Crunchgear is reporting the Amazon Kindle e-book reader is on deck for a refreshed version in the October-December 2008 timeframe. There are apparently two versions on the drawing board. It sounds like version one is the Christmas season rendition and while it won’t be decked out in festive holiday colors, Crunchgear’s source say’s the new device “skipped three or four generations” and will have a smaller form factor. Given the awkward keyboard layout of the current Kindle (see Judie’s Amazon Kindle review for the scoop) that isn’t too hard to imagine. Expect multiple colors, same sized screen, and improved interface (we hope that means the keys are repositioned). Version two is reportedly due in 2009 with a considerably bigger size than the current model. Here’s hoping that both improve upon the graphics and hardware interface as well.

I love reading; always have. I remember the joy of checking out books from the library when I was a child: the thrill of finding a book that could transport me to other worlds and situations…and the sorrow when the time eventually came to return “my” book. It was as if I had separation anxiety when it was time to return a title I had really enjoyed. What if I wanted to read it again later? What if I couldn’t remember the title or author? I decided early on that book ownership was key.

With that goal in mind, I would use money given to me on birthdays and Christmas to purchase my own books. Once I had a regular job, I also became a regular book purchaser. Even with periodic culling and gifting of the books I chose not to keep, I still managed to amass quite a personal library over the years. Because of the space required by my books, the advent of eBooks was very attractive to me. Early on I committed to the Peanut Press/eReader platform, and over the years I have managed to purchase 503(!!) of them. I particularly like the idea of a virtual library - no trees cut down to support my voracious habit, and no need for additional shelf space. Like many, I wondered why the savings from dead tree books to eBooks were not steeper, but for the most part I kept my grumbling to myself.

When dedicated eBook readers such as the Sony Reader began to appear, I looked at them with much interest, but I never bit. Part of the reason was that I didn’t want to carry yet another device, but the other reason - in all honesty - was because none of them were compatible with eReader and the library I had already amassed; I simply did not relish the idea of moving to another platform.

It wasn’t until Wayne basically said that he was sending his Amazon Kindle to me, and I was expected to try it and give my impressions, that I ever thought I might bail out of the eReader club. Is the Kindle perfect? Heck no. But I found it to be surprisingly compelling.

This review will include not only my experience with the reader, but also Wayne and Ellen’s. After I cover the hardware, we’ll each take turns discussing this wireless reading device…

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We were one of the first sites yesterday to tell you that — finally - The Amazon Kindle is back in stock. Previously the Kindle was shipping but only in quantities big enough to fulfill backorders. My Kindle landed here Friday April 18, 2008 after having ordered it on March 15, 2008. So far my initial impression is mostly favorable. It’s far too easy to push wrong buttons on the Kindle. I’m not as annoyed by the lack of backlight as I thought I’d be. Ordering wirelessly and via the web is so cool that it may compensate entirely for all other shortcomings. PS - The reason every photo you see of the Kindle has people holding it exactly the same way is it’s too darn easy to press a key by mistake - so you’re force to hold it with your thumb in the center of the key as shown above.

Link: Amazon Kindle

I placed an Amazon Kindle order on March 15, 2008. Wednesday I received notice that it was shipping (about one month from order to delivery). It should be here today. Watch for feedback as this device gets passed around the Geardiary offices. And, yeah, I was (and still am) doubtful that a non-backlit screen is going to work well. So - why’d I buy? I’m looking for a way to avoid storing the many books and magazines that I purchase. It’s been two years since I subscribed to a newspaper in large part because I felt that I was wasting paper by collecting and disposing of 3 daily newspapers. I’m not opposed to paying for good content. I am also intrigued by the Kindle’s ability to subscribe wirelessly to newspapers, magazines and blogs. More updates this weekend after I have a chance to set it up. PS: The Amazon site has changed the product status for the Kindle to “Expected to be in stock on April 24, 2008. Order it now. Ships and sold by Amazon.com” - I take this to mean they will have fulfilled all backorders by that date and the Kindle will be available for same day shipping.

Once again, we invite you to eavesdrop on our email conversations…

Wayne: R.I.P. … the Internet slays another print publication…

Mitchell: I was a subscriber to PC World for about 5 years, and then I realised that I was paying for a magazine with content that I had read weeks earlier on the internet.

It really is inevitable I suppose, tech magazines just can’t stay ahead of the game with online news sites getting information out hours after release. They have to wait a whole month…

Clinton: This is the same problem that many tech magazines face. Granted, most have a much smaller circulation than PC World, but the net result is the same: very few subscribers but a massive uptick in online “subscribers”. Amongst us Gear Diary types, I’d be shocked if many of these magazines were still printing this time next year.

Mitchell: Yeah I have the same thought each time I receive various magazines I have subscribed to, they just feel out of date. They have to know the end is coming as well.

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