Amazon announces Kindle Oasis

[RZetlin]

If Oasis was a 8" eReader for $399.99 (Cdn) I might have considered it.

But a 6" eReader for $399.99 is too expensive.

I may as well go with the Kobo H2O with its 6.8" screen for under $200.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That's because there are a lot of Apple fans that will buy anything Apple releases

Maybe. But the iPhone is pretty mainstream these days. Lots of people just like the size and price ($399).

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

As for the Oasis, I too think it's overpriced for what it is. The PW3 is the Kindle that works best at it's price.

That's what I would replace my Voyage with if it ever goes. I would always want a lighted kindle but then I would pick the cheapest price point.

[Avwriter]

I am disappointed to see (users guide) that there is no way to charge the cover separately from the device. The port is on the device itself. One of the biggest initial attractions that I thought of would have been the ability to plug in the cover in to charge, and then detach the device and continue reading wirelessly. Every once in a while I find myself needing to charge my Voyage while in the middle of a book that I do not wish to stop reading, and the only option is to read with the device plugged in. This is a lost opportunity to get rid of that problem.

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

My 6s fits in my pocket I think he needs new pants with proper sized pockets.

People come in different sizes, and clothing follows that general pattern.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That's because there are a lot of Apple fans that will buy anything Apple releases regardless of the fact that's not much of an upgrade. The iPhone SE is a downgrade.

It's not a downgrade if it's priced lower. It is obviously a different product catering to those who want a smaller phone.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That's because there are a lot of Apple fans that will buy anything Apple releases regardless of the fact that's not much of an upgrade. The iPhone SE is a downgrade.

And there are a lot of people that just don't want a big phone. The smaller iPhone will suit a lot of people. Whether they have small pockets or not.

[Sweetpea]

Too expensive for what you get for it, in my book. I had really expected a waterproof device by now, from Amazon. Especially for this price, I expected a bit more than a basic reader with part of the weight (= battery) in the cover. What else is different from the other Kindles out there (not counting design).

[Katsunami]

I can't find anything regarding new fonts, layouts options, and such... so I'll stay with the KPW1 for another generation... or maybe, possibly, eventually, take a gamble on a Kobo reader.

Also, that price is ridiculous compared to what I paid for the KPW1 more than three years ago (which was €129). A reader has to have some HUGE perks if a company wants me to shell out €289. Granted, I paid almost €400 for my Cybook Gen3 (and then sold it for €250 half a year later because I couldn't get the books I wanted to read at that time), but that was in 2007.

[Yolina]

In the Verge article, it says that with the cover on, you will get 20 months standby time. Who in their right mind would pay that much for an ereader only to leave in standby for nearly 2 years

[NickyWithNook]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Too expensive for what you get for it, in my book. I had really expected a waterproof device by now, from Amazon. Especially for this price, I expected a bit more than a basic reader with part of the weight (= battery) in the cover. What else is different from the other Kindles out there (not counting design).

I agree with this. It's a redesign of what is all ready out there. I actually like the redesign, but I don't want to pay $300 for a redesigned version of what I have. It's just too expensive. I'd buy it for less.

Maybe they'll have the price reduced for a period of time at some point? I'll keep my eyes open.

[drofgnal]

With the same resolution, I'll just keep my voyage. I got it on a special sale for 149. 289 for a 6" 300 ppi display?, No thanks, I have that display for about 1/2 the cost.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Shane R

I'd agree more with your opinion if they'd taken the other options away and made this the only Kindle version available.

They didn't.

This is the top of the line version, and the previous versions are still for sale.

Removing the other choices would certainly damage the market, but that's not the only way to do it. You can take a already shrinking market and make a new entry that fails to invigorate it.

[sparklemotion]

Yikes, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, it's hideous. The whole thing seems gimmicky to me. And why the extra lights? The H20 does it perfectly without the need for more. I'll be interested to see how much they changed the software, likely not at all, but it doesn't seem there's much for me to like about it and it has an insanely high price tag to boot. When you break it down, it's way overpriced for what is actually is. To me it seems like the same old kindle, just uglier.

[Kolenka]

Originally Posted by Shane R

Not every new release is going to push the technology forward. Some are just to provide the consumers with new options in other areas.

We're tech fans. Not all Kindle users are, and other things matter to them...like look & feel.

Well, to be fair, electroplating of plastics isn't exactly common in the home electronics industry, so there may very well be technology being pushed forward. Just not something that is obvious on a spec sheet. But otherwise I agree completely here.

I'm interested in this (and pre-ordered like a sucker) to see how it plays out. I like the approach as it does tackle a couple of the issues I have with the Voyage, without sacrificing screen quality or weight to do it. The bigger bezel for the page turn buttons, and the physical buttons should cut down on accidental page turns that I have experienced. The grip should be a bit better ergonomically than the tapered edge as well. The smaller battery life without the cover is not really a problem for me either, since I don't travel much. Having the cover for travel or protection is interesting, but I don't yet know how useful.

Not a fan of the price, but it's not outside my means, and I am interested enough in the changes to give it a shot.

[Josieb1]

The Voyage has never been reduced in the UK. Possibly it sold well enough. Black Friday will be interesting this year, if the Oasis isn't selling well that's when it might be reduced.