The Amazon Kindle has taken the publishing world by storm, spawning numerous copycats and hopeful competitors. The Kindle is a popular e-book reader. Currently the market leader, users are able to use the Amazon Kindle to read books and various publications, i.e., magazine and newspapers via the device. The Amazon utilizes built-in wireless technology, making it possible for individuals to use their reader on their go and without limitation regardless of where they are.

The first Amazon Kindle hit the market in 2007. Since that time, several other versions of the device have been released. Following the release of the original Amazon Kindle, the Kindle DX was introduced in 2009. This was followed by the Kindle Touch and then the Kindle Fire. The Kindle Touch is a popular option noted for its touch screen, while the Kindle Fire is a tablet device complete with a computer display and a reader application.

Fairly recently, Amazon developed Kindle software which can be downloaded onto a number of devices and utilized with a variety of platforms, functionally, turning each into a Kindle or at least Kindle-like. Currently the software is compatible with the following, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, Blackberry, webOS and Android, amongst others.

Amazon Kindle books can be purchased online and accessed wirelessly via Whispernet (Amazon’s 3G Network) or Wi-fi. Whispernet is largely free of charge, though there are fees for specialized services.

The Amazon Kindle e-reader has proven to be a great success. Just three years after the first one was released, paperback sales lagged behind electronic book (e-book) sales for the first time in history. This firmly solidified Kindle’s place as “game changer.”

The Kindle’s introductory price was just shy of $400. The price has since been significantly reduced. Today, it is possible to purchase a lower model Kindle for as little as $79. The most expensive model the Kindle DX, is currently being sold for about $379. From time-to-time, it is possible to get it for less.

It is difficult to know exactly how many Kindles have been sold since the device’s release. This is primarily because for so long, Amazon refused to release the number of Kindle’s sold. In the Q4 of 2011, however, Amazon did make a statement regarding their sales figures. They stated that starting in November of 2011, each week, more than one million Kindles have been sold.

Although, Kindle has largely been silent about the number of devices they’ve sold, what isn’t in question is the fact that it is the most popular and highly regarded e-reader in the world. It owns the most market share and is perhaps the most recognizable e-reader on the market.