Amazon Kindle to launch in Europe next week?
Well placed sources have told Stuff.tv that Amazon is working to launch the Amazon Kindle ereader in Europe as soon as the end of the IFA conference next week.
The Kindle has proved popular with bookworms in the States, but has failed to launch over here due to licensing issues, leaving British ereaders with a choice between the Sony Reader and the Cool-ER to quench their ebook thirst.
However, none of these current offerings have been able to offer the Wi-fi capabilities that is the Kindle's killer feature, enabling wireless downloads of books and delivery of electronic versions of newspapers and magazines direct to the device.
It could be that Amazon is hoping to get the Kindle over here as quickly as possible in order to win over the market before the launch of Sony's Daily Edition, announced in the States yesterday.
With its Wi-fi and 3G connectivity, the Daily Edition could well give the Kindle a run for its money, but while it will launch in the States soon, Sony has confirmed to Stuff.tv that a UK launch is "at least a year away".
Good news for the Kindle though, as it gives it plenty of time to get a head start on the UK market before Sony makes its way over here.
We'll be keeping you updated on any further information we get on this, but do let us know what you think to the ereader hype below – would you buy one?
Comments
Jonprevans
2 years ago
I would definitely buy one - I read a lot, and would welcome a connected device that allows me to download books. One question, will it work abroad if it was bought in the UK? It would be a great to get English books abroad, and even better English newspapers without paying the exorbitant prices you pay on the contintent for hard copy versions.
burlton
2 years ago
Note the Kindle has 3G not Wi-Fi. The US one is also CDMA based not GSM so the European one has to atleast include a different chip set.
I would be very suprised if this will work abroad due to all the issues around 3G data charges when roaming and given Amazon dont charge extra for the data the Kindle uses. Would be fantastic though if it did!!