Seattle (WA) - After months of conceptual discussion, Amazon has finally released the Kindle digital book reader.

On Amazon.com's home page, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos writes "Today, we at Amazon are excited to announce Kindle, a wireless, portable reading device with instant access to more than 90,000 books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers."

It's more than just a specifically tailored storage device, though.  It has built-in EVDO, wireless technology like that used in cell phones.  Users can do online directly from the device and purchase new books.  However, unlike cell phones or Wi-Fi devices, there is no monthly service fee.

The proprietary digital store is operated by Amazon, and includes 88,000 books as well as national newspapers and content pulled from online blogs.

Additionally, users can access a mobile Internet version of Wikipedia, and the device gives users limited e-mail capabilities.  For example, it allows users to send Word documents and pictures to others.

It tips the scales at 10.3 ounces.  According to Amazon, it has enough internal memory to store 200 books.

The Kindle is a project more than three years in the making, and it is undoubtedly Amazon's biggest foray into product manufacturing.

It is in stock and shipping now, for a retail price of around $400.