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Amazon Kindle Oasis With 'Months' of Battery Life, Redesigned Body Launched 171

Amazon, on Wednesday, announced the Kindle Oasis, the company's latest addition to its ebook reader offering. The Kindle Oasis offers a range of improvements and changes over the Kindle Paperwhite. Mashable's Lance Ulanoff writes, "[The company has] essentially discarded the previous design in favor of a paper-thin display attached to a somewhat thicker side grip." Elaborating: First of all, the 6-inch screen is close to square. Second of all, it no longer sits in the center of the device. And thirdly, the screen is now an insane 3.4-mm thick. Yes, that is as thin as you think it is. Amazon's Oasis e-reader even marks the return of buttons to the design.As for the specifications, the Kindle Oasis sports a 6-inch display of 300ppi screen resolution, and 10 LEDs for "enhanced page consistency." Instead of "weeks"-long battery life, Amazon is promising "months" of usage on a single charge with Oasis thanks to the cover that ships with it and doubles as a rechargeable battery. It starts at $289.99 (Wi-Fi-only edition and with "advertisements that appear when you wake up the reader"), and goes all the way up to $379 (Wi-Fi + 3G, and no ads).
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Amazon Kindle Oasis With 'Months' of Battery Life, Redesigned Body Launched

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  • Excellent! (Score:4, Insightful)

    by 110010001000 ( 697113 ) on Wednesday April 13, 2016 @09:02AM (#51899307) Homepage Journal
    Time to throw my old Paperwhite in the garbage! It is obsolete! I've had it an entire year! And it is only starting at $289 with ADVERTISEMENTS??? What a bargain! Thanks Jeff!
    • by Luthair ( 847766 )
      I think Amazon (or someone at Amazon, Bezos?) desperately wants not to be seen as Walmart, and keeps trying 'premium' devices to escape it.
    • Only $289.99?! No wonder they need to show ads! Besides, people love being distracted while reading...

  • by Chrisq ( 894406 ) on Wednesday April 13, 2016 @09:15AM (#51899419)
    I won't paythat price until they have a colour e-ink display
    • by Junta ( 36770 )

      I would go further than that. Thus far the 'color' e-ink concepts are like washed out newspaper color rather than good color. For applications that suggest color, I'm skeptical that I'll see e-ink get there (not because it would be impossible, but because e-ink is a relatively neglected technology area).

      An ad-supported $290 device is outrageous, when the display quality is on par with ~$100 alternatives. eReaders are already pretty light, being lighter than most books, going that extra little bit isn't g

      • by steveg ( 55825 )

        Qualcomm had a color reflective display that was supposedly fairly vivid, called Mirasol. They were positioning it for e-readers, but then it seemed to vanish. It wasn't e-ink, it was supposedly based on the same sort of principle that gives a butterfly's wings color -- diffraction or something similar. They also claimed that it didn't have the slow refresh issues that e-ink has -- you could apparently do video with it. Their prototypes were fairly expensive, but it might have been worth it.

        In any case,

    • Pay what price? Given the cost of e-books is less than the cost of paperbacks you're more then welcome to waste money and shelf space on dead tree varieties. Most kindles pay for themselves if they are used.

  • In short... (Score:4, Interesting)

    by __aaclcg7560 ( 824291 ) on Wednesday April 13, 2016 @09:17AM (#51899439)
    No compelling reason to upgrade from my $75 monochrome Kindle that I bought last year. In fact, it might be another three years or so before I consider a replacement. I'm in my fourth year with the iPad 2 and considering an iPad Pro (smaller one) as a replacement. It took eight years to replace a first-gen iPod Touch with a cheaper iPhone.
    • by Junta ( 36770 )

      The e-ink world is pretty stagnant. I wouldn't bank on the flow of time as being a source of delivering a compelling reason to buy.

    • by pesho ( 843750 )

      In fact, it might be another three years or so before I consider a replacement.

      Just three years? Unless something catastrophic happens to your Kindle or Amazon forces obsolescence there will be no compelling reason to switch. I still have a first gen. Kindle that is actively used. I have both newer version, including the paper-white, but this so that members of my family can have their own. Why would anyone shell $300 for a new Kindle, when the sub $100 versions are nearly perfect?"

      • Just three years? Unless something catastrophic happens to your Kindle or Amazon forces obsolescence there will be no compelling reason to switch.

        My dog chewed mine up pretty good... I guess she was looking for homework.

        Seriously - while my third-gen Kindle somehow does still function, you can see the dog's teeth marks around the keyboard end. Getting the micro-USB connection hooked up is a bit tricky, and not all the keys work.

        I was hoping this new announcement would bring the price of the Voyage down a bit, since I prefer the page-turn buttons to swiping the screen - but that's not how Amazon generally operates.

      • by steveg ( 55825 )

        The sub-$100 versions *used* to be perfect. Then they got rid of the buttons.

