Traveler 2.0

Amazon Kindle 2 Text to Speech vs. Audible.com Audiobook

The text-to-speech feature on the new Amazon Kindle 2 ebook reader has been a tad controversial. The Authors Guild, for instance, is concerned that the feature, in which a digitized voice can read aloud any content on the Kindle 2, will erode the market for audiobooks. 

It's a valid concern. Or is it? Listen to the MP3 clip below, which compares two different audio readings of the same passage from that timely classic, Confessions of a Shopaholic. Can you tell which one is the Audible.com audiobook, and which one is the Kindle 2 text-to-speech version?

If you can't, please hang up and dial 911, or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.

Amazon Kindle 2, Asus Eee PC 1000HE: Two Things to Get Excited About

Amazon Kindle 2 and Asus Eee PC 1000HE--at last, some true stimulus packages for tech lovers.

Last month's Macworld and Consumer Electronics Show product announcements were largely underwhelming. But in the past week came the announcements of two promising gadgets: Amazon's second-generation Kindle e-book reader, and a new Asus netbook that promises up to 9.5 hours of battery life.

When Amazon's first Kindle came out, I was intrigued. But I try never to buy a first-generation hardware device. Why pay money to be a beta tester? So, as I did with the first iPhone, I waited out the first Kindle.

The new Kindle, according to Amazon, includes more memory (2GB), a crisper display, a thinner and lighter chassis, and 25% longer battery life. It's still a little pricey, at $359. But the improvements were enough to make my finger hit the 'Pre-order with 1-Click' button.

As for the Asus Eee PC 1000HE, I've also refrained from buying a netbook so far. I've tested a few, and overall I liked Lenovo's IdeaPad S10 best. But poor battery life has been a problem with just about all the netbooks to date. If the latest Asus Eee PC can achieve at least half of its proclaimed 9.5 hour battery life, I'd be extremely tempted.