Thinner Kindle on way, touchscreen device in works

31 May 2010

Amazon is planning to unveil a new thinner Kindle e-book reader later on this summer, and this will be followed up by a colour, multi-touch version, according to reports.

The news comes as Amazon’s Kindle app for the iPad went global on Friday.

According to reports, the forthcoming version of the Kindle will be slimmer and will feature a sharper definition black and white screen.

Researchers at Lab 126, the research division at Amazon, are also understood to be hard at work on a prototype e-reader with a colour screen and that will have a multi-touch interface.

iPad app

On Friday, Amazon announced its Kindle App for iPad is now available in all countries where the iPad is offered.

The app lets users select from hundreds of thousands of books available in the Kindle Store on iPad and features Amazon Whispersync technology that saves and synchronises customers’ last page read, bookmarks, notes and highlights across their Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, iPad and more.

“We’re thrilled to make Kindle for iPad available to readers around the world,” said Jay Marine, director, Amazon Kindle.

“Kindle for iPad includes all the features customers love about Kindle for iPhone, including great selection and synchronisation of their books across a variety of Kindle apps, along with a beautiful new user interface tailored to the look and feel of iPad.

“Kindle for iPad is the perfect companion for the millions of customers who already own a Kindle or Kindle DX, and a way for customers to download and enjoy books even if they don’t yet have a Kindle,” Marine said.

By John Kennedy

Photo: The Amazon Kindle e-book reader

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com