[KlondikeGeoff]

As my Kindle is more than a year old now, I decided to order an extra battery just in case, even though have had no problems with the original. It shocks me to realize if the battery dies, the K can't be used. I will have just an expensive door stop. More shocking is that Amazon totally ignores the large base of K1 owners and refuses to even give an explanation of the situation.

For what it is worth, and expect it is worth nothing, here is the email I sent to them regarding this:

"I realize there must be some reason for the backorders of this Kindle battery, but from what I can see on the forums, it has been an exceptionally long time that this has not been available.

As one of the large group of loyal Kindle1 owners, all of whom love the device, it seems extraordinary that it is still impossible to estimate a date when they will be ready. Amazon should at least be forthcoming and explain exactly what the situation is. Where is the battery made, why in the world can not some other battery manufacturer make these, and so forth.

If a battery fails, the valuable Kindle will not be usable, and yet we are left in the dark about any expected date. Some have suggested that this is an Amazon plot to make K1 owners buy the Kindle2. I choose to believe this is not true, but I and others would be more at ease about Amazon's motives if a reasonable explanation of the situation were made to current owners. Otherwise, many will lose faith with the Kindle group, and it will not be to the advantage of Amazon."