Amazon drops price of Kindle 2 to $299

If you logged onto Amazon Wednesday, you may or may not have noticed that the Kindle 2 had a price drop: it's now selling for $299 instead of $359.

Alas, because Amazon ads for the Kindle 2 (and Kindle DX) are always plastered across its homepage--and are easy to ignore--I actually missed the new pricing until a reader pointed it out to me.

However, I did have a feeling Amazon needed to do something to spur demand, because I just haven't been seeing too many Kindle 2s on the New York City subway (the number seemed to be holding steady and not increasing). I know that's not a very scientific way of charting sales, but we started to get the feeling around here that after the initial wave of publicity and a somewhat lackluster response to the larger and more expensive Kindle DX, interest in the Kindle was waning a bit. (Since Amazon doesn't release sales figures for the Kindle, we have no way of knowing how well it's really doing).

Chopping the price to a more palatable $300 will certainly attract some fence-sitters who've been contemplating a purchase, but it's also bound to upset a few folks who bought the device fairly recently. The good news is that if you bought a Kindle 2 in the last month you should get $60 back. According to an Amazon PR rep, "If the product was shipped within 30 days of purchase, customers are eligible to receive the price difference as a credit."

Anybody ready to buy at $299 or is the Kindle 2 still overpriced?

Additional reading: Top Kindle 2 covers and accessories

[okassar]

I was interested when the kindle first came out, especially since you can also subscribe and read newspapers and book which I can read while on the train and maybe use instead of heavy school textbooks, but the price was too expensive and cost as much or more than a netbook. Now, I am using a palm pre and I can pretty much do the same thing, and browse the net. I would probably buy it if it was closer to $150 rather than $300 which is about $100 more than an inexpensive netbook that would have more features. I would also consider more if it carried most of the textbooks that it has in the Amazon store. I don't think it has any of my engineering textbooks, but it would be nice so i would not have to carry them everywhere and the Amazon store is usually cheaper than my local university textbook store.

I know people are hesitant to pick up a Kindle but they also need to realize that it has web surfing built in (all be it in black and white and on a slower kind of OS) but it's FREE (for now with no end date in mind). I Love my Kindle but still need to see the DX in person to decide if I want to switch somehow to the larger one. I like that I can keep my netbook and my Kindle in the same carry bag to limit my bulk. One for the bright Arizona sun and the other for the coffee house to relax and surf with. Too bad there is no Wi-Fi in the kindle or in the others. STILL I use it when I am shopping to listen to books that I am already reading when I am in other places. News papers just need to come down in price a little for me. I don't even bother with those.

[eddblake]

I know loads of Kindle and DX owners are a bit annoyed that it?s still hard to find many publishers that offer proper textbooks for student owners like me. I just found this site a few weeks ago though, www.bookboon.com and these guys publish a huge range of textbooks and every single textbook is made available to download free of charge in a compatible pdf e-book format with no registration. It?s a totally 100% free textbook solution perfect for new Kindle owners like me looking for good and free academic content!

They actually just put up a new accounting series, really good used the ones on Liabilities and Equity and Balanced Scorecard this year as prep for my acca exams. There is also a facebook app with all the books on, http://apps.facebook.com/bookboon Check it out guys?

I TOTALLY AGREE . tHE CORRECT PRICE SHOULD BE $ 150.00 FOR ME TO CONSIDER BUYING IT.

[dmm]

Take away the free internet, which I don't need, and in exchange cut the price to $200. Also, set up an e-book trading system (at a small cost per trade). Or even a system for trading in a physical book for an e-book (again, at a small cost per trade-in). I would find that combo impossible to resist.
Explanation: If I want to browse the internet, I'll do it on my PC. And though it's cute to download books on the fly, it's not critical to me. I'd really rather keep my money so I can buy books with it. Speaking of books, e-books won't take off with the general public until the booksellers set up systems to make e-books either significantly cheaper than physical books or else more like physical books (tradeable, borrowable, sellable).

One last note: I would pay $300 if it were color and could do equations, figures, photos, etc. You know: the way a cheap laptop can.

exchanging books would be great... Digital though....endless copies...hmm. That is an interesting idea though. As it is, when a person has a Kindle they are 73% more likely to try a book after it is suggested by another person, and 38% more likely to buy the book in the end. (Darmon 2009).

Here is an idea. How about selling New York times best seller books that are good for 30 days at 4.99 and additional days are .10 cents in case you don't read it in time. One of the best things about a Kindle though is to be able to find things in your library. Every single time all the authors you read use the word auspicious or something like Lisa and Mark.

The Kindle needs to be more user build friendly though like able to write more. Edit? Maybe not. But at least notate better.

