In an announcement made Tuesday Amazon revealed the launch of an all new Kindle Paperwhite, one of the company's top selling eBook readers.

The all new Kindle Paperwhite is the sixth generation of the Kindle eBook reader. The recently launched device features a new display technology with higher contrast, next generation built-in light, faster processor along with all-new reading features like Kindle Page Flip, Goodreads, Kindle FreeTime, Smart Lookup, Vocabulary Builder, and more.

"Kindle is the best-selling e-reader in the world for six years running," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO in a press release. "No one is investing on behalf of readers or pushing the boundaries of hardware, software and content for readers like this team: the new Kindle Paperwhite has brand-new display technology, the next generation of our built-in light, a faster processor, plus all of the exclusive benefits of the Kindle ecosystem like Kindle MatchBook, Kindle Owners' Lending Library, over 400,000 exclusive titles, Goodreads, Kindle Singles, Kindle Worlds, Kindle FreeTime, and much more."

It boasts of a 25 per cent faster processor - 1GHz compared to the original Paperwhite's 800MHz, bringing the new e-reader in line with the current generation available from Sony and Kobo, both of which have had 1GHz for some time. According to Amazon, it has a 19 per cent tighter touch grid for more accurate touchscreen control, as well as an updated built-in light that diffuses light more evenly across the surface.

Two versions of the newly launched eBook reader is available - the Wi-Fi version for US$139 without special offers and the 3G version for US$209.

Amazon has also allowed international customers to pre-order the device along with its American customers. The Wi-Fi version is available for pre-order from the Amazon website for international customers, including Australia. The 3G version isn't available yet, but it's expected to arrive by November.