Kindle Touch bites the dust
You're only allowed to touch the Paperwhite
Just a week after removing the jumbo-sized Kindle DX from its range of e-readers, Amazon has erased the Kindle Touch from its catalogue too.
The Touch was introduced just last year, as a mid-range e-reading option that improved on the eensy-weensy keyboard offered in early Kindles, and was rather more elegant to use than the four-way button on more recent pieces of kindling.
But the first 'readoslab' has not been able to survive the arrival of its brighter and similarly tactile brother, the Kindle PaperWhite, the Wi-Fi-only model of which usurped the Touch's US$119 price position.
There's more bad news for those keen on a Kindle, as Amazon says you can expect to wait four to six weeks before either Paperwhite model reaches your hands.
On a slightly happier note, depending on your age, Amazon has also enabled the 'Free Time' feature it promised at the launch of the Kindle Fire HD. The feature allows parents to limit the amount of time their kids can spend accessing certain types of content. Kids can't change those settings without a password, and once play time expires the Kindle displays only a blue screen of frustration. ®
COMMENTS
Re: Shame on Amazon managers!
I hate agreeing with Anonymous Cowards, but this one is right:
'The idea of the "proper" kindles is battery life and clear text'
The e-ink Kindles are ebook readers. They are fantastic for the purpose they are designed for: easy to read, and battery life measured in days of constant reading. They do nothing else well, but they aren't supposed to.
I love my Kindle. Before I owned one, I slagged ereaders off. I still prefer a paperback, but the convenience of a kindle, being able to carry so many books, and how close it comes to the readability of a real book is fantastic.
I have used it, while on holiday, to browse the interwebs, and also to play music, but it doesn't do them very well. To be honest, I don't care. It is the essence of simplicity, doing one job incredibly well, and a few other ancillary functions to a (barely) acceptable level. It is actually the first device I haven't even wanted to jailbreak/upgrade/modify.
Purchased e-books + Calibre plugins.
Best of both worlds.
Re: Shame on Amazon managers!
@Dr Mouse I agree with everything apart from your last line: "It is actually the first device I haven't even wanted to jailbreak/upgrade/modify."
I found it essential to modify the screensaver so it had a nice Hitchikers "Don't Panic" on it.
Unless they decide you have broken their extensive list of rules and remove your account.
It is also unlikely a burglar would steal your collection of 3000 books or that you might lose them.
When you die, your books die with you because it's only a rental agreement that you have.
Just like a landlord they can give you notice to quit.
