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Amazon Updates Kindle 2: Now with 85 Percent Better Battery Life and Native PDF Support

Nov. 24, 2009 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Amazon has updated its Kindle 2 eBook reader with dramatic battery life gains and the native PDF reader that was previously available only in the DX. When you combine this with the previously announced international support and price cuts, it's suddenly a no-brainer. I love my Kindle and use it regularly. If you love to read, it's getting hard to ignore.

Amazon.com today announced two new enhancements to the latest generation Kindle—85 percent more battery life and a native PDF reader. Kindle now has battery life of up to seven days even with wireless turned on, a significant improvement from the previous battery life of four days. Battery life with wireless turned off remains at the previous level of up to two weeks. Battery power management for portable wireless devices is a complex technical area, and the battery life improvement announced today is the result of a six month firmware improvement and testing program.

Amazon also announced today that the 6-inch Kindle now has a built-in native PDF reader that enables Kindle customers to read professional and personal documents in their original PDF format without conversion. Kindle is in stock and available for immediate shipment today atwww.amazon.com/kindle.

“Kindle, already the #1 bestselling, most wished for, and most gifted product on all of Amazon.com, is now even better—with 85 percent more battery life and a built-in PDF reader,” said Ian Freed, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “These two significant enhancements are available now.”

To read their personal or professional documents, Kindle customers simply email PDFs to their Kindle email address or move them over using a USB connection. Customers that prefer to have their PDF documents converted to the Kindle format simply type "Convert" in the subject of the e-mail when sending documents to their @kindle.com address.

Amazon also announced today that previous purchasers of the new Kindle will also receive the 85 percent battery life improvements with wireless on, and native PDF support via a firmware update automatically delivered via Whispernet wireless. Native PDF support will also be available for some earlier versions of Kindle via an automatic Whispernet wireless firmware update.

