Amazon still coy on UK Kindle 2.0 release

The latest version of Amazon's Kindle electronic book launches at an event in New York later today, though Amazon UK is still coy on a release date for the eReader over here.

TechRadar was given a quick 'no comment' when we spoke to Amazon's UK press office, who advised us to speak with their US counter-parts to find out more about the tech specs on Kindle 2.0.

We already know pretty much what's in store for US eBook fans from the many online rumours and leaks, though we will of course be bringing you all the news from the official Kindle 2.0 launch later today.

UK eBook market slow

"The UK book publishing trade has been a little slow to pick up on eBooks and eReaders," according to Tom Tivnan, Features Editor for the book publishing's trade magazine The Bookseller.

"But this is in many ways no bad thing, when you consider how other industries such as the music industry has encountered [copyright and piracy] problems when moving online."

And while Tivnan feels that eBooks make up 'less than 1 per cent' of the revenue for UK publishing houses right now, he is quick to remind us that this is likely to increase once Amazon and Sony launch new eReader devices over here in the near future.

Publishers ready for eBooks

"In terms of the UK publishing houses that are supporting eBooks, most of the bigger publishers such as Penguin, Harper Collins and Pan MacMillan all have dedicated digital divisions.

And it's not only the bigger players that are readying themselves for the growth of the electronic book trade, with a number of smaller literary houses also ready for the shift.

"Smaller publishers such as Faber are also well prepared for publishing eBooks," notes Tivnan.

TechRadar will be sure to speak with all the above-named eBook publishers over the coming days and weeks to stay on top of all developments in this interesting and fast-growing market.