Thursday 29 Jul 2010 - 09:40
Amazon took it's time with its latest Kindle-and that time has paid off in spades. Fully a year-and-half after the Kindle 2, Amazon today introduced its latest iteration Kindle, and the improvements are dramatic. 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: the Wi-Fi and 3G version will cost £149 including VAT ($189), while the Wi-Fi-only model will cost £109 ($139).
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 per cent lighter and 21 per cent 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 per cent faster refresh rate over its predecessor, a tangible difference that, together with software enhancements, makes the Kindle fly through menus.
Other boosts: Internal storage can now handle up to 3,500 books, 2,000 more than the previous version.
The physical design of the Kindle has been vastly improved.
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 is available for pre-order, and will ship on 27 August.
Melissa J Perenson
For more information see the Amazon Web site.
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