Amazon has just announced its third generation Kindle: lighter, smaller and cheaper than ever but still with that 6-inch monochrome E Ink screen. The world's favourite ereader will come in 3G+Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi only flavours - and for the first time will get a proper release in the UK at the same time as the US.
The new Kindle, which will come in white or graphite colours, shaves off 50g in weight, a few millimetres all round and a crucial half millimetre in thickness, making it more than 20 percent smaller overall than the second gen devices.
Kindle 3 has the improved E Ink screen that debuted on the DX recently, giving 50 percent more contrast than (Amazon claims) "any other ereader". Storage has been increased to a library-busting 3500 titles and battery life is now a month with wireless off (or three weeks on).
Twitter and Facebook integration allow you to share 'meaningful passages' (yes, that does mean 'rude bits') with your mates - and possibly the most exciting addition is a new WebKit based browser (Wi-Fi only). Although both models come with free Wi-Fi access in the US (via AT&T hotspots), Brits will have to hunt out their own.
There's also enhanced PDF rendering with dictionary, notes and highlights, faster page turns and my personal favourite - quieter page turn buttons so you don't drive your partner bonkers during late night reads with all those sleep-disturbing clicks.
US/UK pricing is $189/£149 for 3G and $139/£109 for Wi-Fi, with an expected shipping date of August 27 if you pre-order now.
