Feb 27, 2017 05:22 PM
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WHAT IS THE KINDLE(2016)?
Eager to get an e-reader, but want to save some cash and so aren’t fussed about fancy additions? The budget Kindle(2016) from Amazon might be the perfect way to move on from your dusty collection of hardbacks.
Amazon’s bottom-of-the-range e-reader lacks features such a high-resolution display and the backlight that you’ll find on the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Voyage, but it’s still an impressive gateway into the online shopping giant’s fantastic Kindle ecosystem.
KINDLE(2016) – DESIGN
Like any device that’s been put together for the budget market, the latest Kindle can’t match its more illustrious siblings when it comes to design. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, there’s something about the rugged nature of this cheaper model that almost makes it better.
I worry about my Kindle Oasis when I throw it in my bag. It’s a delicate, expensive device that I don’t want to ruin. But the Kindle(2016) feels different. It’s chunky without being thick, and it feels tough. The durable plastic exterior doesn’t feel cheap, and the few occasions when I've dropped it already haven’t resulted in any damage.
The sides are rounded, making it easy to hold, and it’s very light. It’s the lightest out of all the Kindles at a mere 161g. By comparison, the Kindle Voyage tips the scales at 181g, while the Kindle Paperwhite weighs 205g.
It’s marginally smaller that the Voyage, but it’s thicker. If you’re so inclined, you can slip it in a back pocket without too much issue.
Unlike the Oasis or Voyage, there are no physical buttons here, since all the navigation is handled via the responsive touchscreen. Personally, I prefer the feedback of some clicky buttons when I’m flicking through pages, but costs have clearly had to be cut.
And, well, that’s about it. There’s a single button on the bottom for switching the device on and a Micro USB charging port next to it. It’s about as basic as you can get, but that’s the point. This is a reading device, nothing else.
One annoyance: I'm not a fan of the in-your-face Amazon branding on the Kindle's rear – it’s obnoxious and pointless. Older versions just had Kindle emblazoned upon them, and that was so much nicer.
KINDLE(2016) – BATTERY LIFE
Judging battery life on a Kindle is tough, because they’re all so good. These are devices that shouldn’t be charged every day or every night, but every month.
Amazon’s cagey about stating firm figures regarding exactly how much time you should get between charges, merely stating "it lasts weeks" – but don’t let that worry you. I’ve been using the Kindle(2016) for a couple of weeks now, after initially charging to 100%, and the battery indicator has depleted by little more than a quarter. I’d say you’ll get between three weeks and a month of juice with an hour or so of reading per day.
The lack of backlight helps to extend battery life further. Really, I've never pulled a Kindle out of my bag and found it dead. I can’t say the same for a phone or tablet.
Charging is via Micro USB, and you get a cable in the box. It doesn’t come with a mains adapter, though, so you’ll have to use the one from your phone or just plug it into a computer.
KINDLE(2016) – OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
The great thing – or worst, depending on your feelings – about the Kindle is that, in terms of software, all the models are exactly the same.
Whether you pick up this budget Kindle(2016) or spend more on a Paperwhite or Oasis, the overall look and functionality of the software remains the same.
Updated earlier in 2016, the Kindle homescreen is about as functional as it's ever been. You get a quick glance at the books you’re currently reading, suggested reads at the bottom, integration to Goodreads, and quick access to the fantastic Kindle Store. There’s a handy search box, too, which not only finds content that you’ve already downloaded but searches across the whole book store.
Amazon’s huge e-book library is the single biggest reason to pick up a Kindle over a Kobo or Nook. It isn't just the book selection, but the extras, too.
THAT'S ALL MY FRIENDS. I TRIED TO GIVE EVERY POSSIBLE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE ABOUT IT NOW ITS ALL ON YOU WHETHER YOU WANT TO BUY IT OR NOT.
