Amazon’s side-lite Paperwhite Kindle is due for an upgrade and a TechCrunch report claims to have the good on when we’ll see it and what the updated device will entail.

According to the report, Amazon will have a new Paperwhite device on the market some time in Q2 2014. The e-reader, apparently code-named Ice Wine, will feature an upgraded 300ppi (pixels per inch) display and TechCrunch says that they have seen a prototype of the reader in which the display dominates a matte glass body instead of featuring the more traditional plastic construction. It’s said to be lighter than previous models but we’d hate to have to drop a glass-based e-reader.

Changes are reportedly taking place with the Paperwhite’s fonts, with a custom option heading our way, as well as with the page-turning keys on the side which will have a redesign and haptic feedback when the device launches next year. It will also have an ambient light sensor fitted which will adjust the in-device lighting based on current lighting visibility and a redesigned body (aside from the glass construction) which will bring it into line with the Kindle Fire HDX shape.

TechCrunch’s report points out that the prototype could be subject to a redesign between now and its eventual release and also says that Amazon declined to comment when queried about the apparently Paperwhite prototype.

Source: TechCrunch