Amazon"s entry into the tablet market will also be joined by two new versions of its Kindle e-reader, at least according to the latest Internet rumor: The Wall Street Journal reports via unnamed sources that the Amazon tablet and the new editions of the Kindle should be released in October. The tablet itself will have a nine-inch touch screen and run on the Android operating system, according to the story.
The two new versions of the Kindle will still have black and white screens. One will simply be an "improved" version of the current Kindle device, but the article doesn"t got into detail on how it will be improved. The other version of the Kindle will have a touch screen. That should make the device similar to the Nook Color, the recently launched e-reader from book seller Barnes and Noble that reportedly is now outselling the Kindle. Pricing for the Amazon tablet and the two new Kindle products were not mentioned in the report
In related news Amazon.com has now offered yet another version of its current Kindle device. It has a lowered price version of the Kindle with included free 3G wireless access for $139. The catch is that you have to deal with ads and "special offers" that are displayed on the bottom of the Kindle"s screen. This is similar to the non-3G version that also offers ads for $114. You can still purchase the non-ad filled version of the Kindle 3G for $189.