Amazon 'Kindles' the e-book industry

SEATTLE Amazon.com today unveiled its new portable reader, Amazon Kindle.

With the Kindle, users can access books, blogs, magazines and newspapers on a high-resolution electronic paper display, without having to use a computer or be near a Wi-Fi hot spot, the company reported. The Kindle operates on Amazon Whispernet, a wireless delivery system that uses the same high-speed network as advanced cell phones, according to Amazon.com.

According to Amazon.com more than 90,000 books are now available in the Kindle Store, including 101 of 112 current New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases, which are $9.99, unless marked otherwise. Kindle is available starting today for $399 at http://amazon.com/kindle.

“We’ve been working on Kindle for more than three years. Our top design objective was for Kindle to disappear in your hands — to get out of the way — so you can enjoy your reading,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and ceo. “We also wanted to go beyond the physical book. Kindle is wireless, so whether you’re lying in bed or riding a train, you can think of a book, and have it in less than 60 seconds. No computer is needed — you do your shopping directly from the device. We’re excited to make Kindle available today.”