What Is Kindle?

Amazon Kindle is a software and hardware platform developed by Amazon for rendering and displaying e-books and other digital media.

Three hardware devices, known as "Kindle," "Kindle 2," and "Kindle DX" support this platform. Kindle software applications exist for Windows, iPhone OS, and BlackBerry, with a Mac OS X version in development. The first hardware device was released in the United States on November 19, 2007.

The Kindle hardware device uses an E Ink brand electronic paper display, and is able to download content over Amazon Whispernet using the Sprint EVDO in the USA or, for newer Kindle 2 devices, AT&T's network which also works internationally.
The Kindle hardware device can be used without a computer, and Amazon Whispernet is accessible without any monthly fee. These devices also provide free access to the internet. Kindle devices sold prior to October 19, 2009 were sold only in the United States. On October 7, 2009, Amazon announced an international version of the Kindle 2 with a built-in 3G (HSDPA) and EDGE/GSM wireless modem for connectivity in over 100 countries. This international version went on sale October 19, 2009 worldwide.

On March 3, 2009, Amazon.com launched an application called Kindle for iPhone in the App Store, allowing iPhone and iPod Touch owners to read Kindle content on those devices. Through a technology termed "Whispersync," customers can synchronize reading progress, bookmarks, and other information across Kindle hardware devices and other mobile devices.

Amazon announced the Kindle DX on May 6, 2009. This device has a larger screen than its predecessors and supports PDF files natively. It is marketed as more suitable for displaying newspaper and textbook content.
Amazon has released Kindle for PC as a free software download, allowing users to read Kindle books on a Windows PC