Amazon updates Kindle lineup with flush-front design and haptic tech

Kevin Keith, Amazon’s vice president of devices, explained that the new system uses haptics to detect grip patterns, automatically adjusting the touch-sensitive area to ignore accidental contact. Beyond the design shift, the base 6-inch model has been slimmed down to 6.8 millimeters and weighs 140 grams, with a display that boasts 30% faster page turns. The device is available starting at $149.99 in Ube and Graphite, with a premium aluminum-backed version offering 32GB of storage.

The refresh extends to the Paperwhite and the color-capable Colorsoft models, both adopting the thinner architecture. The Paperwhite, starting at $199.99, features the highest contrast ratio in the current lineup, while the Colorsoft ranges up to $319.99 for the 32GB Signature Edition. Amazon is rolling out these devices across a wide international market, including the U.S., U.K., Japan, and several European and Middle Eastern nations, alongside a continued focus on its Kids-branded hardware.