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.

Pre-announcement rumors: Before its release, numerous rumors about the device emerged. They reported improvements over the original Amazon Kindle include charging via a USB-mini cable rather than by a proprietary cable, better button placement to prevent accidental pageturns, a less-awkward overall shape for better handling, and an included new leather pouch case. According to Boy Genius Report, the Amazon Kindle 2 no longer has an SD-card expansion slot, but it would appear to have more internal storage, as the device in the pictures displays 1403MBs free. The Kindle 2 will also reportedly come with a new metal back, and according to insider information given to Tech Crunch will launch in early Q1 2009. The ten press images on this page were leaked to Mobileread on February 6th, 2009 but were not confirmed to be official until the day of the announcement. In addition to posting the images, Mobileread claimed that the Kindle 2 would go on sale on February 24th at the price of $359.