[rmc_fox]

It is still overpriced. If I'm going to pay $300, I'll get an iPod touch and read ebooks on that (when I'm not listening to music, surfing the net, playing with apps or watching a video).

[Vegaman_Dan]

Content is still too pricey for my needs. I like the form factor and the device's design, but the books are simply too expensive for an electronic version. I still prefer paper.

have you played with one for a few days? Amazon needs to launch a try a Kindle campaign like Sony has in the book stores. I'm not sure how they would do it. Rental from a Sprint store? One week into my Kindle I was hooked.

[geeman1082]

I agree ... I don't see how someone would spend $300 on this vs the iPod Touch, unless perhaps they needed the larger display ... I don't own either right now, but would definitely lean toward the latter rather than the former ...

[MyRightEye]

The profits they are making on these devices is crazy. There's not a lot to them. They should be practically free.

[mjw149]

Well, you forget the years of unlimited wireless access.

[MyRightEye]

You forget about years of book sales.

[Syke27]

If the profits were crazy wouldn't we see that in their numbers? I severely doubt the profits are that substantial or Amazon would be selling them for less at the get go. Amazon's never been big on making huge profits.

[CatSittingstill]

The parts alone, not even soldered together yet, are half the retail price of the Kindle 2. I've never seen figures for the DX, but I expect the bigger screen costs substantially more.

[punisher1001]

Would rather buy an XBOX 360 or Wii rather then waste my money on this crap

[halfsek]

It doesn't have an internet browser. It has a 'free' wireless connection to Amazon's Kindle site. You can buy books or subscribe to blogs and newspapers.
It comes in very handy when you finish a book and need another one and your computer is nowhere close.
You can also download samples of books.

You can manage it without the need of a computer. And the books on Kindle are generally less expensive than those on Sony's store. At least for the genres I read.

It's not perfect. The downloaded book management needs to be better. But for someone who just likes to read books, it's great. When I finish, I browse the Kindle site without having to fire up or go to a different computer. I can see recommendations, read reviews and download what I want.

Now, eBooks are still too pricey and a trading scheme would be great. Even a Netflix like idea could work. Just pay a certain monthly fee to keep a certain number of books saved on your reader at any one time. When you finish one, you delete it and download a replacement. I want royalties when someone comes up with this.

But all of the "I'd like all of this for $150.00" comments are a little much. We'd all like all of what a certain product has to offer for less. But simply put, those features, right now, are worth $300.00.

I mean seriously, I want a Ranger Rover. But with gas prices the way they are, $80,000.00 just isn't worth it. I'd pay $30,000.00 though. Y'know, just because.

What do you mean no internet browser? If yours doesn't I would ask if there is a problem with yours. I use my internet browser all the time to get my feedbooks.com books. FREE

What do you mean no internet browser? If yours doesn't I would ask if there is a problem with yours. I use my internet browser all the time to get my feedbooks.com books. FREE

Oh and I got my LR3 (Land Rover) for $24,500 (Yeah used but hey) If you would pick one up for around 30k I'll look for one for you. What color?

[AListener]

halfsek,
The Kindle -does- have an internet browser, although on a mobile unit on a cellular network, it's not speedy.

I used my Kindle 2 to get on the web with the web browser (when my Comcast connection went down) to read a forum, start an order on a product, pause to go to my gmail to check some info and got back to my Amazon order and submitted it. It's an "experimental" web browser (since 2007) but it works, and Amazon puts on preset bookmarks for CNN, BBC News, Fandango, E!, ESPN, Yelp.com and several other places. It also has options for Googling words or phrases when you want, and the 24/7 wireless is free.

It costs $60/month to get wireless for a netbook... and I don't find that most people realize this feature is part of the cost of the Kindle.

It also has highlighting, annotations, inline-dictionary, and search routines built in. Does a lot of things the other e-readers don't try to do and those are reasons it's not $100 or $200. I agree with most of what you say.

- Andrys
kindleworld.blogspot.com

[jmans1212]

The one thing I do like about this Kindel is that it is a bit larger. Better size for magazines, computer manuals etc which is what I would primarlly use it for. However there is so much I don't like aobut this product. I don't like the fact there is no USB port to send documents, manually scanned manuals and already purchased books on my laptop etc to the device. If Sony were to make a larger screen size I would probably purchase that.

[CatSittingstill]

Both the Kindle 2 and the Kindle DX have USB ports. As a matter of fact, that's how they are charged, (though you don't need a computer to charge them; they come with an adapter to let the USB cord use a standard wall plug.)

I assure you, you can certainly move documents from your laptop to a Kindle; I have done it many times with both the original Kindle and the Kindle 2. I just plug the USB cord in and it shows up as a removable drive. I don't own a DX myself, but the web page for it says it comes with a USB cord, so it would be pretty strange if it didn't have this capability too.

