Later this year, Amazon may launch a new Kindle (code-named “Hollywood") with a color screen that will stream video--that is, according to a report in Barron's "Tech Trader Daily" blog. And the first wave of buyers might receive the streaming service for free, says the story.

When Consumer Reports' Electronics Editor Paul Reynolds asked Jeff Bezos about the possibility of an Amazon tablet last month, the Amazon CEO said simply, "Stay tuned." Bezos also commented on color-screen e-readers using technology such as E Ink, saying that it “is not ready for prime time…the colors are very pale.” But he added that “it continues to be improved” and “it makes a lot of sense for there to be a low-power, reflective color display. I think that’s something you could build a fantastic product around.”

This of course doesn't preclude the possibility of a new Kindle with a color LCD screen, similar to the recently launched Nook Color.

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For e-book reader buying information, go to Consumer Reports Online.