Amazon Kindle goes live, offers free EVDO access

Amazon today officially launched its promised Kindle eBook reader and also firmed up details of the device, explaining the handheld's features. The online retailer notes that its Sprint-supported EVDO network, known as Whispernet, will be completely free for users; customers can browse the Amazon store, buy books, and check sites such as Wikipedia without having to sign up for a separate Sprint subscription or worrying about bandwidth charges, Amazon says.

Although it can operate completely independently of a computer, the Kindle includes a USB cable for charging and directly copying files and also includes a specialized e-mail address that allows it to receive copies of saved HTML pages, Word files, unprotected Mobipocket eBooks, and several common image formats.

The $399 core price of the reader is unchanged but is now known to bring a book-like cover to keep the device safe and provide a more comfortable feel. Magazines and newspapers have also gone live, Amazon notes. Prices range from $2 per month for magazines such as Fortune to prices between $10 and $15 per month for newspaper subscriptions such as the Wall Street Journal and Le Monde.