The new Kindle from Amazon is the 3rd generation of this popular e-book reader that break all of the price barriers, plus adds some very useful features.

Amazon.com introduced two new Kindle models. The first is the Kindle Wi-Fi. With a price point of $139 with free shipping, it beats all of the name brand competition in its class. The Kindle Wi-Fi is smaller, more lightweight (8.5 ounces), boasts of 50% more contrast than any other e-reader and has increased the storage capacity. The new Kindle can store up to 3,500 books.

The new models also have a WebKit-based browser, which Amazon calls “experimental.” This could mean that Amazon plans to continue to expand the Kindle’s features and may begin to position it against the Apple iPad in the future. At this point, it is an advanced e-reader, but not ready for full competition with Apple’s much higher priced $499 iPad.

The catch with the lower priced Wi-Fi model is that it only works on Wi-Fi networks, and not on the 3G cellular network that drives other Kindle models. That should not be a problem for most users, because Wi-Fi networks can be found in most airports, hotels, Starbucks coffee shops and in many homes and offices. You only need access to a network to purchase and download e-books and news subscriptions.

If you travel a lot and do need access to the 3G network, Amazon introduced a version of the new Kindle called the Free 3G + Wi-Fi that adds that feature at a price tag of $189.

The new Kindle models use a new electronic ink technology that boosts the contrast by 50%, which makes text much easier to read. It also includes crisper fonts and they have increased the page turning time by 20%.

The Kindle allows a user to select from a range of books in the Kindle library and download them to the unit using a Wi-Fi or 3G network. Most books are priced around $9.95, but the Amazon site says, “Over 510,000 books are $9.99 or less, including 80 current New York Times Best Sellers.”

One nice feature is that you can download the first four chapters of most books for free and then decide if you want to purchase the full version later. Amazon claims that there are “Over 630,000 books, including 109 of 111 New York Times Best Sellers.” There is also a collection of 1.8 million pre-1923 free downloadable books whose copyrights have expired. The large selection, plus the new 3,500 book capacity should keep you in reading material even with extended travel.

The Kindle Wi-Fi is available in a graphite-gray color. The Free 3G + Wi-Fi model is available in either graphite or white. This is one of the top gadget gifts for anyone who is a gadget enthusiast, and it is especially desirable for anyone who travels and like to read.

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