Out of absolutely nowhere, Amazon has just announced a brand new Kindle model that will serve as the new entry-level device for those avid reading fans looking to get a foot on the eReader ladder.
We’ve become accustomed to executing the unexpected from the company over the years, but the online retailing behemoth never fails to find a new way to blindside us all. The newly launched Kindle is thinner and lighter than previous models, and it even comes with a brand new white color option for those who don’t like the standard black color offering.
The newly announced entry-level Kindle will ship with a 6-inch glare-free touch display that will offer up an acceptable 167 pixels-per-inch. It will weigh in at just 5.7 ounces, with total dimensions of 6.3-inches x 4.5-inches x 0.36-inches, which as said earlier, makes it thinner and lighter than existing Kindle models.
Consumers looking to purchase this new model will also benefit from built-in Wi-Fi, a battery that should be good for “weeks” worth of reading time, 512MB RAM, and a 4GB internal storage that is capable of hosting “thousands” of books downloaded from the Amazon Kindle Store. Amazon has also embedded a Bluetooth chip in the new Kindle that serves a special purpose. “The VoiceView screen reader, available over Bluetooth audio, enables access to the vast majority of Kindle features. Kindle also includes the ability to adjust font size, font face, line spacing and margins.” Yes, this removes the need for an adapter.
Amazon’s new entry-level Kindle may be a great purchase, but those hardcore reading fans who require a little additional functionality and versatility may want to look down the range for the ideal Kindle product. The Kindle Paperwhite for example offers a backlight for advanced reading in low-light conditions, as well as a much sharper and higher quality display and optional 3G support. And of course, those with a little additional cash to spend, can look even further up the range with the Kindle Voyage or the new Kindle Oasis.
Amazon appears to be truly embracing and supporting their hardware products in additional colors. After bringing vivid colors into its Fire tablet range, this new Kindle will be available in white as mentioned earlier, with the company also offering an upgrade to the existing Kindle Paperwhite range by introducing a white variant too.
The new Kindle is available for pre-ordering right now at Amazon for $79.99, with shipping to start this coming July 7th.
Pre-order: 2016 Kindle 6-inch (black) from Amazon: $79.99
Pre-order: 2016 Kindle 6-inch (white) from Amazon: $79.99
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