Amazon Kindle Touch models introduced
Smaller keyboard-free model also announced
Not content with mounting a serious challenge to Apple with the Amazon Kindle Fire, the online retailer is also revamping its Kindle eReader range.
At the bottom of the range is a new cheap, Wi-Fi only model, simply called Kindle. Although available in the US for $79, the UK edition costs £89, which initially sounds quite expensive. However, the US price is for an ad-supported unit, where as the UK version is ad-free. Given that the ad-free US version costs $109 (around £69) , the UK price isn’t so bad.
Only available in the US for now are the Kindle Touch models. These come in 3G and Wi-Fi only models, costing $149 (around £95) and $99 (around £63) respectively.
The Touch interface gets rid of the need for the keyboard, with an onscreen keyboard and swiping to turn a page replacing any need for buttons. Amazon is also promising that the E Ink screen is the most advanced yet, supporting multi-touch gestures. To fit in with the new range, the Kindle 3 has been renamed to the Kindle Keyboard.
With the Touch editions smaller and lighter than the Keyboard version, with similar prices, Amazon seems to have cemented its hold on the eBook market. We’ll bring you full reviews as soon as samples are available.