Looks like good news is coming next week for book lovers, as Amazon just announced that it will be launching the eighth-generation Kindle. The device, which is set to replace the Voyage as Amazon's top-tier dedicated e-reader, was announced by none other than the CEO himself, Jeff Bezos.
In a rather brief tweet, Bezos simply announced that the all-new, premium Kindle is up for unveiling the following week. The exact date, however, was not announced by the CEO.
Heads up readers – all-new, top of the line Kindle almost ready. 8th generation. Details next week.
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) April 4, 2016
Considering the date of the device's launch, it seems like Amazon is attempting to do something a bit different. Kindles have usually been unveiled sometime in September, or at least June, like what the company did last year with the Kindle Paperwhite update.
Nevertheless, the news of a new Kindle e-reader from the e-commerce giant has gotten a significant number of fans very excited. After all, the upcoming launch will unveil the company's successor to the Kindle Voyage, which was lauded for its premium feel and features but criticized for its steep price.
Thus, with the launch of the upcoming flagship e-reader, Amazon might be able to create a product that offers a premium product that is both admirable in features as well as price. Fans, for one, have been clamoring for a number of notable upgrades to the ubiquitous e-reader.
Speculations about the upgrades included in the new device include integration with Amazon's Alexa, as well as an improved screen that offers a warm tone which is very similar to how real pages look like.
The e-reader market peaked years ago, with sales of dedicated devices seeing a steep decline over the years. Despite this trend, however, Amazon's Kindles have remained very resilient. In fact, the Kindle line is so stable, the Paperwhite, Amazon's mid-tier e-reader, is selling so well that it ranks as the sixth best-selling product in the e-commerce giant's online store. The entry-level Kindle, which does not even have a backlight, is also performing well, ranking 26th on the list, while the top-tier Voyage stands at the 30th spot.
Thus, if Amazon unveils an e-reader that is worthy of the Kindle line, the company might very well end up with yet another winner in its hands.
Customers who are not very keen on getting the latest Kindles are set to receive pretty good deals, as well, since Amazon has already slashed the price of its current-generation devices in its online store. The Voyage, for one, which usually sells for $200, is now on sale for $150.
