A look at the three varities of e-Ink Kindle products announced by Amazon for 2011.
David Katzmaier
David reviews TVs and leads the Personal Tech team at CNET, covering mobile, software, computing, streaming and home entertainment. We provide helpful, expert reviews, advice and videos on what gadget or service to buy and how to get the most out of it.
In addition to the Kindle Fire tablet, Amazon has announced a new lineup of three e-ink readers for 2011 to replace the current Kindle released in 2010.
Each of the non-Fire Kindles is available at different pricing depending on whether you want "special offers" advertising. The prices shown are for the "special offers" versions; the premium to avoid advertising is $30 for the Kindle and Kindle Touch, and $40 for the Kindle Touch 3G.
The basic Kindle costs just $79, and loses the keyboard associated with the old version. Unlike more expensive versions it doesn't have a touch screen.
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$79 Kindle: smaller and lighter
It also has an 18 percent smaller body (6.5" x 4.5" x 0.34") compared to the current Kindle and weighs 30 percent less at 5.98 ounces.
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$79 Kindle: Back view
The metallic construction looks solid.
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$79 Kindle: USB and power
Since all Kindles use Wi-Fi for downloads, the principal use for the USB port will be recharging. Amazon claims "one month on a single charge with wireless off and a half-hour of reading per day."
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Kindle Touch/3G
The Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G incorporate a touch screen, cost $99 and $149 respectively (with special offers), and look basically identical. There are no physical buttons on the device; those slits at bottom conceal a speaker.
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X-Ray feature
A new X-ray feature is said to expose the "bones of the book."
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X-ray in action
Clicking on a mention within X-ray brings up the relevant passages in the book.
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Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G: Back view
The Touch and Kindle 3G are also a bit bigger and heavier than the standard, non-touch Kindle at 6.8" x 4.7" x 0.40" and 7.5 ounces (7.8 for the 3G).
