Update: The color Kindle has arrived. It has surprised many that the latest Kindle takes the form of not an e-ink based device, but instead a multi-functional portable tablet PC, and it’s name is Kindle Fire.
Gone is the monochrome display, and in is bright color (16 million colors to be precise).
This is the cheap tablet many people have been waiting for. But it isn’t the color e-ink that many wanted. Instead we have an entry level tablet that will do all those tablet type things we expect from something much more expensive (watch movies, listen to music, read books, play games, surf the net etc). You can read all about the Kindle Fire Tablet in our more recent post.
Back to our original article:
We all want to know the Color Kindle 4 Release Date. But we know that there won’t be any announcements just yet. New Kindle Readers tend to be released during the summer so we expect any news is likely in July. For now though at least we at last know that a Kindle in color is a real possibility.
Color E-Ink or LCD Color Kindle Tablet?
Jeff Bezos (Amazon CEO) is still saying that color e-ink still isn’t quite up to the standard he would like to see in any dedicated ebook reader. But that won’t stop a color Kindle being developed; its just that is more likely to be an entry level tablet, that will be sold alongside the monochrome Kindle readers we are already familiar with. This would create a range, more like that of the Nook. Of course, though the latest introduction of the Simple Nook Touch Reader is making waves, so perhaps, alongside a color Kindle tablet, we will see a swift move to a touch-screen Kindle 3 as well.
At CES 2011 in Vegas Hanvon introduced the world to its first full color electronic ink eReader. Does that mean we will see a Kindle with full color soon? Well who knows, but it certainly looks that way as so many people do want to read in color. However the issue is likely to be whether consumers actually find color e-ink acceptable. Yes over 4000 colors can be displayed and the images are very sharp. But unlike back-lit displays there is not the same brightness or saturation we have come to accept. Nor can the refresh speed cope with animations or the like.
It seems there will still be a place for back-lit e-readers for those that want brighter colors. Still though the option of a color Kindle will be widely welcomed by some. We just hope they aren’t disappointed that it won’t look like an iPad!
Until late in 2010 it seemed that e-ink would remain excellent but monochrome. The fantastic news that E-ink Triton – a full color version of the easy on the eye electronic ink display was greeted with excitement by those that want ebook readers to move forwards but do not want to choose the bright, but power hungry LCD back-lit displays used in tablet PCs.
Color Triton displays can still perform with excellent battery life like the current Pearl versions and there is no glare associated with them. If you want color without the bright lights of a tablet you might just love it. But don’t get your hopes up just yet. Hanvon are not planning on selling their new color ebook reader in the US so it looks like we will have to wait for Amazon to bring us a color Kindle release date before we can see what we really think of Triton displays in practice.
Will You Buy a Color Kindle?
This is what our readers answered:
Would You Be Interested in a Kindle With Color Display?
- Yes (97%, 3,390 Votes)
- No (3%, 116 Votes)
Total Voters: 3,506
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Let me know!!!
Needs to have colour. Please mail me when in stock
Color is important when buying books for young children’s books. I am trying to decide if I want to stay with the kindle for my 8 12 year old or defect to the nook with B&N. Christmas is our deadline since I don’t want to take 10-20 books on the airplane with us on vacation. No room in the suitcases.
let me know, please!
The sooner the better! Have held off buying a Kindle because only in B&W. For guide books/magazines/non-fiction I am not prepared to give up colour for the convenience of an eBook.
I want an affordable colour e-reader for business PDF books and files such as excel and dashboards. I would use the reader as a manual to learn from whilst practicing on the pc. He reader would also be use by my daughter for school work in a similar way. There would be a definite need for it to be wifi equipped but not for 3G. iPhone/iPod still very good for this when pc not needed.
Let me know
let me know too!!! i’ve been googling it every day.
Look forward to hear that.
Love my Kindle, only wish it were in color!
Yes, please, I want to know!
Would like to know the release date for the new color Kindle when it is available.
Thanks!
Looking forward to hear about the release date as I plan to buy this version!
I would love a new kindle in color!!
color –and touch pad!
Hi,
I was wonder if color Kindle have wifi and free 3G? Battery Life? I need more information on the spec…..before I decide to order it or not?
I love the idea. Have they ever thought about using this color e-ink in cell phones to reduce eye strain and extend battery life?
Sort of a Kindle phone for die hard readers.
I am waiting for a e-ink technology e-book reader, in colors! I have to read scientific papers (pdf) that have color charts and it would be great to be able to stop printing. Can’t wait!
I’ve been wanting to buy a Kindle for a while now for college ebooks but been holding off since it is only B&W. I’m a Photography major and a color Kindle would really help me out. Please let me know when the Color Kindle is available!!! Thanks!!!
let me know toooooooooo!!!
Please let me know when you release the color kindle
The colour Kindle would be ideal for nature guides like bird and flower identification guides. Video is not as important as colour and the usual reading environment is outdoors–where e-ink shines. When I hike and backpack I want to take pounds of guide books [trails, birds, flowers, trees, insects, geology, weather, local history] and always have to cut back because of the weight. Also, since the Kindle is a low power device a simple, light-weight solar cell charger, used for a short time daily, should be enough to keep it fully charged.
I am waiting to buy an e-reader until a colour kindle is available. Not only the ability to read/see pictures, charts, etc. in colour but the ability to download from audible.com. A colour kindle would solve all my reading needs.
Looking forward to the color Kindel!!!!!
YES! Please let me know when you release the color Kindle…this is me… waiting patiently… THANK YOU!
Please let me know the release date.
To be notified about the release date would be great.
Please notify me when a release date is set. The only reason I haven’t purchased a kindle yet is due to the lack of color. I would gladly fork over the money to get a 3G capable color kindle.
Let me know please.
Let me know also. Very interesting.
Please advise when Kindle Color is released
Please let me know when the Kindle Color will be available. Thank you.
Please advise when Kindle Color is released.
i want to know when it is going to be released
I would like to know too thanks
I like the kindle 3 and am waiting for the kindle 4 before I buy so that i can be certain I have the one i really want. please notify me when it is available.
Would be very interested in a release date
Yes, COLOR and TOUCHPAD —- let me know!
Let me know!
Please let me know the color Kindle release date I’m ACHING for a color version.
Please let me know when the color Kindle becomes available. Thanks a bunch!
I want a color kindle!!
Please let me know.
Will it also be touch screen?
Please let me know via e-mail when it is available for purchase. Thanks.
Please let me know via e-mail when it is available for purchase. Thanks.
I would really like to know the release date for the color kindle… Thankx, i will be waiting for it ^_^
please keep me in the loop too!
I would love to know when the color Kindle will be available – Thanks
Please let me know also
I see other E tablet with color at an affordable price. I hope they keep the same price as the regular. I will not buy if it is too expensive.
I would love one, but will not buy if it is too expensive! Keep the price as the other Kindles.
Please let me know, have been holding off until the color is released.