Amazon confirms international Kindle 2 plans
updated 04:40 pm EST, Tue February 10, 2009
Amacon Kindle 2 worldwide
An Amazon spokesperson said the Kindle 2 e-book reader officially announced just yesterday will be launched in countries outside of the US, says a Tuesday Reg Hardware report. While there is "ambition" for an international introduction, no specific dates for the widespread launch were mentioned. The original and popular Kindle was only sold in the US via Amazon.
In the past, the company had a tough time keeping up with demand for the Kindle, with waiting times as long as 13 weeks. The new device has a 6-inch E-Ink screen, downloads content via a 3G data connection to 2GB of onboard memory and has a new ability to read out books via its built-in speakers.
The Kindle 2 is due to ship to the US on February 24th, priced at $359.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2007
I say BS
well that's a crock of BS. I asked Amazon.ca yesterday when the Kindle would be in Canada and they said the following:
"At this time, Amazon.com is unable to offer the Amazon Kindle and associated digital content from the Kindle Store to our international customers due to import/export laws and other restrictions. Whispernet, which allows users to take advantage of Kindle's wireless features, is currently available only in the United States."
Someone please educate Amazon about the existence of Telus and Bell, both of which use the CDMA technology employed by the Kindle. And as for laws restricting content, how is it that Sony is able to sell its Reader in Canada?
No, the real reason Amazon isn't offering the Kindle outside the US is probably that it's too lazy or incompetent to make deals with international cellular providers, since Apple appears to have no trouble doing it.