Rumor: Amazon Kindle to go worldwide with Vodafone?

Alexander Turcic · 12-08-2007, 08:15 AM

Don't place your bets just yet, but we've received word from an unnamed tipster that Amazon is in talks with Vodafone Chief Arun Sarin to launch its Kindle reader outside the States. Vodafone is one of Europe's biggest network providers, offering network services to countries such as Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain. But also countries outside Europe, such as Australia and New Zealand and anywhere else where Vodafone is operating could benefit from a Amazon-Vodafone partnership.

Okay folks, the moment you've all been waiting for might almost be upon us. E-books for the masses.

Related: Request for the Kindle to be released internationally

JSWolf · 12-08-2007, 12:36 PM

Shouldn't this go into the News section?

Hadrien · 12-08-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Shouldn't this go into the News section?

It's more of a rumor than anything else for the moment. I've heard similar things about the Kindle in France, but not with Vodafone.

JSWolf · 12-08-2007, 12:42 PM

But, anything on the front page worthy I would classify as news even if it is just a rumor at present.

mores · 12-08-2007, 12:43 PM

now all we need is a "don't have a kindle? read this book on your PDA" button and bye bye paper!

TadW · 12-08-2007, 01:10 PM

If it's indeed Vodafone, this would be awesome cool.

Think about travelling. In future, when you pick a beach for your next summer vacation, only make sure that it's in a country with Vodafone connectivity

BKeeper · 12-08-2007, 06:32 PM

Actually, this makes sense.
Vodafone its the only operator who could provide "almost" global coverage in Europe, this would mean Amazon only has to negotiate and sign one deal.

To my knowledge no other operator is in this position in Europe.

(Not to mention that operator fragmentation would complicate manufacturing and distribution.)

So at the very least the rumor has some credibility.

I'm also thinking that in Europe Amazon could even have the final customer buy (or use) a SIM and pay for bandwidth.
Although that is unlikely, it could be the easiest way for them to expand.

If Amazon is really moving that fast, it would also mean that it has secured global distribution rights for kindle titles.

Good news indeed.

arivero · 12-08-2007, 06:58 PM

Has iRex got the exclusive rights for Europe? E-ink is a patented invention, and it can be subject to territorial licenses.

Nate the great · 12-08-2007, 07:53 PM

What type of network does Vodafone use?

BKeeper · 12-08-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

What type of network does Vodafone use?

Vodafone uses a GSM/UMTS network.

GPRS it's slower but Considering the power requirements of UMTS and present limitations of e-ink it wouldn't make any sense to use it for the types of transfers that are gonna take place.

UMTS coverage it's also kinda limited to urban areas. (Not to mention the components for basic GPRS cost peanuts)

As I've mentioned above, if at some point Amazon it's gonna start charging for my network use anyway, I'd rather use my own SIM and "unlimited" data plan.

HarryT · 12-09-2007, 05:34 AM

GPRS would work just fine for the size of files that eBooks involve. I use it all the time for web browsing from my SmartPhone.

HarryT · 12-09-2007, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arivero

Has iRex got the exclusive rights for Europe? E-ink is a patented invention, and it can be subject to territorial licenses.

Heavens no. Bookeen are in Europe too, don't forget.

tsgreer · 12-09-2007, 02:07 PM

But what are all of the "I guess Amazon doesn't want my money because I don't live in the US" people gonna have to complain about now?!

KIDDING!!

mrsp · 12-10-2007, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsgreer

But what are all of the "I guess Amazon doesn't want my money because I don't live in the US" people gonna have to complain about now?!

KIDDING!!

That would be funny except that where I live, vodafone has lousy network coverage. I think it would probably be ok in and around the CBD but get too far out of the city and its bye bye phone service...

PS: I live in Hobart and it takes about 3 hours to drive across the entire state - its not a big area.

Still, if Kindle came to Australia, even if they were on vodafone, I would still buy one (assuming that Amazon are smart enough to undercut Dymocks by, oh say, $300 bucks

)

CommanderROR · 12-10-2007, 05:35 AM

I don't think there will be any lack of things to complain about...

