New Kindle Tablets & Readers Unveiled

Posted: September 10, 2012

After Amazon's launch of its new tables and e-readers Sept. 6, 2012, BusinessInsider.com bashed the new Kindle Fire HD (7-inch model), when comparing it to Google's Nexus 7 tablet. The reason?

After Amazon's launch of its new tables and e-readers Sept. 6, 2012, BusinessInsider.com bashed the new Kindle Fire HD (7-inch model), when comparing it to Google's Nexus 7 tablet. The reason? Kindle Fire HD includes advertising on locked pages, continuously attempts to upsell other functions/products, and runs on the Google Android platform, meaning Kindle will never have the latest, greatest version, because that's reserved for Google's own Nexus 7 tablet/products. Here's the scoop on all the news products in the Kindle line.

In addition to the Kindle Fire HD, Amazon introduced several other new products, including:

A backlit Kindle called the Kindle Paperwhite for $119 with WiFi and $179 with 3G wireless
An ad-supported low-end Kindle e-reader for $69
The Kindle Fire for $169, compared to the original price of $199
The Kindle Fire HD in two sizes, 7- and 8.9-inches. $199 and $299
A Kindle Fire HD with 4G wireless for $499

Letter from Amazon to Customers

Today we're excited to introduce the all-new Kindle Fire HD.

Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G isn't just the best tablet for the price, it's the best tablet. $499 now gets you a large-screen HD tablet with a stunning 8.9" display, exclusive Dolby audio, dual stereo speakers, the fastest Wi-Fi, ultra-fast 4G LTE wireless, plus our new unprecedented $49.99 one-year 4G data package. Customers save hundreds of dollars in the first year compared to other 4G tablets. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" is also available in a Wi-Fi only model for $299.

Kindle Fire HD is the world's most-advanced 7" tablet, with a stunning HD display, plus the same exclusive Dolby audio, dual stereo speakers, the fastest Wi-Fi, and 16 GB of storage. Kindle Fire HD is just $199.

We are also introducing the world's most advanced e-readers, Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Paperwhite 3G.

You'll do a double take when you see Kindle Paperwhite—we've added 62% more pixels and increased contrast by 25%, so whites are whiter, and blacks are blacker. We've also added a revolutionary built-in front light for the perfect reading experience whether you're out at the beach or at home in bed. Kindle Paperwhite starts from just $119. Kindle Paperwhite 3G is available for $179 with free 3G wireless—never pay for or hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot. We've also updated our smallest, lightest Kindle with improved fonts and 15% faster page turns—it now starts at just $69.

Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Paperwhite are each in a class by themselves when it comes to hardware—there's nothing better. But the real magic is that they are also a service. When combined with our enormous content ecosystem, unmatched cross-platform interoperability and standard-setting customer service, we hope people will agree these are the best tablets and e-readers anywhere, at any price.

Thank you for being a customer,

Jeff Bezos
Founder & CEO