Amazon's Kindle products are ushering in an important week. In addition to updates to the basic Kindle, Paperwhite, and Scribe, the company will also bring color support to the classic e-reader and launch the new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition.
Earlier this year, Amazon's main e-reader rival, Kobo, launched the $220 LibraColour, which uses color e-ink. So far, reviews of the technology have been mixed. The new KindleColorsoft takes a completely different approach.
Rather than relying on Kobo's color e-ink technology, Amazon chose to build a suite of technologies from the ground up. Color has been one of the most requested features for their e-readers, but companies have to strike a balance before embracing it. There are many factors that go into this, including battery life, contrast, and image ghosting.
KindleColorsoftSignature's colors are produced through five filters applied to the display itself, in conjunction with a front light source. This is different from the standard backlights we see on tablets, which both consume power and interfere with sleep patterns for bedtime reading.
Like monochrome e-ink, the technology effectively creates a static image until the page is refreshed. Amazon says the goal of the technology is to create pastel colors similar to print. But battery life does take a hit, but the new oxide backplane and a larger battery than the Paperwhite offset this impact to a certain extent. The oxide technology that appears on the new Paperwhite also helps increase page turning speeds.
When not using features like comics and page highlights, the pages retain the same monochrome design as other Kindles.
Like the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, Kindle Colorsoft is also waterproof and has wireless charging capabilities. According to Amazon, it can last up to eight weeks on a single charge.
Color Kindles are not cheap. The device starts at $280, which is $90 more than the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and a full $170 more than the base Kindle. Still, it's $120 cheaper than the new KindleScribe.
The new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition will be available for pre-order on Wednesday. It will start shipping on October 30th.