Internet retailer Amazon.com on Monday unveiled a 400-dollar e-book reader that downloads books, blogs, magazines and newspapers to an "electronic paper," the company said.
The hand-held device called Kindle is about the same size as a paperback but "lighter and thinner" and can store up to 200 items that can be downloaded by a built-in wireless Internet connection.
"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 chief executive.
"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." Amazon says the screen works "using ink, just like books and newspapers, but displays the ink particles electronically.
"Because it reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlight, it eliminates the eye strain and glare associated with other electronic displays such as computer monitors," according to Amazon.
Amazon said it is also making some 90,000 books available in the Kindle Store, including over 100 best-sellers for about 10 dollars.
The device uses a high-speed data network called EVDO used on many cell phones, so customers will not need a computer or Wi-Fi connection. Amazon will not charge a subscription fee or for connection time, but customers will pay for books or other content delivered to the device.
The company said the device "uses a high-resolution display technology called electronic paper that provides a sharp black and white screen that is as easy to read as printed paper."
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