What Are the Specifications of a Kindle?
The Kindle, Amazon.com's bestselling e-book reader, is in its third generation as of 2011. Amazon produces three Kindle models: the Kindle Wi-Fi, the Kindle 3G and the Kindle DX. The devices can display a variety of digital file formats and the E-Ink screen reduces power consumption and prevents glare.
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Kindle Models
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The Kindle Wi-Fi and the Kindle 3G both measure 7.5 inches by 4.8 inches and feature a 6-inch screen. Both models can connect to wireless networks, but only the Kindle 3G can connect to 3G networks. The Kindle DX is larger than the Kindle Wi-Fi and Kindle 3G and features a 9.7-inch E Ink screen. Like the Kindle 3G, the Kindle DX can connect to 3G wireless networks. The Kindle Wi-Fi weighs 8.5 oz.; the Kindle 3G is slightly heavier at 8.7 ounces. The Kindle DX weighs 18.9 oz. All three models have 4 GB of integrated storage and can hold up to 3,500 e-books.
E-Ink Display
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The Kindle E-Ink screen is a high-contrast electronic ink display that consumes less power and produces clearer text than traditional LCD screens. The display reflects light like paper, which creates no glare and allows the screen to be read anywhere, indoors or out. Since the display does not require a backlight like an LCD display, it produces less eyestrain than other screens and can last up to one month on a single battery charge.
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File Formats
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The Kindle supports a wide variety of text and image file formats, allowing you to read e-books from almost any source. E-books purchased from Amazon.com are delivered in Kindle (.AZW) format, but the device also supports the .MOBI e-book format. Personal documents can be displayed on the Kindle, which supports plain text files (.TXT), Adobe Portable Documents (.PDF), Microsoft Word (.DOC and .DOCX), and Hypertext Markup (.HTML). The device can also display .JPEG, .GIF, .PNG and .BMP image files.
Experimental Features
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The Kindle has several experimental features that expand its use beyond displaying e-books. Built-in Text-to-Speech allows you to listen to your e-books on-the-go and provides a selection of voices that can be tuned to your preferences. The Text-to-Speech feature can also read menu and selection options aloud, making the Kindle accessible to the visually impaired. MP3 and AAX support allows you to listen to music and audiobooks with your Kindle. A WebKit-based Internet browser allows you to surf the Internet, but may not be available on Kindle models produced outside of the United States.
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