From PC MagAmazon launched its Kindle e-reader on a worldwide basis on Wednesday, discounting the price of the basic version by $40 for U.S customers.
The basic version of the Kindle is now priced at $249 in the U.S. Amazon said it launched the international version of the Kindle, complete with international wireless service, at $279. Amazon left the price of the larger Kindle DX unchanged; an international version of the Kindle DX will be launched in 2010, according to the U.K.'s Mirror.
The international version of the Kindle, of which there will be just one, will be launched in over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, on Oct. 19.
Internationally, the device uses AT&T's 3G wireless service, instead of Sprint's service within the U.S. E In this case, however, AT&T contracts with local carriers to let the Kindle roam. However, neither Amazon nor AT&T will charge its customers fees for the privilege.
"With this new Kindle, you can get your books, newspapers or magazines delivered wirelessly whether home or abroad in over 100 countries," Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos said in a note to customers. "Whether you're in Paris, Mumbai, or Sao Paolo, you can think of a book and be reading it in less than 60 seconds."
Bezos told Reuters that he was not "in principle" against making the works available on rival devices like Sony's own e-reader, but was focused on platforms with "large installed bases."
Bezos claimed that the Kindle was the most "wished for," gifted, and the highest-selling product across all of Amazon.com.
