Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite ereader has reached Australian shores, going on sale from today from Independent online retailer and Kindle specialist Readershop.com.au.
The Paperwhite retains the travel-friendly 6 inch screen size, slim profile and light weight of the Kindle family, but boasts a new 'Paperwhite' display technology for greater readability, especially in low light conditions.
The display packs a combination of 62% more pixels per inch, for higher resolution and crisper text; 25% better contrast, for sharper darker text to make reading even easier on the eyes; and a front-lit rather than side- or back-lit screen to ensure the light is spread evenly across the virtual page.
For those with a technical bent, Amazon says the Paperwhite uses what's essentially an optical fibre that's been flattened out into a sheet or mesh, to evenly distribute light across the entire viewing area: it's detailed in this video, starting around the 1.00 mark.
Readershop is carrying both the WiFi and 3G versions of the Paperwhite, priced at $239 for the WiFi model and $299 for the 3G version (which lets you browse, buy and download ebooks from Amazon.com pretty much anywhere rather than relying on having access ot a wireless network).
Watch for a review of the Kindle Paperwhite on Australian Business Traveller next week.
For the latest news for business travellers and frequent flyers, follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
01 Feb 2012
Total posts 370
May have been worth noting that in the US Amazon store it is selling for $119 and $179. Add $20 for the no ads version, though by most accounts the ads are not intrusive. Basically the cheapest model is half the price in the US.
24 Oct 2012
Total posts 1
Why do we pay through the nose for everything in AU? Don't blame the US-AUD dollar either - that used to be the old excuse given to us by retailers. These things are a great deal less overseas. We are being ripped off plai and simple.
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
20 Nov 2012
Total posts 1
Been using Paperwhite since Mid Oct (using freight forwarder to get it into AU) and loving it! My previous Kindle was Kindle 2, which was really old. Originally I bought the one with ads, but after a couple of days I paid to get it removed so I can see Kindle's wallpaper instead.
22 Dec 2012
Total posts 1
I was very lucky to buy it when it was released in Oct from australiaebookreader.com Overall, I really love the device. I don't think I've been "duped" or misled by Amazon, as some reviewers seem to think. I did a lot of research (including watching tech videos) prior to purchasing the device so knew the lights were slightly visible, and knew there was no TTS. I got what I expected and am very happy with the device.
01 Feb 2013
Total posts 1
Great review on the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. However, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is now available for shipment directly from Amazon to Australia at great prices, as is exlpained here https://zangle.com.au/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-with-wifi-now-shipping-to-australia/
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