That’s basically my reaction to today’s announcement of Amazon Kindle. Hmmm…. There’s a lot of potential here, and I can’t help but thinking of a few iPod parallels.

For those that haven’t heard, Kindle is Amazon’s new E-Book reader. No, not a software service, but an honest-to-goodness hardware device. The device boasts Wi-Fi, built-in EVDO (cellular internet) access, and over 90,000 titles and newspapers and blogs available. The wireless data plan for EVDO access is included in the cost of the device. Yes, really. The device sells for $399. And yes, I want one even though I don’t have a subway commute anymore.

The link above has video, so you can listen to the sales pitch.

Now… as for what I think. This is a game changer in that they’re sucking up the wireless access costs. That means that in most cities and in most airports, more importantly, you’ll be able to download and/or buy new content wherever, whenever. No trips to a kiosk or store and no PC to dock with. That’s a shift.

Will it matter? Not sure… when the iPod came out, I had a similar reaction, although the iPod was a sexier device. Kindle is, well, plain, to put it kindly. Anyway, my reaction to the iPod and iPhone was the same: “man, it’s expensive. Is it worth it?”, and “man, will I actually care about the new interface?”

Obviously, the answer to both questions was yes once I got my hands on the device. Apparently, reporters with early access to Kindle have said yes to both as well.

So, I’m not willing to write it off, because I know that a few years ago, living in Boston and having a subway commute, I would’ve considered a device like this. The price would’ve weighed on me, including the safety issues of having a large, $399 device out on an evening subway ride, but people carry iPods out. At the same time, books don’t have the same broad appeal as music. If nothing else, that’s a strike against the device being game changing right there.

One last thought: this does make the whole e-paper thing kind of pointless (in the near term) if it works, doesn’t it?

More on the announcement at CrunchGear and Engadget (which seems more stable than CrunchGear right now).