[johntdavenport]

true you get wireless for free but wireless will be free to the world soon enough.

i won't buy it because of its price. I know i am going to get gouged filling the thing up with content, just meaningless bits and bytes I will read once or twice and never again. Why would i pay so much up front.

i do want one though.

I would for sure buy it and pay a premium if i could scan my books UPC at home and get a free digital version on Kindle. Then have all of my content searchable and web available at any time.

I would pay about $3 to scan my normal books and have them searchable. I like the Free idea but if I am the one scanning each old book and checking for content errors I would like to get paid and I know no one is going to do it for free.

Good idea though. One great thing about the Kindle is that they enable you to search your "entire" library super quickly.

[DatabaseDoctor]

I bought the kindle2 when it came out and have an iPhone as well. Both let me use the kindle application but I prefer to use the kindle2 for constant reading for battery and eye strain reasons. Flying cross country, i would have completely drained my iPhone thus losing the ability to make calls, get directions, etc. when I arrived. By using the kindle2, my phone was fully charged and ready to go when I landed. The iPhone kindle version is useful for late night reading to get tired but not for long periods.

Yes, I know the cost is high but as an avid reader, the cost savings on the books will EVENTUALLY make up for the price and the lack of packing books for the trips and phone function availability by not using the iphone more than make up for the cost pain.

[shagless]

I have read books for hours at a time on the kindle app for the iphone. Never a major battery drain, just finding a good position to read is the tiring part. I would like maybe to have the magazine subscription feature available on the kindle but other than that, no real loss to me at that price. I can buy ebooks on my iphone and then read the ebooks. $150 - $200 is more likely a buy for me. I think the netbooks and similar devices have shown that $300 is way too much for the Kindle with limited ability. If Amazon is paying that much to build the Kindle maybe it needs to look at new suppliers or builders. I have played with ones in the past and really find it lacking the ooh and ahh I expected. The neat part is the internet access, but if I can purchase online then sync via my computer or wifi no real loss. I get more information and more pleasurable buying experience on my home computer than the Kindle. Plus access to other shopping. Again, overpriced still. Neat, slightly tempting, but not for $300.

The price for not having to carry three books with me on "short trips" more than makes up for the price. Now I can actually carry my travel projector with me in my carry bag for my presentations.

The price for not having to carry three books with me on "short trips" more than makes up for the price. Now I can actually carry my travel projector with me in my carry bag for my presentations.

I have drained my iPhone 3GS battery a few times because I kept reading my books when I left my Kindle at home. HMMM I just wish phone screens were viewable outdoors then the kindle might be gone.

[drormata]

>> But all of the "I'd like all of this for $150.00" comments are a little much. We'd all like all of what a certain product has to offer for less. But simply put, those features, right now, are worth $300.00.

Nope. This is important information for marketing purposes. When the price drops to $150, which it probably will at some point, these people will buy it.

But I agree with your other points. This is the same issue I have with buying MP3s. The publishers cut their costs significantly when people purchase books electronically. They should pass some of these savings to us. They want to both have their cake and eat it. They want to tap into this new growing market, but are afraid to cannibalize their print revenues.

They need to learn from the RIAAs mistakes. Make the ebooks 25% or less of the price of the printed version. Do that, or soon you'll find out that people will start reading pirated versions.

A different question is whether there's really a place for a specialized device like the Kindle. Is it so much better than smartphone that people are going to be willing to carry another device and pay for it. Personally, I think the answer is no.
magine an iphone, palm-pre or gphone that has a display twice as big as the current one. You achieve this by having two displays on a hinge. Yes, I know it won't have the eInk technology, but you have everything in one device, and you can download from multiple sources. No way the kindle will be able to compete with that.

[riffraffy]

"Amazon: Kindle Costs 'Significantly' More Than $185 To Produce"

"On Amazon's (AMZN) earnings call, CFO Tom Szkutak said the cost to manufacture its Kindle e-book reader is "significantly higher" than the $185 that research firm iSuppli estimated recently..."

http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-kindle-costs-significantly-more-than-185-to-produce-2009-4

[istill316]

The Kindle is very appealing, and far more so at $300, but as others have said, eBooks are prohibitively expensive. I've already got my favorites in physical form: I bought most used on Amazon for $6 after shipping. Hence, if I can't get an electronic version for cheap, maybe $5, it's too expensive.

Lending would be great. When I brag on a book, I can hand it to my friend and say, "Here it is! See for yourself!" That can't happen with the Kindle currently.

And what about a library for Kindle books? Guestimate the average number of people per real world library, and thus the average people per library copy of a book, and let people "check out" books from the Amazon eLibrary, for two weeks or whatever.

