We finally have a color Kindle as the entire e-reader lineup updates

If you’re connected to the Kindle scene even a little bit, you’re aware that the anticipation surrounding the new Kindle e-readers has been rising to a fever pitch over the last few months. It all started back in February when a Taiwanese tech analyst predicted the next batch of Kindles would have color screens. Then, in late September, the FCC published a filing from Kindle for two new devices. From there, rumors started swirling online for an October 16 release, and a number of leaks along the way gave credence to these rumors. Finally, after months of speculation, the long-rumored Kindles are finally official.

Kindle Colorsoft

Let’s start with the most interesting device, the new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. It’s priced at $280 and has 32GB of storage. It has USB-C and wireless charging and has a battery that Kindle claims will last up to eight weeks. It has a cool-to-warm front light and an IPX8 waterproof build. The Colorsoft offers a 7-inch screen that is based on E Ink’s Kaleido 3 tech, with some significant changes. Amazon tells us that it’s using a bespoke frontlight setup with nitride LEDs (they emit a broader spectrum of light) with a “special color coating [to] focus light through individual pixels.” Amazon says this will improve the Colorsoft’s optical performance and frontlight efficiency. Amazon has also made some custom hardware changes to allow for more color contrast and lower latency. If you want the Colorsoft, you’ll have to wait until the end of the month since it will officially release on October 30th.