Jeff Bezos unveiled the Amazon Kindle 2—an update to the original Amazon Kindle, a stand-alone electronic book reader utilizes electronic-paper / e-ink technology—at a special Amazon press event held on Monday, February 9th, 2009 at Morgan Library. Two different official videos highlighting the features of the new device are available on Amazon.

The Kindle 2 debuted on February 24, 2009 at $299, but on October 7th Amazon dropped the price to $259. It also began offering pre-orders on an international version of the Kindle 2 with expected ship date in the two following weeks. Amazon also offers an international version, adding the hardware needed to connect to AT&T's wireless network, which offers service in more than 100 countries. It costs $279.

• Device measures 8 inches x 5.3 inches x 0.4 inches
• Weighs only 10.2 ounces
• 7 times more storage than the original Kindle
• Holds over 1,500 books
• Automatic magazine and newspaper delivery
• 25% longer battery
• 2 weeks of reading on a single charge
• Whispersync: sync data between Kindle, kindle 2, and other wireless devices
• New 5-way controller for use by either hand
• 16-shades of gray in display
• 20% faster page turning
• Built-in text-to-speech: any document on the device can be read out loud
• $359 pre-order available immediately and ships on February 24th.

Amazon has also posted a drop-test video of the Kindle 2.