06-04-2008, 06:51 PM | #1 | |
Opinionated [but right]
Posts: 276
Karma: 1412
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Device: Cybook Gen3, PRS 505, Kindle International, HTC Desire
|
Guardian: No Kindle for the UK (or anywhere else outside US)
According to a report in The Guardian newspaper, Amazon's UK operation has contradicted previous rumours of a Kindle launch in the UK this year.
Quote:
|
|
06-04-2008, 07:20 PM | #2 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,624
Karma: 1008294
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Iowa, USA
Device: Nook Simple Touch
|
Strange, I figured Amazon would be eager to release the Kindle there
|
Advert | |
|
06-04-2008, 09:14 PM | #3 |
Tech Junkie
Posts: 1,027
Karma: 10080
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Earth
Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne
|
Maybe they'll pull a Sony.
After all Sony didn't sell the Librie outside Japan. They sold the Sony Reader. May be the GSM/HSDPA version of the Kindle will be called something else, to enable them to differentiate it from the US EVDO version. |
06-04-2008, 09:37 PM | #4 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,624
Karma: 1008294
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Iowa, USA
Device: Nook Simple Touch
|
they could call it the Krumpel
|
06-04-2008, 09:40 PM | #5 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 10,155
Karma: 4632658
Join Date: Nov 2007
Device: none
|
"No plans" does not necessarily mean they never will. Perhaps it's just that it's beyond the plan horizon at the moment, and that they want to make sure it's not a flat earth before they proceed?
Cheers, Marc |
Advert | |
|
06-05-2008, 03:30 AM | #6 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
The logistics of negotiating wireless access arrangements with all the countries in Europe, each of which has its own telecoms operator, would be a nightmare. I'm not surprised if Amazon have decided that it's not feasible.
|
06-05-2008, 03:49 AM | #7 | |
Tech Junkie
Posts: 1,027
Karma: 10080
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Earth
Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne
|
Quote:
Keep in mind that just a few major Telecom's such as Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile), France Telecom (Orange) and Telefónica (O2) control or have access to most if not all countries in Europe. Indeed some like Vodafone have large presence all over the world. If the Kindle model is a success, then I don't think the Telcos here are going to turn down another source of revenue, to help cover the cost of some of the 3G networks. And with the EC breathing down their necks to keep roaming and data charges reasonable, and in line with actual costs and not pure profit, think Amazon and any other company may be able to get a good deal. Also, launching in europe, provides a good base to launch into other countries as most places have a GSM/UMTS network, allowing them to standardise on the hardware. The bigger concern may be with getting publishing rights to the e-books, unless they already have an agreement in place for worldwide distribution. |
|
06-05-2008, 03:55 AM | #8 | ||
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
Quote:
|
||
06-05-2008, 04:35 AM | #9 | |
Tech Junkie
Posts: 1,027
Karma: 10080
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Earth
Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne
|
Quote:
As to how difficult it would be to swap it out would probably depend upon how the module was designed. If it was a standard mini PCMCIA or similar design, it would be a piece of cake. The harder part would be to program it for using multiple different networks. I have my suspicion however that Europe will probably not get the kindle before Version 2.0, as that would probably allow them to fix many of the problems of the current model. What i can wish is that they launch it at the same time or close to the US launch. (And Pigs will fly! :Grin3 ) And your right, i forgot about Mobi pocket for a minute. |
|
06-05-2008, 05:17 AM | #10 |
Away with the Faeries
Posts: 483
Karma: 8459
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Device: Sony PRS 650
|
Personal opinions:
1. It's commercially a bit daft to limit your customer-base like that, particularly when the general consensus is they could create a larger market with only a little extra effort, even if it was a non-WiFi device. There are enough people buying the iLiad Book edition to make it a viable prospect 2. Amazon could make themselves very unpopular in the UK & EU if they're seen to be showing 'favouritism' to the US 3. If they leave it too long, it's a greater risk that there will be more competition in the market or, even more likely, people will already have committed to another device and built up a relationship with another company. At that point they would have to produce something exceptional to 'win over' the target audience to further expenditure on a new device. Just think it's a bit silly to be so dismissive of the rest of the e-book-reader-buying world, actually. |
06-05-2008, 05:34 AM | #11 | ||
Tech Junkie
Posts: 1,027
Karma: 10080
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Earth
Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne
|
Quote:
I only hope the dreader $=Euro=£ calculation does not occur. That could potentially sink the product. I can understand adding VAT, but the straightforward daylight robbery should stop. Quote:
However with the rumour of the Sony Europe launch, and the Austek comimg along later in the year, I feel that the window is not going to be that long. Now the only thing is, what if Bezos pulls a Jobs. And just announces that here it is, ready to go, with everything in place. |
||
06-05-2008, 05:37 AM | #12 | |
Uebermensch
Posts: 2,583
Karma: 1094606
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Italy
Device: Kindle
|
Quote:
If the trial is successful, Orange plans to launch the product on an international basis. |
|
06-05-2008, 05:42 AM | #13 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
It's perhaps worth noting, however, that Astek are going to be another "US only" seller. I don't believe that they have any plans to sell outside the US.
|
06-05-2008, 05:46 AM | #14 |
Away with the Faeries
Posts: 483
Karma: 8459
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Device: Sony PRS 650
|
RobertB said Astak will have a distribution channel in place with Longshine in Europe, and they're setting up a website to sell the devices from, with shipping anywhere.
Course, will be interesting to see what actually happens next month.... |
06-05-2008, 06:47 AM | #15 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,531
Karma: 8059866
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3
|
My guess is they'll have the second generation out by the time they have enough supply to sell outside of the USA. Hopefully they'll sell the "Campfire" worldwide and they don't wait for the "Inferno" or the "Charcoal".
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Review of the Kindle 3 from the Observer in the Guardian UK | DMcCunney | News | 18 | 08-29-2010 07:03 PM |
I'm giving away a Guardian waterproof Kindle 2 case | Scurzuzu | Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links) | 0 | 07-14-2010 01:36 PM |
Interesting article in UK Guardian about International Kindle | amjbrown | News | 17 | 12-06-2009 01:03 PM |
London Guardian and Kindle Advice | Patricia | News | 4 | 08-21-2008 04:07 PM |
Kindle in London Guardian | Patricia | Amazon Kindle | 13 | 01-14-2008 03:06 PM |