Amazon unveils new Kindle Oasis with adjustable color temperature

If Amazon’s Kindle is the lord of eReaders, then the Kindle Oasis is undoubtedly the High King. The premium device offers almost every bell and whistle that avid readers could want in a book-focused tablet. Still, Amazon thinks they can do better. That’s why the company will be selling an improved Kindle Oasis that can adjust the display’s color temperature.

Admittedly, the Kindle Oasis is a very niche device. Starting at US $250, it’s definitely not for everyone. The new Oasis, which goes on sale July 24th, is basically the same device as the current Oasis. The only difference is that the display can now shift its color temperature to a warmer red hue. So why is Amazon releasing a new device with such a minor addition?

Multiple studies have shown that the blue light emitted from the fluorescent or LED backlights commonly used in consumer electronics can actually increase eye fatigue and may even disrupt sleeping patterns. Many smartphones now have software-based settings that slowly shifts the display’s color temperature based on the time of day, turning the screen slightly red as night draws near.

Amazon apparently feels that eReaders can benefit from this feature as well. To be clear, the new Oasis will not shift the color temperature of its screen; after all, the device uses an e-ink screen, which is vastly different from modern LCD or OLED displays. Rather than shining light through the screen, an e-ink display uses small capsules to turn individual pixels black or white, relying on reflected light to make the display visible. The new Oasis will shift the color temperature of the front light used to illuminate the e-ink display. Still, this should reduce eye strain for night readers.

The new Oasis is up for pre-order now and comes in at the same price as the current Oasis. $250 will get an 8 GB model with “special offers” (Amazon’s term for on-display advertisements. An extra $30 is needed to remove the ads. Amazon will also offer a 32 GB model for $280 (with ads) or $300 (no ads). LTE models are also available for

If anything, the new device has already pushed down the price of the current Oasis. Consumers can nab the 8 GB model for $200 today. Alternatively, Rakuten’s Kobo line of eReaders aren’t locked into Amazon’s ecosystem and have offered front lights with adjustable color temperatures for years.