Actually, the timing (early 2009) checks out. Remember that Sony it's launching in Europe next year , and that means publishers have agreed to license catalogs.
New versions will allow amazon to switch to GSM radio or maybe even wifi, making it compatible with European networks.
The only part of the stry that bugs me is that AMZ probably had a long term contract with Verizon. And that would impli multiple hardware versions, (or new carrier). Which seems unlikely.
For the next verion I'd for a sliding keyboard to maximize the screen area.
Anyway, aren't rumors fun...?
