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March 20, 2009 8:03 AM PDT

Amazon releases Kindle 2 firmware upgrade

by David Carnoy
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Patch time: Amazon updates the Kindle with version 2.02 firmware.

(Credit: Amazon)

Amazon released a firmware upgrade on Thursday night that fixes some minor glitches with the Kindle 2. Some blogs are calling the release the first firmware upgrade for Amazon's latest e-book reader, but it's actually the second.

Contrary to some reports, this version (2.02) has nothing to do with the text-to-speech option that publishers were upset about; that was addressed in the 2.01 release. Rather, this upgrade appears to center on page refreshes and some ghosting issues.

With this tweak, Amazon doesn't appear to have done anything about addressing some readers' concerns that the text on the Kindle 2 isn't dark enough (at least compared to that on the Kindle 1).

If you have a Kindle 2 and have any observations about the new update, please post your comments. Your Kindle 2 will automatically update when you turn on the wireless Whispernet connection.

Related story: Kindle 2's lighter text causing headaches?

Via Engadget

Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter.
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by bellatrixr March 20, 2009 12:47 PM PDT
So glad the text ghosting issue may be resolved. Firmware is updating now.
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by john94857 March 20, 2009 3:48 PM PDT
Wow, that's fast. Firmware update already. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, while I am very interested in Kindle, I am still waiting for these books to be DRM free. I am willing to pay for it, but It's just so much easier and "thought-free" when I don't have to worry about DRM and how I use something.

Speaking of DRM-free, a good example is Amazon's awesome MP3 store that is DRM-free with a large selection and often good prices. It would be nice if they had the same thing with books.

On the note about Amazon, I recently came across an interesting table that details the discounts on Amazon.

It is at http://www.uberi.com

Maybe someone will find it useful too. PC World recently recommended it to its users too, along with a few other tips and sites.

Perhaps Sony's collaboration with Google will heat up the competition to increase DRM-free distribution.
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by kellya29 April 1, 2009 5:53 AM PDT
At least amazon is responding to comments quickly regarding the 2.0. The lighter text is not an issue for me. I'm glad I upgraded to the 2.0 http://www.bookbender.com
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