Rumors are ripe that Seattle-based Amazon's digital book reader Kindle - supposedly the second edition of the device launched in November 2007 - will likely be unveiled next week.

Though Amazon has not yet confirmed its forthcoming plans about the ebook, Kindle fans as well as analysts are looking forward to the company's scheduled February 9 press conference at Morgan Library, New York, to hear the company news of Kindle version two.

Meanwhile, the author of the Kindle electronic writer, Stephen Windwalker, said that those customers who have bought the first gen Kindle but are still awaiting its delivery will be offered the opportunity to go in for Kindle 2 at a 10 percent additional cost. With the current $359 retail price for Kindle, customers waiting will be able to buy Kindle 2 at nearly $395.

Without doubt, the Kindle - a small part of Amazon's web retail business - ignited the interest of consumers in portable readers. The wireless device, weighing even less than a paperback, gives its users the access to books and newspapers. There is no dearth with regard to the range of books available, thanks to the close links between the retailer and the publishers.

Most of the best-seller can be accessed on Kindle for $9.99; and more than 200 wirelessly-delivered titles can be stored on the existing Kindle.

According to technology forecaster Paul Saffo, "The Kindle is huge. The Kindle is to reading is what the iPod was to music - only bigger!"