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Amazon Kindle 2 slideshow

The various sides of Amazon's Kindle 2 digital reader.

Matthew Moskovciak
Covering home audio and video, Matthew Moskovciak helps CNET readers find the best sights and sounds for their home theaters. E-mail Matthew or follow him on Twitter @cnetmoskovciak.
Matthew Moskovciak
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1 of 19 David Carnoy/CNET Networks
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos unveiled the Kindle 2 at New York's Morgan Library Monday in early February.
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2 of 19 David Carnoy/CNET Networks
The svelte 0.36-inch depth of the device is evident in this photo.
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3 of 19 David Carnoy/CNET Networks
The Kindle 2 looks like a giant iPod from the rear. Alas, Amazon didn't include a protective case--it's available separately.
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The new screen offers 16 shades of gray, which provides more detail in images.
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Page turns are 20 percent faster than the original Kindle.
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6 of 19 David Carnoy/CNET Networks
Amazon says the new Kindle delivers 25 percent longer battery life than its predecessor.
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As with the original Kindle, the new screen is not backlit. The idea is to deliver a more paper-like experience that can be read in direct sunlight (as illustrated in this Amazon-supplied photo).
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The Kindle 2 includes built-in 3G wireless, which lets you download titles from Amazon in about a minute flat. If you can't tap into the 3G network, this model toggles down to Sprint's slower 1XRTT data network (if it's available).
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Amazon has ramped up the on-board memory to 2GB, so the new Kindle can store up to 1,500 books at a time. If you run out of space, you can delete purchased titles from the device's memory and then re-download them later at no additional charge. However, there's no expansion slot for additional memory.
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The Kindle 2's battery is sealed into the back of the unit and isn't user replaceable. To replace the battery, Amazon charges $60.
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About 240,000 books are now available on the Kindle, and that number should continue to grow.
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The Kindle 2 has a built-in dictionary for looking up words. You can also take notes as you read using the keyboard.
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The Kindle 2 includes a text-to-speech function, so it can read any of the content to you via the speakers on the bottom or the headphone jack on top.
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The Kindle 2, like its predecessor uses E-ink technology. This model's processor has been upgraded, making the device zippier.
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Newspapers, magazines, and blogs are available on the Kindle 2 via paid subscriptions.
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Readers can choose any one of six available font sizes.
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The Kindle 2 has a new Text-to-Speech feature that allows you to have text read to you by a digitized voice (male or female). There are small built-in speakers on the back of the device.
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18 of 19 David Carnoy/CNET Networks
At just over a third of an inch think, the Kindle 2 is thinner than the iPhone.
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19 of 19 David Carnoy/CNET Networks
The new Kindle has an all-new keyboard, five-way navigator, and page-turn buttons.

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