The key differentiator between the Kindle and other readers is that books are directly downloaded onto a Kindle via built-in 3G, whereas most if not all other readers require the intervention of a computer. I've downloaded books while at the beach, and I've heard of other people getting the NYT on their Kindle every morning while touring Bhutan.
Amazon also offers a much broader range of digital books for the Kindle than any other reader does. The Kindle will be updated sometime in 2009 to correct its flaws, but it's a pretty good first pass. I am an avid reader, and I hate being caught without a book or magazine, so I LOVE my Kindle. I was very skeptical of it initially; but after receiving one as a gift last summer, I was won over. I still read print books of course -- they're free at the library vs. ~$10 on my Kindle![]()