Digital Home Thoughts: Amazon Brings Latest Kindle Features to Their 6-Inch Models

"Amazon's third major iteration of its flagship reading device, the Kindle, comes out of the gate looking strong: the new graphite finish (just like its big brother, the Kindle DX) with a slimmer, lighter form factor, plus a bumped refresh rate for its E Ink screen. Best of all, the WiFi only and 3G readers have newly lowered prices (though they're still not exactly bargain basement level). We've spent the past few days putting the tinier Kindle through the paces to see just how much Amazon's improved it."

If you liked the graphite coloring and improved screen of the Kindle DX, but balked at the rather hefty physical size and price tag, take a look at the "latest generation" versions of Amazon's 6-inch display models: the "Kindle" (WiFi only), at $139.00, and the "Kindle 3G" (Free 3G + Wifi), at $189. Both units are physically smaller than their predecessors (and are extremely thin, as shown by the above comparison to a pencil!), feature the new screen technology, and may be ordered for mid-September (2010) delivery. Both also feature four "Experimental Features" - such as "Read-to-Me" and a "New WebKit-Based Browser" - but only the Kindle 3G offers the option of a white case at this time. Read the Engadget review for some interesting hands-on usage comments, along with their usual nice selection of photos.