Amazon is expected to release a new line of Kindle devices when they hold their big Santa Monica, California event later today. Rumors seem to indicate not one, but two new Kindle Fire tablets, as well new versions of the Kindle e-reader. All of this has been expected for a little while now, especially when Amazon mysteriously announced last week that the Kindle Fire was “sold out”.
What wasn’t expected was the ad that aired during last night’s NFL season-opener between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. The ad, which was a full one minute in length, showed the new devices, but gave no information on what exactly they were. However, on closer inspection, there appears to be a larger version of the Fire tablet, perhaps a 10 inch, shown. That would be the biggest bombshell, since it has been reported that Amazon would announce two 7 inch tablets.
What appears to be a 10 inch tablet is shown around the :35 mark of the ad (posted below, and every geek should appreciate the inclusion of the George R. R. Martin book). Amazon has been rumored to be working on a larger version ever since before the original 7 inch was announced, but we have been led to believe that they had deemed it not marketable enough for release.
There have also been some recent leaks of an updated Kindle Touch reader, with a higher-resolution screen. Electonista reports that “The most important change, however, will be the integration of an LED backlight, supposedly combined with battery improvements that allow the unit to go for weeks on a charge, a major selling point over tablets for e-reading purists.”
We will find out later today how close any of this speculation has come to actual reality. The Amazon event kicks off at 10:30 am PDT, 1:30 pm EDT and will be streamed live on the web.