The differences between the first and second versions can be compared to the first iPod and the iPod mini, seemingly jumping “from Generation One to Generation Four,” a source told BusinessWeek. However, although the new version is expected to be leaps and bounds ahead of the first version, it's hard to believe it will be as big as the iPod turned out to be.

Getting almost any book, newspaper or magazine in seconds is the magic of the Kindle, but to be a “megahit” it needs to get thinner, and have “a more intuitive, infectiously-cool interface,” the BusinessWeek article stated. “Even if the Kindle matches the first year sales of the iPod ... I can’t imagine the Kindle approaching the unit sales or cultural impact Apple’s music player went on to have.”

The price for the new model is also expected to be lower, to about US$299 or maybe even $249, which will also help put it in the hands of more people, according to BusinessWeek.