Amazon's new colour Kindle is coming to Australia next year, but it has other new eReaders ready to go
Amazon reaffirms its dominance in eBook readers with four new products.
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The worst thing about the Kindle is that they tend to last for ages. While my first gen Kindle died a couple of years ago, my first gen Kindle Oasis is still going strong.
So when Amazon announces new models that promise better performance, new features and (gasp!) a colour screen, I can't justify an upgrade to myself.
But maybe you can! Amazon has just announced four new models in its Kindle lineup, and while the most exciting of the four isn't landing in Australia until next year, the others still have plenty to like.
New Kindle Paperwhite
The Paperwhite has been Amazon's best-selling model since it first launched in 2012. This updated model has a larger seven-inch display, while also trimming down to be the thinnest Paperwhite model ever.
You get three months worth of battery life, and significantly improved performance, which sees page turns happen 25% faster than the previous generation.
The new Paperwhite comes with 16GB of on board storage and comes in Black, with an IPX8 rating. It costs $299 RRP.
There's also a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which doubles the storage to 32GB and adds an auto-adjusting front light. It comes in two colours: Metallic Black and Metallic Jade, and is prices at $329 RRP.
New Kindle
I find the naming conventions confusing too, but the new entry-level Kindle has been given a refresh as well.
It weighs just 158 grams and is small enough to pop in your back pocket. It offers a 300dpi glare free display, and is bright as the Kindle Paperwhite at max settings.
16GB of storage, has up to six weeks of battery life and comes in Black or Matcha colours, for an RRP of $199.
New Kindle Scribe
The first gen Kindle Scribe got better as time went on, with the introduction of handwriting recognition and other performance tweaks.
The new model introduces a feature called Active Canvas, which allows you to write notes or thoughts directly into a book when you feel inspired. Your note becomes a part of the page, and the book will dynamically wrap around your note if you change font size.
Amazon has also updated the huge 10.2-inch display, making it flush on the front and giving it uniform white borders. You still get the paper-like feel, with a glare-free finish that makes it great to use in full sunlight
The new Scribe will come with the Premium Pen as standard. This version of the pen has an upgraded design, an inbuilt shortcut button and a soft eraser tip on the back giving it pencil-like performance.
The new Kindle Scribe will launch in Australia on December 5 for $649. It comes in Tungsten or Metallic Jade colours , and is available to pre-order now.
New Kindle Colorsoft
This is the one I want to look at most, and unfortunately it's not launching in Australia until next year.
The Colorsoft has been designed to offer a paper-like colour reading experience, in a body that looks a lot like the Paperwhite Signature Edition.
Amazon has done work to ensure the screen looks colourful and vibrant without washing out details or pixellating when zooming in.
The Colorsoft will offer eight weeks of battery life, wireless charging and a waterproof body.
Not sure on Australian pricing yet – in the US the Colorsoft will cost US$279.99, which means we're probably looking at about $399 in Australia if I were to have a guess. It's also not clear when next year the eReader will launch, but I'll keep you updated.
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