Is the paper white a second generation Kindle touch or an entirely new product?

jbcohen · 05-07-2013, 08:07 AM

I typically think of the paper white as an upgrade to the older kindle touch.

soulfuldog · 05-07-2013, 10:15 AM

Higher screen resolution, completely different type of touch screen tech, built in light. Released a full year after the Touch which is now discontinued. It sounds a bit like a new and quite different product, but really, it's an upgrade, as all the Kindles are?

jswinden · 05-07-2013, 11:39 AM

All the improvements listed by @l_macd may or may not differentiate the PW from the Touch enough to rule out a 2nd generation Touch. If Amazon continues to offer non-lighted, touch screen eInk readers then I would say the PW is a new branch of Kindle eInk with lighted touch screens. If Amazon discontinues non-lighted, touch screen eInk readers then I would say the PW was in fact a 2nd generation Touch. I guess we will find out later this year, probably in the Fall, once Amazon announces its new eInk Kindles.

ixtab · 05-07-2013, 12:16 PM

It's... both..., depending on how you prefer to look at it.

Hardware-wise, it's quite an enhancement (higher screen resolution + frontlight), and also a step back (no audio, smaller storage).

Software-wise, it's just an enhanced version of the Touch Firmware, which accommodates for the higher screen resolution, plus the light (and minus the audio).

I consider the Touch and PW to be "pretty much the same, but with different hardware capabilities". And that seems to be Amazon's point of view, too, since both now share a (mostly identical) minor firmware version.

05-07-2013, 08:07 AM	#1
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,025 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Piper College Device: Samsung A21	Is the paper white a second generation Kindle touch or an entirely new product? I typically think of the paper white as an upgrade to the older kindle touch.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Troubleshooting Kindle Paper white	Leasholm	Amazon Kindle	5	02-20-2013 08:27 PM
Kindle Touch periodical generation	voidru	Recipes	3	02-19-2013 11:31 PM
A Question for owners of both a touch and a paper white	jbcohen	Amazon Kindle	13	01-12-2013 01:06 PM
Kindle Paper[white/weight] prefix?	qlob	Kindle Developer's Corner	8	10-21-2012 09:21 PM
kindle paper white or nook glowlight	malmhdy	Amazon Kindle	12	09-10-2012 06:19 PM

05-07-2013, 10:15 AM	#2
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	Higher screen resolution, completely different type of touch screen tech, built in light. Released a full year after the Touch which is now discontinued. It sounds a bit like a new and quite different product, but really, it's an upgrade, as all the Kindles are?

05-07-2013, 11:39 AM	#3
jswinden Nameless Being	All the improvements listed by @l_macd may or may not differentiate the PW from the Touch enough to rule out a 2nd generation Touch. If Amazon continues to offer non-lighted, touch screen eInk readers then I would say the PW is a new branch of Kindle eInk with lighted touch screens. If Amazon discontinues non-lighted, touch screen eInk readers then I would say the PW was in fact a 2nd generation Touch. I guess we will find out later this year, probably in the Fall, once Amazon announces its new eInk Kindles.

05-07-2013, 12:16 PM	#4
ixtab (offline) Posts: 2,907 Karma: 6736092 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: K3, K4, K5, KPW, KPW2	It's... both..., depending on how you prefer to look at it. Hardware-wise, it's quite an enhancement (higher screen resolution + frontlight), and also a step back (no audio, smaller storage). Software-wise, it's just an enhanced version of the Touch Firmware, which accommodates for the higher screen resolution, plus the light (and minus the audio). I consider the Touch and PW to be "pretty much the same, but with different hardware capabilities". And that seems to be Amazon's point of view, too, since both now share a (mostly identical) minor firmware version.

Advert