Weighing in at 10.3 ounces, the Kindle is thinner than an average paperback novel and about as wide as a standard hardbound novel. At launch, consumers will be able to download and buy 90,000 books, including most New York Times bestsellers.
The first new model will hit stores in October, featuring an improved interface. According to the tech blog CrunchGear, the new version marks a significant improvement for the device analogous to the leap from a first-generation iPod to an iPod Mini.
The second new model will be much larger than the current Kindle and will hit stores in 2009. Both new models will be available in a variety of colors in a bid to attract younger readers.
One of the Kindle's main appeals is its ability to access the Internet, which makes it a possible new delivery platform for adult content. Many web-browsing devices require users to find a wi-fi hotspot to log onto the Internet, while others make users pay a monthly fee for wireless access. Amazon is footing the bill to provide access to Kindle users for free.
Web guru Brandon "Fight The Patent" told XBIZ he doubted the Kindle's appeal to the adult industry.
"People don't read porn, other than Playboy as some may claim, so [the Kindle] won't do much for online porn," he said.
Another possible competitor for the Kindle is Apple's iPod. Apple recently unveiled an online store that sells hundreds of applications for the iPod, including a surprising amount of electronic books.
That double threat may doom the Kindle, given the iPod's vast advantages elsewhere. For the adult industry, the iPod presents a host of content delivery opportunities — including literary — that are only improving with time.
The Kindle's suggested price is $399.
