Just as Apple's iPod wasn't the first MP3 player, Amazon wasn't the first company on the block to release an e-book reader; NuvoMedia's RocketBook and the early Sony Readers both beat the Kindle to market. But it's hard to argue that the Kindle isn't the number one e-book reader on the market.

The Kindle has helped usher the e-book reader from gadget curiosity to a burgeoning mass market device, all in less than three short years. And now, amid a much more competitive market, Amazon is debuting the third-generation Kindle.

The first thing you should know about the "Kindle 3" is that it's more evolutionary than revolutionary. Most importantly, Amazon has made its 6-inch e-reader smaller and lighter, and it has improved the screen.

Clearly, one of Amazon's primary goals was to make the device smaller and more pocket- and purse-friendly so that users would be more apt to see the Kindle as an everyday gadget they can carry around with them at all times. We can say that Amazon has certainly achieved that, and the device, at least when held without a cover, feels lighter and more comfortable in your hand and easier to hold for longer periods.

Though the Kindle offers some additional functionality beyond reading, Amazon has been careful to market it as a "purpose-built reading device" in order to contrast it with the multifaceted Apple iPad, which features a backlit touch-screen LCD instead of an e-ink screen.

That e-ink screen is one of the Kindle's strengths. Not only does the latest Kindle's display look really good, when compared side by side with the older Kindle and Nook, the letters appear slightly darker and pop a little more. Amazon has also optimized the fonts so letters appear sharper. It's not a huge difference, but it's noticeable. Turning "pages" is also considerably faster. Side by side with the competetion, the new Kindle appeared to turn pages in about half the time.

The other upside to e-ink displays is that they aren't backlit, which not only is supposed to reduce eye strain but it also allows you to see the screen--better, in fact--in brightly lit environments, including direct sunlight. By contrast, the iPad is hard to read outside because its LCD gets washed out in direct sunlight and the glass covering the screen is reflective and creates glare issues.

The Kindle's screen can toggled from portrait to landscape mode--particularly useful for certain PDFs and Web sites.

Amazon also sells a protective case for the Kindle. Be sure to factor the price of a cover into your purchase because it's not a great idea to carry your Kindle around naked. Like the iPhone, the Kindle is prone to serious injury when dropped from moderate heights to a hard surface (e.g., a concrete sidewalk).

In shrinking the Kindle, Amazon has made some noteworthy changes to the button design. Most are good; for instance, the new page-turn buttons on the each side of the device are smaller and make only a muffled clicking sound when you depress them. That's important if you're reading someone trying to sleep in bed next to you.

Amazon has also modified the joystick-like main navigation button and moved it lower and integrated it into the more tightly spaced keyboard where the Enter key on a computer keyboard would typically be. This makes a lot of the sense

If you're new to the whole e-reader game, $139 or $189 may not be dirt cheap, but it's whole lot more reasonable than the $399 that the Kindle cost when it first came out in late 2007. At these prices, we can actually say the latest Kindle is a solid value for readers looking to make the jump to e-books.


Features: Slimmer, more compact design than previous Kindle; improved screen with higher contrast and faster page turns; native PDF support; large library of hundreds of thousands of e-books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs via Amazon's familiar online store; Wi-Fi access to Amazon's online store; built-in keyboard for notes; with 4GB (3.3 usable) of internal memory, it's capable of storing 3,500 electronic books; eight fonts available, including two new extra-large sizes; excellent battery life; displays image files, and plays MP3 and AAC audio.

The Bottom Line
The third-generation Kindle's winning combination of noteworthy upgrades--an improved screen, better battery life, lighter weight, and lower price--vaults it to the top of the e-book reader category.
 

