Technical Specifications

• The screen size and resolution on the Kindle and Kindle 2 are the same, but the 4-level gray scale on the Kindle is increased to a 16-level gray scale on the Kindle 2. The size of the Kindle is 7.5-inches by 5.3-inches and .7-inch thick. The Kindle 2 is 8-inches by 5.3-inches and .36-inch thick.
  
  

Internal Features

• The Kindle comes with a 256 MB of built-in storage, as well as an (Secured Digital) SD card slot for up to 4 GB of expandable memory. The Kindle 2 omits any storage slots, but instead increases the size of the internal storage to 2 GB. The battery in Amazon's Kindle lasts for two days with wireless turned on. The Kindle 2 lasts for one week with the wireless turned on.
  
  

Supported Formats

• The original Kindle is also capable of reading Amazon's ebooks in AZW format, TXT documents and other image file types through conversion. The Kindle 2 reads AZW, TXT and image files through conversion, yet it also reads PDF format.
  
  

Network

• The Amazon Kindle includes Whispernet, a wireless delivery system that connects to the 3G cell phone network. There are no service contracts for this coverage. This network works in the United States, and it is available in most cities and urban areas. The Kindle 2 allows users to access 3G networks worldwide. The service on the Kindle 2 is still included with the price of the product. The Kindle 2 accesses the broad AT&T 3G coverage area in the United States and AT&T's partner networks internationally.
  
  

Layout

• Both the Kindle and the Kindle 2 have keyboards on the face of the product. The Kindle includes a QWERTY-style keyboard with slanted keys; there is also a gap in the middle of the keyboard for easier typing ability. The space key and other keys are on the bottom row of the keyboard. The Kindle 2 has a completely redesigned keyboard. Each key is a small circle, with the exception of the space key that is shaped like the space bar on a standard computer keyboard. There is no gap in the middle of the keyboard, allowing for a format more similar to a computer keyboard.