Amazon India launches Kindle Fire HD, Paperwhite

Just a week after rolling out its online marketplace in India, online retail giant Amazon has launched its Kindle series of tablets and e-reader in the country. The company has brought the Kindle Fire HD tablets and Kindle Paperwhite e-book reader in the market, with prices varying between Rs 10,999 and Rs 21,999. 

Amazon India also said it has bolstered its India Kindle Store that was launched in August last year, alongside the original Kindle e-reader. 

The Kindle Fire HD has a 7-inch screen,Kindle Fire HD 8.9 has an 8-inch display. Both the devices run on Android operating system and have access to Amazon App Store and Kindle Store. The 16GB Kindle Fire HD has been priced at Rs 15,999, while its 32GB version costs Rs 18,999. Similarly, the 16 and 32GB variants of Kindle Fire HD 8.9 have been launched at Rs 21,999 and Rs 25,999. 

Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite e-reader will be available in India in Wi-Fi as well as Wi-Fi+3G models. The former will cost Rs 10,999, whereas the latter can be purchased at Rs 13,999. 

"Not only does Kindle Fire feature advanced hardware, it's also a service, "said Dave Limp, vice president, Amazon Kindle. "We hope our customers in India will agree that Kindle Fire HD is the best tablet for a great price." 

"Indian customers are passionate about books and reading, and we're very excited to make the best-selling e-readers in the world—Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite—available to our Amazon.in customers," said Amit Agarwal, vice president and country manager, Amazon India. 

These devices will be available the Amazon.in website, as well as the company's retail partnersCroma, Reliance Digital, e-Zone and Vijay Sales. The online giant will start delivering the two models in India June 27. 

While launching the new tablets and e-readers, Amazon slashed the price of the original Kindle e-reader in India. The device was rolled out in India at Rs 6,999, but now officially costs Rs 5,999.