Kindle_Paperwhite_frontA new waterproof Kindle Paperwhite with a brighter six-inch screen—scratch resistant—is pre-orderable today.

U.S. release date, probably in the same in many other countries, is November 7.

Basics:

  • “The all-new Kindle Paperwhite is $129.99 for the 8 GB model and $159.99 for the 32 GB model. The 32 GB with free cellular connectivity is $249.99. ” The basic 8GB model offers twice the storage of the earlier equivalent.
  • Bathtub proof. IPX8 rating. Technically, this model is not absolutely waterproof, but for the fast majority of users, the extent of water resistance will suffice.
  • Ten percent brighter and thinner screen—scratch resistant.
  • Five-LED screen.
  • 300 ppi.
  • Adjustable bold option. Thank you, Amazon.
  • Kindle 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, native PRC format; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP (converted).
  • Audible available through BlueTooth-paired headphones or speakers.
  • Wi-Fi: 6.4 oz (182 g); Wi-Fi + 4G LTE: 6.8 oz (191 g).
  • 6.6″ x 4.6″ x 0.32″ (167 x 116 x 8.18 mm). Billed as “the thinnest, lightest Kindle Paperwhite yet.”
  • No charger included. $20 option.
  • Single charge lasts for weeks.

Will you be ordering one? Why or why not? I’ve already ordered the basic model.

Still AWOL, alas: Text to speech for nonblind users. And when, oh when, will Amazon give us native ePub? What’s more, wouldn’t it be wonderful for a BlueTooth connection to work with a keyboard for searching? Or—in the case of users with disabilities—with a mouse or other accessory for turning pages? I totally agree with Michael Perry’s disability-related suggestions.

Direct link to news release: Here.  Some info from it: “Customers can also purchase a cover with a thin design that snaps perfectly onto the all-new Kindle Paperwhite. The cover opens like a book, automatically waking the device when opened and putting it to sleep when closed. Choose from three materials in a variety of colors: a premium leather cover for $59 in rustic; leather covers, all $39, in black, merlot, punch red, and indigo purple; and water-safe fabric covers, all $29, in charcoal black, canary yellow, and marine blue…”

PC Magazine review by Sascha Segan: Here. “The Paperwhite now becomes, by far, the cheapest mainstream waterproof ereader. I mean, maybe there’s some obscure European brand out there, but your main alternatives are the $179 Kobo Aura H2O, more expensive Kobo models, and the $249 Kindle Oasis. That’s going to matter for a lot of people, especially for beach and bath readers.”

CNBC writeup: Here.

The Verge review: Here. The reviewer laments the lack of page-turn buttons. I agree, especially since new basic model of the Paperwhite costs $10 more than the old. Yet another omission is the ability to change the color of the front light and minimize blue rays, which can disrupt sleep.

Related: Pre-ordering has started for the eight-inch Kobo Forma reader, about which we wrote here and here (second link is for Chris Meadows’ s review). Forma not only works with the Kobo bookstore but also is also tightly integrated with libraries using the OverDrive service.