Amazon reportedly close to deal for UK Kindle

This one isn't a done deal just yet, but Mobile Today is reporting that Amazon is "close to finalizing a launch date" for the Kindle in the UK, and that it's now in "advanced negotiations with a mobile operator for an MVNO." From the sound of it, however, Amazon is taking a somewhat hands-off approach this time around, with it not only tapping Qualcomm to manufacture the device, but to secure connectivity for it with a carrier as well. What's more, it seems that the UK Kindle will include both 3G and WiFi connectivity which, as SlashGear notes, would seem to suggest that either T-Mobile or O2 would be likely partners, considering that each already has some sizable WiFi networks of their own in place.

[Via SlashGear]

[Gav @ Jul 15th 2009 1:10PM]

I hope it is O2 because they have very good GPRS coverage and thanks to the iPhone 2G, quite good EDGE coverage too.

[Phoenix @ Jul 15th 2009 1:10PM]

I totally want one... unfortunately, i have these things called "parents" that might stop me.

[nvidiagtx @ Jul 15th 2009 1:27PM]

kill them

[nual @ Jul 15th 2009 1:29PM]

Any news for Canada yet?

[ipodrulz @ Jul 15th 2009 2:13PM]

It's always the same story with us Canadians! All the most anticipated gadgets are delayed by a year or two!

[BloggerN00b @ Jul 15th 2009 1:39PM]

funny how one is exactly the same size as the other's screen size

[carcomptoy @ Jul 15th 2009 1:41PM]

hmmm I wonder if you can unlock it to run on T-Mobile USA or AT&T here...guesstimating that it will indeed use a SIM card.

[Verythrax @ Jul 15th 2009 1:52PM]

3G and wifi? It's getting better than blackberries :)

[weg @ Jul 15th 2009 1:58PM]

O2? Great.. with the coverage they provide here in Oxford, the Kindle could as well not support wireless, and we wouldn't even notice the difference.

[rento @ Jul 15th 2009 1:58PM]

Too f***** bad I just got the delivery of my Sony e-reader. 140 quids and it's luvely!

[Major4Play @ Jul 15th 2009 2:17PM]

It's very nice indeed and would be my choice, not lockdown and no pointless net connection.

[Tim @ Jul 15th 2009 6:27PM]

Me too. Fuck you Amazon. Who really wants to pay for wifi and 3G in an e-reader anyway?

Besides the Sony reader is much more shiny.

[Mile @ Jul 15th 2009 2:03PM]

What's that big one on the bottom?

[Major4Play @ Jul 15th 2009 2:16PM]

T-Mobile and O2 are not exclusive with their wifi networks, who would care anyway wouldn't take very long to download newspapers or books over 2G and 3G coverage in the UK is pretty good.
Why doesn't Amazon just give us a SIM slot and let people stick their own pay-as-you-go SIM card into it ?

[weg @ Jul 15th 2009 6:59PM]

Because then you'd have to pay one pound every time you download a book? (or two, if you're with Orange).

[Wwhat @ Jul 15th 2009 4:09PM]

T-mobile and vodaphone were found to to supply SMS messaging data without court approval to the secret service in the netherlands I hear, so that are the AT&T of europe as it were, be wary, oh and watch what you say in messages until after you blew up the shifty bastards in the euro governments, thanks.

[Isocrates @ Jul 15th 2009 5:00PM]

Much as I love my Sony PRS, I'm looking forward to when the Kindle comes out in Canada, It can handle PDFs much much better.

[Spiraling Shape @ Jul 15th 2009 5:20PM]

So is the US one going to get WiFi too?

[shp900 @ Jul 15th 2009 7:59PM]

Why all this fuss soon (early next year) Plastic Logic will release THE e-reader buying now the kindle is not a good choice... you will regret it for the rest of your life...

[banjax @ Jul 15th 2009 8:45PM]

Well yoda.

Waiting for anything when you want to buy something is always the safest choice and the next thing is always going to be wonderful (and is bound to arrive on time).

'regret it for the rest of your life' - really. If you've done so little living that throwing away $500 on a ebook reader is something you're going to regret for the rest of your life I sugget you get a life so that you'll have something decent to regret.

[Paul @ Jul 16th 2009 7:05AM]

It's the library that's the one of two killer pros for Amazon.. Have you seen who Plastic Logic have teamed up with for content? They are just appalling!

I am hoping that Plastic Logic build Kindle account functionality into their device as it just looks so much closer to the device I actually want to use (as long as they bite the bullet and produce an A5 format with a similar design).

Also, the five device account Amazon give you is the other game winner for them (at least I assume they still do that). Such an excellent idea.. I know who I'd be sharing my book account with already, as we currently share books anyway. How slick that when they buy a book on the account I get to read it and visa versa!

Looking forward to seeing how it all pans out.. would just love to bin my much read paper books and release all that space!

[shp900 @ Jul 15th 2009 8:53PM]

Hey i was just joking to make my point you don t need to be so angry.. its just opinions maybe the one who needs to get a life is you Jesus! Relax man

[Mark Wheadon @ Jul 16th 2009 7:01AM]

I have a Sony PRS-505 at the moment but I must admit that near-instant purchasing and download from a (presumably) much broader catalogue of books is appealing...

Mark