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Amazon Fire HD 8 Reader's Edition Merges Tablet, E-Reader

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

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For the indecisive shopper, Amazon this week introduced the Fire HD 8 Reader's Edition.

The device combines the HD color display of the Fire HD 8, a year of Kindle Unlimited, and a limited-edition leather cover for $249.99. The Reader's Edition also throws some Blue Shade, which adjusts the 8-inch HD color display to reduce blue light exposure at night.

Available now for pre-order, the tablet will begin shipping on Dec. 9, leaving plenty of time for wrapping and placing under the tree.

Boasting many of the same features you'd find in other Fire tablets and Kindle e-readers, the Reader's Edition runs a quad-core processor, features front- and rear-facing cameras and all-day battery life, and has room for up to 128GB of expandable storage. The slim, 7.7mm Fire HD comes with a widescreen 1,280-by-800 high-definition display.

It also comes with adjustable Bookerly font, multi-colored highlights, Word Runner, Audible, Whispersync for Voice, Kindle sharing, and Goodreads integration.

If your friends and family aren't really the the reading type, Amazon also offers 8-inch and 10.1-inch Fire HD tablets; the former comes in black, magenta, blue, or tangerine for $149.99, while the larger sibling is available for $229.99 in black or white.

Meanwhile, the bookish Kindle Paperwhite is the best ebook reader you can buy, according to PCMag, which gave Amazon's $119.99 device the Editors' Choice stamp of approval.

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

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