Kindle DX sold out, but not for long
By Donald Melanson 
posted June 12th 2009 2:38PM
posted June 12th 2009 2:38PM
Well, it didn't happen quite as fast as the original Kindle, but it looks like the Kindle DX has now officially sold out, a full two days after it first became available. As you might expect, however, folks eager to get their hands on the large and in charge device don't have to wait too long to get their fix, with Amazon promising that the next batch of Kindle DXs will be in stock on June 17th. Of course, as ComputerWorld notes, the fast sellout has once again prompted speculation from analysts that Amazon is intentionally keeping supply low to create more of a buzz around the device, but Amazon itself is naturally staying mum on the matter for now.
I actually saw someone yesterday with a Kindle. Where are these things?
...wireless reading device
I have yet to see one in the wild here in Pittsburgh but then again that's what I get for thinking these old steel workers use technology..
Kinda like a book. I think
i'm from chicago and i've seen this item twice during the winter: once on the CTA bus and once on the train
@stewarta
Airplanes.
Especially on the morning and evening (business) flights. I've been on flights with probably 20 (out of 150 passengers).
I quite like mine, actually, even though I came into it hating Amazon (it was a gift).
Isn't this the real "netbook". :) wireless reading device?
Well either way, even if they are keeping demand low.. The "Buzz" is working. Engadget picked it up. And who knows how many others.
It's not working. It just makes Amazon look stupid.
They sold out in 2 days? It even sounds like an artificially low stock. If it took 1 or 2 weeks to sell out, then perhaps I'd believe it, or not be so cynical.
Amazon is definitely trying to build a buzz for a device that's overrated, overpriced, lackluster in features. For the sole purpose of reading ebooks, it accomplishes it's goal; but in terms of usability and user-friendly is far behind in technology.
You're right, but thats like saying this orange costs $20. In terms of supplying vitamin C, it accomplishes its goal lol.
The whole question of "So what?" pops up..especially when oranges down the street cost $.33 / each.
There are other ebook readers out there.
Kindle seems to be one of the few devices that ignore the cost cutting benefits of competition lol.
Do I blame them Amazon? Of course not. I just cant believe people are falling for it...
@Trey
"Kindle seems to be one of the few devices that ignore the cost cutting benefits of competition lol."
What do you mean? The new DX is hundreds of dollars less than the similar sized iRex. The Kindle 2 is similar in price to other epaper-based ebook readers. The Sony is $300 and the Kindle is $360 (with free wirelsss). Even most of the cheap, no-name devces out there are about the same price.
This is early in the technology curve for this kind of product and the prices are likely to come down over time. If you're not an early adopter, wait until it gets to a price point that you feel comfortable with. In the mean time, I'm enjoying reading on mine.
@Krazie
The value of the always-there internet connection, built into the price, is high for some.
Being able to read with minimal eye-strain is pretty nice, as well.
Are any textbooks available for it yet or have they announced any specific titles and prices on textbooks yet?
they have said nothing about the textbooks since the dx was announced which is ridiculous because that's really the whole point of this thing.
The funny thing is, people say $250 is too much for a PSP that does way more shit then this, or consoles are too high at $300-$400 and need a price drop, but still pay $489 for a screen with some buttons to read books? Nowdays its every madman with its own madness...
It's the e-ink screen, and the wireless data connection, and the ability to only require power when changing pages resulting in tremendous battery life.
Yes... there are other devices that can do more. But as a book reader... a book reader is the best book reader.
@ Michael
Yeah...pointing out 3 mundane features really just proves Gilbertos point even more, not to mention the fact that the kindle isnt the only ebook reader.
I agree that this thing is POINTLESS. Buy real books.
i dont think its fair to compare the psp go to the kindle although i would definitely agree it is way overpriced. i dont think anyone is saying is saying its a fair deal so i dont know what you're complaining about.
Did you just decide to make some shit up? I've seen a TON of complaints about the Kindle's price. You can see such complaints in this very thread.
Actually the first point is valid, the second point refers to the same cheap feature in most devices including the psp, and the third point is restating a feature from your first point. Next time just keep you reasons for price short.
Guys, I don't think Amazon is stating the Kindle DX is "sold out", they just changed the status from "Pre-Order" to "In stock on June 17, 2009" so people would know the specific date it would start shipping.
