Amazon Kindle Nears

Amazon's switch to exclusively offering the Mobipocket ebook format makes more sense every day, with news that their rival to the Sony Reader, named 'Kindle', is nearing release. The ebook reader will allow for a direct gadget-to-Amazon connection (although the connection mode is still under wraps), allowing readers to download books immediately to the Kindle whenever the mood strikes them. Word is that it has had positive reviews from test subjects who have been putting it through its paces.

That's the pros, now for the cons - the Kindle is likely to cost more than $400. Not to mention there's been plenty of comment about the '1980s beige' look of the reader (although all comment is based on the one image leaked last year).