Kindle 2 has little competition
because WhisperNet, WhisperSync, the eInk screen, the upcoming Kindle Mobile, and the range of products in the Kindle Store combine to create the best eReading experience currently available.
Not exact matches
This makes sense
because it would help Amazon push their core services, which is undoubtedly where they are making the money: If you're out of a WiFi hotspot and you've got a
Whispernet connection that will let you browse the Amazon.com store, then you will definitely end up shopping there more often than a competing site that wouldn't be accessible through
Whispernet.
I can't test it
because I'm in canada and don't have
whispernet.
I probably won't use it at all
because I value the free access to the Internet through
Whispernet and want to avoid paying for it as long as possible.
However, given the size of their business, they don't strike me as lacking business sense, and I'd bet good money that availability to those outside the US is something they're looking into, but
because of the unique qualities of the Kindle (the
Whispernet and their agreement with a cell phone provider) it wouldn't be quick work to do this worldwide.