Kindle Shows Evolution Of Technology

Years ago the newspaper industry saw a shift from readers picking up the morning newspaper during coffee and breakfast to reading the latest headlines on the Internet, and now to scanning the latest Twitter updates from multiple news organizations. While the shift to technology continues to emerge, many did not know whether reading a book on an electronic device would become the next big hit.

While scrolling through pages on an electronic device isn't the same as snuggling up on the couch flipping the paper pages of your favorite classic novel, this has not stopped the evolution of technology creeping into all aspects of our lives. Instead, Amazon's Kindle has shown a large increase in sales since its launch in November 2007.

After such a successful launch, Amazon then followed up with two more generations of the Kindle. On December 27, 2010, just 4 months after the launch of the Kindle 3, Amazon announced the Kindle 3 had already become Amazon's bestselling product in history.

Due to the high nature of e-book buying, Amazon has introduced the Kindle Million Club. The Kindle Million Club is for authors who have reached 1 million paid book copies in the Kindle Store. Currently three authors are on the list which includes James Patterson, Stieg Larsson and the newest member, Nora Roberts.

Just like any shift away from the normal habits of everyday life, the evolution towards the kindle e-book hasn't been without its own issues. Many established publishers have worried the increased sales and popularity of e-book readers, including the Kindle, will undercut sales in the hardcover and paperback market. Also Amazon's agreement, which was announced in October, gives self-publishing authors through the Kindle store a higher royalty. This has evoked anger and fear within publishing houses. Amazon has agreed to a 70 percent royalty instead of the standard publishing contract's 25 percent.

In 2007, the Kindle may have seemed like a joke to some individuals, but three years later the view has shifted. The Kindle is not the next fad that comes and goes after a year of two. Instead, it seems that it is here to stay and is ever-expanding. This can best be seen by looking at the amount of other e-book readers that have been developed and are now being sold in the market. The next question is, how long will bookstores continue to stay in business or will they face the same downsizing that print newspaper has seen.

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The Evolution of the Kindle

The Kindle is in the middle of its own revolution. In 2011, online retailers report sales of digital e-books have outstripped those of traditional paperbacks. Move over, Grandpa, your reading will never be the same again!

This is noteworthy news because Amazon says this is the first time it has sold more Kindle e-books than paperback books ever. Hardcovers are being outpaced by three times. "In July 2010, Amazon announced that in the one month period between June and July, 180 Kindle books were sold for every 100 hardcovers." (source: pcworld.com) Predictions state that Kindle sales are on schedule to hit $6 billion in 2012.

These numbers suggest that the Kindle is here to stay. So let's take a look at how it has evolved to what we have today.

The original Kindle, Kindle First Generation, hit the US with a bang. It was introduced November 19, 2007, sold for $399, and was sold out in five and a half hours; remaining that way until April 2008. It is the only Kindle with expandable memory. The screen is a 6-inch 4-level grayscale display, it features 250 MB of internal memory, and it can hold 200 books. Navigation is accomplished with a wheel.

Just about a year and a half later, the Kindle 2 was introduced on February 23, 2009. This Kindle features text-to-speech and 2 GB of internal memory. It can hold up to 1,500 books, and navigation is accomplished via a 5-Way Controller that is a toggle switch. It has a 6-inch screen display. In October of that same year, Amazon stopped selling the original Kindle 2 and replaced it entirely with the new Kindle 2 International Version. This one can download new titles in over 100 countries.

Shortly after the original Kindle 2 was released, the Kindle DX was announced on May 6, 2009. They started getting fancy with this one as it not only has a larger screen than the previous Kindles, but can support PDF's and has an accelerometer to rotate your book when you turn the Kindle on its side. The screen size is 9.7 inches. An international version was introduced January 19, 2010.

On July 1, 2010, the Kindle DX Graphite was released. This is when the new E Ink Pearl technology was introduced, with 50% better contrast. According to Wikipedia, "The DX Graphite (DXG) is generally accepted to be of the 3rd generation, yet it is a mix of 3rd generation hardware and 2nd generation software." (wikipedia.org)

The 3rd generation of Kindle was announced on July 28, 2010. This one is referred to as the Kindle D00901 or unofficially as the Kindle 3. The Kindle 3 is available in two versions: Kindle Wi-Fi and Kindle Wi-Fi with 3G connectivity. This Kindle continues to use the E Ink Pearl display which has higher contrast than previous models. This Kindle has a 6-inch display screen, and navigation is now via the 5-Way Controller which is a touchpad.

Anna Darlin is an avid technology fanatic who specializes in the technology that makes life easier. You can check out her latest website at Kindle D00901, where she provides unbiased reviews and buying advice for the Kindle and related accessories, including how to fix the problem of the Kindle backlight.