is too steep. When it gets down to earth and books are a dollar or two, I'll buy one.
-
15 Posted by jim_watson1 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:09PM EDT Report Abuse
You can now buy a notebook computer for less than $400 with a larger display, why would anyone buy this?? If it were larger like 8.5 X 11 and cost around $150-200 then I would consider it. Dell - Inspiron Mini Netbook with Intel® Atom™ Processor Z520 - Screen Size 10.1"
-
16 Posted by karenkry on Wed May 6, 2009 2:09PM EDT Report Abuse
The Kindle DX will put my chiropractor out of business!
-
17 Posted by jewelchip@sbcglobal.net on Wed May 6, 2009 2:10PM EDT Report Abuse
People who complain about the price don't pay $500 OR MORE per semester on textbooks. The Kindle for students would be ideal if it lowered the cost of a printed textbook, plus a kindle textbook might be even cheaper since we couldn't resell the books. The weight change is a major plus too (my backpack weighs 40 pounds with all books).
-
18 Posted by waycap@sbcglobal.net on Wed May 6, 2009 2:10PM EDT Report Abuse
At the rate Amazon is going, your $500 purchase is near useless when the new model comes out in a year or less.
-
19 Posted by jen_correa on Wed May 6, 2009 2:10PM EDT Report Abuse
Yes - lets hope that they do a better job of transfering the text. When we are talking about words, 15-20 typos is not terrible because people can figure things out based on context - however, with science and engineering text books, 15-20 typos could pose a signifigant problem. If the typo issue can be solved, then I think this is a terrific development. And if the technology is successful, the price will come down.
-
20 Posted by kotixa on Wed May 6, 2009 2:11PM EDT Report Abuse
But!! Everybody already has notebooks! This is nonsense. Why do they (and all of us for that matter) need another device?
-
21 Posted by moubee on Wed May 6, 2009 2:12PM EDT Report Abuse
$500 is a little darned high!
-
22 Posted by dvcossel on Wed May 6, 2009 2:13PM EDT Report Abuse
$500 would be cheep if they would enable the “reader” function, trying to get audio textbooks for a student who is dyslexic is a JOKE.
-
23 Posted by boomer79sooner on Wed May 6, 2009 2:13PM EDT Report Abuse
How much will it cost to download a textbook?
-
24 Posted by lethia27 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:16PM EDT Report Abuse
I needed one of these when I was in college. All my textbooks were online, I didn't have a laptop - wouldn't have wanted to haul one around with me anyway. I would have loved to be able to read my textbooks while watching my daughter's soccer games. I think the device needs a bit more work, but I think they are on the right track. Like everything else, the newer technology is the most expensive, but eventually the price comes down to where everyone can afford it. The younger generation will take to it easily. I would miss the feel of turning pages, but I would get used to it too.
-
25 Posted by sr0415 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:17PM EDT Report Abuse
laptop?
Sponsored Links
My Tech
Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.
Also on Yahoo! Tech
| Computers | Home Office | Wi-Fi & Networking | Phones & PDAs | Cameras & Camcorders | TV & Home Theater | Portable Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Posted by victorfun700 on Wed May 6, 2009 2:03PM EDT Report Abuse
Texbook puplishers should jump OFF of this, they make the money on the constant updates, when other books become obsolete. Think of the money they will LOSE.