According to Amazon and many folks behind the scenes, Amazon Kindle is now out until late February. Amazon has announced that they simply can’t get things in stock sooner. Now, I had a story a while back about Kindle 2.0 coming 0ut in May 2009. By my estimation, 13 weeks from now is awfully close to the release date of the 2nd generation Kindle. Coincidence?
We have no indication that Amazon is planning to postpone the release of Kindle 2.0. And I fully expect us to have more information, including more pictures, by next March. So, why is Amazon still selling Kindle 1.0?
Here is what I think. I think Amazon had a magic sales number in mind for Kindle 1.0. I firmly believe that Amazon is going to sell as much as possible to get as close as possible to that number. After that, they are going to announce that Kindle 1.0 is out of stock for good and introduce Kindle 2.0. If that is the plan, and the 2nd gen Kindle is priced lower than the first gen one, there will be a few unhappy customers (Apple learned the hard way.)
What’s your take: Should Amazon Keep selling Kindle 1.0 knowing that they will not be shipping it in 3 months, considering that Kindle 2.0 may be out in May?
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2 comments
#1KarenDecember 11, 2008, 12:19 pm
“We have no indication that Amazon is planning to postpone the release of Kindle 2.0.”
Although technically true, there is also NO indication of what the original estimated release date might be (the only official statement from Amazon was “2009, at the earliest.” I can’t imagine anyone being happy getting that pre-gen1 limited functionality and bigger formfactor prototype that keeps being posted as rumored the “kindle 2.0″, especially if they paid for and expect the current Kindle.
For those who are still searching for an Amazon Kindle for Christmas (and who were not lucky enough to be at today’s taping of Ellen, where the entire audience received a free Kindle and basket of other goodies from Amazon), the refurbished Kindles keep combing back in stock at Amazon. There were several up this morning at 11 am EST (this isn’t the first time this was a good time to check – remember that 11 am EST is 8 am PST) and didn’t sell out until after 11:30. From the comments on who grabbed one, there must have been at least dozen in stock today:
http://www.tinyurl.com/RefurbKindle
Note that if the refurbished units are sold out, that page will also display “used” Kindles being sold by third parties, not Amazon. Generally these are new or only slightly used units, sold at a premium due to the shortage. I know that dozens of the refurbished Kindles have been sold and shipped since Dec 1, but they go in an out of stock quickly. They don’t last on the site very long, so if you want one, you must order it immediately if you find one in stock. If you they are out of stock when you check, be sure to read my blog for tips on getting one:
http://beesontheknob.blogspot.com
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