Amazon announces the next generation of Kindle Paperwhite devices

Amazon were the first real player to make inroads into the mainstream with their e-reader, the Kindle. Over the years they have been updated numerous times and as of late the Kindle Paperwhite has been their most popular Kindle due to its great value for money. Now Amazon has upgraded their Paperwhite versions with some premium hardware.

The new hardware delivers faster performance and along with their redesigned user interface provide for an upgraded user experience. The new upgrades are for the Kindle Paperwhite and the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition.

Both versions of the new Kindle Paperwhite offer a larger 6.8-inch glare-free display capable of an extra 10% brightness, adjustable warm light and a new white-on-black mode to not upset your partner while reading in bed (that’s my use-case anyway).

The more premium Signature Edition also comes with a front light that adjusts the brightness of the display based on the lighting around you (like your phone does) along with support for wireless Qi charging. Both Kindle Paperwhites offer up to a massive 10 weeks of battery life — yep, 10 weeks, that’s not a typo — from a single charge and will charge from empty to full in 2.5 hours. For those of us clumsy folks they are designed to survive an accidental drop in the bath or pool (toilet not mentioned in the press release but we assume yes?).

The new interface makes it easier to switch between the home screen, your library, or your current book and the new filters and sort menus in the library makes it easier to find your books. The new interface will be rolling out via an update towards the end of the year.

Both the Kindle Paperwhite ($239) with 8GB and in black and the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition ($289) with 32GB and also in black, are available for pre-order today from amazon.com.au and select retailers including JB Hi-Fi.  New leather and fabric covers for the all-new Kindle Paperwhite will be available in Black, Deep Sea Blue, and Lavender Haze.