Kindle
A portable e-book reader from Amazon.com that includes free wireless downloads using Sprint's 3G cellular service. It also provides basic Web access along with music storage and playback. The Kindle features a 6" screen, except for the DX model, which has an iPad-sized 10" display.Introduced in late 2007 with 88,000 titles in a modified Mobipocket format, more than a hundred best sellers were offered. Book selection continually increases as models become thinner, lighter and faster. In 2010, the third-generation Kindle offered optional Wi-Fi.
The Kindle uses a monochrome display that enables the battery to last up to a month (see E Ink). For a fee, newspapers such as The New York Times and Wall Street Journal are downloaded during the night for morning reading. Users' personal documents can be e-mailed to Amazon and downloaded to the Kindle or transferred via USB.
Kindle Books for Other Devices
In 2009, Amazon introduced the Kindle app for the PC, Mac, iPhone and iPod touch, allowing customers to read their Kindle books on other devices at no extra cost. In addition, automatic bookmarks let readers pick up in one format where they stopped in the other. In 2010, the company announced a Kindle app for the iPad and other tablet computers. See Mobipocket.
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| First Generation |
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| Although nearly an inch thick, the first Kindle was an overnight success and out of stock for many months. This shows The New York Times downloaded overnight to the device. (Image courtesy of Amazon.com, www.amazon.com) |
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| Third Generation |
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| At less than nine ounces and a third of an inch thick, in 2010, the smaller, lighter third-generation Kindle increased battery life up to a month and holds up to 3,500 e-books. |
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