Amazon's Kindle is officially coming to the UK, with a new version of its flagship ebook readers available to buy on the UK store -- and this one won't require a second mortgage.
Like the iPad, the new Kindle comes in two varieties, one with 3G and Wi-Fi for £149 and another Wi-Fi only model pegged at £109. It's a clean slate, with no letters or numbers (like Kindle 2 or Kindle DX) -- this new iteration reverts to the original name, simply the Kindle.
The introduction of 3G, though a standard feature on the Kindle since its inception in the US, is a new feature for us Brits. The difficulty in securing agreements with mobile networks has meant eager ebookworms could only use the Kindle international edition's wireless connection to download books, and not browse blogs or online newspapers like its American counterpart.
What's more, the 3G connectivity won't require a contract or a data plan, and for only £40 more than its less well-endowed Wi-Fi only companion. Wi-Fi is a totally new addition to the lineage, though the product page on the Amazon Web site for pre-ordering mentions that the new Wi-Fi browsing is "experimental".
Both models of new Kindle come with a higher contrast eInk screen, double the previous capacity for storing "up to 3,500" eBooks and an improved battery life Amazon claims lasts up to one month even when frequently used. (This puts the iPad's eReader features to shame, as it lasts one month on a single charge without even using it.) It's now housed in a stylish graphite-coloured chassis and retains the 6-inch screen despite a 21 per cent smaller casing, by reducing gaps between buttons on the keyboard.
The models are available to pre-order now direct from Amazon and will ship on 27 August, when a UK-specific ebook store will open for business with some 400,000 titles, plus newspapers, magazines and over 1 million free books.
Update: We've had a quick hands-on with the new Kindle this morning. It rocks 4GB of storage, and the back end of the free 3G connection is handled by Vodafone. Amazon's international clout means you'll be able to instantly browse and download ebooks in a host of other countries with a 3G network. Other features include highlighting of sentences and passages, with the zeitgeist-tastic option of posting them to Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments 22
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Green 29 July, 2010 12:56
I really like these new models, and so much cheaper. If it had a touch-screen I'd already have pre-ordered one.
jaam 29 July, 2010 12:58
Still prefer doing it on my phone - one less item to carry around, more storage and loads more features. And there is even a kindle app now.
tc_2001 29 July, 2010 13:03
Will we get a UK version of the DX?
Green 29 July, 2010 13:40
The Kindle DX does have an International version so technically it's been available in the UK for a while, but if you mean a UK version in these sense that these new Kindles have a UK Version then there's not been any indication from Amazon, but if they bring out a new model of Kindle DX then there is every possibility that they can make a UK Version of it and no reason why they shouldn't.
Rich Trenholm 29 July, 2010 14:10
Amazon pretty much ruled out a touchscreen version when I met them this morning
Anonymous 29 July, 2010 15:48
The Kindle DX had a 9.7" screen. 6" is perfect for novels but no so good for documents and journal papers. I wonder if they will bring a larger version out, I can't find the DX international on the UK Amazon site.
Green 29 July, 2010 19:31
I spoke to Amazon earlier, they declined to comment on the possibility of a UK version of the DX. Conversely, the PR guy I spoke to sounded very weary of the question so I guess a lot of people have asked the same ¬_¬
anonymous 29 July, 2010 21:09
I like the look of this now, been holding off on getting an ereader until now, how's the Kindle store doing these days?
billfred 30 July, 2010 12:39
Yeah, what's it like? Also, what's it like for text books?
Anonymous 30 July, 2010 13:25
If amazon is selling the kindle at a loss in order to drive up the sales of the books, why not just switch to epub. All those sony readers out there would become a huge asset.
Anonymous 30 July, 2010 15:39
will this merge the content already on international kindles?
weetanhops 30 July, 2010 18:15
I'm really considering one of these, at the new price point and the amount of books I read and continue to buy it's become a really compelling option.
weetanhops 31 July, 2010 17:59
I went into Waterstone's today and they're selling one of the Sony e-readers, specifically this one: the Touch Edition PRS 600 (Link: http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/ebook-readers/sony-reader-touch-edition-prs-600-review-49304074/).
It's RRP is £229. The WiFi-only Kindle will sell for £120 less. I think Sony should strongly reconsider lowering their prices if they want to avoid very poor sales.
Anonymous 2 August, 2010 13:38
I am pre-ordering one, I've read reviews! I already have a netbook, laptop, desktop and smartphone so I don't need an ipad.
Besides, my eyes can't take reading off a backlit screen or my BB Storm....and my home is overrun with paperbacks!
Anonymous 2 August, 2010 14:48
no colour.........
Anonymous 7 August, 2010 11:10
Would order one now if it supported epub.
Anonymous 17 August, 2010 17:26
I have pre-ordered 2! One for me and one for the wife! Can't wait till I get it!
Anonymous 1 September, 2010 20:15
I wonder if Youtube can be accessed on Kindle.
Anonymous 18 September, 2010 12:54
re kindle what is the differance between 3g and standard one.
Anonymous 20 September, 2010 16:07
I have a new Sony PRS 600 and am dissatisfied with the reduced contrast touch screen and the limitations of trying to navigate PDF screens. The new Kindle answers the first of my requirements but I would buy the larger Kindle DX Graphite if I could in this country - preferably at a lower price. The limitation of no epub format support in the Kindle can, I understand, be circumvented by converting them to mobi files through software like Calibre, unless they are DRM protected.
anonymous 25 November, 2010 07:50
I am considering on buying one of these, the features look great, however I would like to know where else I can get the books from, other than amazon? Are there any sites I can visit to check out the prices? ideally free!
Please let me know.
Many thanks
Jonathan
Anonymous 15 January, 2011 00:18
"in a host of other countries with a 3G network."
depends on where Vodaphone has a deal...