by Jason Snell

Amazon introduces new Kindles and accessories

Amazon on Thursday announced new Kindles, including a new base model, Paperwhite, and Colorsoft. All three models come in multiple varieties (plastic and aluminum) and in a variety of new colors.

The cheapest model is $170 ($150 with ads), and the priciest new model is the $319 Colorsoft Signature Edition. (I admit that I find it somewhat shocking that even a basic e-reader costs $170 these days, but here we are.)

More notable, I think, is that Amazon is embracing page-turn buttons again—but with a very Amazon twist. After systematically removing page-turn buttons from its Kindles over the years, it’s brought them back—on a $80 case. Following in the steps of competitor Kobo, Amazon has also added a page-turn remote control for people who prefer to read while their device is not in their hands. (I know multiple people who place their e-readers in a stand and rely on page-turn clickers.)

I gotta say that I don’t love that Amazon has decided that to use page-turn buttons, you need to pay $80 and keep your Kindle in a case. But at least they’re finally offering an option. (For the record, Kobo’s Libra Colour is priced similarly to the Paperwhite Signature Edition and has buttons right on it, no case required. It’s the e-reader I use the most these days.)

Still, I must begrudgingly admit that Amazon has provided some much-needed page-turn options for people who don’t want to endlessly tap or swipe on a touchscreen. And over the last few years, Amazon has addressed many of the limitations of the Kindle software platform, making it much more competitive with Kobo. Given the outsized place Kindle has in the e-reader world, it’s good to see that someone at Amazon still cares about Kindle.