Kindle Launch Hot and Cold

Amazon have launched their eBook reading device, the Kindle, to much fanfare:

We've been working on Kindle for more than three years," said Amazon boss Jeff Bezos in a statement. "Our top design objective was for Kindle to disappear in your hands -- to get out of the way -- so you can enjoy your reading," he said.

Content is delivered to the device via the EVDO wireless network - this could limit the gadget's overseas appeal as the technology is not widely used outside North America.

Owners of a Kindle do not have to pay to use this wireless network, Amazon pays the access costs and only charges for any content downloaded to the reader.

This wireless access is one of the key selling features of the Kindle, as opposed to the Sony Reader's need to sync with a computer. As mentioned in the BBC story though, it does create problems outside the United States.

Other reviews have been hot and cold, with a lot of criticism focusing on the look of the gadget (it reminds me of a Sinclair ZX-80, for those old enough to remember). The Boston Globe wasn't too sure about whether audiences would like the Kindle, while CNET was a bit surprised at how much electronic books cost.

However, the Kindle's performance was strong enough to change the mind of Computerworld's Mike Elgan, who just last year was predicting the death of eBooks. Newsweek also has a long feature story worth checking out, which has plenty of comment on the new device from Jeff Bezos. And of course, the Amazon product page for the Kindle even has a video rundown.