While theft of Kindles continue, as does the sale of Kindles that are stolen or reported as such well after the sale, despite Amazon's recently more aggressive treatment (they now essentially brick the Kindle, something long asked for by those having them stolen, but which is now making victims of those buying these units off Craigslist and other used venues, even if they first check with Amazon to ensure the serial number hasn't been reported as stolen), risking those used markets may be the only way to find a new, unused 6" Kindle soon. Currently, you can still get a refurbished Kindle (Global/AT&T) ($169.99), but all other 6" versions are out of stock, both new and refurbished. The Graphite Kindle DX and White Kindle DX are both in stock, though, are are the refurbished Kindle DX (U.S.) ($249.99) and refurbished Kindle DX (Global) ($299.99).The last time Amazon let the Kindle go out of stock for any length of time (in fact, the only time it's happened other than the shortage after the launch of the original Kindle), Amazon brought the item back as a new version instead. All the early purchasers of what has been referred to as the latest generation Kindle until the last month or so, were the ones who ordered the original Kindle while it was out of stock over Christmas and received the newer Kindle instead. If Amazon keeps up with that same tradition, then those who order what is now called the Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 6" Display, White, 3G Works Globally - Latest Generation may find themselves amongst the first to possess either a newer version Kindle. I suspect the next one to release will be a 6" graphite version of the Kindle, with the higher contrast screen now seen on the Graphite Kindle DX and that few other changes will occur on the Kindle that rumors have been pegging at a release date of August. As for when it will release: my prediction is 31 days after the last price drop seen on the Kindle (so as to trigger as few returns as possible), just a happened with the current Kindle, which released on Feb 9, 2009, just after the return period ended for Christmas orders (and which followed the original Kindle being mostly out of stock for two months).
Of course, this time, Amazon can't afford to be out of Kindles for two months. Especially not when there are so many other choices available and when sales growth is taking off. Of course, that tripling in sales growth no doubt contributed to the shortage (as does the sales of other readers, since there is only one source of screens for all the eInk readers). So, what do you think? Wiil you take a gamble on getting a newer Kindle (after all, you can always send it back, if you get the current Kindle) before anyone else?
