Amazon launches the Kindle DX

9.7-inch ebook reader debuted as expected

6 May 2009 15:59 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

As expected, Amazon has launched the Amazon Kindle DX in the States, a bigger and more expensive version of its Kindle ebook reader.

With a 9.7-inch electronic paper display, a new built-in PDF reader, auto-rotate capability, and 3.3GB storage for up to 3500 books, Amazon has upped the price tag for the new model by $100.

Amazon says more than 275,000 books are now available in the Kindle Store, including 107 of 112 current New York Times Best Sellers for around $10.

In addition, "top" US and international magazines and newspapers plus more than 1500 blogs are also available.

As far as saving the newspaper industry goes, the New York Times and the Washington Post will be launching pilots with Kindle DX this summer - and - along with the Boston Globe, will offer the Kindle DX at a reduced price to readers who live in areas where home delivery is not available and who sign up for a "long-term" subscription to the Kindle edition of the newspapers.

Textbook-wise, textbook publishers Cengage Learning, Pearson, and Wiley, that together represent over 60% of the US higher education textbook market, will begin offering textbooks through the Kindle Store beginning this summer, while five big American unis have signed up to offer students Kindle DXes.

Pocket-lint got in touch with Blackwell, the publisher that currently offers the Espresso book printing service, to get their thoughts on a larger ebook reader and whether they would welcome such a device.

Andrew Hutchings, Blackwell CEO, said: "We welcome the development of large ebook readers as this is a logical move towards a viable ebook format and reader for the academic market and this will help us to understand how customers wish to use this technology in the future in this marketplace".

The Kindle DX is available for pre-order in the States for $489 at Amazon.com/kindleDX and will ship this summer.

This is a US-only announcement at this stage, with Amazon's UK press office offering no comment on UK plans for a launch.