Monday, September 17, 2012

They're hhheeerrrreeee!!!

If you haven't heard yet, then I'm going to tell you now... (in case you've been stuck in a good book for the past week and ignoring Amazon's website like the plague)

There are FIVE new Kindles joining the family!!!!!

I am incredibly excited, and cannot wait to hear actual reviews of these devices once they release (October 2012).  The much anticipated release of the eReaders has been talked about for quite a while on the Kindle forums, but now they are real and can be pre-ordered or purchased.


Photo from Amazon.com
(This is the Kindle I want to upgrade to!)

  • 8 week battery life, with light on
  • Built in light that evenly lights the screen
  • 25% sharper screen contrast
  • No screen glare even in the sun or direct light
  • 6 font style, 8 sizes
  • Holds up to 1,100 ebooks (2GB)
  • Faster wifi download (under 60 seconds) than previous Kindle models
  • "Time to Read" feature estimates how long it will take you to finish a chapter
  • New parental controls
  • Supports Kindle Owner's Lending Library
  • Adjustable brightness settings
  • X-Ray book vision - "Exclusive on Kindle, explore the "Bones of the Book". With a single tap, see all the passages across a book that mention relevant ideas, fictional characters, historical figures, places or topics of interest." - Amazon.com
  • Expanded built in dictionary (250,000+ words)
  • Instant translations
  • File types supported -  Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion
  • Smaller and lighter than previous models


  • Same features as the Kindle Paperwhite
  • Free 3G connection (no monthly payments, no payment plan, no extra payments after you purchase the device)
  • Download ebooks in under 60 seconds
  • No setup required for 3G; covered in almost every city
  • Shop wirelessly
  • Personalized recommendations
  • Uses AT&T's 3G high-speed data network in the U.S for 3G connections
  • Supported file types -  Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion


  • 1280x800 HD display with polarizing filter and anti-glare technology
  • Dolby audio and dual-driver stereo speakers
  • dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi for 40% faster downloads and streaming (compared to iPad 3)
  • 1.2 Ghz dual-core processor
  • Supports popular apps/games
  • Front facing HD video camera/camera
  • Free Skype
  • Available in 16GB or 32GB storage capacity
  • Parental Controls/Kindle FreeTime
  • 7" display
  • 11+ hours of battery life
  • Full color display
  • Amazon MP3s
  • X-Ray for Movies
  • Audiobook compatible/Whispersync Voice
  • Supported files -  Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible Enhanced format (AAX), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, Dolby Digital (AC-3), Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3), non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, PCM/WAVE, OGG, WAV, MP4, AAC LC/LTP, HE-AACv1, HE-AACv2, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, HTML5, CSS3, MP4, 3GP, VP8(.webm)
  • USB 2.0 port, Micro HDMI port, 3.5mm jack for headphones

*very similar features to the HD*

  • 1920x1200 HD display with polarizing filter and anti-glare technology
  • Dolby audio and dual stereo speakers
  • 1.5Ghz dual-core processor
  • Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi for 40% faster downloads
  • Integrated support for Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! and more
  • Front facing camera/video camera; free Skype 
  • 16GB or 32GB of internal storage
  • Supported Files -  Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible Enhanced format (AAX), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, Dolby Digital (AC-3), Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3), non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, PCM/WAVE, OGG, WAV, MP4, AAC LC/LTP, HE-AACv1, HE-AACv2, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, HTML5, CSS3, MP4, 3GP, VP8(.webm)
  • USB 2.0 port, 3.5mm jack, micro HDMI
  • 8.9" display
  • WiFi connection - no monthly payments and no additional payments after you purchase the device

*similar to the Fire HD 8.9" *
Photo from Amazon.com

  • "Get 250MB a month for 12 months with a one-time payment of $49.99 - no monthly payments. If you need more data, 3GB and 5GB monthly plans are also available.$49.99 package also includes: 20GB of additional Cloud Drive storage for your photos and more, plus a $10 Amazon Appstore promotional credit."
  • 32GB or 64GB storage capacity
  • "External volume controls, front-facing HD camera, built-in microphone, built-in Bluetooth with support for A2DP compatible stereo headphones and speakers"
  • 8.9" display
  • Supported Files -  Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible Enhanced format (AAX), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, Dolby Digital (AC-3), Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3), non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, PCM/WAVE, OGG, WAV, MP4, AAC LC/LTP, HE-AACv1, HE-AACv2, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, HTML5, CSS3, MP4, 3GP, VP8(.webm)
  • Front facing camera/video camera; free Skype


Other Kindle news...
  • The Kindle "with special offers" pricing option(s) have returned for almost all the devices.  What that means - you can get the Kindle for $20 cheaper and have coupons/advertisements on your screen instead of the screensavers.
  • The "Kindle" is now down to only $69 (with special offers)!!
  • Because of the new devices that have come out, I've noticed an increase in free ebooks and discounted ebooks on Amazon.  
  • Watch for: decreases in the prices for cases, lights, and screen protectors for the later generation Kindles (such as the Keyboard) because of the new Kindles coming out.  Older generations will become harder to sell so there will be a price decrease just like last time there was a new generation release.
  • I've noticed the Kindle Touch is no longer available (except as a refurb. unit) as one of the devices on Amazon's website.  If you have one, you might want to consider upgrading to a different device.  They will no longer offer updates for this device.
  • The buzz around the forums say there will no longer be updates for the Kindle Keyboard, which means it is time to start thinking about upgrading (awww...man!) for those of us with this generation of Kindle.
  • Kindle is once again kicking Nook right where it hurts.  yay! (no offence if you have a Nook and prefer it over the Kindle)
  • NEW sleep/wake case! The new Kindles have a case that automatically puts your Kindle to sleep or wakes it up by just opening or closing the cover of your case!  How cool is that!  I must have this case when I get my new Kindle.  Sadly, it only works on the Paperwhite and newest Fires, but that's still a really handy case!
Are you as excited about the new Kindles as I am!?  I've started saving up for my Paperwhite, and I can't wait to get it!  I still love my Kindle Keyboard (DragonToo!) so so much.  I think DragonToo needs a friend.    Which one are you the most excited about?  Happy Kindle Family Day!

Please note: Amazon is not paying me to state any of this information.  All facts regarding the specs of the devices are from Amazon.com.

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