        Fortunately I saw this happening and got a couple of spares from Staples as they were closing them out. I've since broken one screen, but these should last me for several more years. At that point, if this thing is still around and still has buttons, I'd consider it.

      • I replaced my first gen Kindle, as the Paperwhite's screen is so much better, especially for reading in areas without sufficient light (which I tend to do a lot). I'm ecstatic with my Paperwhite as well, and am having a really hard time seeing why someone would choose a new, rather more expensive device unless they're the type that has to have the latest shiny, or has enough money that they don't have to worry about spending that much extra on a reader.

        The new one looks nice enough, but... honestly, I'd sa

    • I am praying my Kindle Keyboard doesn't die. I have it from 2011, its battery still seems to hold about the same charge and I got it when Amazon gave you free worldwide 3G internet! I've been to some pretty exotic places and could still take out my kindle and google something in its experimental browser (current offerings also have worldwide 3G, but only for downloading books from Amazon - and perhaps wikipedia?).
      That said, more kindle offering is a good thing. I mean it is by far my favorite device (I incr

  • by clifwlkr ( 614327 ) on Wednesday April 13, 2016 @09:18AM (#51899449)
    I would love to be able to read tech papers, manuals, and all kinds of stuff at work on a dedicated e-reader that didn't blind me. This unit looks like pretty much the same specs as the previous one with minor enhancements. From the specs, it is basically the same screen. Bring back the kindle dx size unit and I will pony up the $300+ for it. For this, I will stick with my old kindle that is still just working fine.

    I really think they are missing out on a great market of people who want to read things that just do not translate well to that tiny screen. I find that e-ink is awesome for long reading and scanning. I don't really like my tablet screen for that, plus I like to read outside. So come on Amazon, bring back a DX format or larger!
    • by aliquis ( 678370 )

      This is what you want:
      http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/... [bhphotovideo.com]
      Sony 13.3" 4GB DPTS1 Digital Paper System
      "13.3" Flexible Electronic Paper Display
      1600 x 1200 Native Resolution
      Multi-Touch Support
      4GB Storage Capacity
      microSD Media Card Slot
      Micro-USB Connector
      802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
      Stylus Pen Included"

      "Easy to use right out of the box and optimized to accommodate 8.5" by 11" documents"
      "Read and annotate documents, create "sticky notes" and highlights, and upload documents wirelessly from Digital Paper, making them available fo

    • I read books on my kindle and PDF's and technical stuff on my iPad.
      I'd also argue that baring a color kindle, the iPad is great for graphical novel reading.

      Yes that does mean that when I'm traveling for business I'm carrying a laptop, kindle and Ipad.
    • It's not e-ink, but thats why I got the nook 9" (for Text Books and game PDFs). Amazon's price is a little steep for the Nook HD+ 16GB (refurbished) [amazon.com] , a little more than I paid for the 32GB refurbished 2+ years ago. EBAY has an 8GB Nook [ebay.com], for a semi-reasonable price (as they all have microSD slots).
    • Ectaco Jetbook Color 2. It's $500, has a 9.7" screen, and is color e-ink, which despite being kind of muddy is probably better for technical stuff than black and white.

      I haven't used one, but I ran across it when looking for a reader. I didn't get it because I don't want a screen that big - I mostly read novels on mine.

      I use a Boyue T62+ which is a 6" screen lit reader with physical buttons running Android 4.2. Battery life isn't as good as my 'dumb' readers, but up till this Kindle the combination of 'lit

  • Just one of many reasons not to buy this. Garbage. And they have the audacity to offer you an adware-ridden version for a lower price.
    • by Junta ( 36770 )

      It disappoints me that Kobo and Nook don't get more notice. Sure, they come with a default store experience, but at least they implement more interoperable formats.

      I know B&N have particularly been managing Nook poorly, but still...

    • Did this new version get locked down? I have a 3rd gen Kindle and have no problem copying my own books to it over USB.

      I've also purchased books from Humble Bundle and Story Bundle. Both sites have Kindle instructions where you give it an ID for your Kindle and the books are uploaded to your Amazon account and downloaded wireless to your Kindle without paying Amazon a dime.

  • for $300 they should make it like a premium device and have a larger screen as large as a first print hardback book. when i hold up my iphone or galaxy s6 next to a kindle it makes me not want to spend all that money to buy another device to carry around and dig in my bag that only does a single thing
  • by jewsdid911 ( 4537553 ) on Wednesday April 13, 2016 @09:27AM (#51899523)
    "Get special offers Love deals? You'll receive special offers and sponsored lockscreens directly on your Kindle. Offers display on the Kindle lockscreen and on the bottom of the home screen and library while not in use - they don't interrupt reading." Who the hell thinks getting advertisements is something desirable?
    • by Junta ( 36770 )

      Who the hell thinks getting advertisements is something desirable?

