I’ve been intrigued by the Amazon Kindle since it was first announced. It is a fantastic concept, but I was skeptical about the practicality of it and how easy it would be to actually read the screen as easily as the page of a book. I finally had a chance to use one the other day, albeit briefly, and I have to say I am impressed. The absolute first thing I noticed was how slim and light it truly is. It is about the size of an average book, and as light or lighter than the average paperback. As soon as I turned it on, I realized that my concerns about readability were unfounded and it is as easy to read as any book and certainly easier to read than most computer screens. Prior to using it I had no idea this was even a feature, but the free 3G wireless access is great. I’m not entirely sure how it’s handled, but for no monthly fee and no need for Wi-Fi, it can wirelessly access Amazon’s 350,000+ book library and instantly download them to the Kindle.

It really is a great product for the casual and dedicated reader alike and can hold as many books as even the most extensive home library. The Amazon Kindle and other products like it have the potential to be regarded by future generations as the biggest development in reading since moveable type was first introduced to Europe sometime in the 15th century.