Amazon unveils the Kindle DX [UPDATED]
Now you can read newspapers, textbooks and PDFs -- all for just $489!
That's because Amazon.com unveiled the third iteration of Kindle, its digital book reader, at a press conference in New York today helmed by CEO Jeff Bezos. Called Kindle DX, the device features a 9.7-inch screen, compared with 6 inches in the previous model, and the capability to store 3,500 books, up from the previous model's 1,500.
Being a digital bookworm doesn't come cheap, though. The $489 price tag is quite a bit higher than that of the $359 Kindle 2. The Kindle DX costs more than some netbook computers and as much as some big-screen TVs.
But it's a small price to pay for saving the newspaper industry, right? Amazon announced partnerships with the New York Times Co. and Washington Post Co. to deliver the New York Times, Boston Globe (if it's still around) and Washington Post on the Kindle DX to readers outside their subscription areas. They have to sign up for a long-term subscription to the newspapers to be eligible for the deal.
"We will extend our reach to our loyal readers who will more readily be able to enjoy their favorite newspapers," Arthur Sulzberger Jr., chairman of the New York Times Co., said in a release.
Other new features include a PDF reader and auto-rotation so that the Kindle can be read in portrait or landscape mode. It's one-third of an inch thick and has 3.3 GB of memory. The device is expected to ship this summer.
Amazon also struck a deal with colleges including Princeton University and the University of Virginia to make Kindle DX available to students this fall. The new model is more suited for reading textbooks, Amazon says.
Updated, 12:10 p.m.: Here's the take on the Kindle DX by Carolyn Kellogg at the LA Times' books blog, Jacket Copy.
-- Alana Semuels
Here are all the details on the new Amazon Kindle DX at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0015TCML0/itquotes101-20
Posted by: matt j | May 06, 2009 at 09:26 AM
What a ripoff. $489.00 for a book reader? Then you have to spend the money for the content. This won't become mainstream at this kind of pricing. It's way too expensive.
Posted by: Spence | May 06, 2009 at 12:41 PM
I already have a laptop - why do I want another device?
Posted by: Francisco | May 06, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Yet another unneccessary gadget that is way too expensive and way too easilly lost. I'll stick to used paperbacks that I can buy for $.50 each.
Posted by: hpbromine | May 06, 2009 at 01:10 PM
!!!!!It's NOT in color!!!!!....enough said. It is difficult for one to really "chew" on the contents of books in electronic format.
Posted by: ccspruce | May 06, 2009 at 03:33 PM
My college and grad school text books cost $300-400 per SEMESTER on average. If textbooks on Kindle cost just half that, then this is the bargain of the century.
Posted by: Luke | May 06, 2009 at 05:44 PM
The sorry news is that the Kindle DX is not going to save newspapers. What's that word: news on paper...get rid of the paper format which is all the Kindle perpetuates and in B&W no less. Until news organizations look at changing the way they service the news to consumers nothing will change to turn their industry around. News delivery is not dead. Paper delivery is as dead as Pontiac and as old school as one industry can get.
Who's going to pay $500 bucks for a device and then 10 bucks a month for a subscription to just one paper. The era of reading news from just one paper is over. I can read the NYTimes, LA Times, London Times, Hindustan Times and anything else online. Why should we rely upon the reportage of just one paper.
The news PAPER industry has their heads in the sand.
Posted by: Jay Arr | May 06, 2009 at 10:31 PM
At 62 I'm loving my Kindle2. Believe me it is much nicer than a laptop. Fits in my purse. Stores all my books either on the Kindle or on Amazon. Feels like a book in my hand and has a liquid paper readability. I can purchase books for $10.00
or less. It's sturdy and attractive. I f I were a college student I would want the Kindle DX!
Posted by: Charlene | May 07, 2009 at 09:13 PM
That would be awesome but it's not possible (yet).
It's not set up to display color because they are using the e-ink technology which lessen strains on the eyes, increases battery life and makes the reading feel more like a book.
For reading, definitely Kindle is great at what it does but if you want a bit of everything, try a netbook (bit bigger but does all of those)
Posted by: thekindledx | May 09, 2009 at 09:49 PM
I'm astounded at hearing all the negatives comments here, my Kindle 2 is a perfect companion for reading-on-the-go. The person who says that they have their laptop, well I'm sure that's just a joy to lug around. It's not in color ~ boo hoo, are your books in color (all of them?). At 1/3 of an inch and only 10 ozs. this is a fantastic device to have on the go or even at night in bed reading. I can sample thousands of authors before buying and many books are in the public domain, which means free (sorry Mr. 50cents). Perk up people, it's a great thing!
Posted by: Chris | May 26, 2009 at 03:51 PM
The problem is if it can really save the newspaper industry. I think the problem lies within the internet making information widely accessible and free. Why read a newspaper when you can get up-to-date minute info online?
Posted by: Buy Kindle | July 26, 2009 at 02:30 PM