Amazon to Release New Kindle With Rechargeable Protective Case

From The Wall Street Journal:

Amazon.com Inc. is betting on batteries to drum up more sales of its popular line of Kindle e-readers.

In a first for the Seattle online retailer, Amazon will soon sell a higher-end Kindle with a rechargeable protective case for extended battery life, according to a person familiar with the matter. This removable cover will allow the Kindle to be thinner than earlier devices.

Also under development is a separate Kindle case with a battery that can be charged using solar power. It is unlikely this case will be released in the immediate future, another person familiar with the matter said.

. . . .

The latest devices would help to solidify Amazon’s dominance in e-readers. Rivals likeRakuten Inc.’s Kobo and Barnes & Noble Inc.’s Nook have failed to gain significant traction, in part because of Mr. Bezos’s stated commitment to selling devices at or near cost to keep prices low.

. . . .

Because the devices are durable, one challenge has been compelling readers to buy upgraded versions, according to people familiar with the matter, though Amazon says it is content to make money off e-book sales even for older model Kindles. The company has never released details about Kindle sales.

Link to the rest at The Wall Street Journal (Link may expire) and thanks to Pam and others for the tip.

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