The Kindle Touch is the very first touch screen version of the Kindle. Barnes & Noble and Kobo released touch screen versions of their Nook and Kobo e-readers earlier this year. So, it is only natural that Amazon comes around with its own touch screen version of its international bestselling e-reader. The Kindle look and feel gets a whole makeover with the Kindle Touch. It has a sleek, silver shell, and does not have a keyboard or toggle button, which are traditional features of past Kindles.
Everything can be accessed via the 6” screen display, and despite the compact size, the screen size has managed to remain the same. Menu navigation options, an on screen keyboard, and page turns are all accessed with the tap of a finger. The e-reader is 7.5 ounces total, which is smaller and lighter than previous generations.
The Kindle Touch comes in four different models. The Kindle Touch Wi-Fi only with special offers goes for $99. The 3G with special offers version goes for $139. The versions without special offers go for $149 for the Wi-Fi only, and $189 for 3G capability. This is quite a variety of choices. The special offers do not interfere with the reading experience. They’re only on the screen savers and home screen. Amazon has been known to offer gift cards at a discounted rate, as well as other deals on their products.
A few other cool features to note of on the Kindle Touch are: real page numbers, X-Ray, full page zoom, and custom fonts. Real page numbers make it so much easier to reference passages, and gives a clearer idea of what part of the book the reader is in. X-Ray is new, and allows readers to look up words, ideas, or characters throughout the book that interests them. It also provides references from Wikipedia, Shelfari, and Amazon’s own reader’s encyclopedia. Other features include the ability to read PDF’s, zoom in on images, and adjust font size. Just like its predecessors, the Kindle Touch comes with the latest e-ink technology, two month battery life, and the ability to read in bright sunlight.
The Kindle Touch was set to release on November 21, with it arriving at the homes of its readers a few days later. However, on November 14, Amazon announced that it would start shipping nearly a week early. It appears that Amazon is focusing on releasing competitively priced, completely revamped versions of its bestselling e-reader, and is using them as a selling point.
Retailers such as Walmart, Staples, and Best Buy have started leaking ads about the Black Friday deals they will be offering. One indicated that Staples will be offering a gift card along with the purchase of the Kindle.
The things to watch as far as the Kindle Touch goes, is the apps and accessories. There might be discounted prices on cases, covers, and lights. None of the current Kindle games and apps are compatible with the Kindle Touch yet, but they’ll start pouring in as soon as it releases. There’s always a sale going on with various games.
The Kindle Touch is the middle ground between the basic e-reader and the tablet. It has everything an avid reader could want, and at a price to beat. It will certainly be one of the hottest gadgets to get this holiday season. For more Black Friday updates, bookmark Amazon’s Black Friday page.
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