Amazon intends to ‘break-even’ on its latest Kindles and e-book devices

Amazon big wigs are not expecting profits on e-reader hardware, ahead of its Kindle Paperwhite reaching UK...

15:17 13 October 2012

Retailer giant Amazon has expressed it is not hoping to make money on sales of its latest e-reading device, the Kindle Fire HD and Paperwhite. The admission comes just weeks ahead of its Paperwhite e-reader being launched in the UK.

 

Amazon’s Chief Executive, Jeff Bezos, told the BBC: “We sell the hardware at our cost, so it is break-even on the hardware," chief executive Jeff Bezos told the BBC.”

 

He added: “We want to make money when people use our devices, not when people buy our devices.”

 

This differs to the aims of fellow rival Apple, who in the past have reportedly indicated that some of their profits are owed to the sales of their devices.

 

The new Paperwhite devices are set to be delivered from 25^th October to those consumers who have pre-ordered their gadget.

 

Amazon’s latest Kindle comes with e-ink and a new function - a backlight. With a screen of 15cm and a price of £109, the inbuilt light makes this the group’s first device of its kind.

 

Amazon Kindle users are also expected to be able to rent digital books. The Lending Library will make 200,000 books accessible to readers to borrow. It is understood this system operates in the US currently, with benefits that are intended for the author and reader.