The first thing would be that there are almost no titles available that are not English. I usually read english books anyway, even though I am German, but my girlfriend is very unhappy that I can't buy or even "steal" German ebooks for her anywhere...

Other things will come up, I guess pricing issues ($=€) with device and books (a 9.99$ ebook should cost something like 7€ at a €$ rate of 1.4 but will most likely cost 9.99€, just like in iTunes) and so on...so I guess there will be no lack of things to complain about, but most of us over here would be very happy anyway...

12-08-2007, 08:15 AM	#1
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,171 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Rumor: Amazon Kindle to go worldwide with Vodafone? Don't place your bets just yet, but we've received word from an unnamed tipster that Amazon is in talks with Vodafone Chief Arun Sarin to launch its Kindle reader outside the States. Vodafone is one of Europe's biggest network providers, offering network services to countries such as Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain. But also countries outside Europe, such as Australia and New Zealand and anywhere else where Vodafone is operating could benefit from a Amazon-Vodafone partnership. Okay folks, the moment you've all been waiting for might almost be upon us. E-books for the masses. Related: Request for the Kindle to be released internationally

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12-08-2007, 12:36 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 77,366 Karma: 139110232 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Shouldn't this go into the News section?

12-08-2007, 12:42 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 77,366 Karma: 139110232 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	But, anything on the front page worthy I would classify as news even if it is just a rumor at present.

12-08-2007, 12:43 PM	#5
mores Guru Posts: 834 Karma: 102419 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vienna, Austria Device: iPhone	now all we need is a "don't have a kindle? read this book on your PDA" button and bye bye paper!

12-08-2007, 01:10 PM	#6
TadW Uebermensch Posts: 2,583 Karma: 1094606 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Italy Device: Kindle	If it's indeed Vodafone, this would be awesome cool. Think about travelling. In future, when you pick a beach for your next summer vacation, only make sure that it's in a country with Vodafone connectivity

12-08-2007, 06:32 PM	#7
BKeeper Groupie Posts: 186 Karma: 728 Join Date: Jul 2006 Device: Kindle PW	Actually, this makes sense. Vodafone its the only operator who could provide "almost" global coverage in Europe, this would mean Amazon only has to negotiate and sign one deal. To my knowledge no other operator is in this position in Europe. (Not to mention that operator fragmentation would complicate manufacturing and distribution.) So at the very least the rumor has some credibility. I'm also thinking that in Europe Amazon could even have the final customer buy (or use) a SIM and pay for bandwidth. Although that is unlikely, it could be the easiest way for them to expand. If Amazon is really moving that fast, it would also mean that it has secured global distribution rights for kindle titles. Good news indeed.

12-08-2007, 06:58 PM	#8
arivero Guru Posts: 607 Karma: 2157 Join Date: Oct 2005 Device: NCR3125, Nokia 770,...	Has iRex got the exclusive rights for Europe? E-ink is a patented invention, and it can be subject to territorial licenses.

12-08-2007, 07:53 PM	#9
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	What type of network does Vodafone use?

12-09-2007, 05:34 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	GPRS would work just fine for the size of files that eBooks involve. I use it all the time for web browsing from my SmartPhone.

12-09-2007, 02:07 PM	#13
tsgreer Lovin' the e-book life... Posts: 633 Karma: 2509 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Device: Ebookwise 1150, Sony PRS-505, Amazon Kindle, BeBook (with OpenInkpot)	But what are all of the "I guess Amazon doesn't want my money because I don't live in the US" people gonna have to complain about now?! KIDDING!!

12-10-2007, 05:35 AM	#15
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	I don't think there will be any lack of things to complain about... The first thing would be that there are almost no titles available that are not English. I usually read english books anyway, even though I am German, but my girlfriend is very unhappy that I can't buy or even "steal" German ebooks for her anywhere... Other things will come up, I guess pricing issues ($=€) with device and books (a 9.99$ ebook should cost something like 7€ at a €$ rate of 1.4 but will most likely cost 9.99€, just like in iTunes) and so on...so I guess there will be no lack of things to complain about, but most of us over here would be very happy anyway...

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