Amazon has launched its Kindle worldwide for the first time making its popular e-reader available in over 100 countries.

Shipping of the Kindle will begin from October 19 with pre-orders taken from today.

Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos said: “We have millions of customers in countries all over the world who read English-language books. Kindle enables these customers to think of a book and download it wirelessly in less than 60 seconds.”

Customers will be able to download over 200,000 books and over 85 US and international newspapers and magazines.   

The Kindle has been a big hit in America and its launch internationally is likely to shake up the books market in the run up to Christmas.