http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/06/kindle-paperwhite/

The new e-ink Kindles have a better screen--higher dpi for better contrast, and a whiter background. They also have an integrated glow light like the Nook that's been out for a while. Also some software updates--15% faster page turns, new fonts, feature that estimates how much time you have left in the chapter/book based on your page turn rate etc.

Wifi only model is $119 with ads, $139 with out. Wifi and 3g model is $179/199.

I preordered the $119 model--had more than enough Amazon credit from my Amazon rewards Visa card and taking change to Coinstar to cover it, a charger and a zip sleeve case for it. Didn't want a book style cover anymore as I prefer just reading the Kindle naked rather than in a case, but before needed a case to have a light a lot of the time.

I've always wanted a whiter screen, and the built in light will be great and save me screwing around with a book light.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/06/a...indle-fire-hd/

The Fire update is moving to an HD screen, and adding a 8.9" model to the 7" series.

8.9" HD Fire with 4G is $499, wifi only is $299.

7" Fire HD is wifi only and $199. Original Fire is now $159.


Lots of details on all of them on the Amazon product pages: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GEKXUO/ref=fs_cl

I like the new Paperwhite screen, but it really bothers me that it doesn't have page turn buttons.
I guess I'll be keeping my Kindle Keyboard 3G for another year.

I'd prefer page turn buttons, but can live without them. I've gotten used to reading on touch screens since I read a good bit on my iPhone Kindle app when out and about, and read a lot of PDFs and newspapers on my iPad.

Not a big dealt to tap the screen to go forward/backward a page rather than pressing a button.

1200 resolution for $300? Sold. Been waiting on this announcement and I'm hoping they've learned enough from their initial fire product that there won't be any issues.

My hope is that we can also swipe to turn the page back on the Paperwhite. I.e. swipe slightly left on the right side of the screen to go back a page. Otherwise turning back a page will be a little cumbersome. Since it has a capacitve touchscreen unlike the Kindle Touch, it could certainly do this no problem. Just a matter of if they implement it. However, whether it's there or not, I think this is better than page turn buttons because you can touch anywhere on the right side to turn the page. I found the placement of the page turn buttons on my old Kindle a little uncomfortable. This should be more comfortable.

I also pre-ordered the WiFi model. Can't wait to get it next month! I am thinking about getting the leather case that Amazon makes. I really liked the lighted one for my old Kindle (except the light which so unevenly lit the screen). But it is a bit pricey. Still, it's high quality.

Originally Posted by dmaul1114 I'd prefer page turn buttons, but can live without them. I've gotten used to reading on touch screens since I read a good bit on my iPhone Kindle app when out and about, and read a lot of PDFs and newspapers on my iPad. Not a big dealt to tap the screen to go forward/backward a page rather than pressing a button.

Turn page buttons are something that I've had since my first Sony Readers in 2006 and it's something that pretty much every e-Reader has had since. It's just a simple and easy way to turn pages and I don't understand why they would take it out. The Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight has it, so I really don't see why they didn't include it with their device.

That said, I've never really liked touch screen e-Readers. Maybe they've fixed most of the latency and glare issues, I really don't know. Regardless, I still prefer the interface of the Kindle 3. The keyboard just works great when I'm looking for a new book on the road and the buttons are perfectly placed.

I really do like the new screen, but I prefer the interface of my Kindle.
Maybe next year.

Originally Posted by crunchewy My hope is that we can also swipe to turn the page back on the Paperwhite. I.e. swipe slightly left on the right side of the screen to go back a page. Otherwise turning back a page will be a little cumbersome.

It will. Even the Kindle touch could do swipes. Right to left is forward a page. Vice versa to go back a page. Up-down to jump forward/back a page.

Originally Posted by KillerRamen That said, I've never really liked touch screen e-Readers. Maybe they've fixed most of the latency and glare issues, I really don't know. Regardless, I still prefer the interface of the Kindle 3. The keyboard just works great when I'm looking for a new book on the road and the buttons are perfectly placed. I really do like the new screen, but I prefer the interface of my Kindle. Maybe next year.

I can see that. I have the Kindle 3 currently. I pretty much never use the keyboard though as I do all my shopping on a PC. I don't generally take my Kindle on the road anymore as I can just read on the kindle app on my iPhone and iPad.

I doubt they'll do an update of the keyboard model at this point. But maybe they'll at least add page turn buttons to the next touch model, or put the Paperwhite screen and light on the basic kindle model in the future.

Originally Posted by dmaul1114 I can see that. I have the Kindle 3 currently. I pretty much never use the keyboard though as I do all my shopping on a PC. I don't generally take my Kindle on the road anymore as I can just read on the kindle app on my iPhone and iPad. I doubt they'll do an update of the keyboard model at this point. But maybe they'll at least add page turn buttons to the next touch model, or put the Paperwhite screen and light on the basic kindle model in the future.

