A new “top of the line” Kindle is coming next week, according to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. While Amazon’s last Kindle unveiling was full of long-rumored products, this new device comes as a bit of a surprise.
Heads up readers – all-new, top of the line Kindle almost ready. 8th generation. Details next week.
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) April 4, 2016
Bezos’ tweet says this is an eighth generation device, which means it would replace the Kindle Voyage and be the first in a new set of Kindle devices. While details on the new e-readers are non-existent, that hasn’t stopped some fans from speculating.
Kindle + Alexa + Audible books = my literal dream device https://t.co/JqKalIdkSm
— David Pierce (@pierce) April 4, 2016
introducing the kindle pro, a kindle that can replace your laptop https://t.co/mhZZ6Z6zyg
— WhaBoom Smith (@redletterdave) April 4, 2016
However, this will likely be a reading-focused device, as Amazon hasn’t used the Kindle name for its iPad-competing tablet lineup since 2013, instead calling those Android-powered devices just “Fire” tablets.
Bezos’ tweet is an unusual move from Amazon, which doesn’t frequently tease product announcements like this. The Echo, arguably Amazon’s biggest hit in the last few years, just showed up one day with little fanfare from Amazon, as did the follow-up devices. It’s unclear if there will be a press event next week or if it’ll be revealed with a simple press release.
Bezos has had a busy few days on Twitter. Over the weekend, he tweeted updates as his company, Blue Origin, completed a “flawless” test flight of its New Shepard spaceship, including an awesome drone’s-eye video of the whole thing.