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Showing posts with label techreview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label techreview. Show all posts

Amazon cuts price of Kindle globally to $259

Posted by Technoratti-Anuraag on Saturday, October 24, 2009 , under | comments (0)



































Amazon had a surprise in store at the launch of the Kindle in India. Due to strong consumer demand, the company has lowered the price of the Kindle globally to match it to the US price.

On October 9, Amazon announced that the popular e-reader’s latest model – the Kindle 2 – would be available globally, at a price of $279 – $20 more than what it retails for in the U.S. However, minutes after the press conference in Mumbai ended, Amazon’s PR representative contacted us to say that the global price of the Kindle has been revised to $259 (Rs. 12,150 approx)..

“Due to strong customer demand for the new Kindle with U.S. & International Wireless, we are consolidating our family of 6-inch Kindles. As part of this consolidation, we are lowering the price of our Kindle with US & International wireless down to $259. The new Kindle with 3G wireless that works in the U.S. and globally in over 100 countries is in-stock and available for immediate shipment,” said Cinthia Portugal, Amazon spokesperson.

Those who have already purchased the device in the past few weeks since its international launch will have $20 refunded to them. With no note on the shipping or taxes, we would assume that additional costs remain the same as before – a $20 surcharge and differing taxes based on the country you are in.

Amazon Kindle

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Amazon Kindle is a software and hardware platform developed by Amazon.com subsidiary Lab126 for reading e-books and other digital media. Three hardware devices, known as "Kindle", "Kindle 2," and "Kindle DX" support this platform, as does an iPhone application called "Kindle for iPhone". The first device was released in the United States on November 19, 2007.
The Kindle hardware devices use E Ink brand electronic paper displays, and are able to download content over Amazon Whispernet using the Sprint EVDOnetwork (the international version uses AT&T's network both domestically and internationally). Kindle hardware devices can be used without a computer, and Whispernet is accessible without any fee.These devices also provide free access to the internet. Kindle devices sold prior to October 19, 2009 were sold only in the United States.On October 7, 2009, Amazon announced an international version of the Kindle 2 with a built-in 3G (HSDPA) and EDGE/GSM wireless modem for connectivity in over 100 countries, which will go on sale October 19, 2009 worldwide.
On March 3, 2009, Amazon.com launched an application entitled Kindle for iPhone in the App Store for iPhone and iPod Touch owners to read Kindle content. Through a technology termed "Whispersync," customers can keep their place across Kindle hardware devices and other mobile devices.
Amazon announced the Kindle DX on May 6, 2009. This device has a larger screen than its predecessors and supports PDF files natively. It is marketed as more suitable for displaying newspaper and textbook content.

Nokia to sue Apple iPhone for patent infringement, up to $12 per unit sold

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The 5800 XpressMusic failed to make a dent. The N97 has drawn yawns from most users, and laughs from iPhone owners. The upcoming N900 looks promising, but initial reviews have it pegged as nowhere near Apple’s high-selling handset. So here’s Nokia’s latest attempt at an iPhone-killer: a court order!
The Finnish mobile phone giant seems to believe that when you can’t beat ’em, the best option is to sue ’em. In a complaint filed at the Federal District Court in Delaware, USA, the company is alleging that Apple's iPhone infringes 10 Nokia patents for GSM, UMTS and wireless LAN (WLAN) standards.
The patents comprise technologies that are “fundamental” to making phones, and have been infringed by Apple since it started making the iPhone in 2007, Nokia claims.
The world’s largest handset manufacturer may be in the right, though. Nokia has already successfully entered into license agreements including these patents with approximately 40 companies, including virtually all the leading mobile device vendors.
"The basic principle in the mobile industry is that those companies who contribute in technology development to establish standards create intellectual property, which others then need to compensate for," said Ilkka Rahnasto, Vice President, Legal & Intellectual Property at Nokia. "Apple is also expected to follow this principle. By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia's intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia's innovation."
Although the amount of money involved hasn’t been disclosed, CNET News quoted Apple analyst Gene Munster as saying that Nokia would be looking for a royalty payment close to 1-2 per cent ($6-$12) of every iPhone sold. With 34 million iPhones sold to date, that comes to about $204-$408 million in damages. Ouch!
Most importantly, Apple seems to be on the back foot in this one. "Invalidating 10 patents is a lot, that's like running the Boston Marathon. It's really hard to do. You might get one, two or even five. But 10 is a lot," said Jason Schultz, director of the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic at the UC Berkeley School of Law.
Given Nokia’s recent losses, they wouldn’t mind the extra cash, surely. How do you like them apples?