Big news just now from Amazon. AT&T has joined the retailer as a “sponsor”—no details yet on what that entails—for the Kindle 3G with Special Offers model. This ad-supported version of the Kindle formerly sold for $164, $25 less than the regular price. With the new AT&T sponsorship, Amazon’s 3G version is now at the same price point as the Nook and Kobo touchscreen models, which both offer only Wi-Fi connectivity.

Here’s the press release:

AT&T to Sponsor Kindle 3G
New price for Kindle 3G with Special Offers is $139 – still no monthly fee or annual contract
Never pay for or hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot
Kindle 3G customers read more

SEATTLE, Jul 13, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) —

NASDAQ:AMZN–With Kindle 3G, there’s no wireless set up, and no paying for or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots. Kindle 3G’s always-on global wireless connectivity means that wherever you are – at the beach, on the train, or stuck on the tarmac – no problem, you can download books and periodicals in less than 60 seconds and start reading instantly. Amazon pays for Kindle’s 3G wireless connectivity, which means the convenience of 3G comes with no monthly fees, data plans, or annual contracts. Today, Amazon.com announced that AT&T has agreed to sponsor Kindle 3G with Special Offers and that it is now available at a new price of $139. Kindle 3G with Special Offers is the same as the $189 Kindle 3G, plus money-saving special offers and sponsored screensavers.

“Kindle 3G is more convenient – customers never have to hunt for or pay for a Wi-Fi hotspot – they simply download and read books anytime, anywhere. Kindle 3G customers read 20 percent more books, and take advantage of twice as many special offers,” said Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO, Amazon.com. “A big thank you to AT&T for helping to make the new $139 price possible.”

“Kindle 3G is by far the fastest-growing connected device on the AT&T network. We consistently hear from customers how much they enjoy the freedom of not being tied to a Wi-Fi hotspot and instead being able to download and read new books anytime, anywhere on AT&T’s fast, reliable network,” said Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We are excited to sponsor Amazon’s best Kindle – Kindle 3G with Special Offers – at the new lower price of only $139.”

2 COMMENTS

  1. Still waiting for the touch screen which you know they have to come up with sooner or later to match Kobo and B&N. I cannot be the only one that despises the Kindle 3 keyboard, especially on the graphite model which has very low contrast so that I can only read it in very strong light. August maybe?

  2. Mary’s right. The Kindle 3’s one failing is that gosh-awful keyboard. Larger keys would be an improvement, a touchscreen still better, and best of all would be a touchscreen that doesn’t appear when you’ve attached a Bluetooth keyboard. With its Kindle, Amazon’s almost reached Apple’s knack for keeping people on pins and needles waiting for the Next Thing.

The TeleRead community values your civil and thoughtful comments. We use a cache, so expect a delay. Problems? E-mail newteleread@gmail.com.