Washington23 - Breaking News and Updates

Amazon’s Kindle 2 e-reader is listed as “temporarily out of stock” on the company’s website in what could be a sign that a new Kindle model may be on its way.
“Order now and we’ll deliver (the Kindle) when available. We’ll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information,” says Amazon on its page listing the Kindle 2.
The shortage may be because of a surge in demand for Kindle but more likely is that Amazon is preparing to introduce an improved version of the device. So far, Amazon hasn’t commented on the reasons for the Kindle shortage.
In June, Amazon cut price on the Kindle to $190 from $260 earlier. A few days later it launched the new Kindle DX, featuring an updated version of the E Ink screen known as Pearl. The black-and-white Pearl display offers a contrast ratio 50 per cent better than the earlier model of the DX screen.
One of the hottest consumer electronics products of last year, the e-reader market is in turmoil this year. Smaller e-reader makers such as Audiovox, iRex, Plastic Logic and Cool-er have found themselves squeezed out by the competition, especially Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Despite the launch of Apple iPad, which comes with its own iBooks bookstore, Amazon has continued to see strong demand for the Kindle. Since it lowered the price of the Kindle to $190, sales of the Kindle have tripled, says Amazon. Amazon hasn’t disclosed till date how many Kindles it has sold.
The latest shortage of the device coincides with rumors that Amazon planned to introduce a new Kindle model in August. An e-reader with a color screen is not likely but the new Kindle could sport a better black-and-white display, updated hardware, improved user interface and new apps.
See Also:

Upstart E-readers Fade to Black as Tablets Gain Momentum
5 Things That Will Make E-Readers Better in 2010
E-Readers Will Survive the Onslaught of Tablets
Gallery: E-Readers Push Boundaries of Books
Apple iPad Raises the Stakes for E-Readers

Photo: (kairin/Flickr)

Fuente: Gadget Lab