Kindle For iOS Updated With Goodreads, Kindle Unlimited Integrations And More – TechCrunch

Amazon this morning has rolled out an updated version of its Kindle app for iOS users which now offers readers a number of new features, including integration with Amazon acquisition Goodreads, personalized book suggestions, and, for those who subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, access to over 700,000 titles in the app, among other additions. The update follows the upgrade of the Kindle software itself in November, which also introduced Goodreads integration and other changes affecting those who own the Amazon Kindle e-reader hardware devices.

One of the more interesting features among today's updates is the integration with Goodreads, Amazon's social network for sharing reading progress, highlights, quotes, reviews and ratings, with a network of fellow readers on the service, as well as with friends on larger social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Now readers are able to rate and review books on Goodreads in the app from the "Before You Go" screen at the end of the book, says Amazon.

The other notable item is the addition of the Book Browser for iPad users, which introduces a way for Amazon customers who subscribe to the Kindle Unlimited service to browse titles and then begin reading immediately. That's kind of a big deal for Kindle users – historically, Amazon has avoided sharing a portion of its revenues with Apple by disallowing any option to buy books in the app. Instead, users have had to shop on Amazon directly, then sync titles to their respective mobile apps after buying a book. But because Kindle Unlimited is an all-you-can-eat subscription service – $ 9.99/month for its library of 700.000+ and thousands of audiobooks – there's no need to limit those users from searching for books then instantly begin to read them.

However, Amazon notes that Kindle Unlimited subscribers cannot sign up for the service in the iOS app – they have to visit the website amazon.com/kindleunlimited instead.

Another feature arriving today in the app is a new welcome experience where users can select their favorite genres and rate books they've read and want to read in order to receive personalized recommendations of books to try. Powered by Goodreads, these suggestions have proven to be a bit hit-or-miss in the past, but it's at least a step in the right direction for how this sort of personalized recommendation data can be used. If you find a book you might like by way of this feature, you're able to download a free sample in the app, too.

Also new: book details can now be viewed by long-pressing on a book cover in the library, which Amazon says was a customer request, audiobooks can play before they finish downloading, and a "Next in Series" feature will let you learn about the next title and add it to your wish list when you finish reading the preceding book in a series.

The updated app is out now on iTunes.

Deal: 16 GB Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 Tablets – Geeks of Doom

The Gold Box spotlight deal of the day over at Amazon is for their 16 GB Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 Tablets.

– Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ w/ Wi-FI tablet: $ 224.00 (down from $ 349.00).
– Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ w/ Wi-Fi & 4G LTE tablet: $ 324.00 (down from $ 449.00).
– Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ w/ Wi-Fi and 4G LTE (previous generation) tablet: $ 339.00 (down from $ 464.00).

Note – this deal is valid only for today, Monday, December 15, 2014, til 11:59pm PST while supplies last.

The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ Tablets can be used for apps, games, books, movies, magazines, music, web browsing, and more, all on an 8.9″ HDX display (2560×1600), high pixel density (339 PPI) high definition display. Choose from 16 MB, 32 MB, and 64 MB models, with or without special offer ads, and Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and 4G LTE.

Also, be sure to check out this month's Kindle deals: 100 Kindle Books For $ 3.99 or Less.

– You can gift Kindle books and set your gift to be delivered whenever you want to anyone with an email address. On the Product Page (on the top right side), click the button that reads "Give as a Gift." From there you enter the recipient's email address and note the date you'd like your gift to be delivered via email, and also include a personalized message. There's also the option to have the gift emailed right to you that you can forward the gift email to the recipient yourself or print it out and personally deliver it to the recipient.

– You don't actually need a Kindle device to read these ebooks. Books can be read on a Kindle or one of Amazon's free reading apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows PC, Mac, Blackberry, and Windows Phone 7.

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Kindle App Gets Book Browser, Goodreads Integration, Audible Progressive … – iClarified

Amazon has updated its Kindle app for iOS with numerous new features including a Book Browser for iPad, Goodreads Integration, Next In Series info, Book Detail Pages in the Library, Audible Progressive Play and more.

The Kindle app is optimized for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, giving users the ability to read Kindle books, newspapers, magazines, textbooks and PDFs on a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. You'll have access to over 1,000,000 books plus hundreds of newspapers and magazines. Amazon Whispersync automatically syncs your last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across devices (including Kindle), so you can pick up your book where you left off on another device.

