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Amazon unveils front-lit Kindle

Amazon has introduced frontlighting to its newest Kindle e-reader device, which it unveiled yesterday.

The online retailer’s new Kindle Paperwhite e-ink based device is front-lit meaning that users can read from the Kindle in the dark. It is similar to competing e-readers including Barnes & Noble’s Nook with Glow and Kobo’s Glo readers.

The new model boasts a 62% higher pixel count on the screen than previous Kindle iterations with a 1,024x768 resolution and the device has an eight hour battery life. The Paperwhite also comes with a new ‘Time to Read’ feature, which gives readers a rough estimate of how long it will take to get to the next chapter of their book.

Other changes from previous models include the removal of the home button at the bottom of the device and the casing has been rendered in a deeper shade of grey.

The Kindle Paperwhite will be launched in 100 countries around the world and comes with or without 3G functionality. The device is expected to ship on October 1.

Last week, Amazon rolled out its Android app store in Europe. The company is also expected to unveil a new Kindle Fire tablet in the next few weeks.

Several companies are preparing mobile device launches in preparation for the Christmas period. Earlier this week, Nokia unveiled its new Windows Phone 8 powered smartphones in the Lumia range and Google-owned Motorola Mobility launched three new handsets in its Razr series. Apple’s iPhone 5 is also expected to be announced next week.

David Hing, London