Amazon, the online retail giant, formally launched its long-awaited e-book reading device Kindle on Monday, which is hoped to revolutionize the future of reading.

"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," Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon, said in a statement posted online.

With a 399-dollar price tag, Kindle is lighter and thinner than a typical paperback, and weighs only 10.3 ounces (about 300 grams).

The revolutionary electronic-paper display used in Kindle can provide a sharp, high-resolution screen that "looks and reads like real paper," said Amazon.

Advanced wireless technology enables users to shop the Kindle Store directly from their Kindle. People can buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute.

"We chose the same wireless technology used in advanced cell phones, so you never need to locate a Wi-Fi hotspot," said Bezos. "But unlike cell phones, there are no monthly wireless bills, no service or data plans, and no yearly contracts."

Read more at Xinhua