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Amazon’s new Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof for the first time

The e-reader has been updated and is ready for poolside or bath-time reading.
The e-reader has been updated and is ready for poolside or bath-time reading. The e-reader has been updated and is ready for poolside or bath-time reading.

Amazon has updated its Kindle Paperwhite e-reader, making the device waterproof for the first time and adding audiobook compatibility from Audible.

The new Paperwhite will start at £119 when it goes on sale on November 7, and support for Amazon-owned Audible will enable users to switch between reading on the screen and listening to audiobook narration – with Bluetooth support allowing users to connect to headphones and speakers.

(Amazon)
(Amazon) (Amazon)

The company introduced waterproofing on its Kindle Oasis device last year.

Amazon has also increased the storage space in the device – doubling the base model to 8GB and offering 32GB for those with a particularly big reading habit.

Eric Saarnio, head of Amazon Devices in Europe, said: “Customers love the Kindle Paperwhite, and we’re excited to bring premium features — like a thinner and lighter flush-front design, additional storage, waterproofing and Audible — to our most popular Kindle.

“With the all-new Kindle Paperwhite, it’s never been easier to get lost in the author’s story, no matter where you go.”

The new Paperwhite also features an improved display with five LEDs and an adjustable front light to ensure a better reading experience in any light conditions, Amazon says.

(Amazon)
(Amazon) (Amazon)

Software features such as reference tool X-Ray and the Smart Lookup dictionary are also part of the new Paperwhite.

Despite the evolution of the smartphone and tablet, Amazon says e-readers remain popular products.

The tech giant said users are reading more pages on Kindle than ever, and the company’s annual Prime Day sales event in July was the highest sales day ever for Kindle devices.