The next generation of Amazon's high-contrast-y glow-y e-reader will be available to consumers this fall.
Amazon accidentally posted a product page for its second generation Kindle Paperwhite early this morning. After the "leaks" hit the press, the company briefly pulled down the page, only to reinstate it. As of publishing, the page is live.
The new Paperwhite WiFi version will begin shipping on September 30 and will sell for $119, though users can purchase an ad-free version for $139. The 3G version will be available for $189, though there no mention of a price on ad-free version. The 3G product page says that the item is "expected to be available on November 5."
The new Paperwhite promises a "new display technology" that will offer higher contrast and better reflectivity; 25 percent faster processor with faster page turns; a 19 percent tighter touch grid; a vocabulary builder; as well a future availability of Goodreads and Kindle FreeTime integration.
The new Paperwhites come on the same day that Amazon announced its new MatchBook program that will allow users to download books previously purchased in dead-tree versions for no more than $3 per title. The good news is that MatchBook will include physical books purchased through Amazon going all the way back to the Clinton administration. The bad news is that the program only appears to include books from Harper Collins and associated subsidiaries, but will hopefully expand into the future.
