You may not have heard about the Kindle when it first released. Compared to some technologies such as the iPhone and new versions of Windows, the Kindle was a fairly quiet release. If you are an avid reader, you were probably more than a little intrigued. But intrigue grew into popularity with the release of the much-improved Amazon Kindle. And now with the Kindle DX, the most advanced reader on the market, Amazon has become the single most popular maker of ebook readers.

If you don't own a Kindle yet, you may be wondering what makes the device so popular. Is the technology that phenomenal or is it just all hype? It's actually a blend of both. While many are sticking it out with the good old book, the Kindle does take reading to a whole new level. Just imagine being able to take your whole library with you anywhere. Its portability and the capacity to hold thousands of books (about 3,000 for the DX, 1,500 for the Kindle 2) is what makes the gadget appealing. Although the new Kindle DX is larger in size than the Kindle 2, both are no thinner than a regular magazine.

While the Kindle 2 has been the standard that other companies are trying to compete with, the just-released Amazon Kindle DX is in a class all its own. It features a large 9.7-inch screen with auto-rotating feature which makes it easier to view PDF files, and has the capacity to hold more books than other handheld ebook reader. Simply put, the Kindle DX is the device to beat. Unfortunately, all these features come at a steep price.

The price of the Kindle DX is a whooping 489 dollars. This is probably why many people, even those who think highly of the Kindle and the ebook technology, are hesitant to get a Kindle DX. It doesn't even come with any freebies like a bestseller or two, and since you would still need to purchase a good cover for it, your costs could extend well beyond the 500-dollar mark. At the very least, couldn't Amazon just have added a cover into the package?

Despite its popularity though, the Kindle remains to be a product of the more advanced technology that still has to hit mainstream. It is a great device for those who are into books but for now, that's simply what it is – something to read books on. It's not even offered outside the country yet and still lacks the versatility that other modern gadgets offer. But then again, that's what the iPod was before too and look how far it has penetrated the market now. What is clear however, is that the Kindle is an innovative gadget that has started a fast-growing industry. Give it a few more years and more people will realize that buying the gadget and the content that goes with it is more cost-efficient and convenient that keeping a whole library of books. And until the time comes, the Kindle will continue to rule the market as the ebook reader that has set the bar high.

Olan Butler - Technology Specialist - Computer Services