Amazon working to make the bestselling Kindle also a breakthrough device for
the blind

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kindle, the #1 bestselling product across all of
Amazon, has enabled many vision-impaired readers to enjoy books more easily
than
before, and has also helped dyslexic readers and those with learning
disabilities improve their reading skills. Vision impaired customers benefit
from
Kindle's ability to change the font size - easily making any book a large
print edition. Dyslexic readers benefit from being able to listen with
Kindle's
text-to-speech technology while simultaneously reading along with the
synchronized text. Today, Amazon announced that it is working on a new set
of features
that will make Kindle even better for these readers as well as a meaningful
breakthrough device for the blind.

"Kindle is for anyone who loves to read-in fact, we've heard from thousands
of vision-impaired customers and customers with learning disabilities over
the
past two years who have been helped tremendously by Kindle," said Ian Freed,
Vice President, Amazon Kindle. "With some key modifications, we believe
Kindle
can be a breakthrough device for the blind, and the team is excited about
making these enhancements."

Below are examples of emails sent to the Kindle team over the past two years
about the significance of these features:

"The other day I took my visually impaired friend to the eye doctor. I just
happened to take my Kindle out of my purse to show her the birthday gift I
had
received. Amazingly, she was able to read on it. How exciting; she had not
been able to read books for many years."

"I've always loved to read, but the last year or so vision problems have
hampered my reading. Reading small print was extremely difficult and caused
eye
strain. Fortunately, a dear friend gifted me with my Kindle 2 on my birthday
in September. Since that time, my Kindle has not left my side."

"I have an 11 year old daughter with cerebral palsy. She has very poor
vision and cannot turn pages in a book, so the kindle text to speech is a
blessing
for her. She loves books and will listen for hours!"

"I am an ophthalmologist specializing in rehabilitation of the visually
impaired. I have found the Kindle DX to be of tremendous value to my
patients. A
few modifications could increase its effectiveness."

[From teacher of students with learning disabilities] "One of my students
brought his mom's Kindle to class this week and gave a little show and tell
for
two different classes. He is certainly a hard worker, but reading is not an
easy skill for him. He reports that the lack of back-lighting, the ability
to change font size and the 'read-to' features have been very helpful -
already he feels he has made great progress! The Kindle has really grabbed
the
attention of many of my students who have typically been turned off by
reading assignments."

To make Kindle more useful for the blind, the Kindle team is currently
working on an audible menuing system so blind and vision-impaired readers
can easily
navigate to books unassisted, in addition to listening to books as they can
already do today with Read To Me. In addition, a new super size font will be
added to Kindle, increasing the number of font sizes from six to seven. This
seventh font size will be twice the height and width of the current largest
font. These new features are scheduled for release by the summer of 2010.