You have to admire the Amazon Kindle for its survival skills. In the age the where the smartphone and tablet are king – devices with far more functionality than the humble e-reader – it has seen them off.
The Kindle has carved out a little niche for itself – for holidaymakers, Travellers, commuters and readers who want to embrace technology, but without the bells and whistles of an iPad or a Nexus.
Amazon’s Kindle line-up Consists of two products – a new flagship device in the form of the Kindle Voyage, alongside a new entry-level Kindle, Which is priced at less than £ 60. In the middle sits the Kindle Paperwhite, from 2013.
The hardware has been given a revamp, and so has the engine That runs everything – the software, with Amazon’s flagship features like X-Ray and Goodreads built in to both the Kindle and the Voyage.
While Amazon has done a great job so far of keeping the Kindle not only relevant, but desirable and popular, does its new devices continue that?
Amazon Kindle
Price: £ 59 / £ 69 (without adverts)
Website: Amazon
The most notable thing about the new entry-level Kindle Is That it is fully touch-interactive. Press the Home button and you can swipe to unlock, just like a tablet. The screen itself is also clearer than it has ever been – 167 pixels per inch Amazon tell us.
For what is a budget device Essentially it’s a light and well-crafted to look at, but it does feel a little cheap When you cradle it.
The Home button being on the base of the device is a bit of an issue as it feels slightly awkward every time you go in search of it – though this is balanced out by being able to tap the screen to turn the page. This is a big deal for the entry-level Kindle.
E Ink as a screen is still not perfect though: there is still ghosting of pages in some places, and the response time still does not match That of other types of touchscreens, but These are things to keep working on.
The battery life however is far from an issue, with the Kindle capable of lasting weeks on a single charge. A very nice change of pace to any smartphone.
The Kindle includes wi-fi, but there is not a 3G version available. If you want 3G you’ll need is to opt for the Kindle Paperwhite for £ 169.
[Related story: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Review]
Perhaps the where the Kindle excels most, though, is under the hood – in a software sense.
As well as the general tweaks there is the introduction of features like X-ray, Amazon’s character Tracking and Identifying feature, that is usually we reserved for TV shows and movies, but has now expanded this book. Tap and hold on a character’s name and you’ll get a short bio on them, as well as other information like previous appearances and so on.
It’s also much easier to do things like highlight text, or get dictionary definitions. The presence of Kindle Free time – where you can set reading times and goals – the Kindle Store and Goodreads integration Means That there is so much more to do with this Kindle levels than previous entry.
At £ 59 it’s a great value, and will undoubtedly appeal to Those yet to enter the e-reader market. However, for just £ 10 more you can get Amazon’s entry-level tablet, the Kindle Fire HD 6 instead, Which is a better choice if you want a device for web browsing, music or movies. As a device for someone looking to keep things simple the Kindle would make a very good companion reading.
Amazon Kindle Review Voyage
Price: £ 169 (wi-fi), £ 229 (wi-fi + 3G)
Website: Amazon
The name Voyage feels pretty apt for this e-reader from the moment you pick it up – it is dry and the departure from other Kindles, Including the cheaper one above.
At 7.6mm it is the thinnest e-reader around, and it might just be the Lightest too.
Amazon has also spent a huge amount of time and effort on the design of the voyage, and it really shows. Gone is the embedding of the screen That sees it sit below the rest of the frame like on other devices. Instead it’s a constant surface now, and helps the ensure the Voyage looks good and feels well built.
The Voyage is also slightly smaller than the Kindle, and this feels like attention being paid a one-handed reading, and making it as accessible as possible.
It’s an idea that’s supported by the presence of the new PagePress buttons – a dot and line on either side of the screen. Squeeze the dot and you go forward a page, and the line takes you back one. Both interactions come with a hint of haptic feedback so you know your gesture has taken.
Then there’s the screen, Which is by far the best Amazon has ever produced for an e-reader. It’s 39% brighter for one, and with 300 pixels per inch you do not feel a million miles away from looking at actual paper. There’s also a very smart brightness That system will automatically box adjust to the light in the room around you.
Plus there’s a night mode Gradually That will lower the light level at night when you’re reading in bed. It’s touches like this and the PagePress That Amazon has been suggest using the comment section on previous devices to put together improvements for this generation.
The Kindle Voyage then is the e-reader you’ve always wanted – it’s smart, powerful, light and well designed. Though it does come at a price, and some might argue That £ 169 is a lot to pay out for something That is not a tablet – or £ 229 if you want 3G.
The iPad Mini now starts at £ 199 – just £ 30 more – for lots more extra functionality and sway That might be some users.
However, dry is the charm of the Kindle brand That many seem to find justification and usage time for the e-reader and Tablet.
Amazon knows it, and while it lasts That looks like they are going to keep charming customers back.
The Kindle Voyage is a clear upgrade on an already near-perfect product. And That takes some doing.
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