Jul 10
30

Amazon’s new-generation Kindle

Amazon on Wednesday officially unveiled a next-generation Kindle that is what many tech pundits thought it would be: smaller and lighter, with a better screen and some Wi-Fi thrown into the mix.

The new e-reader comes in a couple of flavors, one with both Wi-Fi and 3G wireless for $189, and a Wi-Fi-only version that costs $139, some $10 less than Barnes & Noble’s Nook Wi-Fi. The new Kindles are available in graphite or white and ship on August 27, with Amazon taking pre-orders for both e-readers now.

Highlights:

  • 6-inch E-Ink display
  • Wi-Fi and 3G ($189), Wi-Fi only ($139)
  • 21 percent smaller than previous Kindle
  • 15 percent lighter (8.7 ounces)
  • Like the new Kindle DX, screen offers 50 percent better contrast
  • 20 percent faster page turns, according to Amazon
  • 4GB built-in memory
  • Smaller page-turn buttons that are also quieter (clicking noise is nearly silent)
  • Up to four weeks of battery life from sealed-in battery (wireless turned off)
  • New “experimental” WebKit-based browser. Amazon says the updated web browser is “faster, easier to navigate, and provides a new ‘article mode’ feature that simplifies web pages to just the main text-based content for easier reading.”
  • Expanded text-speech options. New text-to-speech enabled menus allow you to navigate the Kindle without having to read menu options. You can not only listen to books aloud (certain ones, anyway) but content listings on the home screen, item descriptions, and all menu options.
  • Amazon says the new Kindle uses an improved built-in PDF reader, with new dictionary lookup, notes and highlights, and support for password protected PDFs.
  • No cover included but Amazon will sell two new covers, one of which has a built-in flip-out light for $59.99.

    • Amazon Kindle, video:

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