Features:
• Customize your reading experience by choosing margin size, line spacing, background color, font size, font style, and either portrait or landscape format.
• Tap and hold text to quickly highlight important sections, easily edit or change highlight colors, and select long passages that span multiple pages.
• Exclusive to Kindle, X-Ray lets you see the "bones of the book" and learn more about notable characters, places, and phrases with descriptions from Shelfari and Wikipedia. (English Titles Only)
• Collections: Easily categorize books, docs, and magazines with a few, easy taps.
• Instant dictionary word lookup with 250,000 entries and definitions. Tap and hold a word to view the definition. You can also use previously purchased Dictionaries, such as medical, legal, or other translation references.
• Search inside the book to find a character, topic, or section you want to revisit.
• Simply tap on e ither side of the screen or flick to turn pages.
• Our Whispersync technology syncs your last page read, notes, bookmarks, and highlights across devices, so you can pick up where you left off.
• Read hundreds of newspapers and magazines including The Economist, Reader's Digest, Martha Stewart Living, and Food Network Magazine with high resolution color images.
• Email PDFs & other documents to your new Send-to-Kindle e-mail address and we deliver them to your device. The documents are automatically archived in the Amazon Cloud and available for re-download on your iOS or supported Kindle devices. You can also read PDFs from Mail, Safari, or by transferring them from iTunes.
• Use the Notebook in your Print Replica textbooks to review your bookmarks, highlights, notes. Tag and filter the most important items to study.
• Accessibility features make it easier for blind and visually impaired customers to navigate their Kindle libraries, read & amp; interact with books, and more. Enable VoiceOver in your device settings to begin. A quick reference to gestures can be found under the FAQ section in settings.

What’s New In This Version:
Just in time for the holidays, Kindle for iOS has something for everyone! Book Browser allows you to explore and read from a selection of over 700,000 titles and thousands of audiobooks available with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Our new welcome experience helps customers get personalized book samples and start reading with Kindle in three easy steps. Audiophiles can start listening to their Audiobooks immediately upon download thanks to progressive playback. On-the-go students can now access eTextbooks on their iPhones. These features and more make Kindle Version 4.6 the perfect reading app to start the New Year.

● Welcome experience for new customers: New customers can get started reading right away! By selecting favorite genres, rating books, and identifying books they would like to read, new customers will get personalized book sample suggestions (powered by the Goodreads recommendation engine) to download and read for free.

● Book Browser (for iPad only): Using the Book Browser, customers can now view and get additional information about books. Tapping on a book cover displays a detail page that provides information about the book, including the book description and customer reviews. Kindle Unlimited members can download and read immediately.

● Goodreads Integration: Goodreads customers can now share book progress, selected quotes and more from Kindle. Once connected, via "Settings/Social Networking," customers can share book progress using the new [g] button in the reader controls, share quotes by selecting text, or share that they've finished a book from the "Before You Go" screen.

● Next In Series Information: Customers finishing a book in a series like A Game of Thrones can learn about the next book, A Clash of Kings, and instantly add it to their wish list from the "Before You Go" screen.

● Book Detail Pages in the Library: By customer request, book details can now be viewed by long pressing a book cover in the library and selecting "Book Details." Customers can now see a synopsis of the book, Amazon reviews, and more.

● Audible Progressive Play: Start playing audiobooks as they're downloading (no need to wait for the entire download). Audiobooks can be played once you've downloaded past your current reading location.

You can download Kindle from the App Store for free.

Read More

To Norwegian e-books on your Kindle – DinSide

Your page You can read e-books on both tablet, PC and mobile. Many people prefer instead to use a dedicated e-book reader, which has a screen that is kinder to the eyes and a significantly better battery life.

Kindle – the king of tablets

There are now quite a few such standalone tablet on the market. But Amazon’s Kindle tablet is enough common, also in Norway.

MOST ad: Amazon Kindle is the boss among eReaders. Fortunately, you can read more than Amazon’s own books on it. (Photo: AMAZON)

Amazon has come a long way in developing e-ink screens and smart user solutions for the electronic lesehesten. And with their board, you get easy access to the world’s largest e-bookstore.

Books from Amazon, you can either buy directly from Kindle eReader or from Amazon websites. After you have paid, is ready books in your library in Amazon’s cloud, so you can later download them to any device in retrospect. You can also send the book directly to one of your units via the web shop.

How to get Apple TV to play “everything”

Norwegian books? No problem!

