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Amazon fires Kindle warning shot

By Reuters

Posted on 18 Dec 2009 at 11:29

Amazon claims that its Kindle eBook reader has posted its best sales ever, as it fires a warning shot across the bows of rivals.

Without giving figures, and barely halfway through the month, the online retailer has claimed the Kindle is already the most wanted product across the company during December.

Amazon sees the Kindle as a pivotal growth driver and is locked in a heated fight with rivals Sony and Barnes & Noble over who will emerge with the best-selling electronic reading device.

Amazon's statement on the Kindle's success follows news that its rival Sony has struck a deal with News Corp to make The Wall Street Journal and other publications available on its electric reader.

Sony has described sales of its Readers as "phenomenal", though it refuses to divulge specific figures.

The company says it's focused on making reading "comfortable" on eBook readers, rather than turning them into multimedia machines.

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User comments

I think I'll stick with my mechanical reader. Who needs an electric one?

By c6ten on 18 Dec 2009

_______

Are there really that many readers of books in the world that an eBook reader would be considered a "must have" device?

By Lacrobat on 18 Dec 2009

The only "must haves" in life are food, drink and clothing. Everything else is there to make our life easier. Can't see a reason why an eBook reader wouldn't make someone's life easier :)

By Josefov on 18 Dec 2009

This must be the reason why Amazon still haven;t despatcghed my order after 3 days of placing it even though I'm paying 1st class for delivery.

The delivery times of the company are beyond a joke, it'll be the last time I order of them.

By a_byrne22 on 18 Dec 2009

you bought a Kindle?

By TimoGunt on 18 Dec 2009

Wow, how believable!

"We've sold more than anyone else!"
'
How many is that then?"
'
"Don't know."
'
"How many have your competitors sold?"
'
"They don't know either."
'
Maybe they should go the Mobile Telecoms route and claim they sold an "unlimited" number...

By phantombudgie on 19 Dec 2009

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