Amazon recently announced their latest Kindle, know as the Oasis. This time round the hardware is ultra-portable with a thin and light design that’s more than 20% lighter than any other Kindle, you’ll have to double check its in your bag. If you’re pants come with big pockets, you’ll be able to carry it with you everywhere, with the dimensions similar to an oversized wallet.
One of the best parts of the Kindle story is the extended battery life. While the Oasis itself lasts weeks on a single charge, if you leverage the extra battery in the cover, you won’t have to charge the device for months.
The cover also acts as a protective barrier for the eInk display and provides confidence to throw it in a bag without fear of it being damaged.
The Kindle Oasis is a surprisingly delight to use, a result of the engineering efforts to deliver a the e-reader with an incredibly thin display, edge grip with navigation buttons all within a slender 3.4mm package at its thinnest point.
The device tips the scales at just 131 grams, meaning it’ll remain comfortable to hold during extended use, like that often encountered by bookworms.
The lightweight construction is achieved by a featherweight polymer frame plated by metal, the device is not only light, but strong and results in an overall impression of quality construction.
The Oasis, like other Kindles offers plenty of customisation, allowing users to customise the device to make it work exactly as you wish. From adjustments to the font style and size, to the choice between left and right hand orientations, the flexibility offered in the settings are seriously appreciated.
In terms of navigating the device, the UI is simple and purposeful, with the contents of the book appropriately given priority 1. Tapping at the top of the screen exposes the menu in which you can navigate home, search through the content, access the store and settings.
The device even features an experimental browser. While it lacks colour of displays where used to, the layout of web pages is as expected. It may not always save you from taking a laptop on a trip away, but if you had to do some emergency work online, check an email, it’d get the job done, adding value to the Oasis proposition.
Price and Availability
The Kindle Oasis is available now from Officeworks for A$449 RRP.
Overall
When it comes to reading, I do most of mind on large dual-screen monitors and as the hours tick by and night falls, my eyes often protest. The display on the Kindle is fundamentally different technology and means your eyes will be happy, even after hours of reading.
The device offers all the benefits of a book, but none of the draw backs. The light weight gives it the necessary portability, the WiFi connectivity allows you to connect and download additional books, like when you find yourself in an airport facing a long wait.
The extended battery life is really where this device shines and is a welcome break from the usual nightly charge we face with phones and watches.
If you’re a fan of reading, its time to forget the paperbacks and go digital, the Oasis is the perfect replacement. If you really are a reading enthusiast, the sticker price should be justifiable.