Kindle Paperwhite 4 is Lighter, Waterproof

It goes into the water, is brighter and does not fear scratches: digital readers will appreciate the new Kindle Paperwhite , which Amazon will launch next November 7 (pre-order from today). A question of technology, resistance but also … content, given that the quantity of titles available in digital format in Italy is (fortunately) ever wider.

Details, but significant. The technology of ereaders develops more slowly than that of smartphones and tablets. But the generation gap is perceptible to the naked eye: the old Kindle Paperwhite weighed 217 grams, the new one, only 182 grams . The screen always measures 6 inches high definition, format on which Amazon seems to want to bet (unlike Kobo), but thanks to an extra LED is 10% brighter and close to the "paper" effect, which makes ereaders how much more similar to the printed page: restful for the view compared to tablets and readable even under the sun. Those who obsess over minute details will appreciate that it is 10% thinner (8.18 mm thick against the 9.1 mm of the previous model).

And then there is the design: if the back of the new Paperwhite was made of a plastic anti-slip material , the screen is noticeable "to the touch" for a new anti- scratch protection , which makes the covers non-essential. Although, perhaps, the big news is the waterproofing: the IPX8 certification says that the new Paperwhite can stand up to two meters deep for up to 60 minutes (in practice if it ends up in the bathtub, it will not die) .

The software side has also been improved. The new home screen makes it easier to find a new book to read based on the reading history, even among the titles included in the subscription to Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading . And each user can save his reading settings, selecting fonts, character orientation and more, thus personalizing the reading experience (the good news is that these news will be available on the latest devices and on the sixth-generation Kindle, ed. ).

Price and formats. The Kindle Paperwhite will be available in two versions, or rather three: 8 GB (130 euro) , 32 GB (160 euro) and 32 GB with free mobile connectivity ( 230 euro). All in pre-order from today, but shipments will start on November 7th.