Amazon.com has announced the new version of their top-of-the-line ebook reader, the Kindle. Of course, the Kindle is cool because it’s powered by everyone’s favorite operating system (Linux!) but it’s also got some really compelling features.

Of course, the Amazon Kindle has a great “electronic paper” display, room for well over 1,000 books, and can even read anything on the device to you using text-to-speech technology, but what really sets it apart is its wireless Internet access.

Each Kindle comes with unlimited fast and wireless Internet access, so it’s easy to browse and download new books, blogs and magazines straight to your device. Couple that with a very basic browser and access to Wikipedia, and you have the most powerful mobile reading device out there.
The sticking point is the price. At $359, the Kindle’s a hefty investment, even if you do like having Wikipedia on the go! I frequent my local library all the time to save on book purchases, and unfortunately, there’s no way to “borrow” a book on the Kindle. Unless you buy a lot of books, it’s just not worth it for most people….which is sad, because it really seems like nifty and useful device, if only a hundred dollars cheaper. I do think that the Kindle would come in really handy if you travel often are trying to keep your load light, or perhaps if you’re a student and could take advantage of some cheap e-textbook offers to go on the device.

I’m thinking that it may be time to begin scouring the  ‘nets for a used Kindle 1…it may be worth it if I can pick one up on the super cheap.

What do you think? Is the Kindle 2 worth the price, and would such a device even fit your reading habits?

Further Reading:

• Amazon Kindle 2 announced: $359 on February 24 @ Engadget
• New Linux-powered Kindle on its way @ Practical Technology