Amazon just announced the launch of the Kindle 2 (affiliate link), a powerful wireless reading device. It’s going to be release on February 24, 2009.

I remember when the original Kindle was launched. There was a lot of initial hype, but from what I read sales didn’t meet expectations. Despite having the Kindle featured on the amazon.com homepage it just never caught on. I’ve never seen someone using a Kindle in public… not at the airport or even Starbucks. The Kindle 2 has a chance to pick up where the original left off.

The Kindle 2 offers 3G wireless downloads, so as long as you’re in a big city you can download a 400 page book very quickly. The Kindle 2 is also slimmer, lighter or more slick looking. Just as the iPod has advanced it’s appearance and interface over the years, so has the Kindle. If you think about it, reading a book is one of the only things we don’t do on our iPods or iPhones. The screen is just too small.

At a $359 launch price, this item isn’t meant for everyone. Buyers will be hardcore readers or techies that travel a lot. I can’t see the old school readers buying this device. They enjoy collecting hardback books and building a library. It’s my generation and younger that will buy this device someday. Can you imagine some high schoolers going to class with nothing but a Kindle 2 in their backpack? No more lugging around heavy ass books to your locker everyday. All your materials will be right there in a Kindle 2, no larger then a magazine.