I had to google the meaning of that word

Everybody has a smartphone these days. I myself would prefer to have a ebook reader that is good at reading books e.g. light, small, cheap and uncomplicated so I think bringing colour, touchscreen and 3g is going to make it worse (and more expensive) in book reading.
For the same reason I wouldn't want an ipad instead as you cannot hold it like this (I mentioned standing on the Tube):

I couldn't justify a smartphone in almost any way , me and my mates text for the most part, and anything else would just be another distraction to add to my ever-growing list

I'd still like to see colour on one so long as it was done right (and I think it'll happen, though there's obviously cost, battery life etc to be considered) but it's all academic for me personally if the book prices don't come down, for one thing...

Newspapers could be a great way of using the Kindle, but the pricing needs to be resolved, also the data contracts.

The cost covers the data IIRC - I could be totally confused

Depends. With a comic, I'd probably rest it on something so as to avoid creasing the spine and keep it as flat as possible (yes, I was that anal when I was collecting).
The iPad's no more weighty than a thick hardback, so you modify it to suit.
As you know, however, I'll take a real book any day of the week over reading something off a device. Book > iPad > Kindle, as far as I'm concerned.

I know that the US deals include the data in the price. Not sure what they were doing here though. I still think that the iPad might be a better option for newspapers. The iPad is much better for manuals which will be one use that I would put it to.

3G is global, everywhere you'll get it for free.

Yes but Amazon were paying the roaming rates, that was why the UK titles were so much more expensive than the US prices. They might have a range of local providers so it is much cheaper for them to provide.

The number of times I've had 3G reception in the last week, I think I can count on the fingers of one hand.

I don't understand what you are trying to say. Yes, they have agreements with providers so there are no roaming charges and there are no domestic charges. You pay £40 extra for the device to have unlimited 3g. Kindle wasn't available in the UK until now so I don't know if older Kindle has had global 3g available.

I don't think you could even buy ebooks from Amazon UK until now, I believe US store was the only option but somebody might correct me on that.

When the Kindle came out it was tied to a US network. A few Brits bought one and found these problems. I would guess that they now have a UK provider or have negotiated better terms with their US telco partner.

They have a UK provider, called Vodafone...

Yes bit what about roaming costs by Uk users in Europe or further afield?

AFAIK it's free globally, I assume Amazon has put the policies in place.

I cant see Vodafone giving up a large slice of business like that. It would be like admitting that they are over charging for data.