Amazon has launched the next generation of its Kindle e-book reader in the UK, and the improvements are dramatic.
Amazon continues aggressive price push
An enhanced display, faster navigation, and an entirely redesigned chassis aren't all that set this Kindle apart from its competition. Amazon is continuing to be aggressive with its pricing: it retails for £109 for a Wi-Fi-only version and £149 for a 3G wireless version. If you want to read more here's our Amazon Kindle 3 review.
Don't call it a Kindle 3, though: Amazon says its name remains simply Kindle. There is no mistaking this new Kindle for any of its predecessors, though. This Kindle is 15 percent lighter and 21 percent smaller than the second-generation model. And that weight makes a difference.
The new Kindle uses the same E-Ink Pearl screen found on the Kindle DX (Graphite). The screen offers a 20 percent faster refresh rate over its predecessor, a tangible difference that, together with software enhancements, makes the Kindle fly through menus.
Other improvements: internal storage can now handle up to 3500 books, 2000 more than the previous version.
The physical design of the Kindle has been vastly improved. At just 8.7 ounces, it's lighter than the competition.
While Amazon remains cagey about actual Kindle e-reader sales numbers, the company did drop this tidbit when asked about how it achieved some of the design enhancements. Apparently, according to Ian Freed, vice president for Amazon Kindle, Amazon's sales volumes are high enough now to be driving component costs down-and to encourage component suppliers to come to Amazon with innovations. This could be interpreted as a sign of Amazon's strength in this market.
The new Kindle will ship in the UK on August 27.
Comments
Al said: What design enhancements Its been on sale in the US since 2007
Poit said: The only problems with it are its understandable limitations of format to keep you buying from Amazon its graphical limitations there are times when pictures say more than words and the choice of books available which is focused on the populist end of the market for the most partI dont have a Kindle myself but Ive found my Sony variant space-saving for holidays and journeys in general and much easier to read for my fading old eyes than conventional print Its a fine little machine and Ive grown rather attached to it
David Staples said: Very interesting It would be better if it could read other formats like ePUB
Ron Graves said: Uptake of this is I think going to be a generational thing For example over the course of my life Ive bought something over 8000 books currently I have over 2000 It follows therefore that buying an ebook reader would be pointlessAnd there remains the problem that if a book is lost or stolen its cheap to replace and can survive being dropped wonderfully well - not so ebook readers That for me would be a deal-breaker