They already shipped some.
There is no high demand for this. Amazon is holding back inventory to make it look like there is. It happens with every product these days.
Facts not in evidence.
Do you have a citation to back up this claim?
oh no... the wiki police... better find some citations, any citations... FAST
My circle of friends, family and work associates are all into tech. I've never seen a Kindle in the wild. I'm guessing this is all attempted hype building. Other companies have no problem releasing their sales numbers... because the numbers are good. iPhone 4.4M as of January. Netbooks 3.6M last year, predicted at up to 30M this year. Even the Palm Pre just announced they moved 50,000 in the first week and are shipping out another 50,000. No numbers from Amazon isn't hype, it's a dead product.
good point on the sales numbers. i have yet to meet anyone who owns one either.
Maybe you work in the wrong industry. I fly 100,000+ miles a year. In my office, we have about 30 people with kindles and it get's higher everyday. If you drive a car to work everyday, this thing is little value to you, but if you travel weekly, the Kindle is great. Look beyond your circle and you might find that a lot of people buy them. Amazon's did state that when a Kindle version of a book is available, 35% of the sales are to Kindles. Based on penetration, not only isn't it "dead", it is obviously generating good revenue for amazon.
There are 4 people in my office with Kindles. I frequently see people using them on planes, buses, and in coffee shops.
I agree with icfleming. Just because you never saw one in the wild, does not mean they are not selling in significant numbers. I have seen maybe 2 iPhones tops, in the wild. One of them being my own. Where I work I encounter more people with Blackberries or Nextels. Using this "In the wild" nonsense it would appear that Apple inflated iPhone sales numbers.
Not one Kindle sighted in the wild in affluent Newport Beach, California...
Amazon taking a cue from Nintendo?
i wish i could afford one. it would be great for school.
Everyday I see at least 10 Kindles (1st and 2nd gen) on the T in Boston to and from work.
Sold out already? What'd they make, like 50 of em?
You think they made that many? Here in DC the only place I've EVER seen a Kindle is the one on display at the Newseum. Then again, we already know that no one on Capitol Hill reads... except for maybe their own press.
Where do you go that you expect to see them in the wild? In NYC, when I ride the subway, I see people with Kindles, although real books far outnumber the amount of Kindles I see. Obviously you won't see anyone walking around on the street while reading from a Kindle (and hopefully you won't see anyone reading from a Kindle while driving).
You guys are likely not seeing them in public, because, well, they're book readers, not ipods.
Think about when you're most likely to sit back and read a book; right, it's at home in your favorite recliner or in bed.
I'm sure that most people who own a Kindle keep it on their nightstand or put it in a bookcase, like a real book.
Geeks are notorious their near total lack of empathy for others. This is *the* reason design intuition for usability is so rare in both software and hardware. "I would never buy this so no one else will" lol. *Everyone* sucks at doing market segmentation in their heads, even qualitatively. With the Kindle you've got a multidimensional problem: even the Kindle2 is priced out of the top of the volume pricing range (i.e. >$299), and has niche appeal anyway, only being interesting to those people who both (still) avidly read books *and* love new gadgets. Personally, I fit the profile, so I love Kindle to the point of being reluctant to buy paper books now. How many are like me? No clue. How many more would be like me at $99? More than 10 times more. At $39? Ten times that. Only Amazon has a clue about what that 100x might multiply, and what the segment trends might be.
Just got my DX yesterday. Yes, it is high. But I feel there is value here. I travel far from home almost daily, stay somewhere else overnight at least once a week, and travel to other parts of the country about four times a year. Books are heavy; and when you read a lot, the Kindle is great!
Plus the subscriptions are nice. I happily paid this price. It is worth it to me.
I've never seen an iPhone "in the wild." It must be a total failure.
"Wireless reading device". I had one of those back in the day. A few actually. There were these large buildings that stored them on shelves. Unfortunately homeless would also use these buildings to take sink showers and vacate their bowels. I hope those building are able to stay profitable in light of this amazing new technology. "Wireless reading devices", I wonder if I can upgrade all my old reading devices that came with cords, wires, and or hassles of the sort. I wonder if should trade in my 1951 copy of "Catcher in the Rye" and my 1979 copy of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" of wireless versions. I knew that I should have waited but Gutenberg's sales pitch was all to convincing.
too convincing*