The Kindle 2 is obviously a next-generation version of Amazon's book reader in ways that go well beyond its name. But the improvements are so extensive that it almost seems like an entirely new device.

Amazon's first-generation Kindle e-book reader was a frustrating device. The promise of an always-on connection to a vast e-book library and a decent book reading experience was ultimately diminished by design and interface decisions that were mystifying, and the whole package came with a set of additional features that performed so poorly that they detracted from any warm feelings generated by the central book-reading experience. In the time since Kindle's launch, Amazon has been as forthcoming about its plans for the reader as the NSA is about its monitoring capabilities, leaving lots of open questions about whether it even agreed with reviewers that there were problems with the device.

But actions speak louder than words, and now that the Kindle 2 is out, it's clear that Amazon was listening. We've had a chance to spend some time with Amazon's next-generation book reader, and nearly every aspect of the device is a big step up from the first version. There's little that's truly new about Kindle 2, but the result of the evolutionary changes is far more than the sum of its parts: Amazon has made a good device, and in the process, shown that it has what it takes to make an even better one.