Recently, Amazon announced the new International kindle with availability in over 100 countries. So, why then can't Canadians get their hands on this electronic reader?
When asked via email, Amazon spokesmen Drew Herdener said: "kindle with US and International Wireless has wireless connectivity in Canada. We want to ship to Canada and are working on it." When pressed on the issue of what was holding the International kindle up he would not comment further.
Some have suggested that it is Canadian Publishers that are holding up the Amazon Kindles release. However, the Association of Canadian Publishers has said that there have been no issues with copyright and so it must be something to do with the wireless networks.
Until only a few weeks ago Rogers Communications was the only wireless operator in Canada using the same technology as the International kindle. However, Bell and Telus have announced a new next-gen network that will be compatible with the Amazon kindle (and the iPhone) therefore giving Amazon more options in choosing a wireless network partner.
But, with the Christmas shopping season upon us, perhaps Amazon will be missing out on some 30 odd million new customers. Canadians are eager to begin using electronic reading devices as Amazon competitor, Sony, knows well. Sony has recently partnered with Best Buy and London Drugs in Canada to offer their new line of electronic readers, the Sony Pocket, Sony Touch and Sony Daily Edition.
The Sony Electronic book Readers can be purchased online on Amazon and at the Sony Store Canada.
UPDATE: Good news for Readers...you can now get the popular Amazon kindle in Canada...just in time for Christmas!
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