We all know the Kindle e-reader has shifted quite a few units since it’s UK launch in 2010 and now Amazon hope to replicate that success with the launch of the Kindle Touch and Touch 3G following today’s announcement that they can both now be pre-ordered from Amazon’s UK website for delivery in April.
So what do us readers get for our £109 (or £169 for the 3G version)? Both devices feature everything you’d usually expect from the Kindle plus a new touch screen that should make it easier to navigate, turn pages, shop and search - much like a tablet. The Kindle Touch also come with the ink display which means your e-books look like real paper and have no glare, even in bright sunlight.
The battery life for the Kindle Touch claims to be an impressive two-months (up to). It also features built in WiFi, audio support and can store up to 3,000 books.
To 3G or not to 3G
If you opt for the more expensive 3G version, you get all the features of the standard model plus a 3G connection for downloading content on the move where there is no WiFi connection available. Handy if you move about a lot or you’re commuting into work. The 3G data costs are included in the initial price of the hardware so there’s no monthly fee.
The new touch screen features will certainly help Amazon edge into the tablet market and will perhaps win over those put off by the lack of tablet-esque navigation on the previous models.
With a firm stake in the shopping, music and ebook markets, it will be interesting to see how Amazon continue to bring this altogether for the consumer.
Here’s the full spec on the new Amazon Kindle Touch:
Touchscreen: Both feature a touch interface. Turn pages, search, shop books, and take notes.
NEW EasyReach: Exclusive to Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G. Tap to turn pages – no need to swipe, so you can hold Kindle in either hand.
NEW X-Ray: Explore the “bones of a book.” With a single tap, see all the passages across a book that mention ideas, fictional characters, historical figures, places or topics of interest, as well as more detailed descriptions from Wikipedia.
Light & Compact: Sleek design with the same 6″ screen size as previous Kindle models. Kindle Touch weighs 213g and Kindle Touch 3G 220g, less than the weight of the average paperback.
No Battery Anxiety – Up To Two Month Battery Life: Read for up to two months on a single charge with wireless off.
Most Advanced Electronic Ink Display: Kindle’s high-contrast electronic ink display delivers clear, crisp text and images. Unlike LCD screens, Kindle devices read like real paper, with no glare, even in bright sunlight.
Audio Support: Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G include text-to-speech and mp3 support.
Built-In Wi-Fi: Connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at home or on the go.
Kindle Touch 3G Has Free 3G Wireless to Access Content: No wireless set up or Wi-Fi required. Download books anywhere with no plans, contracts, or monthly fees. 3G works globally.
Books in 60 Seconds: Find a book and start reading in seconds with free wireless delivery. No computer required.
Massive Selection: The Kindle Store has over 1 million books, including new releases, and 82 of the 100 Nielsen UK Bestsellers, plus newspapers such as The Guardian, The Telegraph and The Times, as well as magazines and blogs.
Free Books: Over 1 million free classics are also available to read on Kindle.
Low Book Prices: More than half a million titles priced at £3.99 or less. The Kindle Store offers regular promotions, including Kindle Daily Deal which offers customers a deep discount on one popular e-book a day.
Free Book Samples: First chapters of Kindle books are available to download and read for free before you decide to buy.
Holds up to 3,000 Books: Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G allow you to carry your entire library in your pocket.
Simple to Use: Ready to use right out of the box – no setup, no software to install, no computer required to download content.
Adjustable Text Sizes: Read with eight different sizes and three font styles.
Fast Page Turns: Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G have a powerful processor tuned for fast page turns.
PDF and Personal Documents: Email personal documents and PDFs direct to your Kindle and read and annotate on-the-go.
Free Cloud Storage: Books purchased from the Kindle Store are automatically backed up for free in the Worry-Free Archive where they can be re-downloaded wirelessly, anytime.
“Buy Once, Read Everywhere”: Kindle books can be read on Kindles, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, PCs, Macs and Android-based devices.
Whispersync: Amazon’s Whispersync technology syncs your place across devices, so you can pick up where you left off.
Both the Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G start shipping in the UK on 27th April 2012.
More details and pre-ordering for the new e-readers can be found at www.amazon.co.uk/kindletouch and www.amazon.co.uk/kindletouch3G.
