The Kindle DX launched over the last few months and is being eyed by some print magazines and newspapers as the future of publishing. The larger screen means that full magazine and paper pages can be reproduced.

The Economist Magazine has announced that it will be offering its publication on the Kindle and Kindle DX e-readers for download on single issue of subscription basis. The subscription buyers will be able to have digital versions delivered weekly when new issues hit newsstands.

The Amazon Kindle is a cool gadget and has been one of the most popular devices on Amazon since it launched. Not too long ago Amazon unveiled a new larger screen Kindle designed with reading newspapers in mind called the Kindle DX.

The Kindle DX lacked any sort of protective cover for the large screen, which meant that if users weren’t careful they could scratch the expensive gadget. A company called M-Edge has announced a new line of cases for the Kindle DX that includes the Executive Jacket and the Platform Jacket.

Well, here it is, the Kindle DX 9.7″ “wireless reading device”. It’s now available for $489 on Amazon. Yes, it’s big. Yes, the Chiclets-style keyboard looks absurd. Some features include having the thinness of a Typical magazine. Holds up to 3,500 books, 9.7″ diagonal e-ink screen boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and sharp images.

It also features Auto-Rotating Screen, built in PDF reader and more. How many of you are ready to ditch your old Kindles for this guy? You can tell us. We promise we won’t call you a e-book worm or anything.

The rumored larger-screened Kindle just had some basic specs leak out. The Kindle DX is rumored to have a 9.7-inch screen, the ability to add annotations and PDF support. Looks like this Kindle DX is designed to appeal to students and textbook publishers. The Wall Street Journal reports that some chemistry and computer science students at various American universities will receive the new textbook-friendly Kindle.

Some that have been specifically named so far are Case Western, Pace, Princeton, Reed, Darden School at the University of Virginia, and Arizona State. Apparently it also includes an actual functional web browser.