Wireless E-reader Kindle Oasis Offers Voice Connectivity and Text-to-Speech Feature
The latest Amazon Kindle Oasis, as revealed in FCC filings, includes Bluetooth connectivity and text-to-speech capabilities, although these features are not yet activated by Amazon. The hope is that a future firmware update may provide users with the ability to connect to wireless speakers or purchase a case equipped with integrated speakers.
Priced at $359 with the case or $289 with Special Offers, the Kindle Oasis stands as Amazon's costliest six-inch device to date. Although many users have expressed reservations about its suitability for their needs, there is speculation that the addition of Bluetooth or a speaker-equipped case might alter their perspectives.
The last Amazon Kindle to offer audio support was the Kindle Touch, released in 2011. The omission of audio functionality has been a notable impediment to the widespread adoption of Kindle devices in schools, as the National Federation of the Blind contends that it leaves visually impaired individuals unable to utilize the device effectively.
It remains uncertain whether Amazon will release a firmware update to enable Bluetooth or a case with integrated speakers. Notably, current Kindle hardware focuses on affordability and a streamlined user experience over premium audio accessories, according to recent sources. Once current inventory is depleted, the Kindle Oasis will no longer be restocked, as Amazon has shifted its device strategy away from physical buttons and toward touch-based designs.
As the editor-in-chief at our platform, Michael Kozlowski has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. His articles have been featured by various renowned publications such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post, and the New York Times, among others. He resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Kindle Oasis, equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and text-to-speech capabilities, might spark interest in e-reader users who seek gadgets compatible with wireless speakers. Despite the promise of a future firmware update, current Kindle hardware predominantly prioritizes affordability and streamlined user experiences over e-reader accessories like smartphone-compatible gadgets or audio systems.
