#Amazon

News · August 24, 2026 Are Budget Smart Speakers and E-Readers Gone for Good?

Amazon raised prices across its hardware lineup by up to 60%, pushing the entry-level Echo Dot to $80 and the base Kindle to $150. Rising memory costs driven by AI infrastructure have effectively eliminated the company's subsidized gadget model.

Article · August 24, 2026 Rising Memory Costs Forced Us to Raise Kindle Prices, Amazon Claims

Amazon quietly pushed price increases of up to 60% across its Kindle lineup and smart devices, blaming surging memory component expenses. The markup dismantles the retail giant's entry-level subsidy model, leaving basic monochrome e-readers vulnerable to open-format competitors like Kobo and Onyx Boox.