Amazon reportedly close to deal for UK Kindle
By Donald Melanson 
posted July 15th 2009 1:03PM
posted July 15th 2009 1:03PM
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]
[Via SlashGear]
I hope it is O2 because they have very good GPRS coverage and thanks to the iPhone 2G, quite good EDGE coverage too.
I totally want one... unfortunately, i have these things called "parents" that might stop me.
kill them
Any news for Canada yet?
It's always the same story with us Canadians! All the most anticipated gadgets are delayed by a year or two!
funny how one is exactly the same size as the other's screen size
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.
3G and wifi? It's getting better than blackberries :)
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.
Too f***** bad I just got the delivery of my Sony e-reader. 140 quids and it's luvely!
It's very nice indeed and would be my choice, not lockdown and no pointless net connection.
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.
What's that big one on the bottom?
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 ?
Because then you'd have to pay one pound every time you download a book? (or two, if you're with Orange).
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.
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.
So is the US one going to get WiFi too?
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...
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.
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!
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
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