Believe it or not, Amazon’s Kindle e-reader is ten years old, and it is celebrating by launching a brand new (and improved) e-reader. With the introduction of tablets and other devices on which people can read books as well as use apps, or chat, or work, it’s hard to fathom that e-readers still have a place on the market – and that people still buy them. Yet, here is the new Kindle Oasis, and for $249 +, it will give you the very best e-reading experience available out there.
Let’s start with the visuals. First, the screen is noticeably bigger – Amazon moved from 6 to 7 inches, allowing about 30 percent more text to be displayed at a time. It’s also easier on the eyes. Secondly, the Oasis has a peculiar shape. It’s paper thin on one side and thicker on the other, because the battery and other innards have to go somewhere. I’m not sure why Amazon decided to go with this look, but I would assume that the thicker side might make it easier to hold the device while reading. This aside, the new e-reader has a smooth aluminum back instead of a plastic one, which is presumably more comfortable on the hands.
With the Oasis, Amazon brought back the page turning buttons, which makes it much more easier to read one-handed (you need that second hand to hold your glass of wine, am I right?). I’m glad the buttons are back for another reason, as well: I find the touch screen page turning to be fickle at the best of times – half the time, instead of turning the page, my Kindle reduces the size of the page to show me the specs. As with its other Kindle e-readers, this one keeps its charge for weeks, but Amazon has increased storage from 4GB to 8GB, with the option to go up to 32GB if you need more space. An additional $45-$60 will get you a waterproof fabric or leather case that opens like a book and flips back to hold the e-reader up so you can read hands free. And it isn’t only the cover that’s waterproof – the Oasis is, too, so you can read in the tub without worrying about dropping it. You can read more about the Oasis and get one here.