Amazon has just announced details of its new smaller and lighter Kindle eReader which will have more than 200,000 extra books available for download.
The online shopping site said that the Kindle will have “the lowest book prices of any e-book store in the UK” as well as more than 1 million free books for users to read.
In a letter to customers displayed on the UK Amazon’s home page, they highlight some of the changes.
The Kindle will have a new sleek design and will be 21 percent smaller in body but with the same 6 inch reading area. It will also be 15 percent lighter weighing in at only 247 grams.
Storage space has doubled and the device will now carry 3,500 books and page turning will be 20 percent faster.
The contrast has been improved providing a better viewing experience and the battery life will be 10 days with the Wireless on and up to a month if it is switched off.
Steve Kessel, Vice President of Kindle, told the BBC that in future, he believes the majority of books sold will be in digital format. He also said that “People prefer the reading experience; you have your library in your hands, and can think of a book and download it 60 seconds later”
There will actually be two versions of the Kindle available. The 3G Wi-Fi version will be priced at £149 and there will also be a Kindle Wi-Fi only version for £109 for those who can always rely on having a connection, for example at home.
Those opting for the 3G device will not have to pay any monthly fees and will use the Vodafone network to download the books.
Both versions will be available next month on the 27th August and available directly from Amazon UK for the first time. Up until now, UK readers who wanted to buy a Kindle had to buy it from the Amazon dot com store and pay in US dollars.
The Kindle has been Amazon’s best selling item for two years in a row and according to Amazon, it’s the most wished for and most gifted product on Amazon and has had the most 5 star reviews of any product on the Amazon site.
Mr Kessel also told the BBC that Apple’s iPad has had no effect on sales of the Kindle “which have accelerated” he said.
Go Kindle.
