The Amazon Kindle Thread

Tezcatlipoca · 07-10-2009, 20:42

Amazon's "Kindle" eBook reader is finally going to be available outside of the USA.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/10/07...ng-october-19/

You will still have to purchase it from Amazon.com though, rather than a local Amazon site.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C/...pf_rd_i=468294

The Kindle has a built-in 3G & HSDPA modem, which can also fall back to GPRS & EDGE, for connecting to Amazon's "Whispernet" for downloading content.

"Whispernet" access is free & uses "AT&T's 3G high-speed data network in the U.S. and partner networks outside of the U.S".

**Damien** · 07-10-2009, 21:01

I want one.

One problem though is the cost of delivery adds Â£30 onto the cost and it comes with the US plug! Really how lazy is it not to include regional power supplies.

Derek · 07-10-2009, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

I want one.

Same here. I'm rapidly running out of bookshelf space.

Although not sure if I really want a kindle or just want an ebook reader and one of the Sony ones would suit me a bit better.

jamiefrost · 07-10-2009, 22:41

The new Sony one's look really nice especially the touch screen version. I have a Cybook at the moment so I can't really justify a new ebook reader.

JJ

**Damien** · 07-10-2009, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Same here. I'm rapidly running out of bookshelf space.

Although not sure if I really want a kindle or just want an ebook reader and one of the Sony ones would suit me a bit better.

I like the hardware for the Sony but detest the selection available for it. Amazon have a ton of books and the newspapers and magazines thing.

SB_07 · 07-10-2009, 22:46

Last time i ordered stuff from Amazon.com i got charged fees from the postman too.

Tezcatlipoca · 08-10-2009, 00:57

I'm hoping that, now that the Kindle will be available outside the US, the Kindle iPhone App will become available in the UK App Store (it's currently only available in the US App Store).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

I want one.

One problem though is the cost of delivery adds Â£30 onto the cost and it comes with the US plug! Really how lazy is it not to include regional power supplies.

At least it charges over USB though, so I don't think that's too much of a problem. Plug it into your computer with the included cable, or maybe slap a UK plug adaptor on the US plug (the power adaptor supports 100-240V).

Quote:

Originally Posted by SB_07

Last time i ordered stuff from Amazon.com i got charged fees from the postman too.

If you import something from a non-EU country you may be liable to Customs Duty, plus if the item costs over Â£18 you will also have to pay Import VAT (calculated on the total cost of item + shipping).

$279 = Â£174.71

Priority Courier Shipping to Europe of "Kindle or Kindle Accessories" = $14.99 = Â£9.39

Total = Â£184.10

Then add Import VAT @ 15% ... Â£27.62 (rising to Â£32.22 when VAT goes back up to 17.5%).

For some countries, Amazon has an "Import Fees Deposit" service, where you can pay the relevant fees in advance via Amazon when you pay for the actual order itself (Amazon takes your money for the estimated fees, & passes it on to the shipping people to pay the relevant import fees on your behalf when it gets to this end).

If you don't pay it in advance, then you have the situation like you have had before, where the delivery company pay the fees for you and hold onto the item until you reimburse them... often plus an admin fee of some sort (I've been stung for fees before when ordering some things from the US, and had to pay Import VAT plus a separate handling fee when picking the item up from the Royal Mail depot).

[Although, speaking of Amazon & Royal Mail... Amazon.co.uk has ditched Royal Mail for parcels over 500g... http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oc...postal-strikes ]

**Maggy** · 08-10-2009, 07:22

Nah! I prefer a book and the smell of books.I can take a book into the bath..

Stephen · 08-10-2009, 10:15

I would love an e-book reader but they are still too expensive for me.

**Damien** · 08-10-2009, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

I'm hoping that, now that the Kindle will be available outside the US, the Kindle iPhone App will become available in the UK App Store (it's currently only available in the US App Store).

You can download it from the US store since it's free. I know I did, but then I had an account though buying gift vouchers from ebay. Will you be getting a Kindle then Matt?

Good point about the USB but given the cost of the thing I wish they put more effort into these small details. I mean really, How hard would it have been to ship a bunch to the UK to store in their own warehouses and have UK plugs on them? They could still allow purchase though the US store but then the shipping would be cheaper. They went to the trouble of putting a 3G connection into the device and getting International rights from the Publishers after all.

It's bizarre.

jamiefrost · 08-10-2009, 16:30

Not sure I like the remote wipe feature of the Kindle though, A lot of online ebook retailers are starting to apply geographical restrictions which are really anoying when a 'UK' version is not available.

JJ

Tezcatlipoca · 08-10-2009, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

You can download it from the US store since it's free. I know I did, but then I had an account though buying gift vouchers from ebay.

I only have a UK account on iTunes. How do you get a US account? Just sign up again with a different email & US address?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Will you be getting a Kindle then Matt?

Nope. Too expensive at the moment, IMO.

Also, someone pointed out on another forum I posted this on, colour e-ink devices are round the corner, plus apparently the rumoured Apple Tablet may support eBooks in some way. Allegedly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Good point about the USB but given the cost of the thing I wish they put more effort into these small details. I mean really, How hard would it have been to ship a bunch to the UK to store in their own warehouses and have UK plugs on them? They could still allow purchase though the US store but then the shipping would be cheaper. They went to the trouble of putting a 3G connection into the device and getting International rights from the Publishers after all.

Good point. Hopefully it won't be long before they start selling them directly from Amazon.co.uk, with UK plugs.

**Damien** · 09-10-2009, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

I only have a UK account on iTunes. How do you get a US account? Just sign up again with a different email & US address?.

I think so. I can't remember if you need to have a valid credit card or voucher, or if you can sign up anyway.

Incidentally after re-downloading the Kindle app I can confirm it's working fine. Ordered a book off amazon and can read it on the phone.

jamiefrost · 09-10-2009, 10:12

Think I'd prefer the new sony prs-600, the kindle is really big for the amount of actual screen you get.

JJ

Tezcatlipoca · 09-10-2009, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

I think so. I can't remember if you need to have a valid credit card or voucher, or if you can sign up anyway.

Incidentally after re-downloading the Kindle app I can confirm it's working fine. Ordered a book off amazon and can read it on the phone.

I may give that a try then, unless the UK Store gets it soon.

------------------------------------

Ah, excellent!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...kindle-charges

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guardian

Amazon admits: international Kindle users will pay more

International buyers to be charged 40% more per book
Admission contrasts with company's earlier comments

Bobbie Johnson, technology correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 October 2009 16.24 BST

Amazon has admitted that international users of its Kindle book reader will be paying significantly more to buy books than their American counterparts.

Since announcing the worldwide launch of the Kindle on Wednesday, many users had questioned whether they would be forced to pay more for downloading books wirelessly to the Â£200 gadget.

The company had attempted to allay those fears by insisting that foreign users would not be paying extra for downloads - but it has now emerged that the internet retail giant will indeed be charging higher prices for consumers outside the United States.

When asked by the Guardian precisely how much downloads would cost, an Amazon.co.uk spokesman revealed that foreign customers - including those in Britain - would be paying $13.99 (Â£8.75) per book instead of the American price of $9.99 (Â£6.25). That amounts to a 40% premium for the same title.

(snip)