After a long wait, Amazon.com (AMZN) has released a global version of the Kindle digital reader, making the device available in the UK and more than 100 countries and territories. In an additional boon for U.S. readers, the company also dropped the Kindle’s price by $40, from $299 to $259.
Along with the new globetrotting reader, Amazon is now accepting pre-orders for the new Kindle with U.S. & international wireless. Shipping October 19, it will sell for for $279. Along with the new device comes a host of new publishers on the international device, a list that includes Bloomsbury, Canongate, Faber and Faber, Hachette, Harlequin, HarperCollins, Lonely Planet, Penguin, Profile Books, Quercus, Simon & Schuster and Wiley.
Here’s more from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos: “Kindle is the most wished for, the most gifted, and the #1 bestselling product across the millions of items we sell on Amazon, and we’re excited to be able to lower the price … At home or abroad in over 100 countries, you can think of a book and download it wirelessly in less than 60 seconds.”
