The Kindle 2.

If you're thinking of buying the new Kindle 2, please use this link and you'll be supporting this blog (without paying more for the Kindle).

As you may remember, I got the original Kindle and initially thought it was cool, then abandoned it for one big reason: the gray-on-gray "Etch-a-Sketch" screen.

The copy on the new one says:

Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images.

I don't care how many shades of gray there are. If you want it to "read like real paper," the background should be white and the text should be black. Screw gray!

Anyway, Amazon ought to ship me a free Kindle 2 after taking my money for what was for me an unusable Kindle 1. I promise to give it an honest review. I will say the new one looks better, apparently it's not wedge-shaped anymore. But I need to see the screen.

ADDED: Try the Stanza app for the iPhone. I like that. It's free and you can download lots of free books too. Any classic book is easily available. I've been reading Mark Twain. The text is black-on-white on the clear, brightly lit screen. Kindle seems to be aimed at people who feel that a lit screen is hurting their eyes. That's not me. I look at a lit screen all day long and enjoy it.