Jeff Bezos, Amazon's CEO, sounds like he has a new idea that will change the world of books (as he has already done once before). This time it sounds like something that could change the whole concept of the book- from a simple, ages old sacred source of knowledge into yet another electronic device.
But here's the catch- it's supposed to be that simple. Amazon designed the "Kindle" to be simple, lightweight, and feel like a book, rather than a notebook computer. It runs quietly, without heating up, and should have long battery life just like a book is accessible at any time. Best of all, using a special technology the Kindle mimes the clarity of a printed book, and the print can also be enlarged for those of us who are approaching far-sightedness.
The Kindle can hold 200 titles onboard, hundreds more on removable media and a limitless amount in Amazon's virtual library. But it isn't being promoted as a device like as much as a service; the "Whispernet" service is based on EVDO broadband service accessible through cell phone carriers, allowing it to work anywhere (not just in Wi-Fi hotspots).
The Kindle itself is expected to cost around $400, with a separate charge for the broadband service. Who knows if this idea will catch on, and when, but it certainly is a bold step Amazon is taking here.
Source: Newsweek
