Amazon has made a significant but quiet change to its product lineup that is sending ripples through the community of avid readers: the Kindle Oasis, known for its luxurious reading experience, is no longer available for purchase. This move by the retail giant has left many customers speculating about the future of high-end e-readers at Amazon and what this could mean for the digital reading landscape.
A Quiet Farewell to a Reader Favorite
The Kindle Oasis, priced around $250 for its base model, stood out in the Kindle family for its premium features. It boasted an asymmetrical backing, physical buttons for effortless page-turning, a larger and brighter display, and a sleek glass and metal design. In contrast, the more budget-friendly Kindle Paperwhite retails at about $150, but lacks the upscale characteristics that defined the Oasis.
Amazon has Discontinued Kindle Oasis Standing Covers https://t.co/vaA3GSEEFC pic.twitter.com/GbH5qXBpHU
— John V Prath (@writerjvp) December 3, 2017
The decision to stop selling the Oasis was not accompanied by a formal announcement from the e-commerce giant, leaving users to notice its absence from comparison charts and its unavailability on the website. One Reddit user lamented, “The retailer has removed Kindle Oasis from its comparison chart. Oasis is also not available to buy on its website. I have this device and I love it! It’s really hard to see it getting discontinued. The company has not yet announced any replacement.
Speculation and Sentiment Among Users
The discontinuation has sparked a wave of disappointment among Kindle enthusiasts, particularly those who valued the Oasis for its unique design and usability. “It’s a bummer…I love my Oasis! it’s so convenient to hold!” shared one user, capturing the sentiment of many. Others are holding out hope for a new model that retains beloved features, particularly the physical page-turning buttons, which have become a hallmark of the Oasis experience.
Despite the phasing out of the Oasis, Amazon continues to offer the Kindle Scribe, its most premium e-reader to date, which features a large display and note-taking capabilities, priced at $419. However, it too lacks the page-turning buttons, leaving a gap in the market for those who prefer this feature.
The Future of Amazon’s Kindle Line
As the digital reading community reacts to the Oasis’ discontinuation, questions abound regarding Amazon’s strategy for its e-reader lineup. Will there be a new addition to the Kindle family that bridges the gap between functionality and luxury, or is this a strategic shift away from high-end models? Amazon has remained tight-lipped, offering no official comments on future plans for its Kindle series.
The Kindle has revolutionized reading, making it accessible and convenient, with millions sold since its launch in 2007. The discontinuation of the Oasis marks the end of an era for a device that not only provided a premium reading experience but also became a beloved companion to its many users.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Amazon will adapt its Kindle offerings to meet the changing needs and preferences of its global readership. For now, the Kindle community waits with bated breath for what might come next, hoping for another model that will continue the legacy of the Kindle Oasis.
