Amazon Kindles are very versatile devices. You can take them on a plane with you or just relax by the pool as you read your favorite books. However, if you dropped the Kindle in the pool, you’d probably end up having to buy a new one. Despite making several improvements to Kindles over the years, Amazon never really made them “waterproof.” The company is rectifying that today with the launch of the new Kindle Oasis.
The Kindle Oasis was first launched last year as a new premium model. The upgraded model has a slightly larger 7 inch display with an aluminum back. Amazon has been able to fit a bigger battery inside the device while keeping the tapered side at 3.4 millimeters.
The Kindle Oasis has a thicker side that tapers down on the other side for easier one-handed use. It has the same 300 ppi e-paper display but the brightness has been improved courtesy of new LED lights. There are ambient light sensors to adjust the brightness automatically.
This is the first Kindle device from Amazon to feature an IPX8 rating. It provides protection in up to two meters of fresh water for up to 60 minutes. The Kindle Oasis has been built to withstand getting splashed at the beach or dropped in the pool.
The Oasis also comes with a built-in Audible app so users who like audiobooks will like this a lot. Since it doesn’t have speakers, they will have to stream to Bluetooth speakers or headphones.
Amazon’s new Kindle Oasis costs $299 and will be released on October 31st.