But what about e-books you buy at Digitalbok.no, Tanum Norli or one of the many others out there that sells Norwegian e-books in digital form?

CAN BE SENT: Many Norwegian e-books can now be sent directly to your Kindle. (Photo: DIGITALBOK.NO)

Long was difficult (if not impossible) to read Norwegian e-books on Amazon’s tablet. But last fall opened Aschehoug first Norwegian publishing their books for Amazon Kindle and.

Later followed several publishers for, and today many Norwegian eBooks transferred to Kindle via the email address you use with Amazon (see this manual).

How to get the most out of DAB

Do not buy, just send

It is still not so you can buy Norwegian books on Amazon yet. Therefore you should note that e-books purchased in Norwegian e-bookstores single sent to Amazon, so they appear in your library or directly on the device you have chosen to read Amazon books.

In other words, just as easily be the Kindle app on your mobile phone as your Kindle eReaders.

Many Norwegian books still have copy protection, so they basically can not be read others read board / apps than those approved by the Norwegian book industry.

How to get Netflix in 4K

Remove protection first

Have you purchased such a book, it is a bit more cumbersome to get it over the Kindle. Here you must specifically remove the copy protection (DRM) first, and then convert from the Norwegian book trade ePub format to Mobi, which can be read on Kindle.

Calibre is a handy free program (for both Mac and Windows) that can help you this.

DO THE JOB: program Calibre redo the Norwegian e-books so they can be read on Kindle. (Photo: CALIBRE)

To remove the copy protection you need, however, a small additional program (plugin). This can be found on Apprentice Alf’s Blog.

There has been some discussion about it is legal to remove the copy protection from e-books. But as long as you only intend to transfer the book to yourself and do not give it to others or at worst post it online, you hardly police at the door.

Send to Kindle address

After removing the protective press the convert button in Calibre and select MOBI. When the conversion is done, the file is ready to be sent to Kindle. Calibre allows you otherwise do all this in a single process if you wish.

The book can also be transferred directly to your Kindle eReader with USB cable. But the simplest is perhaps sending the book to your Kindle device via address this is linked. This address can be found on your account page on Amazon, as well as in the settings of the app / eReader. Typical see address like this: fornavn.etternavn_nummer@kindle.com.

FILL: To customer send books to Kindle reader must first fill with e- address of the device you want to read it on. (Photo: CALIBRE)

After a few minutes dolls book up in the app or on the eReader, ready to be read exactly as any Kindle book.

The Norwegian eBooks behaves just like American e-books you have bought via Amazon online store.

You can download the books down to PC or your mobile and continue reading where you left off on any device. Both bookmarks, notes and other things are remembered, just as with Amazon’s books.

How to get money back from the App-store

Transfer everything else too

Also other types of documents can be easily sent to Kindle. Using Browser Plugin Send to Kindle allows you to send the contents of any website to read your board.

SEND FROM THE BROWSER: Any website can be sent to eReader. (Photo: AMAZON)

Amazon nettboklesere also handles PDF files, Word documents and a variety of other document formats if you should need to read a manual or information from your job your board.

Such documents can send via the program Calibre as we mentioned above, or you can send it directly via a folder on your PC or Mac . This requires that you install software from the Send to My Kindle page (Windows version, Mac version).

Then simply right-clicking on the file you supervisor send and choose which Kindle device you will read send it to.

26-year-old earned millions on Kindle books

What with Apple’s bookstore?

Prefer to read / buy your books in Apple’s e-bookstore iBooks?

In this case the process of transferring Norwegian e-books even easier. Apple supports the open ePub format directly, so it is just to drag books into iTunes and sync to your iPad or iPhone.

FROM iBook KINDLE: You can also transfer books from Apple bokhandlel to Amazon board. (Photo: EPUBSOFT)

Like the Kindle supports iBooks also the widespread document format PDF directly.

If for any reason wish to read your Amazon-bought books in iBooks, you can remove the copy protection in Amazon’s AZW format and convert to ePub.

The recipe is the same as above, with Calibre.

Do you read the books you bought in iBooks on a Kindle, this is also possible.

Here you have to use the program Requiem for removing Apple’s copy protection first, then convert the files to Mobi format via Calibre.

Mobile with tablets on the back

To read e-book everywhere – DinSide

Your page You can read e-books on both tablet, PC and mobile. Many people prefer instead to use a dedicated e-book reader, which has a screen that is kinder to the eyes and a significantly better battery life.

