Amazon releases new Kindle

FLOGGER OF BOOKS and stuff, Amazon is releasing a new Kindle.

The reading gizmo is 21 per cent smaller and 15 per cent lighter than the previous model, and has a 20 per cent faster refresh rate.

It still uses E Ink so the colours are a bit limited to black and white. The outside will come in two colours, graphite and white. In fact there is a bit of a grey scale theme going on here. The keyboard and five-way controls have been streamlined and altered slightly, nothing too major.

Software wise, there are some interesting new features, the most notable being the inclusion of an "experimental" Webkit-based browser

There will be two radio configurations available, a $139 WiFi only version and a $189 3G version, which uses AT&T's network. Not much use for Blighty, sadly.

The screen is still 6 inches but page turns are faster and contrast is said by Amazon to be improved. There is more storage on the device with a whopping 4GB, while if you do not connect to your WiFi the battery will last a month.

Amazon tells us that there are plans for a UK-localized version at £109 and £149, respectively, as well as a UK e-book store. Having to buy the US product with the international shipping involved and getting a useless US power adaptor with it is not ideal. µ