Amazon Debuts New Kindle 3G, Kindle Wi-Fi

Amazon this week announced a smaller, lighter and faster Kindle. The latest Kindle also has a new electronic-ink screen with 50 percent better contrast, a new design with a 21 percent smaller body while still keeping the same 6-inch-size reading area, and a 15 percent lighter weight at just 8.7 ounces.

The new Kindle also offers 20 percent faster page turns, up to one month of battery life, double the storage to 3,500 books, and built-in Wi-Fi -- for only $189, and it still comes with free 3G wireless.

The device also uses a new (experimental) web browser based on the open source browser engine, WebKit. The updated browser is said to be faster, easier to navigate, and has a new "article mode" feature that lets you view just the text-based content of web pages. The new Kindle also can read to you with its Text-to Speech feature, and the device has a new lighted leather cover with a built-in, retractable reading light.

Amazon also introduced the Kindle Wi-Fi, a cheaper option for readers who don't need free 3G wireless. Kindle Wi-Fi has all the same features of the 3G version (minus free 3G wireless), same bookstore, same high-contrast electronic paper display, and it's even a bit lighter, weighing in at 8.5 ounces. The Kindle Wi-Fi is priced at $139.

The new Kindle and Kindle Wi-Fi are now available for pre-order at www.amazon.com/kindle3G and www.amazon.com/kindleWi-Fi, and will ship to customers beginning August 27.