Kindle – the king of tablets

There are now quite a few such standalone tablet on the market. But Amazon’s Kindle tablet is enough common, also in Norway.

MOST ad: Amazon Kindle is the boss among eReaders. Fortunately, you can read more than Amazon’s own books on it. (Photo: AMAZON)

Amazon has come a long way in developing e-ink screens and smart user solutions for the electronic lesehesten. And with their board, you get easy access to the world’s largest e-bookstore.

Books from Amazon, you can either buy directly from Kindle eReader or from Amazon websites. After you have paid, is ready books in your library in Amazon’s cloud, so you can later download them to any device in retrospect. You can also send the book directly to one of your units via the web shop.

How to get Apple TV to play “everything”

Norwegian books? No problem!

But what about e-books you buy at Digitalbok.no, Tanum Norli or one of the many others out there that sells Norwegian e-books in digital form?

CAN BE SENT: Many Norwegian e-books can now be sent directly to your Kindle. (Photo: DIGITALBOK.NO)

Long was difficult (if not impossible) to read Norwegian e-books on Amazon’s tablet. But last fall opened Aschehoug first Norwegian publishing their books for Amazon Kindle and.

Later followed several publishers for, and today many Norwegian eBooks transferred to Kindle via the email address you use with Amazon (see this manual).

How to get the most out of DAB

Do not buy, just send

It is still not so you can buy Norwegian books on Amazon yet. Therefore you should note that e-books purchased in Norwegian e-bookstores single sent to Amazon, so they appear in your library or directly on the device you have chosen to read Amazon books.

In other words, just as easily be the Kindle app on your mobile phone as your Kindle eReaders.

Many Norwegian books still have copy protection, so they basically can not be read others read board / apps than those approved by the Norwegian book industry.

How to get Netflix in 4K

Remove protection first

Have you purchased such a book, it is a bit more cumbersome to get it over the Kindle. Here you must specifically remove the copy protection (DRM) first, and then convert from the Norwegian book trade ePub format to Mobi, which can be read on Kindle.

Calibre is a handy free program (for both Mac and Windows) that can help you this.

DO THE JOB: program Calibre redo the Norwegian e-books so they can be read on Kindle. (Photo: CALIBRE)

To remove the copy protection you need, however, a small additional program (plugin). This can be found on Apprentice Alf’s Blog.

There has been some discussion about it is legal to remove the copy protection from e-books. But as long as you only intend to transfer the book to yourself and do not give it to others or at worst post it online, you hardly police at the door.

Send to Kindle address

After removing the protective press the convert button in Calibre and select MOBI. When the conversion is done, the file is ready to be sent to Kindle. Calibre allows you otherwise do all this in a single process if you wish.

The book can also be transferred directly to your Kindle eReader with USB cable. But the simplest is perhaps sending the book to your Kindle device via address this is linked. This address can be found on your account page on Amazon, as well as in the settings of the app / eReader. Typical see address like this: fornavn.etternavn_nummer@kindle.com.

FILL: To customer send books to Kindle reader must first fill with e- address of the device you want to read it on. (Photo: CALIBRE)

After a few minutes dolls book up in the app or on the eReader, ready to be read exactly as any Kindle book.

The Norwegian eBooks behaves just like American e-books you have bought via Amazon online store.

You can download the books down to PC or your mobile and continue reading where you left off on any device. Both bookmarks, notes and other things are remembered, just as with Amazon’s books.

How to get money back from the App-store

Transfer everything else too

Also other types of documents can be easily sent to Kindle. Using Browser Plugin Send to Kindle allows you to send the contents of any website to read your board.

SEND FROM THE BROWSER: Any website can be sent to eReader. (Photo: AMAZON)

Amazon nettboklesere also handles PDF files, Word documents and a variety of other document formats if you should need to read a manual or information from your job your board.

Such documents can send via the program Calibre as we mentioned above, or you can send it directly via a folder on your PC or Mac . This requires that you install software from the Send to My Kindle page (Windows version, Mac version).

Then simply right-clicking on the file you supervisor send and choose which Kindle device you will read send it to.

26-year-old earned millions on Kindle books

What with Apple’s bookstore?

Prefer to read / buy your books in Apple’s e-bookstore iBooks?

In this case the process of transferring Norwegian e-books even easier. Apple supports the open ePub format directly, so it is just to drag books into iTunes and sync to your iPad or iPhone.

