Tuesday, March 1, 2011

AT&T to resell the Kindle 3G, beginning March 6

Consider this a win-win for both Amazon.com and AT&T (in its non-iPhone exclusive state). AT&T is now Amazon.com's latest Kindle distributor, AT&T announced on Feb. 28, which makes a lot of sense: AT&T is the wireless carrier that the 3G Kindle uses in the U.S.

Kindles won't reach AT&T retail outlets until March 6. This probably won't generate a huge spike in sales (let's face it, the easiest way to order is still online, and ordering from Amazon.com results in no sales tax for most buyers, too). Still, this is definitely a good move for both sides.  Note that only the 3G version will be sold, not the wi-fi only version.

AT&T can use the new partnership to emphasize the fact that Amazon.com trusted the carrier enough to use it for its 3G service (although to be honest, in the U.S., if you wanted the widest coverage for a GSM device there wasn't much of a contest). Amazon.com has another partner that can show off the device in a store (which is how a lot of folks still want to do: examine the device in front of them and in their hands).

You can read the full press release below.

AT&T INC : Amazon Kindle 3G Coming to AT&T Stores Nationwide

DALLAS, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced it will begin selling Amazon's bestselling Kindle 3G in AT&T company-owned retail stores nationwide beginning March 6. Amazon's Kindle 3G continues to be powered by the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T. AT&T will include Kindle 3G in its connected devices displays throughout AT&T company-owned stores, offering customers the opportunity to test drive the device onsite. The latest generation Kindle has received rave reviews from the New York Times, Wired, CNET, PC World, PC Magazine, and more, and has recently become the bestselling product in the history of Amazon.

"Amazon has without question pioneered the eReader space with Kindle, and it's exciting to not only connect this device through our network, but now offer it in our stores to readers around the country," said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, AT&T. "As the first dedicated eReader offered in our stores, we are confident the Kindle will be an attractive addition to our in store connected devices lineup."

Kindle 3G, which connects over Wi-Fi as well as AT&T's mobile broadband network, wirelessly downloads books, magazines, newspapers, blogs and personal documents to a 6-inch, high-resolution electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper.

"We're excited to work with AT&T to offer Kindle 3G to AT&T customers across the country," said Mike McKenna, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. "Customers tell us they love Kindle 3G because of its light weight, battery life of up to one month, and advanced paper e-ink display that works in direct sunlight. Customers love being able to think of a book and be reading it in less than 60 seconds thanks to AT&T's wireless network."

The new Kindle 3G boasts the advanced paper-like Pearl E Ink display that is easy on the eyes and works outside in direct sunlight, massive storage of up to 3,500 books, up to one month of battery life with the wireless off, no monthly wireless fees or annual contracts, and light weight which makes it easy to take with you everywhere you go -- all for only $189.

Kindle offers the largest selection of the books people want to read. The Kindle Store now has more than 810,000 books, including new releases and 107 of 111 New York Times Best Sellers. Over 670,000 of these books are $9.99 or less, including 79 New York Times Best Sellers. Kindle lets you "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" - on Kindle as well as on free Kindle apps for iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and Android-based devices. Amazon's Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes your full Kindle library of books, bookmarks, last page read, highlights and annotations across all of your Kindles and Kindle apps so you never lose your place or are without your reading.

Via: BIAT&T

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