.The New Kindle range for 2011 offers much more choice to consumers looking for an ebook reader. For now, the entire range looks like this:
Kindle Fire Tablet
As many expected, a back-lit Kindle tablet has been added to the range of gadgets. With only a 7″ display and no camera or 3G option it is unlikely to be an iPad killer, but expect it to make a serious dent in the sales of Nook color tablets. Reports suggest nearly 100,00 were ordered on its first day of release. You can read more about it here.
This is an entry level tablet, only slightly larger than the keyboard Kindle, but with a 7″ full color, multi-touch display. Yes, you can still read your ebooks on this, but it is most suited for those that want something truly multi-functional.
Kindle Touch Reader
The touch screen Kindle has been eagerly awaited all year. This does pretty much what we expect from a Kindle. With its 6″ E-ink display it produces crisp text that looks just like ink on paper. Beautiful for reading outdoors, this is the best display for simply enjoying a good book. Whereas older generations featured a keypad, this ones uses only touch for all navigation. If you do want to type of notes, search, or browse on-line one touch brings up a virtual keyboard for you to use.
Available in both wi-fi or 3G + wi-fi models this comes with or without special offers and advertisements, so the price range is pretty low starting at only $99 for the wi-fi with ads model.
You can read more about it here.
Kindle 4
This was perhaps the biggest surprise, an ebook reader starting at only $79! It has a slightly smaller memory than any of the other readers, and no keypad or touch-screen. But if you just want to read, it does that as well as the others. Still using a 6″ Pearl E-ink display it is far smaller in size and weight than any of its predecessors. The new Kindle, is the cheapest one to date.
This one is a true pocket reader since it is the most handy to slip in even your jeans pockets. It only comes with wi-fi, but will be perfect for book lovers that use other devices to access the web. The controls are 4 simple menu buttons and the usual 5 way controller. You can use this to navigate an on-screen keyboard but I imagine few would ever bother.
The 4th generation Kindle makes the perfect choice if you just want to read, no frills, no fuss, and not too much cash!
Kindle Keyboard
The Kindle 3, or Kindle keyboard is the version released in the summer of 2010. Unsurprisingly Amazon have chosen to keep this model available (at least for now) too. This satisfies those that do not want touch-screen and do want a keypad to use for typing. Of course it is somewhat larger than the two new Kindles, but it has the same display so works just as well for reading (though it weighs around an ounce more).
This model is available in both wi-fi or 3G + wi-fi (just like the Touch), and both with or without ads. It is also priced very similarly to the new touch-screen models.
As well as the 6″ version with keypad, you are still currently able to buy the Kindle DX. This is similar in design but features a 9.7″ display. Don’t expect this model to hang around though as it is nearly double the price of the color Kindle tablet!
New Kindles 2011
So there you go, all your new Kindle choices for 2011. Rumors suggest a 10″ version of the Kindle Fire will be available by the end of the year. Expect to see some pretty quick upgrades to the tablet range too in order to survive in this fiercely competitive market.