FROM iBook KINDLE: You can also transfer books from Apple bokhandlel to Amazon board. (Photo: EPUBSOFT)

Like the Kindle supports iBooks also the widespread document format PDF directly.

If for any reason wish to read your Amazon-bought books in iBooks, you can remove the copy protection in Amazon’s AZW format and convert to ePub.

The recipe is the same as above, with Calibre.

Do you read the books you bought in iBooks on a Kindle, this is also possible.

Here you have to use the program Requiem for removing Apple’s copy protection first, then convert the files to Mobi format via Calibre.

Mobile with tablets on the back

Review: Kindle Voyage – should Amazon’s new premium e-reader be on your … – Express.co.uk

AARON BROWN

The Voyage is targeted squarely at those readers who are truly passionate about Kindles

Amazon has enjoyed enormous success with its Kindle range resulting in the affordable e-readers becoming virtually synonymous with the e-ink category.

Until now the US retail giant has always strived to keep Kindle prices low – safe in the knowledge that readers will be purchasing their next pageturner from the Amazon eBook store.

But with the hugely successful Kindle Touch on sale for less than £50 and third generation Kindle Paperwhites selling for a little over £100 – Amazon can afford to shift its focus away from pricing. 

The result is the Kindle Voyage – a top-of-the-line e-reader with a brand-new design and cutting edge e-ink screen.

Express Online have raced through Stephen King's latest thriller to put the Kindle Voyage through its paces over the past week. 

Look & Feel

For its latest e-ink device, Amazon decided to import the unapologetically angular design from its own Fire tablets. 

The striking and sharp design language is a refreshing change from the plain black slabs that make up the rest of the Kindle range. Priced almost three times more than the Kindle Touch, it is clear the Voyage is no longer a cheap, functional device – and Amazon has updated its design chops accordingly.

In doing so Amazon has managed to create the first truly stylish e-reader.

The bold new design is only marred by the glossy and disproportionately-sized Amazon logo sprawled across the rear of the Voyage – that can make the reader feel like a commuting billboard.

However, this is a small complaint for an otherwise stylish and distinctive device. 

The Kindle Voyage is built from a grippy, tactile plastic that makes it comfortable to hold for long reading sessions.

The jet-black material has a surprisingly premium feel – and keeps the e-reader from slipping.

The front of the Voyage is dominated by an impressive six-inch e-ink screen flush with its bezels and framed with two haptic sensors. 

Since Amazon shelved the Kindle 4, its e-readers have relied entirely on touch screen input. But with the Kindle Voyage, the company is offering readers a choice. Swipe and tap on the screen to navigate through the menus, options and pages of a book – or gently squeeze the glass on either side of the display. A small line and dot indicate where the screen is most pressure sensitive. Pushing down on one of these areas moves forwards and backwards through the pages and rewards readers with a subtle haptic buzz. 

Far from a gimmick, this method quickly became a preferred way of using using the device.

AARON BROWN

The ambient light sensor constantly battles to brighten the Voyage's stunning screen

AARON BROWN

The retina-like screen on the Kindle Voyage makes older models look fuzzy and dull

AARON BROWN

The Voyage screen outshines some print novels – offering crisper text

Screen

Although the stylish, jagged new design and haptic page-turning are welcome additions to the new Kindle – neither justify the Voyage's hefty pricetag.

The Voyage is a premium device with a premium price

However, the device's razor-sharp e-ink display is a much more compelling reason to part with hard-earned cash.

The Voyage screen packs an incredible 300 pixels-per-inch making it the highest resolution display on any e-ink Kindle. 

Reducing the font size on the Voyage fails to soften the device's pin-sharp text. 

The retina-quality of the display isn’t immediately obviously but when directly compared to a dusty paperback or an older Kindle – everything else looks blurry and smudged.

The display on the Kindle Voyages is a monumental step forward.

But it isn't perfect.

In a dark room, the strong backlight will turn the edges of the page a sterile shade of blue. The effect is reduced with a lower brightness setting and wouldn’t be a huge issue if Amazon's new ambient light sensor wasn't forever battling to crank up the backlight up to its highest point.

Unique to the Voyage, the backlit screen should automatically adjust to its surrounding light conditions. Unfortunately, when confronted with fast or dramatic changes in light the Voyage has a frustrating habit of overcompensating.

