Amazon's new Kindle DX will sell for $379, down from $489,
and have free 3G wireless connection with no monthly bills
or annual contracts, the company said.
Kindle DX is the 9.7-inch screen member of Amazon's
family of portable readers. The new Kindle DX features a
new graphite enclosure and a new high contrast electronic
ink display with 50 percent better contrast, the company
said. Unlike backlit computer or LCD screens, Kindle DX's
screen looks and reads like real paper, with no glare.
Users may access the Kindle Store and download new content
wirelessly in less than 60 seconds?all without a PC, Wi-Fi
hot spot, or syncing. Amazon pays for the 3G wireless
connectivity, so there are no monthly fees or annual
contracts. Kindle DX offers 3G wireless coverage in the
U.S. or abroad in over 100 countries.
The device is also offering an increased battery life - up
to 1 week on a single charge with wireless on or 2 weeks
with wireless turned off.
A new Twitter and Facebook integration enables Kindle
customers to post passages at the social networking sites.
Other features include a built-In PDF Reader, an
auto-rotating screen and the Read-to-Me text-to-speech
feature, which allows Kindle DX read newspapers, magazines,
blogs, and books out loud.
The Kindle Store (www.amazon.com/kindlestore) now has more
than 620,000 books, including New Releases and 108 of 111
New York Times bestsellers, starting at $9.99 or less. More
than 200,000 books have been added to the U.S. Kindle Store
in just the last six months, Amazon.com said.
The new Kindle DX is available for pre-order starting today
at www.amazon.com/kindledx and it ships July 7.
Apple's iPad, launched in April, can also function as an
e-reader. It sold more than 2 million units in its first 60
days and its own e-bookstore has quickly won market share,
putting pressure on rival readers like Kindle and Barnes &
Noble's Nook.
Specifications
Display: 9.7" diagonal E Ink
Size: 10.4" x 7.2" x 0.38"
Storage: 3,500 books
Books in Under 60 Seconds
Free 3G Wireless: Global
Native PDF Support
Text-to-Speech
Whispersync
Rotating Display: Auto-Rotation
Price: $379.00