Amazon today unveiled a new version of its Kindle e-reader designed specifically for kids and an updated version of the Fire HD 10 tablet.
The new Kindle Kids Edition continues Amazon’s emphasis on building kid-friendly devices. Amazon makes versions of its Fire HD line of tablets for kids, but this is the first time it has made a Kindle reader designed specifically for children.
The new device costs $110 and starts shipping Oct. 30. It comes with a kid-friendly case, a two-year guarantee and a year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, a service that lets parents pick out books for kids.
The device includes educational tools such as a built-in dictionary for defining complex words, achievement badges for meeting reading goals, enhanced search features and a vocabulary builder with flash cards.
Also shipping Oct. 30 will be the newest version of the Fire HD 10 tablet. Amazon touted a new picture-in-picture feature that lets users stream video on its largest tablet while simultaneously browsing the web or using other apps.
The $149.99 device also features 12 hours of battery life, up from 10 in the previous version. Amazon is offering 32GB and 64GB models, each with a slot for an SD card to add 256GB of space.
“We’ve made our best tablet even better with a faster processor, longer battery life, and faster charging,” said Kevin Keith, Vice President, Amazon Devices. “The all-new Fire HD 10 has everything you need for entertainment with plenty of storage for your favorite videos, games, music, and books at home or on the go—and still under $150.”
Amazon tends to refresh its tablets every two years or so, and the new Fire 10 fits right in with that timeline. Amazon last updated the device two years ago, adding hands-free Alexa integration and dropping price by more than 40 percent.