AARON BROWN

Pressing on a word offers a brief dictionary definition as well as fast Wikipedia access

AARON BROWN

The X-Ray feature offers quick hints and descriptions of key characters, places and topics

Software

With a few exceptions, the Kindle Voyage runs the same software as the Paperwhite. Its only differentiating features are tied to the new light sensor. Although the Voyage's sensor struggles with quick changes in light it does an admirable job of gradually lowering the screen's brightness during prolonged reading in a dark room. Amazon claims the software is designed to help match the way the human eye responds to darkness and it works surprisingly well. 

Amazon's software offers an impressive range of features – including Whispersync, Family Sharing, Word Wise and X-Ray.

Each adds a level of depth that makes a paperback feel laughably one-dimensional. Whisper sync ensures all Kindle devices and apps are up-to-speed with the last page read and Family Sharing allows loved ones to aggregate their separate Kindle purchases.

With just a short press on-screen, X-Ray offers quick hints and descriptions of key characters, places and topics of interest in a book.

Amazon's impressive software also allows readers to customise language, line spacing, as well as font size and type. 

Accessories

The fresh design of the Kindle Voyage has a new Origami case to match. First introduced with the Fire tablets, the Origami cases are durable and designed to fold to allow the device to stand in portrait orientation on its own.

But while clipping the magnetic folds together to prop up a tablet makes sense, it feels redundant for an e-reader. 

The Voyage is a device best enjoyed in the palm of the hand – and the bulk added by the £39.99 case make this accessory more of a hinderance than an essential-purchase.

AARON BROWN

The Voyage is lightweight and thin – making it comfortable to hold for long reading sessions

Verdict

Without a doubt, the Kindle Voyage is the best e-reader money can buy. Unfortunately, buying it requires a considerable amount of money.

Starting at an eye-watering £169 and reaching £229 for the addition of 3G connectivity, the Kindle Voyage is far from an impulse buy. 

For the same price as one Kindle Voyage, you could buy a perfectly-good Paperwhite as well as a Kindle Touch.

Amazon has priced the Voyage just £30 cheaper than an iPad mini – a much fuller-featured retina-quality tablet. 

Although admittedly, a terrible e-reader.

The Voyage is a premium device with a premium price, targeted squarely at those who are truly passionate about reading on Kindles. For those readers, this is a worthwhile purchase.

But, for those simply looking to swap a thousand-page paperback for a thin, lightweight e-reader – the Voyage is a difficult recommendation.

Related articles

• Amazon unveils live-aid Kindle Fire
• Murder, mystery, suspense! The summer’s best crime fiction
• Review: As Amazon slashes Fire tablet prices – is the HDX 8.9 worth buying?

Amazon Kindle Voyage (2014) starting from £169 – Express.co.uk

AARON BROWN

The Voyage is targeted squarely at those readers who are truly passionate about Kindles

Amazon has enjoyed enormous success with its Kindle range resulting in the affordable e-readers becoming virtually synonymous with the e-ink category.

Until now the US retail giant has always strived to keep Kindle prices low – safe in the knowledge that readers will be purchasing their next pageturner from the Amazon eBook store.

But with the hugely successful Kindle Touch on sale for less than £50 and third generation Kindle Paperwhites selling for a little over £100 – Amazon can afford to shift its focus away from pricing. 

The result is the Kindle Voyage – a top-of-the-line e-reader with a brand-new design and cutting edge e-ink screen.

Express Online have raced through Stephen King's latest thriller to put the Kindle Voyage through its paces over the past week. 

Look & Feel

For its latest e-ink device, Amazon decided to import the unapologetically angular design from its own Fire tablets. 

The striking and sharp design language is a refreshing change from the plain black slabs that make up the rest of the Kindle range. Priced almost three times more than the Kindle Touch, it is clear the Voyage is no longer a cheap, functional device – and Amazon has updated its design chops accordingly.

In doing so Amazon has managed to create the first truly stylish e-reader.

The bold new design is only marred by the glossy and disproportionately-sized Amazon logo sprawled across the rear of the Voyage – that can make the reader feel like a commuting billboard.

However, this is a small complaint for an otherwise stylish and distinctive device. 

The Kindle Voyage is built from a grippy, tactile plastic that makes it comfortable to hold for long reading sessions.

The jet-black material has a surprisingly premium feel – and keeps the e-reader from slipping.

The front of the Voyage is dominated by an impressive six-inch e-ink screen flush with its bezels and framed with two haptic sensors. 