I find the keyboard very helpful. Plus, to take advantage of Prime with the Kindle you need to look up the book on the Kindle. I also really like having 3G. I bought quite a few books when I was in Grand Cayman over the summer. I was able to get 3G for my kindle, but I wasn't able to get internet access for my laptop.

They may or may not update the Keyboard, I dunno... I'm happy with my Kindle 3 and while I love new gadgets, this update isn't enough for me to get a new one.

I agree though, I think the new screen will eventually become the new standard across the line.

Never used a hardware Kindle, but does this "paperwhite" shit still let you pick a sepia tone and off-black font? Because I use the Droid app and it's hard on the eyes unless you pick that combo.

Originally Posted by crunchb3rry Never used a hardware Kindle, but does this "paperwhite" shit still let you pick a sepia tone and off-black font? Because I use the Droid app and it's hard on the eyes unless you pick that combo.

Eink has no backlighting so no eye strain from light. It's like paper basically, and you need an external light source to read.

This new model has a front light that shines into a glow layer on the screen to light the screen while shining minimal light outward toward your eyes. That can be adjusted or turned off if you have enough light to see without it.

Stores like Best Buy and Staples carry the old models so you can go check out the displays there and see what you think. The new one will just be a less gray background and sharper text--but otherwise the same with the light turned off.

Here's a video that shows it briefly compared to the old Touch model: http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/6/329...hands-on-video

CNET has a pretty detailed review write up, along with a video up.

http://reviews.cnet.com/kindle-paperwhite/

And for the Kindle Fire HD.

http://reviews.cnet.com/kindle-fire-hd/

Just so you all know, I've read that the Fire HD models will have built in advertising on the lock screen and in a corner of the home screen.

I read that too, but that you can buy out of it. Probably for $20 which is the price difference between the special offers and no add e-ink Kindles. You can also buy out of ads if on the special offers e-ink kindles if they bug you after you get them. Or opt into them (though you get no credit for doing so) if you buy the model with out offers and end up wanting one of the offers etc.

In general the Fire doesn't appeal to me at all. I'm happy with my iPad, and for people who prefer Android there are better options IMO since the Fire is locked into Amazon's android store and can't access the full android marketplace. Without rooting/jailbreaking anyway.

Originally Posted by Clak Just so you all know, I've read that the Fire HD models will have built in advertising on the lock screen and in a corner of the home screen.

Really. . .

Thinking about it now $300 does tip its toe into the market of other tablets that seem less draconian in its OS and nonsense advertising. Starting to think this probably isn't what I've been waiting for after all. :\

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technolo...indle-fire-hd/

Will cost $15 to opt out of adds on the Kindle Fire HD.

The Kindle 4G says pay $50 for 250mb a month for 12 months. What are the options after 12 months, are they 250mb, 3gb, and 5gb or just 3gb and 5gb? What can you do with 250mb a month? How much are the 3gb and 5gb monthly plans?

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With 250MB a month you can either download 50,000,000 books. Or watch a couple episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess on Netflix.

Seriously though, you can't do a whole lot with 250MB a month. I learned that on my phone with my 150MB plan. You really just end up paranoid every time you use it, hoping your router is always working so it didn't kick you on 3G when you were watching a movie or something like that.

Originally Posted by crunchb3rry With 250MB a month you can either download 50,000,000 books. Or watch a couple episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess on Netflix. Seriously though, you can't do a whole lot with 250MB a month. I learned that on my phone with my 150MB plan. You really just end up paranoid every time you use it, hoping your router is always working so it didn't kick you on 3G when you were watching a movie or something like that.

That sucks. Could you use your 250mb to download movies? Do you know how much internet browsing you could do with that? I guess we can say 3gb or 5gb from Amazon will be no more than $30 and $50.

I have a 250 MB (or is it 200?) plan on my iPad and I have never run out, but I'm not streaming movies or streaming audio on it. General browsing, asynch games and such. At least in the case of the AT&T iPad plans, if you run out you just run out. There's no exorbitant overage fees. You can opt to add another 250 or not. I don't know if that's how Amazon's works, though. I'd find that out if I were you.

I do any streaming or large downloads while on wifi.

Originally Posted by dmaul1114 http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technolo...indle-fire-hd/ Will cost $15 to opt out of adds on the Kindle Fire HD.

Maybe I'm just too prickly about things like this, but on principal, that really rubs me the wrong way. It would be like buying a car with a huge vinyl sticker on the side advertising the dealership, and them wanting extra to remove it.