Kindle II eBook Reader For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan
I hope Boy Genius Report will pardon me for filching one of their spy shots of the abominable Kindle II.
Now, come on people, do you really want to do this to yourself? —
Buttons still in screwy places, a frame inspired by Etch-A-Sketch, a keyboard from Playskool, and Kindle Store-lock-in eBook formats!
Now this is an eBook reader design with class and refinement —
Touchscreen, sidelighting, correct button placement, and — from the looks of things — about a good half-a-foot less length (I exaggerate only slightly!). Plus: the open ePub format and the ability to borrow eBooks from public libraries!
No contest really.
Back to that Kazakhstani drawing board, Amazon! No make benefit here!
Oh, and one more lesson to learn. Never, ever take the word of some stock-jockey analyst who wouldn’t know good design even if it cured his case of herpes:
The source told us that Amazon has “skipped three or four generations,” comparing the old Kindle to the 1st gen iPod and the new version to something like the sexy iPod Mini.
Yeah. That guy knows design. Diseased eejit.
Explore posts in the same categories: Books - Other, eBooks, Tech - Other, Tech - Sony
Mike Cane 2008 
February 6, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Agree. Terrible aesthetics on this spy shot. But do we really believe that this is the final deal?
February 7, 2009 at 11:53 am
I think it’s safe to say yes, based on mobileread:
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38108
Is good for Kazakhstan glorious be-ness!!
February 21, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I have to say… the kindle is freaking ugly and reminds me of an old 1st gen iPod (I also am not really a fan of iPod either, but that is off topic)… It just looks like they wanted to try and cram a lot of “sexy-bits” in there as quick as they could to get it on shelves fast, but in that attempt, they abandoned the idea of putting it in a sexy case… it maybe sexy on the inside, but on the outside… ugly
Is Amazon footing the bill for whispernet??? what happens when they or sprint decide not to renew their contract in 20-whenever? Sorry Kindlites… Amazon is gonna give you the big weenie someday… it is inevitable!
February 22, 2009 at 1:08 pm
@katrina: The WhisperNet cost issue has been a constant question. It especially crops up when people admit they use the “experimental” browser to access the Internet itself.