Amazon Unveils Three New Kindles
Apart from the Kindle Fire, Amazon has also introduced a new line of e-ink Kindles to boost up its already popular e-book reader lineup. The three new models consist of a less expensive Kindle, the Kindle Touch, and the Kindle Touch 3G.
The new Kindle is small enough to fit a pack pocket, but it does not have a touch screen and the traditional Kindle keyboard (although it retains some physical buttons). It caters mainly for users who only use their e-readers as just that, reading devices. The device also comes with Amazon’s Special Offers and Amazon Local deals service. This smaller Kindle costs only $79 and customers can order today.
Meanwhile, the Kindle Touch has an IR touch system similar to the recent Nook device. The device features a touch screen and comes with the “X-Ray” feature, which Amazon claims would enable users get access to Wikipedia information without having to switch into a browser. The Kindle Touch costs just $99, in which can be pre-ordered today.
Finally, the Kindle Touch 3G adds fast mobile Internet connectivity to the Kindle Touch. For a price of $149, users get free Internet data for life in over 100 countries. Like the Kindle Touch, the 3G versions can be pre-ordered today. Both units will start shipping on November 21.
Canadian Retailer Leaks Kobo Vox E-Reader
Kobo is attempting to steal the thunder from Amazon and Barnes & Noble when it comes to 7-inch LCD e-reader domination. News about the Kobo Vox has been around since it was filed in the FCC weeks ago, but details about the device has only been sprouting out just now.
The Kobo Vox was accidentally(?) leaked on Canadian retailer website Future Shop, where its specs were revealed. The listing has since been removed, but you gotta applaud the quick eyes and copy-paste powers of the netizens. The device features a 7-inch LCD with 1,024 x 600 resolution, 8GB of internal storage, a microSD slot, and an expected battery life of up to six hours. A number of Kobo features are integrated such as Pulse, Reading Life, and the ability to sync content with other devices that have Kobo reading app installed on them. The reader supports several e-book file formats, but not images and video. Sorry about that, graphic novel enthusiasts.
But with a name that comes from the Latin word for “voice,” the Kobo Vox may have something else up its sleeve, as Future Shop refers it as the ability to “connect highlighted words to audio.”
The website says the Kobo Vox will cost $250 Canadian, but that may change come actual release.
Bookeen Cybook Odyssey E-Book Reader Coming to Europe
French e-reader company Bookeen is preparing to release the Cybook Odyssey e-book reader, which features its High Speed Ink System. Specs include a 6-inch modified Pearl E-Ink screen with Neonode zFoce touch layer and full motion capabilities (giving users the tablet-like experience), 800MHz Texas Instruments Cortex A8 processor, video play back, and WiFi radio for downloading content and web browsing abilities. The device has been demoed months ago, showing its fast display and how users can drag images around.
The Bookeen Cybook Odyssey is expected to be shipped in Europe a few weeks from now. No word on the price just yet.