Customer Reviews
See what actual Kindle buyers have to say about the new Amazon Kindle:

Love my Kindle! By D. Aten "daten18" Amazon Verified Purchase I couldn't see why I needed a Kindle when I had a public library just a few miles from my house. Now that I have my Kindle - I love it. Need another book? Download it in 60 seconds - the only problem is deciding which book! Since I bought my Kindle in mid-July I've read 21 books - that's right twenty-one! I never run out of books to read like I have in the past. Since I have to have a book to read at all times, I have many times re-read books because I didn't have anything new to read - don't have that problem now! It's much easier on my eyes than a "real" book is. The neutral non-glare background and the ability to adjust the font size is wonderful for these old eyes - I'm in my seventies. I did buy a cover for my Kindle, so it feels like I'm holding a real book. Best purchase I've made in a long, long time. I really love the Kindle Deal of the Day. One of the books I got for my Kindle had hundreds (no, I'm not exaggerating) of editing errors - Amazon is replacing that book with an edition without all the errors. I really appreciate the fact that Amazon paid attention to the reviews regarding that book. Happy!! By XimeKlein Amazon Verified Purchase I just receive my new kindle and I already have three book to read. Its very easy to use, without even reading the manual. Light weight. I only wish I could access to my music files to select a song, not only having the music on the background. But after all I really love it and I'm very happy with my new purchase my new kindle By audrey Amazon Verified Purchase This has met the expectations that i had for it. Its lightweight, handy, and easily adapted to. I am older (75) so learning new things electronically is not always easy. This has been fun to have and allows me my own speed at doing it. I love having a book or game with me at all times without the bulk of an actual novel. A granddaughter living with us says, "I want a kindle too grandma." Pretty funny when a teenager is jealous of a Sr. Citizen. I have seen the Amazon ads for Kindles for a long time. I'm glad I finally took the plunge. My Kendle EBook Reader By CowboyRon Amazon Verified Purchase I recently purchased my Kendle E Book Reader and I love it. It is not hard to operate and easy to see in any light. I have been wanting one, since a friend told me how much he and his wife loves theirs. I have only downloade the free books for now untill I get used to all the funtions, The free books are great, and am looking forward to purchasing the other books also. I am totaly disabled and 71 years old and watching TV and working on my computer is just not enough, but the Kendle EBook has really made a difference. finally converted By Llamasusi Amazon Verified Purchase I love books, the feel of books, I love to leaf through them. But I spend many days of my summer in the backcountry. Weight is an issue. So I finally succumbed to getting a Kindle. It's fine and I like its light weight, however not all books are available as kindle versions. I am still getting used to holding it along its thin margin beside the screen. So I would say, a kindle has its place when you want to save on weight -- but I still love books. Another Kindle By OldArkie Amazon Verified Purchase I find this Kindle (my second one) to be very good. It took a little getting used to, but now I much prefer it to the other (1st gen) I have. Really like the fact that it does not need to be connected to my Home Network. my view on the amazonkindle By Heather Amazon Verified Purchase I think the amazonkindle is an amazing item. it works really well. there is only one disadvantage with not always having that wifi connection but other than that i would recommend it to anyone. it was one of my greatest investments. i would never dream of getting rid of it. it has some of the greatest books at resonable prices. it is overall a great item. kindle 3G By airmail7 Amazon Verified Purchase My buddie recieved one of the kindle's and was telling me about it.I was very interested it and decided to get myself one. Since recieving it I find it hard to put down and in 30 days have read 3 books. Kindle delightful, font enlargement fabulous By terry Amazon Verified Purchase Cable for charging Kindle should have included a wall-plug with the shipment. Find it inconvienent to have to plug into a computer for charging. Ordering one after the fact is a nusance and bit parsimonious. All reviews are taken directly from Amazon.com. Some information here may have been removed, such as the purchase information, city, state, or real name of the individual writing the review. All other information has been left intact and un-edited. What's an "Amazon Verified Purchase" review? When a product review is marked "Amazon Verified Purchase," it means that the customer who wrote the review purchased the item at Amazon.com. Customers can add this label to their review only if Amazon can verify the item being reviewed was purchased at Amazon.com. Customers reading an Amazon Verified Purchase review can use this information to help them decide which reviews are most helpful in their purchasing decisions.