Review: Amazon Kindle (2014)

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The journey of Amazon's Kindle eBook reader has been one of constant distillation and simplification. For the past seven years, this device has grown by reducing everything from the number of buttons to the type of functionality it offers. The result is arguably the best and most no-nonsense tool to read on-the-go.

This year's Kindle (Kindle 6) is cheaper, smaller and feels slightly less sturdy than previous models but is also more portable. I've been a fan of eBook readers and it seems I've owned them all. Amazon's Kindle always stood out as the most premium device, it was the most expensive after all, but not anymore. The entry level Amazon Kindle now sells for CAD $79 (now on sale for CAD $64, just for the holidays).

The latest version is an all plastic affair that continues on the voyage of simplification. Aside from the colourful covers Amazon offers, the Kindle itself is a study in spartan design and this is a good thing. This device is for reading eBooks and really nothing more. You can use it as an erstwhile web browser but the experience is less than great. 

What the Kindle offers is the most affordable way to get on the eBook bandwagon for anyone who is invested in Amazon's library of books. Of course, you can also use it to read PDFs and assorted personal documents by emailing these to your Kindle email address, something you receive when you sign up on Amazon with the device.

The benefits of the new Kindle are a completely touch-screen experience which means you only need to tap the screen to move from page to page. You also get a faster processor so turning pages is quick and the display is quite detailed and clear and should work well even in direct sunlight (but if you do a fair bit of reading in the dark, you want to look at the Kindle Paperwhite which has a backlight.)

Amazon also adds some functionality outside of the vanilla reading experience, including Goodreads integration, Vocabulary Builder, Word Wise, Kindle FreeTime which helps younger readers improve reading skills.

The Amazon Kindle is surprising in its simplicity. I've enjoyed using it while commuting. Have taken it to a couple of trips where it slipped conveniently in my jacket pocket and was ready to go when I wanted to catch up on my books. 

One might argue that Kindle's smartphone and tablet apps are just as good an option and add the reader functionality to devices people already have. There's no argument there, the good thing about having a dedicated eBook reader is that if you do read a lot using an e-Ink device is much easier on the eyes and it is also small enough that you can take it anywhere and use it for weeks without needing to charge (while freeing up you smartphone for calls, email and Flappy Bird).

Amazon has made it easier than ever to get into the Kindle game. The latest iteration of the popular reader has all the key features and an even lower price that make it a very enticing gift for the avid reader in your life or a conveninet addition to your collection of personal devices.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5