Ever since Amazon released their Kindle Reader, I've maintained that is pretty much a proof-of-business-concept for them; I don't think Amazon wants to be in the hardware business, and instead wants someone else to handle the device, while they sell the media. While the Kindle is very cool, it strikes me as a first-gen prototype that COULD have been designed a bit more gracefully. So, my theory is that Amazon, after waiting a few years for someone else to do it, finally lost patience with the slow pace of ebook up-take, and is jump-starting a new sales channel for themselves.

That's why this device called the Readius intrigues me so much. It's a very cool and sleek looking device based on the same display technology as the Kindle.. and it doesn't appear to have content partnerships lined up. Amazon wants to sell content, and these guys want to sell devices.. seems like a match made in heaven to me!