Amazon finally unveiled the Kindle 2 today, as expected, and later than desired: the company ran out of stock of the original model in November, and missed the Christmas sales season.
The Kindle 2 has already been widely leaked (below). However, features worthy of mention are the ability to convert text to speech -- a feature shockingly missing from the first one -- and a built-in New Oxford American Dictionary. It still uses Sprint's EVDO mobile phone network for downloads: the ability to download books without going via a PC is one of the things that makes this an appealing device for people on the move, and also perhaps for newspaper and newsletter publishers.
Amazon says the new version is slimmer, has 25% better battery life and seven times as much storage (2GB). It also supports 16 instead of 4 shades of gray.
The biggest disappointment is that -- as expected -- the price is still $359. Maybe when the initial rush is over, Amazon will cut it to a more attractive $299.
See http://amazon.com/kindle2 for the technical specification, pictures and a video.
Engadget live-blogged the brief press conference, with pictures. It featured Stephen King. We also have the Reuters wire story, and Bobbie Johnson's report: King helps Amazon launch new Kindle.
