Amazon makes Kindle available to order in Europe

20 Oct 2009

Just in time for the Christmas shopping season, Amazon has made its Kindle available to consumers in the UK and the rest of Europe.

As of 19 October 2009 consumers in Europe are now able to order Amazon's 6-inch diagonal device. In the Uk the Kindle will cost about £180 to buy. Amazon's larger screen Kindle, the DX, is still only available in the US.

Amazon has kept the name of its network operator partner under wraps, though the Europe-destined Kindles could be using AT&T-registered SIMs, which will work on several mobile networks.

Plastic Logic's e-reader will offer wireless access through AT&T's 3G network. As well as bookstores and publishers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Hearst, tech houses like Apple, Plastic Logic and iRex Technologies and content aggregators, 3G network operators are all looking to exploit the lucrative e-reading and e-content market, from supplying hardware, through to content sales and distribution.

E Ink and PVI supply the glass-based e-paper display modules used in Amazon's Kindles, though the online bookseller is experimenting with flexible displays, for future large screen devices, through its subsidiary Lab126.