Kindle's Answer to the Leather Bound Book

Tech blogs are abuzz today talking about a surprise new announcement from Amazon. Yesterday the tech giant announced the refresh to their popular Kindle e-reader line. Both the standard Kindle and premium Kindle Paperwhite will be receiving a boost in their processors and screen resolutions. Both models will also be receiving a significant increase in storage, allowing the largest of e-libraries to be housed on a single device locally.

The biggest piece of news from the press event was the announcement of a new, unexpected e-reader to be added to the line: The Amazon Kindle Voyage.

Touted as the "Rolls Royce" of e-readers. The $200 device offers the exact same functionality as the much cheaper Kindle Paperwhite, with a fun additional, premium features. These features include a glass screen (rather than treated plastic), a gorgeous new body, an ambient light sensor and a new way to "interact with contact" called PagePress.

PagePress will allow readers to squeeze either side of the Voyage to turn a digital page. This removes the necessity to swipe or reach across the device when holding the device with one hand. Also added with the PagePress is a small motor that will provide "tactile" "haptic" feedback upon turning a page. It has been described as pleasant and not distracting.

What is interesting to me about this device is that it offers absolutely no additional functionality than the model that is over $100 less. Other than a few premium features and a very different looking back, the three devices look near identical (as seen above - Kindle on left, Paperwhite center, Voyage on Right). Amazon touts the Voyage as "the e-reader you display on your coffee table."

Considering out discussions in class about the pride we feel displaying books in libraries or special hard bound editions of certain volumes; do we think that a higher end container for your digital, non enhanced content is worthwhile? Is anyone interested this product? Are we surprised as reading habits evolve that such a device would emerge?