Discuss this Article 31

EricoF3
on Nov 24, 2009
Hoo!! I tought Paul was dead because of the H1N1 flu.... Kindle is black and white... I hope this kind of electronic book will be released in color ... We are in 2009 here... I'll wait to see Microsoft Book...
rr0de74@live.com
on Nov 24, 2009
No way would I buy a Kindled now. I suspect this time next year it will be a crowded market. You of course have the Apple tablet, and many others coming out soon or already out. Creative, Sony, Banes and Noble, Android powered devices etc. Then you have the format war, EPUB vs Kindle, or everyone else vs Kindle. Then you have articles like this that suggest the printed media world is getting smart and will probably create their own digital store to combat both Amazon and a possible Apple iTunes book store. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/24/rival_publishers_rumored_t... Kindle is way to proprietary. PDF support is nice, but that should have been a given the day the first Kindle was sold. I say wait a year. In that year we will probably see a open format/s win and you will have more devices to choose from that are as good or better than a Kindle and possibly cheaper.
anonymous
on Nov 24, 2009
This post was mentioned on Twitter by kevinrj: RT @thurrott Amazon Updates Kindle 2: Now with 85 Percent Better Battery Life and Native PDF Support: http://bit.ly/4sxdap
EricoF3
on Nov 24, 2009
Off topic : And I really don't understand Paul, in its Google Chrome OS Preview article, why he can think Cloud is the future ... This is the most bad ideas it never come in the computer world ... this is not new... Terminals in the 70s was based on this and it was rally a bad thing... This is why this concept was dropped by all in the 80s and 90s ... and now they try to convince us this is the future!!?? Never... Not for me... sorry...
EricoF3
on Nov 24, 2009
Trying to convince us that Cloud is the future is like if Ford tried to convince people that the future is cars with square wheels...
subzerohitman721
on Nov 24, 2009
With Kindle software available for desktop PC's, laptops, nettops, and smartphones, there really is no reason to buy a dedicated Kindle device for American consumers. Why buy this device when software exists for technology most consumers already have? I believe Amazon has shot itself in the foot, when it created the software version for computers. While its nice for those who want to purchase a Kindle, it seems somewhat of an oxymoron to buy a book reader when existing devices have better screen resolution and more services available than the Kindle. If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch, or a Blackberry, you have a mobile Kindle device. If you are anywhere else in the world, then maybe a dedicated Kindle would make sense. Since the Kindle iPhone app is not available outside of the United States, that would make sense. However, the Amazon page of the Kindle software is available world wide and moots that. The only things you lose with Kindle for PC is blogs, newspapers, and magazines. However, since all blogs, newspapers, and magazines are also online, you really aren't losing that much. Eventually, Kindle for PC will add that functionality. Also, a Mac version will become available too. Just the PC version of Kindle encompasses 93% of the world's consumer desktop market. Mac users only need a copy of Windows for Bootcamp to have that functionality until the Mac version is complete. That's another 5 percent there with Macs. So easily, 98% of desktop users don't need to buy a Kindle. I'm sure Linux users can use the Kindle software through Wine. In my opinion, while its a nice innovation, Amazon has really butchered the handling of this device and service. The service is pretty good, but there are other services such as Google Book Search is out there. Also, Audible is another nice alternative as well without needing a dedicated device.
EricoF3
on Nov 24, 2009
subzerohitman721 is right!!
roteague
on Nov 24, 2009
Like others here, I'm still on the fence on buying a Kindle. The lack of a color screen is my major sticking point. Most of the books I read have color illustrations that don't come across in B&W well.
johnbaxter
on Nov 24, 2009
So is "new Kindle" the GSM Kindle, or the Kindle 2. I have the latter; not the former. Fear it means the GSM Kindle. Perhaps I'm in the "some older" group.
Ocean
on Nov 24, 2009
"there really is no reason to buy a dedicated Kindle device for American consumers. Why buy this device when software exists for technology most consumers already have?" For the E-Ink screen. Look -- if you're not a voracious reader, the device isn't for you. Get a PC. But if you stick your head in a mobileread.com you'll find legions of people who love these things -- and it's that super legible screen. LCD has nothing on it. Again -- it's a niche market -- voracious readers -- but the device is a wonder for those to whom it was targetted. Believe it or not, many of them reacted with confusion when Amazon released with the PC software. Lots of people said "who would want to read a book on their PC?"
Ocean
on Nov 24, 2009
Eric, go post in the Google Chrome thread and stop being OT here.
fireboy92k
on Nov 24, 2009
I'm holding off at the moment awaiting the format war to take hold as well. While I recently got to hold a non-working Nook at B&N which seems like a nice device and played with the Sony devices they give me pause because both have said they will MOVE to the EPUB format exclusively 'very soon'. Meanwhile we have the Kindle which has been out the longest, but smacks of iTunes with its non-interoperable format. God what I wouldn't give to have a decent iTunes competitor that works with my already bought iPods (which work fine) and have the convienence of iTunes without all the limitations. Several software apps are getting there like Media Monkey, but aren't as useful yet as iTunes in the store department. So I'll be sitting this one out as well until the whole EPUB conversion happens sometime in the new year. Sorry Jeff B., been burned by Steve J. already, don't need to make it twice. :) Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. That will be the biggest conundrum for the book folks, and I predict that the Apple model is now so well known that people will avoid these devices until it's addressed (then throw in the publisher colusion up front for good measure).
palavering
on Nov 24, 2009
