First Look: Kindle (2014): Everything you want in an e-reader except a light
2:52 / October 13, 2014
Amazon’s entry-level $ 79 Kindle is the company’s most affordable touchscreen e-reader to date and is only missing one key feature.
[MUSIC] This is the Kindle 2014 Amazon entry level e-ink reader that sports a touch screen, starts at $ 79 for the special offers for ad supported version. Hi, I’m David Carnoy and welcome to another CNet first look video, like the line topping voyage this is an entirely new Kindle. While it’s a little generic looking it seems a but better looking engineered than other entry level e-readers that I’ve used. Weighs in at a pretty svelte 6.7 ounces and measure 0.4 inches think. And there’s something endearing about it’s clean utilitarian design that seems to say I’m boring but you can count on me to do my job. That job is to store and serve up ebooks and other documents on a screen that’s easily readable in direct sunlight. In this case the screen is a previous generation [UNKNOWN] E ink display that’s not quite as sharp as the higher resolution [UNKNOWN] display found on the top of the line voyage. But the good news is that the core specs for all the Kindles are now virtually identical. The internal memory has been bumped up from 2 gigabytes to 4 gigabytes which is enough to store thousands of ebooks and Amazon has unified all of its ereaders under a 1 gigahertz processor. With all its ereaders now on a touchscreen platform, that also means that Amazon can offer the same suite of features across its entire ereader line and streamline updates. The experience on all devices is gong to be pretty similar, but one key feature you gain by stepping up to the paper white and voids is an integrated light. Those models also have a slightly more responsive capacitive touch screen while this one goes with the older IR based touch screen sensors embedded in bezel. This device charges via micro usb. Though only a cable and no power adapter is included in the box. Battery life is rated at four weeks based on half an hour or reading per day with the wi-fi off. That’s less than what the Paperwhite and Voyage offer but at this point with battery life measured in weeks rather than hours. That reduced battery rating shouldn’t be a serious issue. It’s worth noting it’s a good idea to get a case for your Kindle. Amazon sells a couple of nice ones for this model, but they are a little pricey, starting at $ 29.99. Other more affordable cases are available. And just be aware that whatever case you do get is what will give this eReader it’s personality for ultimately the Kindle 2014 is a bit of a blank slate. Perhaps purposely so. In the end I think this Kindle is a good deal at $ 79. My only reservation is the lack of that integrated light. But if you can live without that feature this is a solid if unspectacular eReader that delivers the full Kindle touchscreen e, eReading experience for a very affordable price. I’m David Carnoy, thanks for watching. [MUSIC]
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