Amazon’s 9.7-inch Kindle DX reader can now be shipped to buyers outside of the US. According to Amazon, international users can also expect to get the full range of the Kindle DX’s perks, including free global wireless (via a 3G connection) for downloading books straight to the reader, the whole digital library (or at least the ones that give their eBook rights for the particular country you’re in) that includes “over 340,000 English language books plus US and international newspapers and magazines.” That means international users can now download Tuesdays with Morrie right after a Monday with Māoris (in case you’re in New Zealand).
The 6-inch Kindle is easier to pack and should appeal to frequent travelers. It's cheaper too.
International buyers should expect the same Kindle DX package that costs $489 on Amazon, although shipping fees and international fees taxes will apply (same goes with ebook purchases). The “free 3G wireless” might also be subject to local network restrictions and fees, although you’ll always have the DX’s USB port to fall back on in case you can’t get a signal (for loading the reader with new content via a computer).
To refresh your memory, the DX is Amazon’s newest reader built with a 9.7-inch screen, a built-in 3G modem (for downloading books from wherever there’s an AT&T mobile signal), 4GBs of internal memory for storing up to 3,500 books, and a battery that’s listed to last up to four days.
If $489 seems a bit steep for you (or packing a 9.7-inch reader isn’t a viable option), Amazon’s smaller 6-inch Kindle is also available for global use. It’s significantly cheaper at $259, but comes with a smaller memory compared to the DX (although a capacity of up to 1,500 books should still be more than adequate). It still offers global wireless coverage via 3G though, and just about everything else the DX does.
Tags: Amazon, eBook Readers, Kindle