Kindle book renting, $2 per week?

[istill316]

The other problem is technological obsolescence. Will a Kindle last long enough to pay off? Or will newer better versions make it very hard to resell, and necessary to upgrade? If I have to pay $300 every three years for a new Kindle, will I make back that $100 per year in the relative price of Kindle vs. physical books?

I know I shouldn't but I lend out my Kindle all the time when i am home for a few days. People beg to try it...or at least I can see it in their eyes. What's the worst they can do never talk to me again and rack up a few hundred dollars in kindle charges that they would never be able to keep if I disabled it? They need to start a referral program for these. I think I have sold like fifteen so far.

I know I shouldn't but I lend out my Kindle all the time when i am home for a few days. People beg to try it...or at least I can see it in their eyes. What's the worst they can do never talk to me again and rack up a few hundred dollars in kindle charges that they would never be able to keep if I disabled it? They need to start a referral program for these. I think I have sold like fifteen so far.

istill316 -
I am planning on giving my Kindle away to a kid when I am ready for a new version. I think they should be at schools but I don't much agree with schools mandating things like one kind of tech over another. ( Apple )

I would be willing to pay that if there were more deals with text book publishers. I can't imagine having that device only for pleasure reading.

That is the key to getting this consumer.

[istill316]

Agreed! $300 for reader + $100 for etextbooks < $500 for real textbooks.

God!!! I want the text book priced e-books to come down. For the prices that they are charging for them still I would buy the real one and scan it myself to make it searchable on the computer. I am amazed that I have never heard of such a thing at schools. Three people buy one book and one person scans it. Good bye sell back but hello Search every word.

[MaxZK]

It is a good news for many customers but $299.95 price is too expensive price for eBook reader.
I think that $169.95 price for jetBook looks much more attractive:
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47377

[zhanate]

I like Amazon and I like reading e-books on portable devices (I use my (WinMobile phone and my old PDA) but I think the Kindles are a bit of a scam. They're devices to help Amazon sell more stuff -- overpriced stuff. They should do what the printer makers and razor-blade makers do.

I use eReader on my phone and PDA. The software is free. The books are stlll high for something with miniscule "manufacturing" costs, but, yeah, less than paper. I don't mind the smaller screens. And I'm always carrying the phone anyway. Of course, eReader doesn''t have nearly the selection -- but Amazon's selection isn't going to convince me to put out three hundred dollars. I don't mind physical books, and they regularly go on sale.

[SDRebel_007]

I won't compare it to netbooks or cellphones because I don't think it is appropriate, but I think it is still expensive. At 200 it would be a BUY. Other ebooks like the ectaco or sony 505 have been on sale for as slow as 170 and 200 respectively. That's my price point: $200
Amazon has the internet advantage, but the big DRM issue.

True you cannot move the books from reader to reader...HELLO DRM years are over! We don't steal! NO DRM! I want transferability. But I guess that's the big thing about the Kindle too that Amazon is where your library really is. Not just in your hand. When you get a new Kindle you transfer all your books to the new one.

[docdissection1]

I have a Kindle 1 and have enjoyed it thoroughly being an avid reader. I would like to buy the Kindle 2 or even the Kindle DX and this price cut makes it tempting. Problem is the free wireless via Sprint 3G is spotty in my home where I do most of my reading and downloading. I live in a small town and I have not heard of Sprint plans to increase their coverage here. I do have a wireless N router for my in home wireless network and so probably won't invest in another Kindle until (if ever) they incorporate WiFi in their readers. I was surprised they didn't do it with the Kindle 2/DX.

I have an iPod Touch and do access my Kindle account and library to read books but the back lighting I find very fatiguing on the eyes, the screen surface too small resulting in continuing tapping or swiping to turn pages, and the overall device dimensions again too small resulting in hand fatigue and even cramps. I am talking at least 2 hours at a time of continual reading which is common for me.

The other thing I would like to see is a battery with some stamina. Even with 5 bar 3G you can literally watch the battery drain when connected to the internet. I am just talking about going to the Kindle store to review some books and maybe make a purchase.

I disagree with others that the book prices are too high. Are these people still buying hardback books which now range up to $27 or paperbacks up to $7 apiece? Yeah you can buy second hand books and get them much cheaper but at the current Kindle prices why wait. Being able to share books would be nice but I am a realist and know someone has to make profits off of these products otherwise why bother.

I feel for you. The only way I have found around this problem is by getting a device that is an extender for the cell coverage. Would you consider getting an extender for your house or an add on for the kindle that makes it bulkier but makes it able to get Wi-Fi when you are in those areas like home. Wires are a hassle. I understand and agree.

[jture]

I still like books. You know, actual dead-tree books. Call me old-fashioned ...