The Kindle Stirs Interest For Me

If you consider yourself a technophile then you probably already heard, seen, maybe even ordered Amazon's wireless reading device, called the Kindle. I think this is extraordinque because while e-books have been on the market for many years and Amazon sells books online in many different formats, the Kindle is a revolutionary device that may allow people to read books, newspapers and other traditional and new media content (blogs, for example) in a way that "looks and reads like real paper."

What I love about this product is it does not require a computer. It has no cables and doesn't require you to synch up in order to get the content you'd like. This reading device is completely wireless allowing you access to more than 90,000 books online to purchase and download. There are even free book samples to "try before you buy" the whole book.

This device with an electronic-paper display offers a high-resolution for easy reading; holds over 200 titles and is lighter and thinner than a typical paperback at only 10.3 ounces! You also get access to 250 top blog feeds and the New York Times, Wall Street Journal as well as top business magazines like TIME and Forbes.

All of this content is delivered wirelessly via WIFI. You can even access Wikipedia online to view the most up-to-date encyclopedia.

This device is an interesting development for Amazon, the leading seller of books and newspaper/magazine subscriptions. The Kindle positions Amazon now to offer books and other publications like Apple did with music through iTunes and the iPod. Offering a proprietary device that delivers this content to you digitally is a major step for Amazon to maintain ownership of this marketshare.

To me, this is a sign of the times and while competing with already in-use internet-enabled WIFI devices like the web-friendly iPhone, this move for Amazon is very telling where the future is headed for books, reading and accessing content from anywhere, anytime, without tethers thanks to WIFI.

I am also encouraged that this is a direction that may be adopted as a true paperless option for publishers making this a good clean alternative for the environment as well.

PS - As of today, the Kindle is temporarily sold out. Amazon notes that you can place your order now to reserve your "place in line" for the next available. Amazon notes the Kindle will not arrive by December 25 and cannot be sold or shipped to customers living outside the U.S.

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