Since Amazon shelved the Kindle 4, its e-readers have relied entirely on touch screen input. But with the Kindle Voyage, the company is offering readers a choice. Swipe and tap on the screen to navigate through the menus, options and pages of a book – or gently squeeze the glass on either side of the display. A small line and dot indicate where the screen is most pressure sensitive. Pushing down on one of these areas moves forwards and backwards through the pages and rewards readers with a subtle haptic buzz. 

Far from a gimmick, this method quickly became a preferred way of using using the device.

AARON BROWN

The ambient light sensor constantly battles to brighten the Voyage's stunning screen

AARON BROWN

The retina-like screen on the Kindle Voyage makes older models look fuzzy and dull

AARON BROWN

The Voyage screen outshines some print novels – offering crisper text

Screen

Although the stylish, jagged new design and haptic page-turning are welcome additions to the new Kindle – neither justify the Voyage's hefty pricetag.

The Voyage is a premium device with a premium price

However, the device's razor-sharp e-ink display is a much more compelling reason to part with hard-earned cash.

The Voyage screen packs an incredible 300 pixels-per-inch making it the highest resolution display on any e-ink Kindle. 

Reducing the font size on the Voyage fails to soften the device's pin-sharp text. 

The retina-quality of the display isn’t immediately obviously but when directly compared to a dusty paperback or an older Kindle – everything else looks blurry and smudged.

The display on the Kindle Voyages is a monumental step forward.

But it isn't perfect.

In a dark room, the strong backlight will turn the edges of the page a sterile shade of blue. The effect is reduced with a lower brightness setting and wouldn’t be a huge issue if Amazon's new ambient light sensor wasn't forever battling to crank up the backlight up to its highest point.

Unique to the Voyage, the backlit screen should automatically adjust to its surrounding light conditions. Unfortunately, when confronted with fast or dramatic changes in light the Voyage has a frustrating habit of overcompensating.

AARON BROWN

Pressing on a word offers a brief dictionary definition as well as fast Wikipedia access

AARON BROWN

The X-Ray feature offers quick hints and descriptions of key characters, places and topics

Software

With a few exceptions, the Kindle Voyage runs the same software as the Paperwhite. Its only differentiating features are tied to the new light sensor. Although the Voyage's sensor struggles with quick changes in light it does an admirable job of gradually lowering the screen's brightness during prolonged reading in a dark room. Amazon claims the software is designed to help match the way the human eye responds to darkness and it works surprisingly well. 

Amazon's software offers an impressive range of features – including Whispersync, Family Sharing, Word Wise and X-Ray.

Each adds a level of depth that makes a paperback feel laughably one-dimensional. Whisper sync ensures all Kindle devices and apps are up-to-speed with the last page read and Family Sharing allows loved ones to aggregate their separate Kindle purchases.

With just a short press on-screen, X-Ray offers quick hints and descriptions of key characters, places and topics of interest in a book.

Amazon's impressive software also allows readers to customise language, line spacing, as well as font size and type. 

Accessories

The fresh design of the Kindle Voyage has a new Origami case to match. First introduced with the Fire tablets, the Origami cases are durable and designed to fold to allow the device to stand in portrait orientation on its own.

But while clipping the magnetic folds together to prop up a tablet makes sense, it feels redundant for an e-reader. 

The Voyage is a device best enjoyed in the palm of the hand – and the bulk added by the £39.99 case make this accessory more of a hinderance than an essential-purchase.

AARON BROWN

The Voyage is lightweight and thin – making it comfortable to hold for long reading sessions

Verdict

Without a doubt, the Kindle Voyage is the best e-reader money can buy. Unfortunately, buying it requires a considerable amount of money.

Starting at an eye-watering £169 and reaching £229 for the addition of 3G connectivity, the Kindle Voyage is far from an impulse buy. 

For the same price as one Kindle Voyage, you could buy a perfectly-good Paperwhite as well as a Kindle Touch.

Amazon has priced the Voyage just £30 cheaper than an iPad mini – a much fuller-featured retina-quality tablet. 

Although admittedly, a terrible e-reader.

The Voyage is a premium device with a premium price, targeted squarely at those who are truly passionate about reading on Kindles. For those readers, this is a worthwhile purchase.

But, for those simply looking to swap a thousand-page paperback for a thin, lightweight e-reader – the Voyage is a difficult recommendation.

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