Credit : Engadget.com

At the ongoing Amazon’s Santa Monica,  press conference, the ecommerce giant officially announced, the Kindle Paperwhite, a new “frontlit” e-ink Kindle, with a sharper display, the device will compete with Barnes & Noble’s Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight device.

The Kindle Paperwhite 3G is priced at US $179 and US $119 for Wi-Fi only, its close competitor, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Simple Touch retails at US $139 for the Wi-Fi only version. The Kindle Paperwhite will ship on October 1 and pre-orders start today.

The Kindle Paperwhite contrast is increased by 25% more than the screens on the  existing Kindle models and features a 62% higher-resolution display. It measures in at 9.1 mm with a thin bezel and weighs in at 7.5 ounces.