      Amazon, duh.

  • by Predathar ( 658076 ) on Wednesday April 13, 2016 @09:30AM (#51899557)
    Expensive, I don't see myself upgrading since my old kindle still works fine and has page turn buttons. I hate models with the touch interface to turn pages, give me a reader that I can hold and turn pages with just 1 hand and I am happy. I still use an old Kobo as well for this reason, page turn buttons.
  • Okay, I don't really need a big type version, but maybe if I play the "for old people" angle they'll make a full size version like the old DX. I'd love to have one to put references on, but having a technical manual on a paperback sized device just doesn't cut it.

  • Give (retroactively) ebooks copies for any book purchased new from Amazon. The already give you digital download copies of CDs when you buy them from Amazon. But I've got too many hard copies of books (many of them purchased from amazon) to switch over to pure digital. But if I had a realistic way to do so, I would, and probably purchase a new Kindle ereader (I already have a Fire that I barely use anymore, if I do read it's off my phone)
  • I appreciate a larger bezel -- too many tablets/eReaders don't give one enough of one to actually hold on to. But I'm not feeling too keen about it all being on one side. And I really hate the idea of mechanical buttons. And finally the cost is ridiculous. eReaders need to get down to the realm of calculators eventually, not push them up -- of course the real problem there is lack of a single eBook standard. With B&N's Nook going under, there is only Kobo left to compete and they are a poor shadow of Am

    • by steveg ( 55825 )

      I agree with you on the price, but on nothing else.

      I had an e-reader several years ago with just this sort of design. Big mechanical buttons (almost paddles) all on one side. It was the most comfortable reader I've ever used. I was *really* upset when I left it in a restaurant.

  • Limited storage (Score:4, Insightful)

    by jbridges ( 70118 ) on Wednesday April 13, 2016 @11:18AM (#51900571)

    4GB again, just like cheap Kindles.

    A couple dozen cookbooks or graphics novels, and you are out of space.

    It's not waterproof, so why not put in a MicroSD slot?

    • Because cookbooks and graphic novels are not the "normal" use case for a black and white device?

      And because 4GB already holds literally hundreds of normal books.

  • Apparently I'm not the only person who didn't like tapping on the screen to turn pages. It's part of the reason I still use the third-gen Kindle.

    In fact I rather like my third gen and see a lot of reason to upgrade no matter how awesome they get. Until color e-ink comes out it's just words on a page and my third gen is fine.

  • This looks like a reboot of the PocketBook 360. In my opinion, the PB360 was the best e-reader ever built, other than the screen. It had the crappy screen that was the best available at the time -- the newer Kindles have much better screens. The 360 had a built in accelerometer that would automatically flip the orientation, or you could lock it into whichever orientation you wanted. It was the most *natural* feeling reading experience -- the buttons were right where you wanted them.

    Now, if only they'd co

  • This has to be a belated April Fools, right?

  • I bought a Kindle Voyage. It was quite expensive, but at the time, the front light and higher resolution was somewhat justifiable. But that's now been eroded by the Paperwhie, and if I was buying now, there isn't much point in the Voyage.

    Now they bring out a device that's nearly twice the price of the Voyage. While I appreciate e-ink for reading, that's an awful lot for a one trick pony. And for what added value? An unnecessarily long battery life?

    I sure hope they weren't expecting any sales.

  • by wonkey_monkey ( 2592601 ) on Wednesday April 13, 2016 @12:16PM (#51901079) Homepage

    And thirdly, the screen is now an insane 3.4-mm thick. Yes, that is as thin as you think it is.

    Err, yes. I think it's 3.4mm thick. You just told me.

    That's the beauty of standardised units of measurement.

  • You could buy 2 paperwhites (with the same resolution) and have money left over for some coffee at Starbucks.

    $289 for an ad (infested) platform and only a 6 inch display? Seriously? Do they toss in lifetime Amazon Prime for this price? They should.

    On another note, please check with your local llbrary system which allows you to checkout ebooks for free.

    OverDrive is one platform libraries use.

    • Moved to a new libraries and got a couple of e-books, they used Amazon library. No additional software to install, and I can access the books on any Kindle software system.
      Even better if I placed the book on hold, to many people want it, I can have it so my Kindle automatically downloads it when becomes I turn.
  • Read my lips. A SD card reader is required equipment. If anything builtin storage is optional.

    The Kobo Aura h20 is still the best reader on the market. Best of all amazon can't strangle hold you to use their ecosystem.

    Any ebooks I keep around actually have/use I do purchase to support it's author. The first thing I do with my legal downloads is break the encryption. I not going to let you take away from me what I purchase. Every publisher is eventually going to go out of business or stop supporting past pro

  • by unique_parrot ( 1964434 ) on Wednesday April 13, 2016 @04:58PM (#51903607)
    ...to spot people with amazon stock :D

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