So this morning Amazon announced its new Kindle Paperwhite.  According to the site, the new features are:

• new display technology
• 25% faster processor
• better touch technology
• next generation built-in light
• Kindle Page Flip – easier navigation
• smart lookup – dictionary is now integrated into X-Ray
• vocabulary builder
• GoodReads integration (Amazon recently bought the company)

For me, the most exciting of these is the GoodReads integration. It looks awesome

I love GoodReads and the integration will be very welcome.  One thing I cannot see from the images is whether or not the screen is flush with the bezel as it is in the new Kobo Aura.  That is a design feature I would love – I’m sure I’ve several biscuits worth of crumbs caught in the bezel.

For us Canadians, it’s also exciting to see that the new Paperwhite is available for order from Amazon.ca at the same time as Amazon.com.  Excellent.  It’s good to feel less and less like the country cousin.

One very disappointing thing is that it still does not provide audiobook support.

The other thing announced this morning – thanks to Bufo Calvin of I Love My Kindle for bringing it to my attention – is MatchBook.  Amazon states that for thousands of qualifying books, your past, present, and future print-edition purchases will soon allow you to buy the Kindle edition for $2.99, $1.99, $0.99, or free.  That is absolutely incredible news.  I’ve bought few print books since I bought my Kindle, but anything would be welcome.

Once again though, MatchBook seems to be US only <sigh>

So let me know – will you be picking up the new Paperwhite or holding out?