After following a discussion at KindleBoards and the referenced Amazon forum discussion, the current word is that the new Kindle Touch 3G will only have limited web access over 3G, though full access via WiFi when available. In summary, Amazon has stated, “We apologize for the confusion. Our new Kindle Touch 3G enables you to connect to the Kindle Store, download books and periodicals, and access Wikipedia – all over 3G or Wi-Fi. Experimental web browsing (outside of Wikipedia) on Kindle Touch 3G is only available over Wi-Fi. Our Kindle Keyboard 3G will continue to offer experimental web browsing over 3G or Wi-Fi.”

This differs from the 3rd generation Kindle 3G (keyboard) which the Touch will ultimately replace, the K3 having full web access over its browser whenever 3G is available (at least within the US, your mileage may vary in other countries). This need not be a deal-breaker for anyone who mainly wants a Kindle for reading e-books, but if you were counting on full web access via the celluar connection when WiFi is not available, then you should instead get your hands on the Kindle Keyboard 3G while supplies still last. (I’m assuming it will eventually be replaced by the Touch, but I could be wrong, so don’t hold me to that.)

Since I currently use the K3 WiFi-only anyway, this lack of full 3G availability in the Kindle Touch 3G is now making the balance shift a bit toward the Kindle Fire, whenever I’m ready to buy a new Kindle device. (Hey, Amazon, wouldn’t you like to give me a free evaluation unit so that I can give a glowing report on it here?)