Kindle Touch

With 4 different options we thought it might be useful to explain just what the latest Kindle offers users. First we will have a look at the key features all the models share. Next we'll go into a little more detail about just how each model differs;

• All use a 6" Pearl E-ink display which makes reading look a lot like ink on paper, and ensures there is no glare even in the brightest sunshine.


• All have about 3GB of memory available for user content. This means about 3000 books can be held on the device. You also get unlimited storage in your own personal library held at the Kindle store itself.


• All feature Whispersync to synchronise your reading across multiple devices. You can have up to 5 Kindle devices on one account. If you share your account with other family members you can turn this feature off so you don't end up reading from where Dad left off!


• All have a phenomenal battery that will large up to 2 months with the wi-fi feature turned off.


• All have instant access to over 1 million books from the Kindle store, which will be delivered wirelessly directly to the reader. You can also order .mobi or .azw format books elsewhere but will need to transfer them via the supplied USB cable from your computer to the ebook reader.


• All have multiple font sizes and styles.


• All have a speaker and headphone jack so you can listen to audio books, use the text to speech feature on books with which it is enabled by the publisher, or use the device as a basic MP3 player.


• All allow free internet browsing via wi-fi, using the webkit browser. It is basic at best since the display is not ideal for using the internet, but it does in a pinch!


• All models allow you to borrow Kindle ebooks from the library.


• All feature the new X-ray feature that offers lots of information such as historical figures, places and dates associated with what you are reading.


• All are smaller than previous generations, measuring only 6.8" x 4.7" x 0.40".

• You can choose to have either 3G and wi-fi capability, or to choose only wi-fi for accessing the internet.


• You may also choose to have ads enabled, or not. If you choose a version with sponsored ads you are shown sponsored ads, special offers and promotional discounts rather than pictures of authors as your screen-savers. You can upgrade to ad-free if you get bored of the ads but it does cost extra.


• The wi-fi only version of the Kindle touch weighs 7.5 ounces whilst the 3G model weighs 7.8.

And that folks is pretty much the only difference. So you just need to decide how you wish to download new titles, and whether you want to save some dollars by having ads shown instead of author pictures.

Below is a little about why this particular writer has been expecting a touch screen version of the Kindle for quite some time!

On Feb 3rd 2010 the New York Times first reported that Amazon had bought touchscreen developers TouchCo. Since then all has been quiet but as TouchCo has been incorporated into Amazon's California offices, surely something big and tactile must be happening behind the scenes. Obviously with Sony Readers and Nooks all providing touchscreen technology for their ebook readers the market has already been proven. Add to that the huge success of touch-screen devices like the Galaxy Tab, iPad and just about every Apple gadget around today, and you can see that the introduction of touch to the Kindle is likely to be a hit.

So, we know that the Kindle 3 is a fine looking, well working, dedicated eBook Reader. We also know that is hugely popular. Since its release in August 2010, stock levels have continued to be an issue. Initial delays of five or six week delivery turn-arounds were followed by order limits, of first five and then three devices per customer.

So do Amazon need to worry about the gadget buying consumer's love affair with touch-screen technology?

On the face of it no. The big draw for the Kindle reader is that it is first and last a great way to read books electronically. The first reader to work straight out of the box and need no technological understanding from its user.

But with competition in the eReader market getting ever stronger Amazon cannot hold on to their market share unless they innovate and give consumers more of what they want.

Touch-screens are highly unnecessary when it comes to using a gadget such as an electronic book reader. But that is no the point. The point is customers enjoy them and becoming more familiar with them. The smart phones have really taken over now and none do quite as well until they have touch-screens to compete with the big boys.

As customers grow to expect touch on all new handheld gadgets the Kindle will simply be left behind unless it too provides one.

You can bet that when touch finally comes to the Kindle 4 there will be a whole world of additional technological advancements that will come with it. First up color displays are likely to be key. Again, not necessary for most consumers. But try reading a text book, manual, children's story or magazine subscription on your black and white reader and you will see that color really would make the world of difference.

There is lots of speculation as to what the future of Amazon's Kindle will bring, it wouldn't be difficult to add internet phone or camera, but then wouldn't we end up in the realm of tablets and multi-function devices such as the iPod Touch?

The option of a 7" display might bring about more functionality with perhaps a super Kindle to supplement the product range. Personally I hope that improvements are kept to a minimum to maintain the devices high standing as primarily a single function gadget. Yes its great to be able to listen to music and do a little surfing online with your eBook Reader, but the focus must stay on reading. As long as the next Kindle Touch Reader keeps us reading comfortably I am sure it will be a hit!