I own a Kindle 2. I am older than almost all folks, so I have to say it's not the best for me. I see pages better on the iPhone app. I also don't like the glare it reflects when I light up the area where I'm reading. Last, I think color should be close at hand very soon. The Kindle, for younger eyes, is a real treat, but not for these cataract-ridden peepers of mine.
rr0de74@live.com
on Nov 24, 2009
@fireboy92k....iTunes uses an open FREE format. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding There was DRM on top of that, enforced by the music labels that is now gone. Ocean is correct if you are an avid reader the current Kindle and Sony devices use E-Ink which is so much better than LCD. Add in the Kindle and other dedicated readers last for DAYS with out a recharge and usually weigh less than a netbook. @subzero 93% of the CONSUMER market or all PC market? The PC market is split between consumers and corporations. http://www.canalys.com/pr/2009/r2009101.htm So you got 50% of the PC's that probably wont ever see any reading software kindle or otherwise. Kindle software is coming to the Mac. Its on the iPhone already. Sony eReader software is fully supported on the PC and Mac. I hope EPUB wins. @EricaF3 Pauls article on the Chrome OS and IBM are DEAD on. Things are changing rapidly. Over the weekend I just moved a small business off of SBS2003 to Google Apps. They only use the Email, and Google Site feature (think sharepoint lite). They are left with a local file/print server now in the office and none of them are using Outlook they all use the webmail interface. They lost NONE of the functionality they were using with Exchange. They are not using google Docs yet however. But they could easily use Office Web when it comes out and never upgrade their office. This same small business now uses Quickbooks online. They moved there when it came time to upgrade their ancient Quickbooks. Their accountant now just logs into their account instead of sending him a copy of the Quickbooks file. The point is not that the PC is going away, but a lot of its apps are moving to the cloud. This can ONLY be bad for Microsoft, as it has the MOST to lose. If that small business I spoke of moved to open office or Google Docs, they could use Macs or Linux boxes.
Waethorn
on Nov 24, 2009
@rrode: Do you believe EVERYTHING that they write on Apple Insider? Also, did you and your buddy happen to let that small business know about Google's privacy policy? Are they aware that their content is up for grabs by Google and their partners? Or did you just follow your buddy with dollar signs flashing in front of your eyes from Google reseller payments with absolutely no work involved on your end and with no regards to the client? I now have a client that got suckered into that play by some other untrained IT lackwit, and they found their data ended up in an ad circulated through Google's network, and they couldn't switch back to a local server fast enough.
Waethorn
on Nov 24, 2009
"....iTunes uses an open FREE format." AAC is neither open, nor free, sorry to say. It is patented, and costs a licensing fee to produce a codec that encodes audio with it.
Waethorn
on Nov 24, 2009
I doubt Intel will just scrap their plans for multicore desktop processors any time soon. That's all I have to say about all this cloud nonsense.
Waethorn
on Nov 24, 2009
I have a question: If perpetual cloud computing is *THE* thing, why aren't you using that perpetual wireless setup on the Kindle to read stuff from Amazon's servers instead of downloading it all locally to the device?
rr0de74@live.com
on Nov 24, 2009
I did it for free. Please show me where in this privacy policy where they can freely give away his content. http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/terms/premier_terms.html I do know that someone like you tried to sucker him into upgrading to new hardware and SBS2008 for some serious cash. You are correct about AAC, its an ISO standard and the source code is open, but if I sell a hardware device that uses AAC, I have to pay $1 for each device I sell. Who cares what intel thinks about cloud computing. They are already crying about the popularity of netbooks.
Ocean
on Nov 24, 2009
I guess it's ok to talk about OT stuff now? I found this essay interesting: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/24/why-ballmer-and-murdochs-attack-o... "If the News Corp./Microsoft partnership ended up producing better value for consumers and advertisers than Google, then it might work. But since the object of their partnership seems to be to harm Google, the strategy is likely to backfire. -- this deal is all about the egos of Steve Ballmer and Rupert Murdoch -- and not about creating a better value for customers. Ballmer is determined to crush the $22 billion behemoth Google, and Murdoch must prove that he can rescue the newspaper industry from the onslaught of the Web. Both are on the wrong side of history."
Waethorn
on Nov 24, 2009
"Please show me where in this privacy policy where they can freely give away his content." Section 11 of the Terms of Service, found here: http://www.google.com/accounts/tos "I do know that someone like you tried to sucker him into upgrading to new hardware and SBS2008 for some serious cash." I would easily argue the relative cost of SBS 2008 against what they get with Google. "You are correct about AAC, its an ISO standard and the source code is open" Sorry, but the codec is patented. Ask Stallman what that means for the source code. He'll slap you silly if you even think to call it "open". "Who cares what intel thinks about cloud computing. They are already crying about the popularity of netbooks." Considering they make the most popular processor available for netbooks, no, I don't believe they're shedding a tear. They aren't going to let cloud computing advocates ruin their desktop processor business though, and neither is AMD. Ditto for the GPU industry, to which Intel and AMD are eventually rolling into their CPU's.
chuckb84
on Nov 24, 2009
"AAC is neither open, nor free, sorry to say. It is patented, and costs a licensing fee to produce a codec that encodes audio with it." Well, streaming and distributing AAC is free. The codec costs a license fee, yes. But, how much? Well, it depends on how many you buy at once, but a good approximation is about 50 cents per iPod, Zune, etc. Not really a deal breaker.
fireboy92k
on Nov 24, 2009
