Vodafone NZ: we're making a play for Kindle

Coming to a beach near you?

Vodafone has confirmed the unsourced rumour in well-regarded niche trade publication Computerworld that it is in talks with Amazon about bringing the Kindle to New Zealand.

External communications manager Paul Brislen told NBR that Vodafone is in "deep discussions"with the giant US e-tailer about its e-book tablet, but would not be drawn on further details.

NBR understands that Telecom is also in discussions with Amazon.

This afternoon, Telecom's Rebecca Earl told NBR: “We can see the appeal of the Kindle and are looking into our options for a device of this type, there are content considerations also and for this reason it’s too soon to comment further.”

As first reported by NBR, Amazon is to release a new "International Wireless" version of the Kindle in Australia, and a range of other countries, on October 29.

The Kindle features a built-in 3G cellular radio, allowing e-books to be beamed directly from Amazon.com to one of its tablets via a partner phone comany's network.

Amazon's Australian telco partners have yet to be named.

A Canadian report says Amazon is deliberately planning off the top three telcos in that market, fishing for the best deal.