Amazon sold half a million Kindles in 2008, says analyst - Page 2

JSWolf · 02-03-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It would be interesting to know what the cause of the Kindle order "backlog" actually is. The obvious thought is that it's the screens, but that is contra-indicated by the fact that there's no shortage of the other eInk devices which use the same screen. Last spring, when there definitely was a screen shortage, all the devices was back-ordered. That hasn't happened this time.

Maybe Amazon is keeping a low stock so they can gear up for a newer Kindle. We'll find out on the 9th if that may be true or not.

Daithi · 02-03-2009, 02:03 PM

I tend to agree with HarryT that we would see devices from other manufactures also having supply problems if the fault was with E Ink Corp. Plus, I've seen quotes by Amazon executives that have admitted that the demand for the Kindle has exceeded their expectations.

mjh215 · 02-03-2009, 02:21 PM

Daithi; Not if Amazon is selling more. If eInk could only produce 40k 6" screens in January (Pulling these numbers completely out of the air) and they had demand for 50k (15k from Amazon, 10k from Sony, 25k from the remaining lot) they would most likely ship 80% of each order. If Amazon was maintaining 90% turnaround in a month versus 75% for Sony/others then you could easily wind up with Kindles backordered while Sonys are sitting on the shelf, while still being a supply side issue.

Mind you I'm just giving an example, it could entirely be as you say... Or Kindle gnomes broke into the factory and changed the shipping on half the orders to their underground lair. Who knows?

-MJ

pitcher23 · 02-03-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It would be interesting to know what the cause of the Kindle order "backlog" actually is. The obvious thought is that it's the screens, but that is contra-indicated by the fact that there's no shortage of the other eInk devices which use the same screen. Last spring, when there definitely was a screen shortage, all the devices was back-ordered. That hasn't happened this time.

It may be possible that Sony contracted a larger volume of screens from the supplier than Amazon and the supplier simply didn't have enough to keep up with the Kindles demand.

lilac_jive · 02-03-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitcher23

It may be possible that Sony contracted a larger volume of screens from the supplier than Amazon and the supplier simply didn't have enough to keep up with the Kindles demand.

Which, if true, was a smart move on Sony's part.

TheJohnNewton · 02-03-2009, 04:23 PM

Or there is simply less demand for the Sony and others thus their share of the eInk pie covers their hunger for eInk screens.

Penforhire · 02-03-2009, 04:29 PM

Very possibly true. I'd sure like to know the real numbers, just as a point of curiousity.

Daithi · 02-04-2009, 11:30 AM

If E Ink Corp is producing screens at their max production capacity then I suppose I must admit that it is possible Amazon is not at fault for not ordering enough screens. Nevertheless, I still have a suspicion that Amazon simply didn't order the devices because they knew they were going to be introducing Kindle 2.0 and didn't want to get caught with extra inventory. But like everyone else here, I'm basing this assumption on nothing but a guess.

bbusybookworm · 02-04-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJohnNewton

Or there is simply less demand for the Sony and others thus their share of the eInk pie covers their hunger for eInk screens.

I'll be doubtful of this as Sony has been moving pretty aggressively Internationally, launching in the UK and France, and launching in Germany and other countries soon.

From All we've seen the Sony launch appears to have been quiet successful, with many stores running out of inventory.

So you have Sony selling in the US, Canada, UK and France and I'm doubtful that Amazon would be able to outsell this total demand combined, keeping in mind that outside of the US, the Sony may be the only option for many people.

radleyp · 02-04-2009, 04:52 PM

I remember reading somewhere that the Taiwanese screen manufacturer had licensed others, which would mean a greater supply of screens. I don't see any reason for new hardware if there is no new software, and so far as I can tell, there is no new software.

HarryT · 02-05-2009, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

So you have Sony selling in the US, Canada, UK and France and I'm doubtful that Amazon would be able to outsell this total demand combined, keeping in mind that outside of the US, the Sony may be the only option for many people.

Why would it be the "only option"? Machines like the CyBook, BeBook, etc, sell world-wide.

astra · 02-05-2009, 10:58 AM

500.000 sold and only 51 votes in our poll?
0.01 of 1%?

Daithi · 02-05-2009, 11:59 AM

That's a good point astra.

One of the first things I did after I got my Kindle was look for some quality free books, which is how I found Mobileread. I would have thought that with half a million Kindle owners out there that the poll numbers would be higher.

Alisa · 02-05-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

500.000 sold and only 51 votes in our poll?
0.01 of 1%?

A lot of people on this forum have been here for years. They were buying Sonys, Cybooks, et al long before the Kindle was an option. Also there are many people who do not live in the US.

HarryT · 02-05-2009, 12:46 PM

... and there are many people who choose not to respond to polls.

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02-03-2009, 02:03 PM	#17
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	I tend to agree with HarryT that we would see devices from other manufactures also having supply problems if the fault was with E Ink Corp. Plus, I've seen quotes by Amazon executives that have admitted that the demand for the Kindle has exceeded their expectations.

02-03-2009, 02:21 PM	#18
mjh215 Guru Posts: 988 Karma: 12653 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: None of your business	Daithi; Not if Amazon is selling more. If eInk could only produce 40k 6" screens in January (Pulling these numbers completely out of the air) and they had demand for 50k (15k from Amazon, 10k from Sony, 25k from the remaining lot) they would most likely ship 80% of each order. If Amazon was maintaining 90% turnaround in a month versus 75% for Sony/others then you could easily wind up with Kindles backordered while Sonys are sitting on the shelf, while still being a supply side issue. Mind you I'm just giving an example, it could entirely be as you say... Or Kindle gnomes broke into the factory and changed the shipping on half the orders to their underground lair. Who knows? -MJ

02-03-2009, 04:23 PM	#21
TheJohnNewton Addict Posts: 256 Karma: 144599 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Boox Nova 2	Or there is simply less demand for the Sony and others thus their share of the eInk pie covers their hunger for eInk screens.

02-03-2009, 04:29 PM	#22
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Very possibly true. I'd sure like to know the real numbers, just as a point of curiousity.

02-04-2009, 11:30 AM	#23
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	If E Ink Corp is producing screens at their max production capacity then I suppose I must admit that it is possible Amazon is not at fault for not ordering enough screens. Nevertheless, I still have a suspicion that Amazon simply didn't order the devices because they knew they were going to be introducing Kindle 2.0 and didn't want to get caught with extra inventory. But like everyone else here, I'm basing this assumption on nothing but a guess.

02-04-2009, 04:52 PM	#25
radleyp Evangelist Posts: 499 Karma: 20623 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Salem & NYC, NY Device: Kindle Global, iphone4, ipad	I remember reading somewhere that the Taiwanese screen manufacturer had licensed others, which would mean a greater supply of screens. I don't see any reason for new hardware if there is no new software, and so far as I can tell, there is no new software.

02-05-2009, 10:58 AM	#27
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	500.000 sold and only 51 votes in our poll? 0.01 of 1%?

02-05-2009, 11:59 AM	#28
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	That's a good point astra. One of the first things I did after I got my Kindle was look for some quality free books, which is how I found Mobileread. I would have thought that with half a million Kindle owners out there that the poll numbers would be higher.

02-05-2009, 12:46 PM	#30
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	... and there are many people who choose not to respond to polls.

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