IRISH BOOK lovers can now buy the latest titles at the touch of a button, with the unveiling of the international version of the Amazon Kindle reader.
The device is linked through a wireless data connection to the online retailer's book store, which sells books, magazines and newspapers, including The Irish Times.
The Kindle, which has topped Amazon.com’s best-selling items list for some time, was until now only available to US customers. From yesterday, however, customers overseas were able to buy the device with an international wireless package.
The device has a six-inch screen, uses electronic ink to make it as close to a traditional book as possible, and weighs about as much as a paper-back book.
“The most important thing when you’re reading it is to be able to get lost in the author’s words,” said Amazon’s senior vice-president of worldwide digital media Steve Kessel.
Up to 1,500 titles can be stored on the Kindle, with extra titles kept in an online archive from where users can store and download documents.
The device uses 3G wireless data services to connect to the Kindle store and to each user’s online storage locker. However, Amazon covers the data charges for this. “You have no contract with the carrier, no monthly fees, no two-year commitments,” said Mr Kessel. “People around the world now have access to an English-language book catalogue of more than 250,000 [titles].”
The device is only available through Amazon’s US store, and at a cost of $279. However, international customers will also have to pay delivery charges and import taxes.
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