Amazon: New Kindle e-readers, including $139 model, sold out before late-August arrival

Amazon says new Kindle e-readers sold out

SAN FRANCISCO — Amazon.com says it has already sold out of the two new Kindle e-reader models it announced last week.

A spokesman confirmed Monday that the company is temporarily sold out of the Kindles. Both can wirelessly download books — a $189 model does so over 3G cellular networks and Wi-Fi, while a $139 model just uses Wi-Fi.

Amazon.com Inc. started taking new Kindle orders on July 28, saying they would ship to customers on Aug. 27. On Monday, its website said customers could still order the devices, and they’re expected to ship on or before Sept. 4.

Amazon’s website indicated that its larger-screen Kindle, the $379 Kindle DX, is still in stock.

It’s hard to determine how the Kindle is selling overall since the online retailer has not disclosed sales figures.