A lot has happened in the world of ebook readers since we posted our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide. At the beginning of 2010, we saw ebook readers in all shapes and sizes at the Consumer Electronics Show. Then as the year went on, the iPad shipped, the Kindle and NOOK saw new models released, and now just about every smartphone has a NOOK or Kindle reader application available for free. It’s been a wild ride, to say the least. We also saw a MAJOR drop in price for dedicated ebook readers that are now start at $139, including wireless connectivity support. The magical $99 price for ebook readers is not far off and there is a chance you might find some this holiday season on sale.
I’ve been using ebook readers since their inception, and even today I still alternate between a NOOK, Kindle, iPad and even iPhone, when reading electronically. As you can tell from the variety of options, there’s a dedicated ebook reader to suit just about any preference and every situation.
Amazon Kindle
This year we saw the introduction of a Wi-Fi only Kindle, and an overall restyling of the Kindle, delivering an ebook reading experience in a lighter package. The new Kindle comes in three flavors: Wi-Fi, Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi, and Kindle DX. Each version offers something unique, and all versions include both an E Ink screen and integrated hardware keyboard.
Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi
The original Kindle with 3G has been revamped and now includes a choice of colors (graphite or white), 50 percent better contrast, courtesy of a new high-contrast 6″ E Ink screen, new crisper and darker fonts, a 21 percent smaller body, and a weight reduction, putting it at just 8.7 ounces. It’s also now boasting better battery life, rated up to one month with wireless off and 10 days with wireless on. To help differentiate itself, Amazon has also equipped it with the ability to play games, including Scrabble, and even an experimental WebKit-based browser, The new Kindle is still just as full-featured as its predecessor, offering up a one-time fee of $189 for a lifetime of global 3G access.
Price: $189.00 MSRP
[Check out the ZDNet Reviews page for the Amazon Kindle]
