Amazon launches 300ppi high contrast Kindle Paperwhite

[HEXUS]

Pricing starts from £109.99 in the UK and $119.00 in the US. Available on 30th June.

Read more.

[crossy]

Looks like a pretty reasonable iteration, Amazon emailing I got said that the new gen is even the same size as the previous one (which my local Sainsbury's has on special offer - I wonder why? <grin>)

Big fan of the "proper" Kindle (as compared to the Kindle smartdevice app) but there's always the Saracenic suspicion in my mind that I'm only able to use my content because Amazon say I can. Usual complaint about any system that applies DRM. Although in my case I've also got a lot of content that I bought from eReader.com (now defunct) and converted from Palm PDB format, (so presumably Amazon can't touch this!).

One question though. They seem to be making a big deal about the backlight - but I thought the whole deal about eInk screens was that they didn't need a backlight - certainly my old gen Kindle doesn't unless it's real dark out. So my question to Paperwhite owners is whether the light is only coming on when needed, otherwise the second plus for eInk - battery lifetimes that smartwatch owners can only dream about - is going to be hit.

[mtyson]

Hi Crossy, it's a front-light, from this page:
"Won't tire your eyes in the dark
Kindle Paperwhite guides light towards the surface of the display with its built-in front light – so you can read comfortably without straining your eyes. Adjust your screen's brightness for great reading in any light."

[Tpyo]

As others have said elsewhere, either the Voyage is due an imminent refresh or it suddenly became a much harder sell.

[crossy]

Hi Crossy, it's a front-light, from this page:
"Won't tire your eyes in the dark
Kindle Paperwhite guides light towards the surface of the display with its built-in front light – so you can read comfortably without straining your eyes. Adjust your screen's brightness for great reading in any light."

Thanks. Doesn't sound that good - I'm used to tablets with their "autobrightness" function. Think if I had a KPW then I'd have that light switched off or down to a real low level ... bit "precious" about battery life.

[Michael H]

Still not water-resistant

[Hicks12]

Thanks. Doesn't sound that good - I'm used to tablets with their "autobrightness" function. Think if I had a KPW then I'd have that light switched off or down to a real low level ... bit "precious" about battery life.

Its very different to using a tablet in my opinion, I have gone from the kindle keyboard to kindle paperwhite and I enjoy the upgrade, the light is not like reading off a tablet LCD display its much easier on the eyes and personally for me I spend 9 hours in front of 2 monitors 5 days a week so I appreciate not looking at a small monitor .

The brightness is controlled pretty much the same as you would a tablet/phone, there is a brightness slider to increase and decrease it and yes you can turn it off fully dont worry! The eink display is the same if not better than the keyboard in terms of visibility, great in the sun and good enough in darker light but with the added bonus of being able to read completely in the dark if needed.

Seems like a considerable upgrade in clarity which was already solid to me... may upgrade just to give my current paperwhite to a family member ha.

[crossy]

Still not water-resistant

As you say, a fairly obvious selling point and given that the only weakspots are the charging port and the buttons, you'd think it'd be doable.

That said, last time I saw this feature discussed online someone posted that they'd also like to see air cells built into the back so the Kindle "Poolside Edition" would actually float. At the time I thought that this was a ridiculous suggestion, but further thought makes me see the advantage.

Downsides are that waterproofing is going to make a Kindle more complex to put together and therefore more expensive. The "floatation cells" idea would also make it bulkier and that goes directly against the current fad of "thin is good, thinner is better"

[Saracen]

.... The "floatation cells" idea would also make it bulkier and that goes directly against the current fad of "thin is good, thinner is better"

Ironic, really, considering the first thing so many Kindle (and tablet) users do is go buy a case to protect the things, thereby probably doubling both thickness and weight.

[chrestomanci]

Still not water-resistant

I don't know what it is like with the newer touch screen Kindles, but the old kindle keyboard could be made waterproof by putting it in a map case. If you want it to float as well, then add a polystyrene foam tile.

I used to think that being waterproof was an important missing feature, but I have come to realise that it is not that important, because it creates lots of engineering challenges, most people don't need it, and those that do can easily buy a case.

Another feature that would be good but they probably won't add, is a solar panel on the back. That way you could use the thing for months without ever going near a plug socket, instead just leave it face down in the sun when you are not using it, but again it would add cost, most people would not want it, and those that do can buy a separate solar charger.

[spacein_vader]

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread but Amazon have just announced a new paperwhite, same screen but with expanded storage, Bluetooth support for audio books and waterproofing.

I like my original (2012) paperwhite because it's very good at its one task (reading,) and it doesn't require an Amazon account to use. I load all my books on using a data cable via Calibre and unless I accidentally click on the store button it doesn't nag me to connect it to an account.

Given that the new screen is a higher DPi than the mk1 paperwhite (300 Vs 212dpi,) I'm starting to run out of storage (8gb Vs 2gb,) and the battery isn't lasting as long as it used to then I'll be getting one of these if/when I can confirm it still doesn't need an Amazon account to function.

[g8ina]

V useful update thanks !

[Smudger]

I didn't realise this was a necro, I was thinking 'I'm sure they said the new one was waterproof'... And it is, if you're talking about the new new one.

I don't think I need to upgrade from my 'new' (2015) one, nowhere near full, and only use it to read in bed. If you think I'd be given enough peace to read by the pool with a 5 year-old in tail, you imagine wrong... So waterproofness, whilst nice to have, is not a must-update for me...

[Saracen]

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread but Amazon have just announced a new paperwhite, same screen but with expanded storage, Bluetooth support for audio books and waterproofing.

I like my original (2012) paperwhite because it's very good at its one task (reading,) and it doesn't require an Amazon account to use. I load all my books on using a data cable via Calibre and unless I accidentally click on the store button it doesn't nag me to connect it to an account.

Given that the new screen is a higher DPi than the mk1 paperwhite (300 Vs 212dpi,) I'm starting to run out of storage (8gb Vs 2gb,) and the battery isn't lasting as long as it used to then I'll be getting one of these if/when I can confirm it still doesn't need an Amazon account to function.

I've had (got) several generations of Kindle, over quite a few years, and have yet to need an Amazon account (which I don't have).

Long live Calibre.


EDIT - On the cusp of a new one too, but for me, the driving motivation is battery life and, most especially, backlighting.

[philehidiot]

I bought the missus a 7th Generation Paperwhite with a backlight and 300DPI screen. It was an upgrade from an old Kindle she was pretty happy with (until in John Lewis she saw the new version). The old one didn't have backlighting but did have a full keyboard... quite old.

She was pretty happy with the old one but likes the new one way better. If anyone has any specific questions about it, let me know and I'll ask her.

[spacein_vader]

I've had (got) several generations of Kindle, over quite a few years, and have yet to need an Amazon account (which I don't have).

Long live Calibre.


EDIT - On the cusp of a new one too, but for me, the driving motivation is battery life and, most especially, backlighting.

Not sure if the battery on the new one will last much longer than the previous model unless like mine your old one is wearing out. The backlight has the same number of LEDs as before but apparently they're now at the bottom of the screen instead of the top. If this will make any difference I've no idea.