OK, it’s official now: this is Kindle launch day in Canada. @AngelaJames is pointing to a news story on Canada.com—apparently based on the press release ahead. Excerpt from story:
“More than 90 top newspapers and magazines are available in the Kindle Store for single purchase or subscription. Available for the first time on Kindle is the National Post. Additionally, all of Canwest’s major daily newspapers will be available on Kindle. They join top papers such as Le Monde (France), the New York Times, the Daily Telegraph (U.K.) and the Washington Post.
The Canadian-targeted Kindle is said to let you choose from 300,000 books although blogs and Web browsing apparently are not available (thanks, eBook Reader).
Big thanks to Steve Windwalker, TeleRead contributor and editor of Kindle Nation Daily, our original tip source in this case! That’s Steve shown on the Kindle screen.
Some Sony hardware news today: Wireless Sony e-reader apparently ready for preorder now—and meanwhile the Sony PRS-500 firmware update is out.
Press release…
National Post welcomes Kindle to Canada
Further to today’s announcement by Amazon.com, National Post, and soon all of Canwest’s big city daily newspapers, will be available on Kindle devices.
“Whether in print, online, or on-the-go on mobile devices and smartphones, our quality journalism is accessible to Canadians where when and how they want it, throughout their day,” said Dennis Skulsky President and CEO Canwest Publishing. “Amazon’s Kindle is another exciting step and whatever comes next, we’ll be there too. We’re excited to be celebrating Kindle’s arrival today and I look forward to what the future holds as we continue to explore and develop innovations in multi media publishing and outlets for our unparalleled content.”
“This is great news for National Post fans who can now subscribe to the full edition and have it “delivered” daily, wherever they are in the world,” said Gordon Fisher, Publisher National Post.
This is also great news for Canadians who already use Kindle devices “down south”. According to the Canadian Snowbird Association there are in excess of 100,000 Snowbirds that flee the harsh Canadian winter and head to all parts South every year. For those who enjoy using their Amazon Kindle while in the US, for the first time this season, they will be able to subscribe to their favourite Canadian hometown or national newspaper too.
Kindle devices and newspaper subscriptions are available exclusively at The Kindle Store www.amazon.com/kindlestore.
About Canwest Global Communications Corp.
Canwest Global Communications Corp. (www.canwest.com) is Canada’s largest media company. In addition to owning the Global Television Network, operating 18 industry-leading specialty channels and having ownership in 5 specialty channels, Canwest is Canada’s largest publisher of English language paid daily newspapers and owns and operates more than 80 online properties.
The Canada release is confirmed. Go to Amazon and select Canada from the drop-down list; it now says Kindle ships to Canada. The selection of ebooks is 300,000. No blogs or web browser though.