Amazon announces new 7" waterproof Oasis with 32GB storage option

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Like recent Kindle models, it has "Voice View", which is TTS (in fact it's complete device operation via voice, for the blind).

Which is outstanding for people with vision issues. But it is not the same as Plain Old TTS: it radically changes the way one navigates the interface, and a number of reading features become unavailable. I play with VoiceView occasionally but I would use TTS a lot more, just as I do on Fire.

And as the Fire demonstrates, you can have both features side by side.

It would be interesting if they added Bluetooth profile for a keyboard and accessibility hardware (Braille reader etc). Keyboard support in particular would make note taking much more pleasant, and one might do basic navigation (page turns etc.) as well.

[coplate]

This is interesting terminology regarding the waterproofing:

drain your Kindle by letting it stand upright with the micro-USB port facing down

From the user manual:
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/c...de%20EN-US.pdf

Water Protection Your Kindle has been tested to withstand brief accidental immersion in water under certain conditions. However, your Kindle is not intended for underwater use and may experience temporary effects from exposure to water. If your Kindle is immersed in water, follow these instructions:
• Quickly retrieve your Kindle. If your Kindle has a cover, remove the cover.
• If your Kindle was immersed in fresh water, unplug all cables and drain your Kindle by letting it stand upright with the micro-USB port facing down.
• If your Kindle was immersed in other types of water, unplug all cables, drain your Kindle by letting it stand upright with the micro-USB port facing down, rinse your Kindle off using fresh water (such as cold tap water) with the micro-USB port facing the water source, and drain your Kindle again.
• Let the device dry fully in a well-ventilated location before plugging the USB cable into your Kindle.
• Do not attempt to dry your Kindle with an external heat source (such as a microwave oven or hair dryer).
• Do not insert a foreign object into the micro-USB port (such as a cotton swab or paper towel).

"Drain" the kindle?

That makes it sound like it might potted inside, with no access to the electronics, or is has a waterproof coating on the whole board.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tiltowait

I couldn't stand having a case on an eReader while actually using it.

I'd never use a reader without a decent case. You fall asleep reading, the reader falls onto the floor, and you get out of bed in the middle of the night for a call of nature and step on it. With a case, it stands a much better chance of survival.

[salamanderjuice]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'd never use a reader without a decent case. You fall asleep reading, the reader falls onto the floor, and you get out of bed in the middle of the night for a call of nature and step on it. With a case, it stands a much better chance of survival.

Having had a PRS-505 break because my dad stepped on it, while in the case(closed too), I don't think a case is really gonna help when you step on it. The case might help the fall but I think I'd rather just stop reading before I get that sleepy...

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by coplate

"Drain" the kindle?

That makes it sound like it might potted inside, with no access to the electronics, or is has a waterproof coating on the whole board.

Looking at the pictures of it, it's clearly not like the Kobo H2O, which was waterproof by having a rubber seal over the USB port (which made it a real pain to use!). The Oasis has an "open" port, so clearly water can get inside it to some extent or another. Makes you wonder how much of a problem corrosion is likely to be if you regularly immerse it in salt water!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tomsem

Which is outstanding for people with vision issues. But it is not the same as Plain Old TTS: it radically changes the way one navigates the interface, and a number of reading features become unavailable. I play with VoiceView occasionally but I would use TTS a lot more, just as I do on Fire.

I completely agree with you; I was just noting that it has a form of TTS.

[zooby]

Purchased a Kobo aura one last week for the waterproofing. Took it back today and have pre ordered the oasis with 15% discount after my voyage stopped working on holiday. I'm so excited for the oasis!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

Is the aspect ratio of the screen different? Looking at the pictures in the model comparison chart, it looks "wider".

Of course it's wider. It's a 7" screen and not a 6" screen.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Of course it's wider. It's a 7" screen and not a 6" screen.

The 1680x1264 resolution, however, shows that it's still a 4:3 aspect ratio screen, just like all the other eInk Kindles.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by tdonline

Suppose some Kobo Aura One owners may have a word here.

Though after hearing of so many lighting issues with the KAO, you may have mass agreement on your statement!

And there were many lighting issues with the original Oasis.

[JSWolf]

And do all of you wanting TTS or audiobooks know you'll need a BT speaker or BT headphones?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

This may not be accurate. It may be able to use the current jailbreak. We will know shortly.

But you have to buy it thinking there won't be a jailbreak and you'll only be able to use it as is.

I doubt there will be a jailbreak for it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by NullNix

Going by my existing Oasis, the thinness is not a problem. If you drop it, you'll smash the plastic off and scratch the screen *long* before any damage due to one side's thinness is likely. A good chunk of that thinness is metal. It's *tough*. Even treading on it isn't a problem (I know: it survived that undamaged).

The thinness may be a problem because when it's dropped, there's less protection of the glass substrate.

[llcj]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Looking at the pictures of it, it's clearly not like the Kobo H2O, which was waterproof by having a rubber seal over the USB port (which made it a real pain to use!). The Oasis has an "open" port, so clearly water can get inside it to some extent or another. Makes you wonder how much of a problem corrosion is likely to be if you regularly immerse it in salt water!

The H2O 2nd Edition and the KAO both deal with waterproofing this way (no rubber seal/flap) and I believe both have the same waterproofing specs as the new Oasis.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And do all of you wanting TTS or audiobooks know you'll need a BT speaker or BT headphones?

You may perhaps have noticed that Amazon offer you BT headphones when you order the Oasis?