I have an odd knack for buying or upgrading a device right before a new one was announced. I bought the original Kindle in November of 2008. 3 months later the Kindle 2 was announced. I finally upgraded to the K2 3 weeks ago and guess what? Hello Kindle 3! It is a gorgeous looking device, and the new and improved features are great, but I won’t be sending my K2 back and ordering one. Here’s why.
It’s untested. Before I plunk down my money I want to see some user reviews to make sure it really is as good as it looks. The small navigation buttons and all around smaller size concern me. Have you noticed this is a cycle with all gadgets? They start off a standard size, then get smaller and smaller. Remember the Asus EeePC 7″ netbook? How about when everyone though a tiny clamshell phone was the way to go? Now we’re all surfing on 10″ netbooks and loving the full keyboards and big touch screens on our phones. Looks like the same thing is happening with the Kindle. It’ll get smaller for awhile ad then bounce back.
It doesn’t really do anything my K2 can’t. Okay yes, it does have an improved screen. browser, battery life, and memory but honestly, how many people surf the web on their Kindles? I have no problem with the screen on my K2, and have almost 200 books on it with plenty of room left. My battery life is fine too. I just don’t feel like I’d be missing out on anything.
It’s a investment. Amazon seems to stick it to us everytime they release a new Kindle. The K2 doesn’t fit in any K1 cases because they made it a bit longer, and now the K2 doesn’t fit in any K3 cases because it’s longer. That means people like me who invested in skins and covers will have to start all over if they get the K3.
It’s a sacrifice. If I send my K2 back and order a K3, I will have to wait a whole month to get it. A month without my Kindle? No way!
That said, once I read some reviews and the K3 is actually in stock, I will probably think about upgrading. It’ll be just my luck tho that right after I get it Amazon will announce the release of the all color Amazon 4!
Are you going to buy/upgrade to the new Kindle? Why or why not?
I've had and loved my K2 for over a year, but it was a replacement for my first K2 that developed a broken button. I always thought the screen on the replacement wasn't as sharp as my original. So I'll probably upgrade soon for the sharper screen and lighter weight (after all, it will be packed alongside my iPad whenever I travel). I trust Amazon to get the technology right.
I should say that work bought my first K, so this will be the first time I've spent my own $$ on it. If I'd bought the original myself, I'd probably try to sell it or pass it along before I bought a new one.
I think Amazon did the smart thing here and the Kindle is now a viable device regardless of the iPad.
I upgraded from the Kindle 1 to the Kindle 3. That upgrade was worth it. The screen is so much better than in the original version. On the other hand, I don't know if I could make the same case if compared to the Kindle 2. On the whole, I think you're right that it wouldn't be worth the small improvements between models. But I don't think that's who the Kindle 3 is for. I think they're trying to get more first-time e-reader buyers. Just my opinion, though.