Amazon to sell revised Wi-Fi and 3G Kindle ebook reader in the UK from August

August 27th sees a UK release for the new and improved Kindle ebook reader from Amazon. The device is now smaller and lighter than the older incarnation, which was only previously available by ordering it from the US. It comes in two versions; one is Wi-Fi enabled and costs £109 while the other is a £149 3G wireless offering.

The Kindle in it's original guise was released in America back in November of 2007 and has been the top-selling item in the mail order store Stateside in the last couple of years. Thanks to the onboard wireless delivery avid readers will be able to browse through the growing selection of over 400,000 titles in the Amazon ebookstore and enjoy up to one month of battery life between charges, which can be done via USB.

Amazon also state that the device has double the storage of the older outgoing model, is 21 per cent smaller and 15 per cent lighter, weighing just 247 grams. More importantly, mobile connectivity should be easy and cheap. Amazon states that there are no monthly wireless bills and there won't be any monthly fees for anyone buying the 3G device.

This will tap into the Amazon Whispernet service running on the Vodafone network, which will make it available in over 100 countries and allow someone to download an average ebook in as little as 60 seconds.

"If you don't need the convenience of 3G wireless, we have an incredible new price point - £109 for Kindle Wi-Fi," said Jeff Bezos, chief executive of Amazon.

The new Kindle should be able to hold up to 3,500 ebooks thanks to improved storage, and usability has been improved with an enhanced E-Ink screen, which can be more easily read in sunlight. It also promises faster page turns, crisper fonts that are easier on the eye, a better PDF reader plus a new WebKit-based browser.