It isnt free in Australia either, as every book costs $2 more than in the USA store (and this has nothing to do with VAT, Currency exchanges, publisher costs, import duties, export duties or the kitchen sink! - before anyone chimes in with this explanation).
Well, actually it has to do with all these things, but your basic point is valid: It's not free anywhere! It's built in to the price of the books, including those free books that are available because Amazon wanted a critical mass three years ago to make Kindle-buying worthwhile, and because publishers have cut deals with Amz to hype new authors or series. These motives don't apply nearly as greatly outside the US, hence the "overseas" surcharges.
BTW: does Oz charge VAT on ebooks, as Britain does? (Print no, digital yes--isn't that weird?)
I have a K2 and would never dream of using it for web browsing. Interesting that the K3 is so much more robust. Yet Amazon can and apparently does limit speed--I wonder why the change? I suppose that as long as you use the web to enhance the reading experience (say to check the online bibliography) it's an acceptable small addition to the cost of providing the book. Or does Jeff Bezos have a Plan that's not yet visible to us mortals?
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