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Amazon Kindle 4 E-Book Reader
The new Kindle 4 dispenses with the keyboard, making it smaller and lighter than its predecessor. The old Kindle, known as the Kindle Keyboard, weighs 247 grams. The Kindle 4 weighs just 170 grams – 30% less. Amazon says the new model is 18% smaller than before.
This version has 2GB of memory (the Kindle Keyboard had 4GB) so you will be able to fit about 1,400 books onto it. And because it is smaller, there’s less space for the battery so battery life is reduced. The new version will last one month on a full charge instead of two. That’s more than enough for most needs, but a downgrade all the same.
NO AUDIO
The new Kindle has no built-in speakers or a headphone jack, which means it can’t play audio books. And while Amazon will continue to sell the 3G version of the Kindle Keyboard, there will be no 3G version of the new model.
Even so, there’s plenty to like about the new version. Its reduced size and weight is a massive factor. This model is actually small enough to fit comfortably into a trouser pocket.
It’s also got a nice, attractive design. The dark silver finish of the new Kindle 4 is easy on the eye and the general build quality is noticeably better.
The lack of audio book support, however, is vexing. No speakers is understandable, but a headphone jack wouldn’t seem like too much to ask for.
All that said, some compromises are inevitable to hit the cheaper £89 (Rs. 7,235) price tag. Moreover, you can still buy the current Kindle Keyboard (approximately Rs. 9,860) if you need the features it has.
One interesting quirk of the new design is the slimmer bezel, which may prove troublesome for some. It’s thinner than the last version, leaving less space for fingers to grip the Kindle. We’ll be comparing the new Kindle to the competition in the lab to see how serious an issue this is.
Verdict: The Kindle’s combination of a reasonable price, usability and compact size may appeal to many. However, that’s only if you don’t plan on using the e-book reader to listen to audio books.