@rrode: As you guys have already noted, AAC is NOT free, and it did NOT start life as a ISO or MPEG standard but as a standard between a consortium of companies like Bell Labs, Dolby, Sony and Fraunhoffer to name a few. The full list is here: http://www.vialicensing.com/Licensing/AAC_Licensors.cfm Further, the costs are here: http://www.vialicensing.com/Licensing/AAC_fees.cfm As you'll note in the costs, and as Waethorn pointed out, it's neither open source NOR free. It's about $1.50 a copy for software that can encode and decode AAC format, and about $1.00 a device for play only. While the FOSS community has several codecs that IMPLEMENT that standard and are open source, technically by compiling that software you are consenting that you own a license to the patented software from Via for your own personal use. Good luck with that if you decide you want to buy one from them for yourself. My last point, and the one of my original note, is that while it's available, go and look at the number of devices that support it (DRM or not). Right now I think you'd find you can count the number of devices that support AAC natively without conversion on your fingers (and possibly even on one hand). Likewise, nobody else has Steve J's pockets to pay the annual max license fee and then give their software away like Apple does with iTunes. No other software has a hook to an online store, podcasts, AND syncing with my current devices outside of iTunes. Zune is close, but won't synch to an iPod. The other pay products will work with iPod but have poor integration with an online store and/or podcasting support/discovery. Like I said, Apple proved the model, Amazon adopted it, and I won't be a sucker for another non-critical mass technology like Amazon's file format for the Kindle so that I can pay Jeff twice when he sees the light and converts to EPUB. Thank god I only had to pay Steve another $15 for the LIBERTY of freeing my music.
rr0de74@live.com
on Nov 24, 2009
"Likewise, nobody else has Steve J's pockets to pay the annual max license fee and then give their software away like Apple does with iTunes." Every device that plays an MP3 pays for MP3 as well. So any Creative device or Zune or iPod etc. The Xbox 360 plays both MP3 and AAC. So does the PS3. http://daringfireball.net/2007/04/some_facts_about_aac Wae, those terms you link are NOT Google App terms but free Google terms. I linked the Google Apps Terms and they are different. My friend is paying $50 a year times 10 users for Google Apps.
whiplash55
on Nov 24, 2009
The new Kindle for PC works great on a touchscreen convertible. I already bought 2 books that will take weeks to read, its way to easy.
rr0de74@live.com
on Nov 24, 2009
@Wae...maybe you like cnet or the NYT better than Appleinsider? Same story. http://news.cnet.com/Group-of-magazine-publishers-said-to-be-building-on...
dugbug
on Nov 25, 2009
I love the kindle and read constantly. Not sure why folks don't understand e-ink display advantages... its like reading a book. No you can't watch a movie on it and yet it is in grayscale, but its a BOOK. Cannot wait for this update. And there is a rumor of folder/organization in the next one.
fireboy92k
on Nov 25, 2009
@rrode: I didn't say anything about MP3 being free either. In fact i didn't say anything at all about MP3... I said I want something else that works with my exisiting iPod thas has the functionality of iTunes WITHOUT being iTunes. And that the original model Apple had was good for Apple and nobody else. I think with their agressive tactics to keep people like Palm from copying files from iTunes to the Pre are another example. And that while MP3 COSTS MONEY (just like AAC), the EPUB (just like MP3) is fastly becoming a more 'open' supported e-book standard that Amazon and their compression format (just like AAC). That's simple logic dude. If you want to own a Kindle for the rest of your life to access your Amazon e-book files (or until Amazon changes tac and converts and charges your AGAIN for the content you own), then you're more than capable and able to make your own choices. I merely stated that I for one will NOT be doing that and won't be buying an e-book reader until there is a more ubiquitous standard (REGARDLESS of cost of the licesensing... since they are in this to make money and I'm okay with that). I'm happy that Paul loves his Kindle. I'm happy that lots of people love their Kindle. But not all of us have the budget that Paul does to set aside for tech toys (and write offs no doubt!). *laughs* BTW, the XBOX 360 does NOT play AAC files out of the box. You must go to the MS site to download your own 'free' AAC codec that is tied specifically to YOUR XBOX. http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/nxe/gamesandmedia/sharingmedia/ipo... So that's a bit of a red herring. And while the PS3 'supports' AAC, if you know a site that tells you how to get this working correctly with the files on your computer WITHOUT having to recode your entire library with the right metadata files, then link away man! Your still on your fingers BTW. ;)
Waethorn
on Nov 25, 2009
"Wae, those terms you link are NOT Google App terms but free Google terms. I linked the Google Apps Terms and they are different." No, those are Google ACCOUNT terms. The Premier App terms are the terms of use for Google Apps by a company, but each user must abide by the Google Account terms for each account created. That means that the use of content terms are not accepted by the company, but by the individual, which is another way Google is doing wrong to companies that sign up. "My friend is paying $50 a year times 10 users for Google Apps." And they're not moving to Google Apps? Wow! $500 over 4 years would EASILY cover the cost of a server that could last them another 2 on top of that, and they'd have centralized management of their desktop fleet too, so they can actually *control the flow of information*, unlike what they get with Google.
Waethorn
on Nov 25, 2009
I have to say rrode, you sure are cheating your customers. Using free Gmail only, and not using Apps, but paying $500 year. That's quite the scam you got going there.
johnbaxter
on Nov 25, 2009
OK, my email from Amazon about the Kindle update says my early (CDMA) Kindle2 will get the PDF reader and rotation. It doesn't mention improved battery life with WiFi on, which seems to be a GSM thing. (Answering my question above.)

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