Amazon Oasis E-Reader Grey 32GB

Just short of ten years from the date Amazon introduced the very first Amazon this 9th generation Kindle has been released. Amazon called their new device a Kindle, meaning ‘to light a fire’. (original release date was November 19, 2007; this new model October 31, 2017). Like the original Oasis this is Amazon’s most expensive model, but in my opinion the new features of this Oasis do justify the higher price. Customers asked Amazon for a larger display, for a waterproof Kindle, for audiobook capability – and this new model has all of those features, and more. WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE NEW OASIS? The larger display may be the most immediately noticeable difference, and the waterproof capability may be the most significant for many users, and many users will cheer that they can finally play their audiobooks with this Kindle, but for me the biggest difference is that unlike the original Oasis (https://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Oasis-reader-Leather-Charging/dp/B015YKFBC2/) with the battery contained in both the Oasis and the cover, the battery for this new model is fully enclosed in the Oasis itself. This means that you can use any cover you want, and finally I have an Oasis that has a cover that folds ‘origami’ style so I can read when eating or at my desk, just like my trusty old Voyage (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IOY8XWQ/). The key differences are the following: -- larger display, 7” vs 6” for all other current Kindle models (the early Kindle DX, discontinued in 2014, had a 9.7” display). -- the display has more elements (12 vs 10 LEDs in original Oasis) for better lighting uniformity -- display brightness range is about 10% greater (brightest level is higher) -- lighting is adaptive with 2 ambient sensors (the Voyage has this capability too, but not the original Oasis) -- waterproof (first time for any Kindle) -- audiobook capability (see more detailed discussion later in this review) -- greater storage capability for both Kindle books and audiobooks – 8 or 32 GB (vs 4 GB for other Kindles) -- beautiful metal (aluminum) construction, looks and feels great -- covers now provide ‘origami’ folding capability for reading -- software updates provide greater variation in font sizes (14 sizes vs 8 previously) and boldness can now be varied for all fonts (5 levels of boldness; previously Amber Bold was the sole font available with Bold) -- now uses 4G LTE connectivity if that version is purchased (previously 3G) -- Amazon says this new Oasis has faster page turns (they claim up to 20% faster) due to software and display improvements (and maybe a better processor?) -- the battery is entirely within the Oasis USING THE NEW OASIS The larger size is immediately noticeable and for some people I am guessing that the 6” Kindle models may be more comfortable in the hand. I can barely reach across the face of the Oasis to pick it up, but when holding it in my hand it is comfortable and light weight. This new Oasis uses the same shape as the earlier Oasis, with a ‘bump’ in the rear of the device that shifts the weight to one side. The page turn buttons are located on that side as well, so the display will automatically ‘flip’ if the Oasis is turned to hold in one hand or another. HOW GOOD IS THE NEW DISPLAY? All of the earlier lighted Kindle models have had various issues with uneven lighting and customer complaints that the source of the lighting at the side or bottom of the display was distracting. I have one of the first generation Paperwhite models, a Voyage, and the original Oasis, and I’ve never been bothered by the lighting or had some of the issues that some customers have experienced, but I could detect the lighting sources for those earlier models. With this new Oasis, I’ve tried very hard to see if the LEDs can be detected and I do not see anything whatsoever. It is terrific, uniformly illuminated and with a glare-free display that works well indoors or outdoors. WATERPROOF?

This Oasis has a waterproof rating of IPX8 which translates to protection against immersion of 1 meter or more (Amazon states up to 2 meters for 60 minutes in fresh water). I have noticed that when inserting the usb cable to charge this Oasis, it requires a more forceful push to fully engage the cable, which suggests to me that there is an internal protection within the charging port to keep water out. Amazon provides instructions with the Oasis for drying it out if it is submerged or becomes wet. No, I have not tried soaking my Oasis in the bathtub to see if it still works afterwards! I prefer to take Amazon’s word for it! AUDIOBOOK CAPABILITY! Amazon has had Bluetooth built into a couple of recent models, for example the current basic Kindle model has Bluetooth and can be paired with a speaker to use text-to-speech. However this is the only current model to include the ability to download Audible audiobooks onto the Oasis and then play them with paired speakers or headphones / earbuds. Once the Oasis is paired with a Bluetooth audio device, then the Oasis can be used to store audiobooks and play them whenever desired. This audiobook capability is the reason Amazon made this Oasis available with significantly more storage space than other Kindles – 8 or 32 GB vs 4 GB for all other Kindles. EXPENSIVE BUT THE OPTIONS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE I paid $309.99 for my previous Oasis, which included the leather case, without special offers and wi-fi only. This new Oasis has a ‘base price’ of $249.99 but depending upon how you configure it, the price can be much higher: -- $20 to remove special offers -- $30 to upgrade to 32 GB storage -- $44.99 for fabric cover -- $59.99 for leather cover -- $50.00 for wi-fi + cellular connectivity but if the Oasis is purchased this way then it automatically bundles with the 32 GB storage and removes special offers (separately those total $50) Some examples of Oasis prices would therefore be: -- least expensive Oasis = $294.98 (base Oasis, 8 GB, wi-fi only, special offers, fabric cover) -- least expensive Oasis with leather cover = $309.98 (base Oasis, 8 GB, wi-fi only, special offers, leather cover) -- most expensive Oasis = $409.98 (base Oasis, 32 GB, wi-fi + cellular, without special offers, leather cover) A charger / power adaptor is not included. Amazon’s own 5W model is $19.99 and is a bit expensive. An equally capable charger can be purchased here on Amazon for much less.